Sinbad2222
Well-Known Member
What would forumites suggest doing to a brand new Eberspacher to prevent the numerous problems which have afflicted yachtsmen down the ages?
New eberspacher Precautions
- Thread starter Sinbad2222
- Start date
cliff
Well-Known Member
Install it exactly according to the instructions, coat all connections in vaseline, clip all cables well to prevent movement, run it at least once per month.
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john_morris_uk
Well-Known Member
I agree. We bought a brand new Eber and have never had a moments problem with it.
(OK so the original one had a fault on the board, but was replaced immediately under warranty and the dealer went out of his way to get one to me quickly - took it round to his relatives house so I could collect it on the way home from work...)
However since it was installed and commisioned its never put a heating BTU wrong.
The only time it stops is if I let the diesel tank get too low - and that's hardly the heaters fault.
(OK so the original one had a fault on the board, but was replaced immediately under warranty and the dealer went out of his way to get one to me quickly - took it round to his relatives house so I could collect it on the way home from work...)
However since it was installed and commisioned its never put a heating BTU wrong.
The only time it stops is if I let the diesel tank get too low - and that's hardly the heaters fault.
GeorgeLlewellin
Well-Known Member
As well as other comments above, make sure you only use clean fuel, it is worth fitting a filter with renewable filter cartridge just to ensure this. After all that just enjoy the warmth.
Sinbad2222
Well-Known Member
Thanks for those tips.
Would the fuel filter be in addition to the one supplied and where should I fit it? Can you advise which particular one to buy?
I have also heard that the fuses can be a problem, apart from coating in vaseline as Cliff recommends, should I change the fuse set-up for a better one?
Would the fuel filter be in addition to the one supplied and where should I fit it? Can you advise which particular one to buy?
I have also heard that the fuses can be a problem, apart from coating in vaseline as Cliff recommends, should I change the fuse set-up for a better one?
peteandthira
Well-Known Member
The MOST important thing is to make sure you have clean fuel!
I say again, the MOST important thing is to make sure you have clean fuel.
You will accumulate carbon deposits from day one if you haven't, and soon your exhaust will get more and more smoky on "light-up" and eventually you will have no choice but to clean out the burner canister, with lots of home-made pointy steel tools.
I have done the whole thing, and it was ALL down to fuel.
PM me if you are unsure.
Pops
I say again, the MOST important thing is to make sure you have clean fuel.
You will accumulate carbon deposits from day one if you haven't, and soon your exhaust will get more and more smoky on "light-up" and eventually you will have no choice but to clean out the burner canister, with lots of home-made pointy steel tools.
I have done the whole thing, and it was ALL down to fuel.
PM me if you are unsure.
Pops
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
I took my fuel supply from downstream of the fuel primary filter, although I believe Eberspacher's own instructions advise against this. My heating has been installed for something like 7 years and it has never given a moment's trouble.
I changed the fuses but only so I could install matching ones in the exisiting boat panel. The values, and importantly the wire gauge, remained the same.
I changed the fuses but only so I could install matching ones in the exisiting boat panel. The values, and importantly the wire gauge, remained the same.
peteandthira
Well-Known Member
vyv_cox
In that 7 years, did you ever service it, and if so, how often?
Pops
In that 7 years, did you ever service it, and if so, how often?
Pops
JerryHawkins
Well-Known Member
Not just clean fuel...
Red diesel is the worst type of fuel. Next best is white (road) diesel, best is parafin, so I've heard. Red diesel, however clean will cause carbon build-up the quickest. If you do your own servicing, as I do, then that's not an issue; however, if you are going to be paying someone else to do it then Eberspacher ownership will be expensive for you!
Cheers,
Jerry
Red diesel is the worst type of fuel. Next best is white (road) diesel, best is parafin, so I've heard. Red diesel, however clean will cause carbon build-up the quickest. If you do your own servicing, as I do, then that's not an issue; however, if you are going to be paying someone else to do it then Eberspacher ownership will be expensive for you!
Cheers,
Jerry
Sinbad2222
Well-Known Member
Re: Not just clean fuel...
Interesting - I thought red diesel was just white with dye added.
Maybe it would be a good idea to run the Eberspacher off it's own dedicated paraffin tank?
Interesting - I thought red diesel was just white with dye added.
Maybe it would be a good idea to run the Eberspacher off it's own dedicated paraffin tank?
peteandthira
Well-Known Member
Re: Not just clean fuel...
[ QUOTE ]
Interesting - I thought red diesel was just white with dye added.
Maybe it would be a good idea to run the Eberspacher off it's own dedicated paraffin tank?
[/ QUOTE ]
Personally, I don't think that is necessary. There are thousands of satisfied Eber users (and Webasto) who have never seen a problem. Those happy users have good clean fuel tanks with no "bug", or even slightly cloudy fuel.
Any eberspacher-equipped boat will show heating problems long before they have engine problems, since a diesel engine is a different animal and burns the diesel under compression, whereas an eberspacher does not. An engine is much more forgiving than a heater in this respect.
Those who have heater problems will probably continue to have problems with them, caused largely by their RED fuel quality from within their own tanks, unless they are simply old and un-serviced heaters.
Challenge me over that if you wish - I would put money on the above being true.
