Espar Heaters - Are They a Pain?

[Tsehum Pete]

Last long weekend we used my boat's Espar at the dock and it worked well for two days. Then it suddenly stopped and seems dead. My boat-sitter tells me that Espars are trouble-prone and should be sent to the home for retired Espars. I am still keen to get it going and use it in colder months.Your views ...... ??

 

[Don12364]

Mine's Fine

Ten years old and I once ran it continuously for a week during a January cruise. Not supposed to run it whilst under way though.Only problem was the in line fuse-holder which came undone. I don't know if this was supplied with the original kit.If you have trouble make sure the power wiring from battery to the unit is heavy enough. It takes 18 amps for about 10 seconds on start up and if the voltage at the unit drops to less than 10.5 it will not fire up due to internal protection to prevent it trying to run off a dead battery. Also always ensure it has finished its run down cycle BEFORE switching off at the boat's supply. This is achieved on my boat by having the unit connected directly to the batteries so, even if I do turn off the master switches and go home, the unit still runs down correctly and safely. This is important as it can affect the start up next time.All quite simple and explained in the handbook.Incidentally this unit is little different from its competitors except the Mikuni has a lower start up current.

 

[Tsehum Pete]

Wonky Espar

Donalex.I will try and get a manual and with my boat sitter figure this thing out.

 

[Jentine]

Simple system

The Espar is the same system used in home heating furnaces only in a much smaller size. Oil is pumped to the gun and ignited by electric arc. Espar does recommend that the system be serviced annually (just like a home system).I used mine for 12 years with no service and no problems. It was used under weigh and at the dock in cold weather. Usually for weekends in the winter and whenever during the summer.Jim

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Peter, seeing as how you asked,,

I bought a new Espar in 86. GARBAGE! TRASH! We buried it at sea. I could go on for hours. It almost never worked after the first season. Everything died, even the controller. They can't be fixed. The wiring is secret and they won't repair them. A new one was $275.00 in '89. It was only three years old. And the combustion chamber burned out after the first year. A new one was $350.00. I replaced the turbo flame box myself. What a bitch! But I wasn't going to pay them. Grrrr. The company rep in Canada said that "I shouldn't be upset with the performance of the firebox, $350 a year wasn't bad". Grrr. And power??!! Every time it would cycle it would shut completely off. That meant the glow plug had to be used for each cycle. A cycle was about 10 minutes and the glow plug was used for about 2 minutes of that time. 25amps! We were lucky to make it through a night at anchor. GRRRR. It was BY FAR THE WORST PRODUCT I'VE EVER PURCHASED IN MY LIFETIME!!!! Now that was 20 year old tech. Maybe they improved them. Our new heater is by Nautic. It only uses the glow-plug on the first startup. Then in slows the fan speed and fuel feed to control temperature. Computers. And it's combustion chamber is flawless. None have ever failed. Peter, you asked.

 

[Rick]

In the same boat

Hi Peter, I'm having the same problem. I have a 34 and the Espar gave up the ghost last weekend. It is over 15 years old, boat is only 1 year old to us though. I've been checking around and I could spend money to servie it only to have it break down again later. I've been told that after a certain age, 10 years or so, they may not be worth repairing. I'm getting quotes on a replacement for both an Espar and a Webasto

 

[Tsehum Pete]

Bad Month For Espars

Rick,Thanks for your comments. I live in Calgary. Seems like I am not alone. I do not know when the Espar was installed. Tula is a 1990 Beneteau Oceanis 390 in Tsehum Harbour at North Saanich Marina and the thing could be 15 years old. It may be something simple but maybe not. I guess I would like to know the root of the problem before chucking the whole lot out. Power drain, service access and reliability seem to be common complaints. If you live in the Sidney area Would you connect with Bert Vermeer my boat sitter who lives in Sidney at 250-896-2378? He is a great guy and very knowledgeable. Perhpas you two could share thoughts.Thanks again, Peter

 

[David W]

If I recall correctly

Espars are "modern" versions of the gasoline heaters that used to be in air cooled VW's. They were made by a company called "Eberspacher". As everyone has said, finicky little things. But if you get it running right they produce an unbelieveable amount of heat.

 

[Rick]

Sidney Propeller

I have been phoning around and my understanding is that Sidney Propeller can perform a diagnostic check to determine the root cause of the problem. I have left them a message to get further details but have not heard back from them yet. I'll post what I hear when I have something.

 

[Tim]

ESPAR retirement home

Rick/Peter I hope your ESPARS are fixable.Most likely corresion on the contacts. However if your espars are beyond salvage I would apreciate a chance to salvage them to keep help out another friend with a dead espar in Sidney. I wonder if there is something happening inthe upper peninsula area that is sucking the life out of these heaters??Please let me know if you end up with some spare parts..Tim