Eberspacher pipe work

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neil1967

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posted in the right forum this time!

The Eberspacher warm air pipes on our newly acquired Oyster 406 have seen better days and need replacing. The original piping looks both stiff and delicate, and thus difficult to install through the numerous holes and bends. Any suggestions for alternative pipe work?

Thanks

Neil
 
You could use the old ducting as a 'mouse'. Attach the new ducts to the end of the old ducts so while pulling the old out.. You will pulling the new through! Worked for me!
 
Is it possible to use replacement ducting which was a very slightly smaller diameter than the old stuff? Then you might be able to feed it along inside the old, and leave it in place.
Both are unlikely, I know - but just a thought...
 
I had the same problem several years ago when mine was contaminated by a diesel drip. It was pretty poor stuff and seemed to consist of kraft paper sandwiched in aluminium foil.

I didn't want to use the same material again as it was not very strong and was quite expensive. Fortunately, I managed to track down a suitable replacement at my local Arco depot. It came in the correct size (76mm if I remember correctly) and was rated to around 120 deg. C. I did worry that it might smell when hot but that wasn't a problem.

Unfortunately, I can't remember exactly what it was called. Have a look at this material from Arco. It is £19.93 for a 6m length of 76mm duct so cheap enough. Only problem is that it only goes to 100 deg. C and I think that the Eber outlet can be more than that.

Now I come to think about it, I measured the outlet air temp. and think it was around 115 deg. C. I retained 2 metres of the original ducting and connected the new material after that point. So temp. was well below the max. for the new ducting.

http://www.arco.co.uk/products/3600089/53400/Arcoduct+PVC+Ducting

I don't think that this was the ducting I used but didn't have time to look throught their entire range.
 
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This was posted by a good friend, Neil Wallace, on the Sadler and Starlight forum. Neil is an extremely thorough and competent engineer and I believe all that he says.

" Eberspacher hose is useless because of heat loss, corrugations that stop heated air travelling more than a few metres (especially if the 50mm size), and so easily damaged. I really don't know why they have persisted with it for so long and when I asked them their reply was "no-one has complained"!

I replaced my aluminium pipes with "Flexflyte L8" from Paris Hose & Ducting Ltd (tel 01344758600; email sales@parishose.co.uk), using 76mm dia for the main supply to the saloon (exits under steps) and 51mm dia for the long run to the forepeak. All lengths are 4 metres. Heater is D3LC 2 outlet version 3kw.

Flexflyte is smooth bore glassfibre impregnated fabric with embedded spring steel helix. It is expensive but then so is your heater and you actually want heat where it matters! In 2005 I paid £32 per metre for 51mm dia and £41 per metre for 76mm dia, plus a couple of duct connectors because max duct length was 4 metres. A spare connector is useful if you need to repair a damaged section, although you can (and I did) use the original Eberspacher connections and "Y" junction. I used 2 lengths of 76mm (one length was a foot short!!) and 3 lengths of 50mm for the run to the forepeak.

Whilst the pipe does reduce heat loss, to be absolutely sure I covered the pipes with standard black pipe foam. A particularly robust version is available from Kitsons of Newton-Le-Willows (Lancashire) (tel 01925225252). They will split the tubing at no extra cost (this was essential). After wrapping it around the ducts I held it in position with black cable ties. Looks good even where exposed in the quarter berth. The product is called "Armaflex" 13mm thick. Cost in 2005 was £11 for 75mm i/d in 2 metre lengths and £7 for 50mm i/d.

In the 4 years since I have been delighted with the performance; cold nights are absolute bliss. With the Eberspacher in the stern locker I get a good flow of hot air in the forepeak whereas originally the warm air never got that far. "
 
UNI V2/V2P - Military Ducting, up to 150 degrees C, smooth bore, spiral bronzed wire reinforced, (stainless option) available pre insulated and even the 90mm is only about £15 at the prices a non trade customer would pay.
 
I found the old receipt (scanned copy) for the ducting I mentioned earlier and it quotes Arco code 3612076

It was flexible neoprene rubber coated glass fabric reinforced ducting with steel wire helix and glass fibre cord. i.e. Same

type Vyv mentioned but I only paid £12.68/m according to the receipt. That was mid-2008 so should still be possible to get it

for under £15/m. Unfortunately, I couldn't find it on the Arco site.

They do have following:
Arcoduct Neo2 Neoprene Coated Ducting 3617032 http://www.arco.co.uk/products/3617032
Arcoduct Santo LF Rubberised Ducting 3625051 http://www.arco.co.uk/products/3612051


Web-site seems to be having problems so I couldn't display them to get details.

Considering other posts it looks promising that it won't cost a huge amount if you can get a source.

I also looked out information yesterday for a query about engine mounts. Marine mounts £180 per set of 4 but ordered direct from Robush today ~£62 for the set. The marine parts (with same part no. stamped on them) do come with set screws, locking tabs and shims (gold plated obviously). I've always tried to source identical parts from non-marine suppliers for some odd reason.
 
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I'm using this stuff, 10 metres for £20 and rated to +140 degrees, fully insulated with minimal heat loss (it doesnt even feel warm when the heatings running if you put your hand on the outside of the ducting)

I only recently redid my ducting as the original eberspacher stuff just fell apart when i was rerouting and adding outlets

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INSULATED-FLEXIBLE-DUCTING-TUBE-HOSE-80MM-DIA-X-10M-/170760883053?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Hearing_Cooling_Air&hash=item27c2244b6d#ht_899wt_905
 
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