SHUG
Well-Known Member
Yup, the correspondence confirms my experience. When they are good they are very good but when they are bad they are *^%$£%**£$@~#]{+*****...diabolical!
Eberspachers - are they worth it?
- Thread starter dylanwinter
- Start date
NormanS
Well-Known Member
The more modern Ebers use far less electricity than older models. Once I learned that my Eber doesn't like high sulphur fuel, it has been superb. I installed a separate tank for its expensive tastes. Skipper Stu, I wish I could find paraffin at the price you quote. (I don't happen to know anyone who uses it as heating oil, unfortunately).
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
Not very sweeping:
It is a myth that its impossible to do. It's not a myth that most small outboards won't have enough charging power to keep up with a significant load (i.e. used over many hours) from the occasional mainly short term use of the engine that would be typical in a sailing boat with an outboard auxiliary. Hence it seems from your other post you have to run your engine all the time you have your heater on, which most wouldn't consider a satisfactory arrangement (though I'm pleased it works for you).
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
If I want to run it for an hour, I can take the power from the batteries. If I want to run it for longer, I need to replace the charge. That is nothing to do with the type of engine. Have you ever owned an outboard engine powered boat with a blown air heater? Are you speaking from experience?
Rivers & creeks
Well-Known Member
Ran our Eber on a HT27 powered by a 10hp Mercury outboard. Worked without problem, frequently ran the Eber in tickover all night but used to have the engine running at start up.
jwilson
Well-Known Member
My D4 fitted new 8 years ago has so far cost well over £500 in service/repair bills, and is currently off the boat being serviced again. Lovely when working, but I'd be very tempted to look at the Propex gas blown air heaters if I was installing new now. Essentially the same principle as an Eber but runs on gas. No worries about coking up or whether it needs running on kerosene instead of diesel, and probably fewer failures to start if batteries are a trace low.
I used to be paranoid about gas on boats, and stuck to paraffin cookers for years. I now accept that properly installed and used with gas alarms it's safe enough.
The Eberspachers really do seem to like well charged batteries to start. The other thing I dislike about it is how complex the programmable timer is to use - again if fitting now I'd just have a plain on-off-thermostat control.
I used to be paranoid about gas on boats, and stuck to paraffin cookers for years. I now accept that properly installed and used with gas alarms it's safe enough.
The Eberspachers really do seem to like well charged batteries to start. The other thing I dislike about it is how complex the programmable timer is to use - again if fitting now I'd just have a plain on-off-thermostat control.
Blueboatman
Well-Known Member
Personally .... I am not a fan of blown air
And removed an Eber D4 and fitted a drip feed. Which is a bit like saying I luv marmite
But, 3 winters aboard with the snow damp etc ,, one happy dry bunny
And removed an Eber D4 and fitted a drip feed. Which is a bit like saying I luv marmite
But, 3 winters aboard with the snow damp etc ,, one happy dry bunny
David2452
Well-Known Member
+1
But it is a myth that there are more of them than others, just that you in the small world of boating see more on boats. If you were NATO you would see more Webastos,again, because they are installed and serviced correctly there are few issues.
GHA
Well-Known Member
Love my refleks 
Makes a nice stew as well.
Makes a nice stew as well.
pvb
Well-Known Member
Good point! Frankly, the key to happiness with any blown-air heating system is to install it properly and to use it frequently. My ancient 20 year old Eberspacher continues to delight, and rarely needs attention apart from routine stuff. One thing in favour of Eberspachers, perhaps, is that there's far more freely available service and repair information available online.
john_morris_uk
Well-Known Member
Are Ebers like marmite? From the polarised opinions on this thread one might think so...
Hadenough
Well-Known Member
Had a drip feed Taylor's on the old boat and loved it. New boat just doesn't have a suitable bulkhead to fit one.
Cardo
Well-Known Member
The Eber D2 that came with our boat has been a massive PITA. However, this was due to a diabolical install. Truly, truly diabolical. I've ended up servicing it, sorting out the location, wiring and fuel uptake and so far it has worked great. Well, apart from now, but that's because our fuel tank is below 1/4 full and the fuel pickup doesn't reach. 
chrisbitz
Well-Known Member
I bought a Propex, although I know you don't like Gas on a boat, but it's the same output and size as an Eber, but 1/3 of the price.
It was a no-brainer for me.
It was a no-brainer for me.
David2452
Well-Known Member
I suggest you look at the numbers again, they are not even close in real specs, which are BTU and air volume output, the KW is pretty meaningless. a 2kw Heatsource is a country mile from a 2kw Ebrer, Webasto or Mikuni where it matters, OK if price is your overriding parameter.
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
Why is BTU different from KW? (apart from conversion factor)?
Hadenough
Well-Known Member
The Eber D2 that came with our boat has been a massive PITA. However, this was due to a diabolical install. Truly, truly diabolical. I've ended up servicing it, sorting out the location, wiring and fuel uptake and so far it has worked great. Well, apart from now, but that's because our fuel tank is below 1/4 full and the fuel pickup doesn't reach.
Yes I had those problems too. Pump in a bad position and an in line filter that was trapping air, now sorted. I was worried about how deep the pick up went into the tank so I took it out to look. Glad I did, it was all but blocked! I am in the process of fitting a remote tank feeding via a tee valve so I can run paraffin through it every now and again or have an easily filled reserve if needed.
billmacfarlane
Well-Known Member
They are worth every penny. I've had professionally installed Eberspachers on my last 3 boats over a period of 28 years. In that time I've swapped out the glow plug on my first one, and on my latest which is now 11 years old, I've had the electronics replaced at a cost of about £400.00, which was a bit of a blow but cosidering that was my first bill in a few decades I guess I shouldn't complain, but then again I'm a Scot!!! If I ever get round to buying another boat which is extremely doubtful I'd have another one installed.
Blueboatman
Well-Known Member
When the cost of new heat exceeds new outboard and indeed new bare hull... Whatever next, a new tank of fuel too ?
Now that is posher by degree!
How's about the patent Dylan four candle ( Eber DW-4) conversion kit?
Now that is posher by degree!
How's about the patent Dylan four candle ( Eber DW-4) conversion kit?
David2452
Well-Known Member
I should have made it clear I was talking about output rather than KW model designation. The heater is rated at KW input not output (say 2kw) the Propex is 1.9 out (6500 BTU) and air volume of 65CMH against an open outlet, by comparison the 2kw Webasto AT2000ST puts out 93CMH against .5 bar and 7000BTU, Mikuni & Eber are similar in output. I have replaced some at the owners request on quite small boats and even ignoring the spec the customers were delighted with the improvement, the thing I really dislike about Propex is the on/off operation that allows the temperature to drop before sparking up again instead of ramping down and maintaining a more constant temperature.