Which diesel heater

[LouisBrowne]

We are intending to install a diesel warm air heater in our boat this winter.

I'd be grateful for any advice or comments on reliability / efficiency / value for money of the main brands, which seem to be Eberspacher, Mikuni, Wallas and Webasto.

Also are any other brands worth considering?

We have a 37 ft sailing boat with forecabin, saloon, one aft cabin (used for storage) and aft heads configuration.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

We are intending to install a diesel warm air heater in our boat this winter.

I'd be grateful for any advice or comments on reliability / efficiency / value for money of the main brands, which seem to be Eberspacher, Mikuni, Wallas and Webasto.

Also are any other brands worth considering?

We have a 37 ft sailing boat with forecabin, saloon, one aft cabin (used for storage) and aft heads configuration.

Expect loads of answers.
There have been many asking the same question and you will find lovers and haters of all the brands.

Here's my input.

Had an Eberspacher. Worked fine until just out of warranty and then several things stopped working. Very uncooperative supplier, very expensive repairs, very unhelpful agents.

Bought Webasto for the next boat. Quieter, completely reliable, no problems.

I will never, ever buy from Eberspacher again.

 

[V1701]

You will get more negative comments about Eberspacher than the others but I think that's because there are a lot more of these than the other brands not because they are less reliable. If you run it mostly on full power, with white diesel (or use paraffin occasionally to decoke if you do use red diesel), run it once a month over the summer, then whichever one you go for will probably be absolutely fine. If something does go wrong or you happen to get a monday morning one spares/repairs can be expensive. They can be noisy but you can get a silencer.

All I can say from my own experience is that a properly installed Eberspacher Airtronic D2 run for extended periods (living aboard through last winter) on low heat setting and with red diesel coked up badly. Have you considered the drip feed diesel heaters, one of those would be my own choice, probably Refleks...

 

[Victoria Sponge]

We have a Mikuni. They were really great when you 'phone them, helpful etc. They supplied a kit for our needs and it was spot on.

It heats the boat brilliantly and we have no complaints whatsoever.

 

[sailorman]

We have a Mikuni. They were really great when you 'phone them, helpful etc. They supplied a kit for our needs and it was spot on.

It heats the boat brilliantly and we have no complaints whatsoever.

+1

 

[rickym]

Webasto on the last boat, always gave it a full bore blast once a month or so, 4 years no problems and a warm boat!

 

[LouisBrowne]

Thanks for your suggestions.

Re drip feed option I had thought about a Taylors diesel stove but they seem expensive and it might look out of place on our boat, which is a modern cruiser-racer.

 

[Vara]

I have a Wallas, good but pricey,good aftersales from Kuranda. Quieter than ebers and I'm told lower power consumption. Basic servicing can be DIY.

What ever you get, insulate the hot air pipes really well, either with the custom stuff which is quite expensive, or do what I did (skinflint alert) and lag with double skinned bubble wrap from a builders merchant, the improvement in heat output is quite dramatic.

 

[solitaire11]

wich heater

i've had 2 new ebbers and had loads of problems with both, all warranty work but should'nt be happening on new stuff?

now got a webasto and so far finger's crossed, also runs a lot smoother and quiter.

 

[humphrey231074]

We Just bought an Eberspacher D5 from www.Yachtboatparts.com and they are offering 3 year (fair use) warranty with their Eberspachers so they must be confident that its a good product.

Last boat had a Mikuni and that was good too but is a little bit noisier than Eberspacher.

 

[uxb]

On my last boat I had a Dickinson Diesel heater.

Bought it in Canada for a real world price - not the stupid mark up they charge here.

The stove was brilliant. no electrical consumption apart from a small fan on start up, warm,dry boat with a cheery flame.

Would have another one tomorrow, well, next time I go to Canada...

 

[westernman]

On my last boat I had a Dickinson Diesel heater.

Bought it in Canada for a real world price - not the stupid mark up they charge here.

The stove was brilliant. no electrical consumption apart from a small fan on start up, warm,dry boat with a cheery flame.

Would have another one tomorrow, well, next time I go to Canada...

+1

I have one and it is great. Very effective, very simple, no electronics to go wrong. And it does add a real nice glow and character to the boat.
Was fitted to the boat from the yard in Canada.

 

[Plevier]

What ever you get, insulate the hot air pipes really well, either with the custom stuff which is quite expensive, or do what I did (skinflint alert) and lag with double skinned bubble wrap from a builders merchant, the improvement in heat output is quite dramatic.

Do you mean the silvered stuff? It takes the temperature OK does it? I'd thought of using that but wondered if it would melt.

 

[DogWatch]

Do you mean the silvered stuff? It takes the temperature OK does it? I'd thought of using that but wondered if it would melt.

I bought some 3M stuff from a fellow forumite and it made a massive difference.

I reckon vara's bubble wrap idea is fine (heat permitting) but I imagine it wont be long before the bubbles leak air. I used bubble wrap for a while floating on the water of my hot tub in winter, it really seemed to lower the number of times the heater came on over winter, trouble was the bubbles had pretty much gone after 3 months. Be interested to hear how long his last as it might make a good lightweight insulator for my aft cabin ceilings when I redo them this winter.

 

[DaiB]

Heaters

I replaced an eber that gave masses of problems with a Wallas and its been totally reliable.

 

[photodog]

Whatever you do.... buy a new one not one of the Ex-BT jobs......

 

[DogWatch]

Whatever you do.... buy a new one not one of the Ex-BT jobs......

Hear Hear, my ex-BT jobbie is still running strong after 9 years. Maybe it is helped that I use it all winter rather than once in a blue moon.

 

[Plevier]

I bought some 3M stuff from a fellow forumite and it made a massive difference.

Would that be Thinsulate? That's what's used in Eber/Webasto's clip on insulating sleeves at a ludicrous price.
I don't know where else you can get it.

 

[Vara]

Do you mean the silvered stuff? It takes the temperature OK does it? I'd thought of using that but wondered if it would melt.

I used this stuff,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LOFT-INSU...ultDomain_3&hash=item4840bee7ce#ht_1928wt_932

Secured with a gaffer tape which is waterproof and safe up to 90deg sourced from Wilkinsons.

I didn't lag the first couple of feet from the heater, and there is no sign of any degradation of the insulation after 18months.

 

[Plevier]

Thanks Vara, added to job list!