Pops
[ QUOTE ]
Interesting - I thought red diesel was just white with dye added.
Maybe it would be a good idea to run the Eberspacher off it's own dedicated paraffin tank?
[/ QUOTE ]
Personally, I don't think that is necessary. There are thousands of satisfied Eber users (and Webasto) who have never seen a problem. Those happy users have good clean fuel tanks with no "bug", or even slightly cloudy fuel.
Any eberspacher-equipped boat will show heating problems long before they have engine problems, since a diesel engine is a different animal and burns the diesel under compression, whereas an eberspacher does not. An engine is much more forgiving than a heater in this respect.
Those who have heater problems will probably continue to have problems with them, caused largely by their RED fuel quality from within their own tanks, unless they are simply old and un-serviced heaters.
Challenge me over that if you wish - I would put money on the above being true.
Pops
peteandthira
Well-Known Member
Re: Not just clean fuel...
Replying to my own post here, I know, but...
"Maybe it would be a good idea to run the Eberspacher off it's own dedicated paraffin tank?"
You could do that, but all you are doing is giving the eber a good fuel supply and will almost certainly be successful.
You might, however, be wasting your time and simply be avoiding the main issue which, eventually, may clog your engine filters and cause your engine to fail one day.
My long, depressing investigation into this on a NEW boat has taught me all of the above. It was a dirty tank from new which I found too difficult to believe. Cleaning it all out, and monitoring it since then, has provided me with many subsequent happy and warm winter nights.
Pops
Replying to my own post here, I know, but...
"Maybe it would be a good idea to run the Eberspacher off it's own dedicated paraffin tank?"
You could do that, but all you are doing is giving the eber a good fuel supply and will almost certainly be successful.
You might, however, be wasting your time and simply be avoiding the main issue which, eventually, may clog your engine filters and cause your engine to fail one day.
My long, depressing investigation into this on a NEW boat has taught me all of the above. It was a dirty tank from new which I found too difficult to believe. Cleaning it all out, and monitoring it since then, has provided me with many subsequent happy and warm winter nights.
Pops
Sinbad2222
Well-Known Member
Re: Not just clean fuel...
Surprising that a new tank was dirty but I take your point.
What about your source of diesel? How can you monitor the quality of a supplier?
Surprising that a new tank was dirty but I take your point.
What about your source of diesel? How can you monitor the quality of a supplier?
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
Re: Not just clean fuel...
several people hereabouts use funnels with fine filters built in to fill their tanks. I'm trying to remember if Talbot is one of them?
No good on huge mobo tanks, but many raggies with smaller tanks can probably use them effectively
several people hereabouts use funnels with fine filters built in to fill their tanks. I'm trying to remember if Talbot is one of them?
No good on huge mobo tanks, but many raggies with smaller tanks can probably use them effectively
peteandthira
Well-Known Member
Re: Not just clean fuel...
Yes we filter it going in too. Never seen anything orrid yet.
Yes we filter it going in too. Never seen anything orrid yet.
JerryHawkins
Well-Known Member
Re: Not just clean fuel...
I think the difference may be due to the fact that, in general, red diesel is older (i.e. left standing in supply tank longer) than white road diesel (supply tanks emptied and refilled frequently) so is therefore probably cleaner - less water and bug growth before it gets to your tank.
My eber supply is taken from my 100l day tank. Engine take-off here too. I pump fuel from my two 450l main tanks ito the day tank through an extra filter/water separator. Day tank is kept topped up so less condensation and less crud build-up. Also use Soltron in my fuel.
The key, as others say, is clean fuel of whatever type is most convenient; this would usually be red diesel.
Cheers,
Jerry
I think the difference may be due to the fact that, in general, red diesel is older (i.e. left standing in supply tank longer) than white road diesel (supply tanks emptied and refilled frequently) so is therefore probably cleaner - less water and bug growth before it gets to your tank.
My eber supply is taken from my 100l day tank. Engine take-off here too. I pump fuel from my two 450l main tanks ito the day tank through an extra filter/water separator. Day tank is kept topped up so less condensation and less crud build-up. Also use Soltron in my fuel.
The key, as others say, is clean fuel of whatever type is most convenient; this would usually be red diesel.
Cheers,
Jerry
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
You would have thought though that if running an Eber on red diesel was an issue that by now the manufacturer would have added some warning in the running instructions, he wants problems with new heaters less than we do!
Besides I would suspect that if you are using mucky diesel, it would affect the engine as well as your heater. A diesel metering pump is a fussy bit of kit and the holes in a diesel engine injector are so fine they would block easily. No if you buy your fuel from a supplier with a good turn over of fuel then IMO red diesel should be no worse than road fuel.
Wheres SBC, he should be able to answer this one?
Besides I would suspect that if you are using mucky diesel, it would affect the engine as well as your heater. A diesel metering pump is a fussy bit of kit and the holes in a diesel engine injector are so fine they would block easily. No if you buy your fuel from a supplier with a good turn over of fuel then IMO red diesel should be no worse than road fuel.
Wheres SBC, he should be able to answer this one?
peteandthira
Well-Known Member
Just a reminder that all our problems with fuel (now cured) manifested themselves only by the eberspacher. The fuel was only slightly cloudy and the engine didn't care, neither did the genny.
Pops
Pops