Eberspacher, Webasto or Mikuni?

They are equally good, as long as they are properly installed in line with maker's instructions. Almost all the "problems" posted here with hot air heaters boil down to poor installation. As for choice of make, Eberspachers are used in lots of trucks, buses, ambulances, etc, for good reason. Webasto and Mikuni are good too. The clincher for me is aftersales support - Eberspacher's is outstanding, just compare the amount of online information the various brands provide.
 
From somebody who sees them all in all their guises on a daily basis, if you want high value and are prepared to have old technology and save a few quid into the bargain then a Mikuni MYH16 would be the way to go, if you want more sophistocation of control, a longer warranty etc but at a price then a Webasto 2000ST.
 
earlybird said:
What about a Wallas 1300? Actually designed for boats, quiet, self contained, single outlet, simple and reliable, minimal battery demand, economical to purchase and run.
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Having had Webastos in the past my next heater will be a Wallas. Why? Compared against a Webasto Wallas has significantly lower power consumption in continuous use. What's really key in a boat heater is how it works on low heat setting over a longer period of time. This is where a Wallas excels. Another benefit is the exhaust piping: combustion air is routed in outer part of exhaust piping in a type of double skinned exhaust pipe. This ensures no back pressure with resulting CO problems to the inside of boat can form in windy conditions.
 
Fitted a Webasto ST2000 in the Spring, brilliant bit of kit only regret not doing it years ago. None of them are cheap but well worth it so don't dilly dally about just get on with it and enjoy the winter on board.

ST2000 uses about 20 AH a night on a low setting once the boat is warm with the hatch slightly open to provide some ventilation.

Pete
 
I fitted an ebby DIY with a single outlet to my 28'' boat. Has been going for 3 years now without probs. Is one of the best things we bought for the boat. Now we are warm and dry (ish) when onboard. It takes it no time at all to heat the place up. I put the heater in the transom locker and used a bit of supplied flex pipe to bring the heat into the cabin. I probably should insulate the pipe but never got round to it.
 
All of them work.

But, if you ever have an Eber that fails and you have to speak to their agents in the south or the head office you may wish you bought something else. I did.

I have Webasto now and it has been faultless so not yet fully tested.
 
Pete7 said:
Fitted a Webasto ST2000 in the Spring, brilliant bit of kit only regret not doing it years ago. None of them are cheap but well worth it so don't dilly dally about just get on with it and enjoy the winter on board.

ST2000 uses about 20 AH a night on a low setting once the boat is warm with the hatch slightly open to provide some ventilation.

Pete
Click to expand...

you run it whilst asleep :eek::eek::eek::eek:
 
earlybird said:
What about a Wallas 1300? Actually designed for boats, quiet, self contained, single outlet, simple and reliable, minimal battery demand, economical to purchase and run.
Click to expand...

The smallest Wallas currently available is the DT2200 at around £1300 for a non BSS kit, in continual use (which is often needed due to the low airflow) they are less power hungry but if they are on and off then it becomes a different story, they still require service and decokes just like the others. I have nothing against them in fact I am a Wallas dealer but they need to be used in the right application and usage pattern to get the best from them, then they are among the best of the best. For instance if you are a live aboard and really want forced air over a wet system then they are perfect, designed for really cold climate where continual use is the norm.
 
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What about the Propex units. Are they any good? Anyone tried them?

They run on propane/butane, but they also now do a version that is switchable to mains voltage for when you're on hook-up.
 
David2452 said:
The smallest Wallas currently available is the DT2200 at around £1300 for a non BSS kit,.
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That's a diesel heater.
Kuranda's website price for the Wallas 1300 inc. tank, fitting kit etc is £737 +VAT. Buy a lot of paraffin for the difference and long-term low output running is problem-free in my experience. (I have the 1800)
 
Bobc said:
What about the Propex units. Are they any good? Anyone tried them?

They run on propane/butane, but they also now do a version that is switchable to mains voltage for when you're on hook-up.
Click to expand...

Avocet is 27' and has a single outlet 1.6kW Propex. It has been faultless bar one breakdown (which, it turned out, was it just shutting down to protect itself). We'd suffered a knockdown and got water in the combustion air intake tube. It was stuck in a bend. As soon as that was emptied out, it was fine again. HOWEVER:

1. If running on butane, they don' work well when it's cold - the butane freezes. (well, stays liquid at any rate). Needless, to say, there's not much demand when it's warm!

2. It seems a bit noisier than the Eberspachers (just mechanical fan noise) but it's hard to get away from in a 27 footer.
 
I like my Wallas 1800 but if I was fitting another I would make sure it could get fresh air from outside, ie fit it in a cockpit locker.

If I was fitting one inside I would use something that I could duct fresh air in, not easy on the Wallas.

If it's really cold it's handy to be able to recirculate warmish air from the cabin and warm the place up quicker. But I have found it's not that cold and what I realy want to do is mange condensation so warm fresh air is more important than hot air.

We have used ours over night twice without any worries.
 
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