Eberspacher D5LC to D5 upgrade kit.

[Karearea]

Hi all,
Due to a problem with my D5LC I'm looking at replacing with the latest D5 rather than throw more money at the problem.
There are upgrade kits that seem to just slot in where my D5 sits, so this seems like a viable option.
My questions are:
(1) Has anyone done this upgrade and
(2) As the UK prices range from about 1000 pounds to about 2000 pounds could the cheaper version be a Chinese copy?
(3) Any vendor recommendations?
I would expect a small difference depending on which of the cheaper controllers was (or could be) included.
We would rather buy the actual Eberspacher that go for a cheap unashamedly Chinese heater.
All the UK prices are lower than in NZ!
Cheers, G

 

[IDAMAY]

I haven't done exactly what you want to do but replaced a D5LC with a D4 Airtronic. From a "plumbing" point of view it was quite straightforward although we needed a different base plate probably because of the difference in size. The only area of difficulty lay in the wiring, because the Airtronic uses a different loom. It was a matter of connecting the new loom to the old or running the new loom all the way to the saloon. We chose the former as the easier option. We also had to replace the controller in the saloon. We used the most basic controller as it allowed the use of the existing loom. With the aid of the Eberspacher Marine Guide and D4 Manual, all in reach with a few tools, plenty of perseverance and modest DIY skills.

We purchased the D4 from Mellor Online (www.melloronline.co.uk - +441924274774). Great service and reasonable prices.

 

[Karearea]

Thanks IDAMAY,
That's a big help.
Mellor Online are one of the suppliers we are considering so will now go with them. Maybe also the most basic controller.
Shipping cost to NZ seem a bit high but it may be worth picking up the package from Kent when we visit in April/May.
Interestingly we are staying with fellow Nimbus owners in Chichester prior to the Nimbus Owner's Club AGM and Rally.
An afterthought: do you think the old loom could be used to pull the new one into position? Probably showing my ignorance there!

 

[IDAMAY]

Thanks IDAMAY,
That's a big help.
Mellor Online are one of the suppliers we are considering so will now go with them. Maybe also the most basic controller.
Shipping cost to NZ seem a bit high but it may be worth picking up the package from Kent when we visit in April/May.
Interestingly we are staying with fellow Nimbus owners in Chichester prior to the Nimbus Owner's Club AGM and Rally.
An afterthought: do you think the old loom could be used to pull the new one into position? Probably showing my ignorance there!

You could possibly "mouse" the new loom through with the old cable but it will depend entirely on the cable run on your boat. For us that would have been very difficult so we elected to join the relevant wires to the old loom and simply tidy up the new loom and cable tie it out of the way. I am sure Stuart at Mellor Online will be very helpful. You could eat your dinner off his workshop floor.

Enjoy Chichester. We are in Liverpool now and should be in Scotland by then.