Mikuni v Eberspacher v Webasto v ???

[RutlandMike]

Can anyone recommend which type of diesel heater is the best for a 42 ft grp cruiser with 5 vents? I haven't been able to find a comparison site and I don't want to balls up such an important bit of kit (living aboard soon). Any advice gratefully received.

 

[charles_reed]

Most pundits reckon the Webasto and Eberspacher to be close to being on a par with each other with the Mikuni trailing, as prices reflect.

I had an Eberspacher, which I ripped out when it seized - repair costs were other worldly and the unit was IMHO not worth it.

As one is usually on shorepower during the winter, I've found a cheap electric fan heater ideal during the last 8 years (and I've experienced -8C).

If not on shorepower, turning on the oven for 30' suffices for all but the feet.

 

[peteandthira]

type in "eberspacher" in Search. At the top of the forum area. You will be reading stuff for weeks which should give you an idea.

My tuppence worth says get an eberspacher D5 and check your fuel is clean before you use it.

 

[bobnewbury]

I fitted a Webasto 3500 in our 42 footer three years ago. We have five vents and it works well. We lived aboard all last winter and it coped well even with sub-zero temperatures outside, when 2 fan heaters still left a chill in the air.

 

[crisjones]

We have 2 Mikuni MY30 units in our 42' catamaran and so far I have been very impressed with them. Quality of the components etc seemed fine and absolutely no problems with performance etc.

Installation was straightforward, although time spent planning duct runs etc is well worthwhile. The ducting used by Mikuni is robust and smooth walled so air flow losses are minimal in the ducts. Even so we have 4 outlets on each unit and that is the max I would reccomend on a 3.5 kw unit.

I fitted two units to our cat to minimise duct lengths and avoid crossing from one hull to the other, I feel it was a much better solution than one larger unit. Performance is very good, the boat is very warm within about 15mins of switching on and you can then reduce to 1/2 power. Once the boat is warm one unit on 1/2 power will keep the main saloon/galley area, aft cabin and heads nice and cosy without trouble.

When I fitted them about a year ago the Mikuni was quite a bit cheaper than the others, but this has not been reflected in the performance and reliability.

All in all I am very pleased and would not hesitate to recommend the Mikuni. (NB I do not have any connection with the company)

 

[Robin2]

I have worn out 2 Eberspacher D5L blower motors - first lasted about 7000 hours (over 3 years and the second lasted about 2000 hours (1 year). All that was wrong was that the brushes wore out - but they can't be repaired. A new blower motor costs about €600.00. I spent only about that amount on fuel in a year!

In spring 2006 I replaced my Eberspacher with a Wallas 40D mainly because it should be possible to repair the blower motors. PM me if you want a longer explanation. I have no experience with Mikuni or Webasto, but Webasto told me their blowers don't last any longer, nor can they be repaired.

 

[RutlandMike]

Thanks all - with all the contradictory stories I'll have to suck it and see! Clean fuel seems to be the secret.

 

[heerenleed]

Neither. I have found that all these heaters are OK if you wish to extend your sailing season. But they are not up to the job of heating permanently. We know a lot of liveaboards here in the Netherlands, none use any of these heaters. One tried it, and it broke down during the first winter. They all have either a serious Kabola heater, or else use paraffin heaters that are drip-fed, sometimes with a hot water coil to heat some radiators. Solid fuel is not used here, but maybe it's because of the limited availability of fuel. Otherwise it surely is an option. YOu want a very reliable heating system, not a toy that is bound to let you down when you need it most. If you think hot air is a good idea (and it is for keeping moist out) install a heat exchanger fed by hot water from the heater and make sure it uses clean outside air to heat and distribute. If you use a heat exchanger that recirculates the air you will loose the battle against condensation, which is the real problem to tackle.

If you need specific info, just PM

cheers

 

[charles_reed]

I\'d agree with Heerenleed

That the hot-air blowers are great for occasional use but not for overwintering in the N European countries.

The warmest boat I've ever come across was a Swedish boat fitted with an Eberspacher boiler. Apart from providing hot water it had 4 tiny finned radiators. It did cost a bit to run in diesel though, about 5 litres a week in a Roman winter (-4 to +12C).

Someone else I knew had a small Davey & Co "Hotpot". It burnt anything (but filled the marina with clouds of smoke when on old piles) and warmed the boat within 20'.

Myself I've found the Glen electric fan heaters totally adequate. That's because they blow air from very low on the cabin sole, are easy to stow 'cos they're so compact, and are very reasonably priced.