Where to fit a eberspacher diesel heater on Westerly Centaur

[oldmanofthehills]

The problem with chinese copies is poor quality control from certain suppliers and extreme (deliberate) ambiguity as to who is supplier, though one brand mentioned in the thread sounds OK

A further problem is that the chinese ones are not designed for the marine market, thus might have mild steel exhaust and possible less resilience in a marine environment.

The exhaust issue is readily solved by using an existing exhaust if replacing a dead unit or just by buying a stainless steel exhaust for epi weba etc if starting from scratch

 

[ghostlymoron2]

On my Mirage 28 the eber is in the engine compartment, far side of the engine which is very inaccessible so wouldn't recommend that position. The air intake is at the aft end of the quarter berth so the air is recirculated. This is better for heating efficiency but not for humidity.

 

[Tillana]

The autoterm one has a quiet Bosch fuel pump and a good quality stainless steel exhaust. Very easy to fit and wire in as it's all just plugs. I paid the extra for the digital controller which I think was worth it. The guy I spoke to on the phone was familiar with centaurs so I followed his advice.

 

[PaulRainbow]

The Planar heaters (Autoterm) are fine, as good a build quality as Eber or Webasto. I've fitted several for customers and have one on my own boat (along with a 4kw Webasto). Never had a problem with one.

Don't confuse them with cheap Ebay heaters and they are nothing like Vevor heaters (sorry Nigel)

 

[Hot Property]

As I posted I am facing same question ... where to install.
It may seem obvious but :

Location needs to be so the exhaust is short and complies with the installation manual.
If in a locker - the unit and its pipework - especially exhaust needs to be partitioned to protect the other use of locker and the unit itself.
Location needs to have good access to install hot air piping for cabin
Easy access to fuel tank or sensible piping from main tank with stop valve
Reasonable location to site control panel (and thermostat if fitted).

I've fitted 2 types of Chinese heaters, the "Eberspatcher" style with fuel pump seperate and an all in one unit complete with a sufficiently large fuel tank.

Bin any exhaust that comes with the units and fit a decent, UK made one.

MARINE EXHAUST SILENCER MUFFLER STAINLESS EBERSPACHER DIESEL HEATER 24mm tube

I double insulated the exhaust pipe as they get very hot.

As the exhaust outlet is at the bottom I fitted an insulated panel on the bottom to prevent any scorching.

The units are copies of the Ever/Webasto units.

I'd normally baulk at buying something that's ripped off another manufacturer although any patents would likely have expired.

What sealed my decision was that Eber and Webasto were running a price cartel for years.

Webasto dobbed in Eberspatcher so avoiding the 76 million euro fine that Eber received!!

Just Google it....

 

[Refueler]

The Planar heaters (Autoterm) are fine, as good a build quality as Eber or Webasto. I've fitted several for customers and have one on my own boat (along with a 4kw Webasto). Never had a problem with one.

Don't confuse them with cheap Ebay heaters and they are nothing like Vevor heaters (sorry Nigel)

I think I'll trust the words of the Yard guys I've known for years thank you. FYI the heater came direct from Vevor online .... regardless of the online site ... easy enough to check.

I don't like BMW's ... don't trust them after pulling quite a few out of ditches here in winter .. but others think they are great ... ??

 

[PaulRainbow]

I think I'll trust the words of the Yard guys I've known for years thank you. FYI the heater came direct from Vevor online .... regardless of the online site ... easy enough to check.

I don't like BMW's ... don't trust them after pulling quite a few out of ditches here in winter .. but others think they are great ... ??

The Vevor heater is nothing to do with Autoterm, it looks nothing like it, looks just like the cheap Ebay Chinese heaters, it is made in China.

It's not allowed to be imported into the UK and has been recalled as of Jan this year.

https://assets.publishing.service.g...ct-recall-vevor-diesel-car-parking-heater.pdf

 

[chris-s]

The Vevor heater is nothing to do with Autoterm, it looks nothing like it, looks just like the cheap Ebay Chinese heaters, it is made in China.

