Diesel Heating (Eberspacher/Webasto) Fitting Costs

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MacMan

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All,

Like many others at this time, I note from recent forum entries, I am looking for a new boat.

When comparing prices on some of the boats I am looking at, one of the things I am trying to get my head around is the ball park prices required to bring boats without certain kit up to the same spec as others.

In particular I am looking at diesel powered heating on a 34 footer.

In a review of recent threads I can see the a quite complicated picture emerging of Eberspacher/Webasto etc. with respect to reliability.

Later on, if I buy one without heating I will do the detailed research and try to work out exactly what is right for me but in the meantime can the forum supply me with "ball park" costs to install.

I would want it to be operable at Anchor so mains electricity powered solutions are not for me.

Other than that if anyone has the number it would be great to know

Rough costs of all parts to install
Rought costs of labour if I have this professionaly intstalled (Solent based)

Anyone's answers much appreciated

Thanks, Macman
 
Thought about gas heating instead? Probably a little cheaper to buy, much quieter in operation, cleaner, longer service interval and better reliability. Downside used to be higher operating costs but with the increase in diesel prices, probably no longer an issue. Neither should sufficient gas locker space be a problem on a 34 footer
 
OK, would consider it. Presumably would do away with all the "electrical" problems of some diesel solutions.

So what would the ball park costs of a Gas system be ?

Still happy to recieve others replies in costs of either systems...

Thanks, Mark
 
Fitting can vary alot. Deciding how to and and then running the large ducting thru a boat can consume alot of the install time, so a single outlet system can be notabley cheaper than a multiple outlet system plumbed throughout the boat. For a basic system allow as day or two, for more complex systems allow a few days or more depending upon the install as all sort of things can crop up. An example is that to safely run an exhaust pipe thru a cockpit locker we are having to glass in an additional divider; unusual, but like I say it really can vary.

Price of the units themselves also varies, compare for example Mikuni against Eberspacher for a similar power output, and you will see what I mean. If you look at the many online suppliers you will get an idea of the range.

Bottom line is for a basic installed eberspacher system you are not going to get much change out of £1200-1500, and it wont put that in the purchase price so if it has it installed already then you are likley you save money, even if the unit does need a good service. That said there are so many factors that count towards teh cost of a boat, this is just one. Electrnic instrumention and autopilots, sails etc can all quickly add up if you have to upgrade or renew them shortly after purchase.

Anthony
 
Re: Diesel Heating (Eberspächer/Webasto) Fitting Costs

[ QUOTE ]
In a review of recent threads I can see the a quite complicated picture emerging of Eberspächer/Webasto etc. with respect to reliability.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think what you see, with respect to the forum is not an indication of reliability, but popularity. More people have Eberspächers so you read of more problems.

General problems seem to be poor power supply, units too far from the batteries, poor installation. This is my general feel, I may be wrong, but have generally read with interest peoples problems with Eberspächers for my own future reference.

Mine has been running for 5 years without a blip.
 
I use gas, mainly because I got a Trumatic 2.4 cheap and have very big gas cylinders on board. I also dabble with eberspachers as a retirement hobby.
Dont forget you still need 12 volt electrical power for ebers, webasto and gas 2 to 5 amps depending on the heater.
Regards
 
Agree with that...

[ QUOTE ]
I think what you see, with respect to the forum is not an indication of reliability, but popularity. More people have Eberspächers so you read of more problems.

General problems seem to be poor power supply, units too far from the batteries, poor installation. This is my general feel, I may be wrong, but have generally read with interest peoples problems with Eberspächers for my own future reference.

Mine has been running for 5 years without a blip.

[/ QUOTE ]Fully agree with that. Installation quality is undoubtedly reflected in subsequent reliability. Eberspacher have a superb installation manual, but few people refer to it. My (factory-fitted) Eberspacher is now 17 years old, and still working fine.

One other thing to bear in mind before reading too much into people's problems with Eberspachers is that loads of these are secondhand units bought on eBay and self-installed, often badly. So it's hardly surprising there are problems.
 
Is there a third option? when along side with mains I noticed that our 31 footeronly needed a small electric fan heater on and then only on a low setting. Since we have 240v plugs throughout the boat already we opted for a small 2KVA genny instead, first try this weekend. Changing the heater to a small oil filled one as I have previously had a nasty scare with little fan heaters. It also meant I don't have to spend a week dismantling and cutting 3 inch holes in cabinets and bulk heads to get the heating ducting through. Probably to expensive to run for a live aboard but for weekend sailing shouldn't be a problem. Also gives us 240v for battery charging, laptops, hot water and electric tools on board, all be it not at the same time.

Pete
 
Re: Diesel Heating (Eberspächer/Webasto) Fitting Costs

Just sold my 20 yr old Webasto on ebay
i guess i could have fixed it but really coulnt be arsed with it .
put the sale price + saving on parts / service towards a Mikuni MY 30.
recon the Mikuni transplant has cost approx £380 taking the above into account /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Re: Diesel Heating (Eberspächer/Webasto) Fitting Costs

Agreed. I've had 3 professionly installed Eberspachers covering over 20 years and had very few problems. I'd always use them.
 
By virtue of their popularity, Eberspacher/Webasto can't be all bad. I bought a 3500 2 outlet last season for about £1250. A main dealer of popular French boats (like mine) wanted £1000 to fit the 2 outlets. Ouch! My boat is 36 ft. The marina resident engineer asked for substantially less. It took him for ever to fit it, basically when he and all of his relations must have run out of excuses. In the end, I compromised on a single outlet to save the axe from my bulkheads. It heats the boat adequately from the outlet in the port side, aft cabin, providing that all cabin doors remain open.

My previous boat was made in Sweden and had installed-from-new gas fired, hot water, low level radiators. A thousand times better than a hot air system. Most certainly the best heating I've ever had the pleasure to appreciate. Know a thing or two these Swedes! It depends upon your boat and the space available for ducting. On some boats its difficult. On others, its near impossible!

Most people have Eber or Webasto so they must be good, right? With hindsight, did I do enough research to assess feasibility of fitting a gas fired hot water system. No. On a cold night, am I grateful for the Webasto. Oh yes.

Good luck with your hunt.
 
ebers are ok, im same as dogwatch, install it properly and it will go for ever reliably. i put a d1lc, 1800 watts, in my 35 ft bene, one hot air outlet in the saloon, open the doors and the boat is cozy throughout, second hand d2 airtronic 2200 watts, will cost you £250 - £350, a thru hull exhaust £60, piece of flexi exhaust, £20, hot air trunking £60 ish, outlet £10, some 20 amp wire and bits and pieces. A couple of days of intelligent DIY and away you go. if you go pro, £1200 ish for the new eber, £1000 for fitting.
labour is to fit mounting bracket, drill hull for exhaust, drill through bulkheads for trunking and outlet, wiring, fitting fuel supply,
 
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