Eberspacher controllers. Ideas welcome.

[Sticky Fingers]

My new-to-me boat is fitted with a recently-installed Eberspacher D5. This is controlled by a microscopic push button thing with a display the size of a thumbnail. The amount of control is limited to on/off, fan or heat, and in the latter case, also target temp. It has I think one button that does everything plus a left and right that seem to serve no useful purpose other than changing the temperature, in which case I would have thought that up/down would make more sense. Impressive it is not.

I’d like to replace this My Little Pony / Fisher Price controller with some other thing that has the following key characteristics:

Compatibility with the D5
Large enough to detect with the naked eye
Buttons for each function
Big clear display that’s readable at a glance without a microscope and that tells me actually what’s happening
Programmable Timer for when things should happen
Fan speed control
Remote access so I can program it, or switch it on/off from my phone

The Eber catalogue appears not to contain anything suitable, but as it was written by a German product manager maybe I’ve just read it in the wrong order. Changing to Webasto isn’t an option either on cost grounds, also the D5 is nearly new and works ie heats, perfectly.

Anyone with knowledge on the subject who can help will be most welcome to suggest a solution.

 

[Gustywinds]

No expert but a quick search found this: Espar / Eberspacher EasyStart Remote+ For Airtronic and Hydronic

 

[Sticky Fingers]

That’s a keyring gadget for short range home start warmup of your truck. Can add a GSM module to it which might be part of the solution, but it doest’t do the in-boat thermostat thing I need though.

 

[harvey38]

I have one of these, does everything you want apart from remote control.

 

[markc]

I had one of the controllers Harvey38 mentions, (about 20 years ago!) plus this might be useful - Remote operation of Eberspacher via mobile phone

 

[Refueler]

I was under impression that most of the advanced 3rd party controllers worked Eber / Webasto / Vevor heaters ??

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Can you identify a 3rd party one? My limited Google skills and perusal of motor home forums hasn’t succeeded…!

 

[Greg2]

Various Ebby controls here including the EasyStart, which appears to provide remote access.

Not cheap but around the same price as the Webasto version for what it’s worth.
.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

The Easystart Select is what I have, it’s very tiny. The Easystart Web looks promising but it’s stupidly expensive, and it doesn’t fix the terrible experience of the in-boat controller. Think I need to go see an Eber specialist to see what my options might be.

 

[harvey38]

The display I have has a diagnostic mode which is quite helpful.

No doubt there will be numerous posts now about Chinese versions, their advantages then stray posts about the best anchor (worst anchor too, WTF) and radio checks.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

It’s a known fact that the knockoff Chinese controllers are not compatible with real Ebers.

 

[Richborough]

It’s a known fact that the knockoff Chinese controllers are not comparing real Ebers.

There use to be a company in new Romney kent called sub zero . Ian use to fit and repair these heaters

 

[PaulRainbow]

Bin it and fit an Autoterm, better controllers not an arm and a leg, heaters work very well, parts much cheaper then Eber/Webasto.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Bin it and fit an Autoterm, better controllers not an arm and a leg, heaters work very well, parts much cheaper then Eber/Webasto.

It’s nearly new. Seems a shocking waste

 

[PaulRainbow]

It’s nearly new. Seems a shocking waste

Ebay it. You only need the basic kit, all the brackets and ducting fit. I swapped a Webasto for an Autoterm with a nice timer and sold the Webasto on Ebay. Ended up costing me about the same as buying a timer for the Webasto and i have a brand new heater.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Ebay it. You only need the basic kit, all the brackets and ducting fit. I swapped a Webasto for an Autoterm with a nice timer and sold the Webasto on Ebay. Ended up costing me about the same as buying a timer for the Webasto and i have a brand new heater.

That’s an idea. I’ll have a look.

 

[benjenbav]

Is it worth looking at control systems like Hive? You only need on/off and more/less functions, I think.

 

[harvey38]

There use to be a company in new Romney kent called sub zero . Ian use to fit and repair these heaters

They're still about, I used them last year, I won't use them again,
£500 to supply and fit a main control unit on a D5!

I'll fit an Autoterm next time.

 

[Refueler]

I went for Vevor ... and the controller appears to give me far more info than I need ....

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Is it worth looking at control systems like Hive? You only need on/off and more/less functions, I think.

That's an idea. Or Nest, as I already use those at home. Wonder if someone has solve the pinouts, temp control and start / stop mapping...?