It's not allowed to be imported into the UK and has been recalled as of Jan this year.

https://assets.publishing.service.g...ct-recall-vevor-diesel-car-parking-heater.pdf

Because of poor instructions?

 

[Laminar Flow]

Our Wbasto AirTop 3900, after several rather expensive resuscitation attempts, finally packed it in in Stromness during last Summer's Winter. In emergency mode at that point, we decided to replace it with a 5kw Chinese knock-off, as all the main brands do not consider Orkney or Northern Scotland part of the civilized world in regards to (a timely) delivery. Amazon is definitely more accommodating and managed to deliver to the marina in Oban within 4 Days.
A Webasto replacement came in at an eye-watering 2880.- Euro, the price for their spares amounts to highway robbery.
In Economic terms and by comparison, the Chinese one only has to last a single year and we are well in to that by now. In fact, for any of the more important Webasto spares, I can buy at least one or several complete and new Chinese heaters. As it may be, it is running just fine and saved our wintery Summer. We are now considering simply getting a second one, for a quick and painless exchange. I've had the Webasto in and out so many times that I could probably do it blindfolded by now and with one hand tied behind my back.

As said, the Chinese ancillary parts are (dangerous) crap, however, they are a straight swap-in for a previous Webasto/Eber installation.

In regards to installation: The exhaust line should be kept as short as possible, preferably with a downward incline, otherwise it has to be fitted with a gooseneck and have a condensation trap installed. The exhaust must be installed in such a way that it is neither underwater when heeled, nor that it can allow spray or breaking seas to enter.
For longer ducting runs, I recommend insulating the pipe. We have four outlets on our high volume 31 footer, of which one is permanently open. Wheelhouse, salon, Foc'sl and one under the V-berth to keep it nice and dry during our Scottish, Norwegian, Irish and Shetlandian Summers. Heating air is taken in from the outside to keep the boat's interior not just warm, but dry; a major concern when living aboard for any length of time.

For the areas we sail in, I consider heating to come in on the list of importance somewhere right after the autopilot.

 

[Refueler]

The Vevor heater is nothing to do with Autoterm, it looks nothing like it, looks just like the cheap Ebay Chinese heaters, it is made in China.

It's not allowed to be imported into the UK and has been recalled as of Jan this year.

https://assets.publishing.service.g...ct-recall-vevor-diesel-car-parking-heater.pdf

Check your info ... the Vevor was held on Import after Documentation and Instructions did not meet the UK / CE standards ... it has nothing to do with construction of the heater itself. The Instructions were amended as I understand to better inform installation to avoid the Fume Hazard that stopped its import.

"The UK government product safety report banned certain variants of the Vevor heaters for the reason of not supplying adequate installation instruction leading to the possibility of the exhaust pipe installed near combustible or poisonous material presenting a serious risk of asphyxiation. The heater was not banned for being intrinsically unsafe but for inadequate instruction to install safely."

Going deeper into it - basically the instructions failed to inform the installer to make sure the exhaust piping was adequately insulated and separated from adjacent materials to avoid the possibility of hazardous fumes / fire resulting from the heat of the exhaust piping.

I'm in Hospital at present - but I can scan and send the revised Instructions if you wish once I'm back home ....

When did I say it was anything to do with Autoterm / Planar ???? I and everybodies dog are fully aware the Vevor is Chinese .... like most other things in life today .....

Interesting ..... Attached are the instructions for the Vevor and second a similar sized / design Webasto unit .... even though the Webasto manual is more pages and general info - the exhaust section is remarkably short and TBH - not much better than Vevors ...
Vevor does in fact mention about proximity of exhaust pipe to other materials ....

mmmmmm very interesting. Would also be interesting to find out how much of Eber / Weba and others use Chinese parts .....

Maybe time for people to stop trying to 'score brownie points' ??