Eberspacher mounting

[Graham_Wright]

It seems they were originally designed for through floor mounting.

I believe this is inadvisable for a boat.

The Hydronic I have, indicates a possibility of a 90° rotation (i.e. with the combustion air inlet horizontal (although it is not clear)).

Anybody installed and run one upside down? I.e. with the exhaust and combustion inlet pointing upwards?

Would be much more convenient.

 

[vyv_cox]

My Eberspacher and Planars in general are mounted on a plate that allows the nozzles to point downwards. Photo of mine on my website.

 

[Graham_Wright]

My Eberspacher and Planars in general are mounted on a plate that allows the nozzles to point downwards. Photo of mine on my website.

That's standard. I want to be different!

 

[snowbird30ds]

Any condensation in the hoses would run into the combustion chamber.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Any condensation in the hoses would run into the combustion chamber.

…………and be evaporated?

 

[Minchsailor]

Any condensation in the hoses would run into the combustion chamber.

+1. Having worked for decades on combustion processes (although, think power stations and chemical plants, rather than boat heaters), acid condensation is a killer. I suspect incorrect installation is major reason behind some of the reliability issues reported.

 

[Graham_Wright]

+1. Having worked for decades on combustion processes (although, think power stations and chemical plants, rather than boat heaters), acid condensation is a killer. I suspect incorrect installation is major reason behind some of the reliability issues reported.

Define incorrect.

 

[CLB]

Define incorrect.

Upside down, according to Eberspacher's installation instructions.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Upside down, according to Eberspacher's installation instructions.

The instructions I have relate to the Hyrdronic which may be different from the Airtronic but do not specifically preclude upside down. Even it the exhaust hose exits horizontally (as permitted), action needs to be taken to divert the condensate return. If condensation is the only problem (albeit a serious one), there should be a solution.

 

[CLB]

It usually has something like "maximum of 90 degrees from vertical with exhaust down" in the instructions, but feel free to give it a go and let us know how it works out. It might be fine

 

[JerryHawkins]

See attached (hopefully!) image. Looks like upside down is the only orientation you can't use.

 

[Graham_Wright]

See attached (hopefully!) image. Looks like upside down is the only orientation you can't use.

So what happens to the exhaust after leaving the outlet? Must it head downwards?

I believe there are solutions to condensation diversion. Thermostatically operated butterfly valve?

 

[Bobc]

The glowpin needs to be at the top of the chamber

 

[vyv_cox]

Why

That's standard. I want to be different!

Why? It seems likely that if everyone does it that way they have learned from experience.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Why
Why? It seems likely that if everyone does it that way they have learned from experience.

But they don't. There are several options. In my mind, on a boat, exhaust upwards could be useful - saves bends for instance. I asked the question in innocence and the answers have been useful. I will give it a go on the bench.

Now the glowpin at the top. What is the reason for that?

 

[Beneteau381]

That's standard. I want to be argumentative!

There you go!

 

[JerryHawkins]

So what happens to the exhaust after leaving the outlet? Must it head downwards?

I believe there are solutions to condensation diversion. Thermostatically operated butterfly valve?

I fitted mine in the usual upright position with exhaust and combustion air intake pointing downwards. I have the 90 degree exhaust elbow (with condensate drain) and the exhaust leads upwards from there under the gunwale then bends downwards to wards the hull fitting outlet.

 

[Graham_Wright]

I fitted mine in the usual upright position with exhaust and combustion air intake pointing downwards. I have the 90 degree exhaust elbow (with condensate drain) and the exhaust leads upwards from there under the gunwale then bends downwards to wards the hull fitting outlet.

Is the drain manually operated?

 

[JerryHawkins]

The drain cannot be closed. It has a coil of copper pipe which acts like a u-bend on a sink. Gravity allows any water to flow round the bends and out but there's not enough pressure in the exhaust to force it out, it would seem; so there's always water in the bends keeping the gas in. I guess if the exhaust became obstructed then it would force water out and the exhaust gas would follow. Not had an issue in many years of use.

 

[Minchsailor]

…………and be evaporated?

The water would be, but combustion concentrate is quite a complex mixtures of acids - sulphuric, nitric, hydrochloric and so on. Evaporation will concentrate these. Although maritime diesel fuel is a 'relatively' clean fuel (and white diesel more so) compared to others (try the condensate from the smoke stack of a brickworks - I have seen a pH of less than 2!) it is significant. Made worse by the probability of the heater running at low power when it is switched off, so the exhaust quite cool.