Eberspachers on Ebay

[Johnjo]

Anybody ever bought one off Ebay
Is it you pays your money and takes your chances, any horror stories...
thinking of buying one for the winter.
Do they use a lot of amps over a twenty four hour period ?

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[fluffc]

Yes, I have. It is risky though, as they cost a considerable amount of money. The one I got was unreliable until I decided to strip it down and clear it out with an air line. Now works beautifully.

Am still struggling for a cheap source of ducting though!

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[robp]

Do a search on here. Two or three posters reported reasonable sources for ducting. One was last winter I think.

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[GeorgeP]

I did look at buying on Eberspachers ebay but got nervous. A couple of times someone was bidding against me and I eventually gave up. The owners then contacted me privately, one saying the sale had fallen through and the other that he had a second unit. I had heard of scare stories of phantom bidders being used to pump up the price. Also, that sellers try to avoid paying ebay for successful sales.

Maybe I'm being paranoid but I just don't feel comfortable.

On the other hand, a friend of mine reports several good purchases at good prices. He thinks ebay is great. He does say that he picks a price and then sticks to it though.

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[rhc21]

Have bought many things of ebay from the UK, Hong Kong and the US aswell and so far have never had a problem. The only warning I would give is that if the item is used and you're paying a far amount of money for it there's no knowing the actual quality of it. You have virtuall no comeback if you're not happy with it.
Always look at the sellers feedback as it will give you an idea of how good they are. Also as the previous poster stated, decide your price and stick to it, the amount of items I see on there that get bid up more that you would have to pay from a 'proper' internet trader always amazes me!

Good luck!!

Richard.

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[PIGLETSDREAM]

Not bought on ebay but have from this chap

Pieces of Eight. He reconditions Eberspacher units and sells in marinised form

Tony Sheriden 01732 840582

Nothing to do with me but a small operation seemingly doing the right things well.

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[Gordonmc]

I have.
I would suggest you have a long think about where on the boat you are going to install your Eber as this will affect the amount of ducting and exhaust you will need. "Proper" Eber ducting is expensive and comes in different diameters for different models. Shop around... I bought cheaper flexible pipe direct from the factory in 3 meter lengths.
Exhaust pipe is flexible stainless steel and should come with an insulated jacket. Max length is 3 metres. Again its expensive but a cash saver is to buy the pipe and insulate with loft insulation held in place with aluminium vent. And you will need a through - hull fitting. They feature on Ebay for about £60-ish as do mounting plates.
Don't even think about a 24 volt unit. They are cheaper but you will have to power them from two 12v batteries.
Budget on spending as much on the bits and pieces as on the unit itself.
You might want to look for an older model. Later ones need to be reprogrammed by a dealer if the ignition fails more than a set number of times. Older ones also have the processor as a separate unit

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[Gunfleet]

Agreed. He's dead keen on you not leaving his shed until you've seen the thing working.

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[castaway]

Hi Mike ..Ive bought and sold quite a few items on Ebay.. The inportant thing is to take a look at the feed back record of the individual. Regular sellers live and die by their record, and most regulars will have near enough a 98-99% good clean feeback.

If you hav'nt used EBay before just be aware that most of the real bidding goes on in the last 10minutes of the sale, so just because the price is low 2 days before the end of the sale dont start thinking that you will get a bargain!!

I have an Eber on Fairweather and I always think thats its a very complicated way og producing a small amout of heat... however it was in the boat when I bought it and I happy to have it... On a swinging mooring over winter you would have to have a generator and a decent battery... they dont use a huge amount of power but it is signicant.

A lot of 2nd hand Ebers are ex truck applications...

Good luck Nick..

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[Johnjo]

Hi Nick and all
Thanks for the information, i was worried about how much ampage they would use.I have bought a fair bit off Ebay so know the routine, i should have phrased my post clearer, i was more concern if the Eberspachers that forum members have bought from there actually work......

I am also thinking about a small cheap and cheerful wood/solid fuel heater, one of the pot bellied type, as a tempory measure as im sure it will put out more than enough heat, plus the fact its cheap to run, simple to install, and can i take it ut again for next summer with out to much trouble.

Again my thanks to all,

mike

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