Webasto versus Eberspacher boat heating

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I'm hoping someone can help out here. I've done a lot of web research and the general feeling I get is that Webasto is quieter and more reliable. I found several complaints about Eberspacher but none about Webasto. Or wasn't I looking hard enough? So, I'm going to fit a Webasto Air Top 3900 to my Sunseeker San Remo, but I can't find anyone whose actually done this. Have you? Lastly, In the UK the system is going to cost about £1700 whereas I can buy from Germany about £500 less. The UK dealer says it can't be a marine unit, but the Germans assure me it is. Again, any experiences would be most useful to learn about.
 
I have a webasto unit. I can't remember the model number. It's always worked a treat.

Oh no, what have I said....:D
 
Webasto Air Top

Hi,

I have a Webasto in my Hunter. Good bit of kit, draws the diesel from the main tank. Bit noisy on full spin, but then they all will be - blowing hot air. Only way to deaden the sound is to get it as far from the cabin as possible. Space is limited in boats so not much choice in many.
Firms only service/handle one or the other. Here I found a Toyota garage that looks after Webasto as well. Installation needs big holes in the bulkheads, cabinets and outer skin.
Bits are expensive but all details, manuals, etc on the net.
Would not be surprised if the kit from Germany is the same. They are not "marinised" as the same units are in Caravans, Lorries, etc.
They can be fitted with a timer and I think also remote control over SMS.
It will extend your pleasurable crusing season.
 
Just bought an evo 3900 kit with all the marine fittings included and and installation kit with 10 metres of pipe and some outlets thrown in for 1609 € in Holland.
Basic heater is available for 1500 € I think. If you go to google.nl and select dutch pages only it will list you the local shops there. Mine was a special combo offer from Althena Marine but it was the last one.

Rob
 
No Contest, I have both in successive boats and the Wabasto wins hands down, far more reliable and tolerant of dirty fuel and low voltage, faults reset themselves, spares a lot cheaper and you don't require so many of them.
 
Another vote for webastoe over Eberspacher , having owned both the webastoe so far has been trouble free (5-6 years) touch wood.
The eberspacher was always playing up and noisy.

If you use a non marine unit at least try to avoid plastic fuel lines and try to use copper brake pipe and fittings.
 
As part of my business I also service both makes.

I am not biased either way when asked to install whatever the client wants, a lot of deals are done at shows and there rock bottom prices.

I can say that the webasto beats eber hands down for ease of servicing, there are 3 main parts to a webasto, where as the eber is full of parts and not as easy to service.

Go for the new 5500 e tronic its a beauty.
 
Webasto seems to be the favourite. I did alot of research on the Webasto 5000 when I bought the boat and as said above not alot seems to go wrong with them and if they do the parts seem to be quite a reasonable price to fix. I was told and read, that they do not like to be burning on a low temperature for extreme long periods of time as they tend to coke up so the best advice seems to leave them burning flat out and if it gets to hot , open a window. I have also seen on ebay that there is a company that will service the burner for about £250.
 
jonoR said:
Webasto seems to be the favourite. I did alot of research on the Webasto 5000 when I bought the boat and as said above not alot seems to go wrong with them and if they do the parts seem to be quite a reasonable price to fix. I was told and read, that they do not like to be burning on a low temperature for extreme long periods of time as they tend to coke up so the best advice seems to leave them burning flat out and if it gets to hot , open a window. I have also seen on ebay that there is a company that will service the burner for about £250.
Click to expand...

wow jono id like 250 to service one!!!
 
I'm in favour the other way round, it is the simplest and littlest of things. Last boat we had webasto and the thermostat was not good, we have an eber now and its spot on.
If I was being picky the fuel pump on the new one is noisy - but that's separate from the heater (mounting?).
Webo never went wrong, and (touch wood) eber hasn't either.
 
Had an eber, it cost fortunes in parts, eventually switched to Weber. That lasted about two years, before sooting it's self up passed normal cleaning and burning all it's wires and gubbins out. I now use the 20 quid fan heater mostly and save the Weber for emergencies only.
 
Just installed an Eber yesterday and can confirm they are not marinised as there are instructions included for fitting in trucks/vans and boats. There is a extra pack with a few boaty bits, i.e. skin fitting for the exhaust.
You must not change the pipes for anything else unless you get the internal diameters spot on, as it will upset the pumps delivery, there are detailed instructions depending on where you take the fuel from on the boat/truck showing that you have to use certain diameter pipe before the the pump and smaller after the pump, the pipes are in the fitting kit.
One thing to bear in mind is that bigger isn't always better, the customer ordered a D3 for a 20 ft boat!, I convinced him to have a D2, the problem is that if the output is too much you will turn it down very quickly and run it on low, all diesel heaters will suffer from sooting if run at tickover for extended periods and it will need decoking as the burner will block up, as others have experienced.
Its better to have one which needs running at full for at least half the time its on.
I have repaired all heaters from Wallas through Eber and Webasto, I can confirm Wallas give very little trouble and will only need a new glow element every few years.Had Wallas heater and cooker in my last boat and would definitely have cooker again.
Eber are fine if installed and serviced correctly, but most problems I have seen are from incorrect fuel supply or low voltage, and I have an antique Webasto Airtop in my boat which I serviced last year and converted to run with a thermostat instead of either on or off and it works just fine.
 
Thanks to all..

The feedback has been most useful. I have never heard of Wallas but having now read all about them, I am inclined to think their D40 might be the best option for my particular boat. I'll report again once I've completed fitting...
 
No noise or power needed...

If you only want to heat one space then I recommend a propane Force 10 cabin heater.

http://www.boatownersworld.com/dickinsonmarine/cozy_cabin_heater.htm

I have on Amaranth and it works very well. (There's gas onboard anyway for the cooker)

I am not keen on any heating that requires power and is fan driven. All I can hear when walking along the pontoons this winter is the whirring of other boat's Ebbers..

Ian
 
wabasto heater

Hallo webasto fans.
Can anyone tell me how a wabasto heater is suppose to work?
mine is the airtop 2000 [small] It spools up nicely but no matter what i set the temps to It just keeps on blowing hot air. I have tried setting It halfway round the dial[ approx 22 deg ] running untill the cabin is really warm then dropping it to [approx 11 deg] but it just keeps blowing hot air at the same volume and temp untill I switch It off. It then spools down properly It's three years old.
 
balooboat said:
Hallo webasto fans.
Can anyone tell me how a wabasto heater is suppose to work?
mine is the airtop 2000 [small] It spools up nicely but no matter what i set the temps to It just keeps on blowing hot air. I have tried setting It halfway round the dial[ approx 22 deg ] running untill the cabin is really warm then dropping it to [approx 11 deg] but it just keeps blowing hot air at the same volume and temp untill I switch It off. It then spools down properly It's three years old.
Click to expand...

Id say the reason its on hot is because its that cold it cant reach trip out temp.

You could test the thermostat by applying a hot air gun or hair dryer near the stat to see if it trips out.
 
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