Good Value Boat heaters

Mine has been running all day in my workshop today. Fired straight up, having not been used since the end of last winter. Now entering its third winter and it has never failed to fire up first time and never give a single problem so far.
 
I am hoping to install one of these heaters and document it in the practical section.
Question I do have - it is recommended to buy better quality parts if you purchase a Chinese heater.
Is it the same scenario with getting better parts with the Russian planar version?
Jon
 
Buy the cheap heater then chuck all the jubilee clips, and the exhaust pipe and silencer that come with it. Spend some money on eber or webasto bits to replace the discarded items. I’ve just done this with guidance from others more wise than me, total spend is around £280. Still far better value imho !!
Don’t forget outlet pipe insulation (not cheap at £15 per 750mm ) and fibre glass exhaust pipe wrapping !!
I’ve also purchased a digital controller and a gsm remote text operated unit so I can text the machine when I’m on my way so the boat and screen is nicely warmed and defrosted on my arrival !!
 
Yup, as above, hose clips and exhaust need to go, lots of people seem to swap out the fuel lines too but I found mine were fine (I don't use a silencer.)
Also well worth getting a glow plug, alibaba do an Eber' copy for around £20 that looks identical to an original. I would recommend changing it before you fit the heater, but if not, certainly well worth having one on standby.

I'm not aware that any parts need changing out on a genuine planar, verdict is that they're perfectly good quality straight out of the box.
 
Fuel filter is another thing to change. Mine has been fine in my static installation, but have heard of a few cracking/leaking in more mobile units.

In fact, as mine is not on a boat, the only thing I changed is the hose clamps. I have even used the flimsy exhaust hose and it has held up well so far.
 
Last edited:
NDB said:
Buy the cheap heater then chuck all the jubilee clips, and the exhaust pipe and silencer that come with it. Spend some money on eber or webasto bits to replace the discarded items. I’ve just done this with guidance from others more wise than me, total spend is around £280. Still far better value imho !!
Don’t forget outlet pipe insulation (not cheap at £15 per 750mm ) and fibre glass exhaust pipe wrapping !!
I’ve also purchased a digital controller and a gsm remote text operated unit so I can text the machine when I’m on my way so the boat and screen is nicely warmed and defrosted on my arrival !!
Click to expand...

So basically the Russian one is no better than the Chinese one?
Jon
 
jon and michie said:
So basically the Russian one is no better than the Chinese one?
Jon
Click to expand...
I have no direct experience but I understand the plus point for the Russian unit is its pedigree of development for reliable use from a very very cold country. Not so long ago it was viewed as inferior, and then about 18 months ago the Chinese ones received similar disdain. The Chinese ones are simply backwards engineered Eber D4s.

I wonder if anyone is spending 10 times the price for a previously price fixed Eberspacher or Webasto unit anymore. If you are worried about spares then just buy two.

The Russian unit does have at least two UK trade suppliers one of whom is a member on these forum, who is well spoken of. I think the trade has avoided professional installation of the Chinese units likely due to concerns with professional liabilities. I expect some folk will be offering this service soon, if not already.
 
superheat6k said:
I have no direct experience but I understand the plus point for the Russian unit is its pedigree of development for reliable use from a very very cold country. Not so long ago it was viewed as inferior, and then about 18 months ago the Chinese ones received similar disdain. The Chinese ones are simply backwards engineered Eber D4s.

I wonder if anyone is spending 10 times the price for a previously price fixed Eberspacher or Webasto unit anymore. If you are worried about spares then just buy two.

The Russian unit does have at least two UK trade suppliers one of whom is a member on these forum, who is well spoken of. I think the trade has avoided professional installation of the Chinese units likely due to concerns with professional liabilities. I expect some folk will be offering this service soon, if not already.
Click to expand...

I am just wondering as you said there is 2 uk dealers but on the parts included bit apart from the hull fitting which is included in the russian version is the exhaust piping and extras better than the chinese one.

Jon
 
jon and michie said:
I am just wondering as you said there is 2 uk dealers but on the parts included bit apart from the hull fitting which is included in the russian version is the exhaust piping and extras better than the chinese one.

Jon
Click to expand...
I have no direct experience of the Planar heater, sorry. Just aware there are at least two UK suppliers. I do know the Chinese exhaust pipe is awful. I had a length of Eber that I used as it was effectively free.
 
Hi,

Has anyone tried one of the 'all in one' heaters that are currently on ebay? It seems to be the usual heater, but in a metal frame/box with everything built in to it. Now that the weather has gone cold, I've been looking into ways of having a portable heater to use in our boat yard for when we tent off boats for temperature sensitive work like gel coat or copper coat. Having fitted a couple of dozen Eber/Webasto heaters so customer boats in the past, we know how much they cost, and so the reply from my boss of my idea of having a diesel heater 'spare' for using in the yard didn't go down well until I told him about the chinese ones. In the psat we've used a handful of electric heaters and long extension leads running from different plugs, but obviously not idea. One of these mounted in a box or on a pallet with a decent size battery would be ideal for what we want. Are all heater basically the same with just different colour housings, or are there some kits that are better to look out for than others?

Cheers
 
gazzarose said:
Hi,

Has anyone tried one of the 'all in one' heaters that are currently on ebay? It seems to be the usual heater, but in a metal frame/box with everything built in to it. Now that the weather has gone cold, I've been looking into ways of having a portable heater to use in our boat yard for when we tent off boats for temperature sensitive work like gel coat or copper coat. Having fitted a couple of dozen Eber/Webasto heaters so customer boats in the past, we know how much they cost, and so the reply from my boss of my idea of having a diesel heater 'spare' for using in the yard didn't go down well until I told him about the chinese ones. In the psat we've used a handful of electric heaters and long extension leads running from different plugs, but obviously not idea. One of these mounted in a box or on a pallet with a decent size battery would be ideal for what we want. Are all heater basically the same with just different colour housings, or are there some kits that are better to look out for than others?

Cheers
Click to expand...

I uses one of the normal Chinese heaters in my workshop and it works very well. It is just the normal one I mounted on a frame. But you are correct the all in one ones are just the same heater in a box

Dennis
 
NDB said:
Buy the cheap heater then chuck all the jubilee clips, and the exhaust pipe and silencer that come with it. Spend some money on eber or webasto bits to replace the discarded items. I’ve just done this with guidance from others more wise than me, total spend is around £280. Still far better value imho !!
Don’t forget outlet pipe insulation (not cheap at £15 per 750mm ) and fibre glass exhaust pipe wrapping !!
I’ve also purchased a digital controller and a gsm remote text operated unit so I can text the machine when I’m on my way so the boat and screen is nicely warmed and defrosted on my arrival !!
Click to expand...

Hi NDB, can you possibly tell me where you got the GSM unit from and also how to install it?

Thanks in advance
J
 
I bought one of these a few months back as my 30 year old D4L fan motor is on its way out. I haven't fitted it yet but in preparation for doing so I hooked it up in the shed yesterday and it fired right up. I plan to use my existing eber exhaust etc so should be an easy and cheap install. The only thing I needed was a 75mm to 100mm reducer for the output.

The number of units seemingly in use (38000 members on the FB group), plus testing by members on the forum already has reassured me regarding safety. Will contact GJW regarding insurance cover just to be safe.

D.
 
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