Swap Eberspacher for Autoterm

[Dino]

Hi, I have a 1998 Eberspacher D5LC heater on my boat and it won’t start up. I reckon the unit hasn’t been used in 15-18 years because the boat was on the Med. I removed the unit and serviced it. I also replaced the strainer on the fuel feed. When I turn on the unit, the fan starts and I can hear the pump cycling. After a few minutes the unit just shuts down. The controller is an older unit that doesn’t show fault codes.
Instead of throwing money at new parts for an old heater, I’m seriously considering replacing the heater with a Autoterm 4D unit. I have read that they are very similar.
Has anyone on here done this job?
Do I need a full kit?

 

[Aja]

I have just completed this same exercise.

I changed a 30+ year old 3DL Eberspacher (not the compact) for the Autoterm 4D.

Kept the existing trunking in place and fitted the new parts in the kit. Took about 4-5 hours all in - including priming new heater which you are warned will take about 30 minutes.

Straight forward. I had to change the exhaust through hull for the new one and open up the fixing holes on the mounting bracket.

You might need to source reduced for the heater to trunking. Available on ebay, Autoterm only stock some dozed not all.

Other than that it was very straight forward - and it works!

 

[vyv_cox]

When my Ebersoacher D3L behaved in a very similar way I found that the multi pin plug about 30 cm from the heater was corroded. Cleaning the pins up restored it to fully working condition.

Not that I would dissuade anyone from buying an Autoterm

 

[Aja]

When my Ebersoacher D3L behaved in a very similar way I found that the multi pin plug about 30 cm from the heater was corroded. Cleaning the pins up restored it to fully working condition.

Not that I would dissuade anyone from buying an Autoterm

Any one want to buy an Eberspacher D3L then

 

[ash2020]

Not sure why anyone would spend that sort of money when there are so many available for around the £100 - £150 mark. They are all identical!. I know the term "Chinese" is often used in a derogatory way but they are well engineered and do exactly the same job. I have one on the boat and one in the shed. The only thing to be careful of is the exhaust integrity. The silencers are not gas tight and leak, but if you use a proper marine exhaust they're safe as houses. Also, there are a couple of superb Facebook groups on them, with loads of technical information.

An example of many.
2/5KW Air diesel Heater LCD Monitor 12V For Trucks MotorHomes Boats Car TUV Bus | eBay

 

[Dino]

Thanks for the info. While I see lots of support for the various Chinese heaters, I have no interest in risking my life with carbon monoxide poisoning. If the exhaust units are known to be sub standard, how can anyone be happy with the rest of their quality

 

[NormanS]

Thanks for the info. While I see lots of support for the various Chinese heaters, I have no interest in risking my life with carbon monoxide poisoning. If the exhaust units are known to be sub standard, how can anyone be happy with the rest of their quality

The Chinese heaters are primarily designed to be installed in road vehicles where the exhaust system is all mounted outside. In every other respect they are fine (and cheap).

 

[Aja]

The Chinese heaters are primarily designed to be installed in road vehicles where the exhaust system is all mounted outside. In every other respect they are fine (and cheap).

I did a lot of reading on different platforms before choosing to install an Autoterm.

As previously alluded to, in a marine environment Chinese non-branded heaters have insufficient build control. You cannot assume that the exhaust system is good/not good. Lives could be at stake.

It appears from the Chinese heater group on places like Facebook all you see is complaint after complaint for things like:

Controllers not working
People saying they are so cheap buy two one for spares
Exhausts are crap
No one can understand the operation manual as it is Chinenglish
Installation manual? Probably not.
Spares - see above but probably unobtainable.

If you think that these heaters are safe or 'good value for money' please don't be offended if I decline to be on a boat that has one fired up.

 

[harvey38]

Just had a new controller unit fitted to my D5, £527

I did toy with replacing it with a China unit, if it were in a car or shed, maybe but family and pets are on the boat and however slim the risk, I'm not prepared to roll the dice.

 

[michael_w]

The installation kit supplied by Autoterm is first class. Everything in separate bags, duly labeled as to its intended purpose. Only complaint is the use of ferrous fastenings, which I replaced with stainless.

 

[RivalRedwing]

fit a carbon monoxide alarm, no matter which unit you are buying.... cheap health insurance

 

[B27]

fit a carbon monoxide alarm, no matter which unit you are buying.... cheap health insurance

My view is, whatever brand the heater is, it's only as good as the installation.
None of these things were designed first and foremost to go in a boat.

It's totally down to the installer to make sure the exhaust has integrity in the first place, but also the boat owner to ensure it's not been damaged or whatever. These heaters are often vulnerable in boats, being installed in the locker known as the 'cavern of doom'.

As it looks like the chinaspacher season has started, I'm just about to order a new CO alarm, thanks for the prompt.
Also time to muck out the locker, inspect exhaust and fuel lines etc etc.

 

[Dino]

My thinking is that I would be better spending approximately €700 on a brand new Autoterm rather than pay €??? On new ECU, Controller, etc.
I already have 2 Carbon Monoxide Alarms onboard.
I’m going to have one last look at the D5LC and see if I can get it going

 

[PaulRainbow]

My thinking is that I would be better spending approximately €700 on a brand new Autoterm rather than pay €??? On new ECU, Controller, etc.
I already have 2 Carbon Monoxide Alarms onboard.
I’m going to have one last look at the D5LC and see if I can get it going

Just replaced a Webasto Airtop 3900 with a 4kw Autoterm. Nothing wrong with the Webasto at all, but we wanted a 7 day timer, which would have cost close to half the price of a new Autoterm. The Autoterm fitted straight onto the mounting bracket. Used the Webasto fuel pipes, but replaced the fuel pump with the super quiet Autoterm pump. A few cables to connect together and a new power supply cable. Exhaust a direct swap. An adapter for the ducting allowed the use of the Webasto ducting. The digital timer is very good, really simple to use.

All working really well, very pleased with it. Not exactly surprised, as fitted a few Autoterms for customers.

 

[LittleSister]

My view is, whatever brand the heater is, it's only as good as the installation.
None of these things were designed first and foremost to go in a boat.

It's totally down to the installer to make sure the exhaust has integrity in the first place, but also the boat owner to ensure it's not been damaged or whatever. These heaters are often vulnerable in boats, being installed in the locker known as the 'cavern of doom'.

True, but Autoterm provide detailed installation instructions (and appropriate parts) specifically for boats, and with the Chinese cheapies the installer's on their own.

 

[stuartwineberg]

Also very happy with my Autoterm. It’s fussier about air supply than the old eber (it’s in a lazarette and I need to crack open the lid) and the installer had to run another fuel feed pipe from the pump to the heater but I think that was due to a non standard diameter pipe on the original eber install. Support is exceptional from both the supplier and the installer and that for me makes it worth the extra over the Chinese ones. I guess this is really down to whether you feel confident to do a self install/replacement.