I want to install a heater system to my 1995 Hunter 336 (good idea in Vancouver !). Although I believe the Espar system is quite popular, I also heard that there are quality problems that caused a lot of expensive repair and maintenance problems. Any feedback from experience would be highly appreciated.
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Espar
Espar heaters seem to be more reliable than they used to be - it's just when they quit the problems start. The biggest problem I have found (I have a D5 Hydronic heater on my Catalina 350) is that the electronics that control them are very complicated. Some units will "lock out" after several failed start attempts or a perceived "fault" and the only way to reset them or diagnose them is with a special Espar diagnostic unit - not cheap - especially if you have to call out the Espar tech to do it. I have had Espar, Webasto, and Hurricane heating units on previous boats and IMHO Espar is the hardest to diagnose and replace parts when, not if it becomes necessary.
Espar heaters seem to be more reliable than they used to be - it's just when they quit the problems start. The biggest problem I have found (I have a D5 Hydronic heater on my Catalina 350) is that the electronics that control them are very complicated. Some units will "lock out" after several failed start attempts or a perceived "fault" and the only way to reset them or diagnose them is with a special Espar diagnostic unit - not cheap - especially if you have to call out the Espar tech to do it. I have had Espar, Webasto, and Hurricane heating units on previous boats and IMHO Espar is the hardest to diagnose and replace parts when, not if it becomes necessary.
Espar thoughts
We have a older D3 on our Mirage 33 (also in Vanc). In general good - like most diesels they need air and fuel to run; the burners need a good cleaning (definately a do-it-yourself) type job. The bad though (from our point of view) they are fairly noisy when operating, use power, and as others have mentioned, have the potential to be finicky. We are seriously considering removing ours and putting in a Dickenson type natural draft heater. We love the constant heat, simplicity and no battery drain.
We have a older D3 on our Mirage 33 (also in Vanc). In general good - like most diesels they need air and fuel to run; the burners need a good cleaning (definately a do-it-yourself) type job. The bad though (from our point of view) they are fairly noisy when operating, use power, and as others have mentioned, have the potential to be finicky. We are seriously considering removing ours and putting in a Dickenson type natural draft heater. We love the constant heat, simplicity and no battery drain.
I have a Volvo Arctic !0,000BTU unit and I also intend to install an older Espa
16,000BTU unit which is a D5 because my Arctic was too marginal. I had constant problems with my Arctic until (rather recently) I installed a day tank and switched from diesel to kerosene. It burns so much cleaner that there is no noticeable sooting of anything. There is a little window in the arctic with an eye that senses flame, and if it gets dirty it just shuts it down. With the kerosene it just runs and runs. I still plan to complete the installation of the Eapar but I believe I will run it on kerosene also, and I expect that it will run fine. The units are designed to run on diesel so dealers don't make a lot of noise about changing fuels. I was originally advised to make the switch by members of my yacht club before I checked with any dealers. Conversations I have had with several Espar dealers since, have confirmed the same. Have fun Joe S
16,000BTU unit which is a D5 because my Arctic was too marginal. I had constant problems with my Arctic until (rather recently) I installed a day tank and switched from diesel to kerosene. It burns so much cleaner that there is no noticeable sooting of anything. There is a little window in the arctic with an eye that senses flame, and if it gets dirty it just shuts it down. With the kerosene it just runs and runs. I still plan to complete the installation of the Eapar but I believe I will run it on kerosene also, and I expect that it will run fine. The units are designed to run on diesel so dealers don't make a lot of noise about changing fuels. I was originally advised to make the switch by members of my yacht club before I checked with any dealers. Conversations I have had with several Espar dealers since, have confirmed the same. Have fun Joe S
Espars Comments
I have an Espar Airtronic D4 on my 390 Beneteau courtesy of some previous owner. When I got the boat 4 years ago, the D4 was not working. I had it serviced and it has worked well ever since. Two problems: 1. you need to replace the little burner screen regularly or at least clean it; 2. the fuses are crap, and were apparently VW-based. After the poorly-designed fuses kept blowing, I replaced them with truck fuses and all is fine. I am happy with the unit unlike some others. It is a little noisy but you can get a muffler. Pete
I have an Espar Airtronic D4 on my 390 Beneteau courtesy of some previous owner. When I got the boat 4 years ago, the D4 was not working. I had it serviced and it has worked well ever since. Two problems: 1. you need to replace the little burner screen regularly or at least clean it; 2. the fuses are crap, and were apparently VW-based. After the poorly-designed fuses kept blowing, I replaced them with truck fuses and all is fine. I am happy with the unit unlike some others. It is a little noisy but you can get a muffler. Pete
My Good Experience with the D3
My D3 has run faultlessly since 1996 and I have never even looked at it, cleaned it or given it any other TLC. Most use has been weekending summer and winter but I once ran it day and night for a whole week whilst we sailed the boat around. One thing I did was to double up the 12 Volt supply cabling because I have the unit in the lazarette and the OEM installer fitted cables which were too small. It draws 18 amps for a few seconds when it fires up and if there are volt drops in the supply wiring, understandably, its heater struggles to light the diesel. I believe this to be the cause of most of peoples grumbles. i.e. install it as directed and no problems - at least for me.
My D3 has run faultlessly since 1996 and I have never even looked at it, cleaned it or given it any other TLC. Most use has been weekending summer and winter but I once ran it day and night for a whole week whilst we sailed the boat around. One thing I did was to double up the 12 Volt supply cabling because I have the unit in the lazarette and the OEM installer fitted cables which were too small. It draws 18 amps for a few seconds when it fires up and if there are volt drops in the supply wiring, understandably, its heater struggles to light the diesel. I believe this to be the cause of most of peoples grumbles. i.e. install it as directed and no problems - at least for me.
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