| Author | Message | ||
| Pat (Proudeagle10)
Rating: N/A |
Can somebody tell me how a Webasto heater works or a web site to find that info. I am wondering how I want to heat my convertion. Would also like to hear what works for others beside the Webasto. Thanks Pat | ||
| Jim Ashworth (Jimnh)
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They are exactly like a residential oil burner. Webasto's website is www.webasto-thermo.com Not a cheap unit but in my experience, worth it. Jim | ||
| Jerry Liebler (Jerry_liebler)
Rating: |
Pat, The Webasto itself is a diesel burning water heater. In use it actually heats a mixture of water and antifreeze that's, ironically, called coolant. The heated coolant is circulated by electric pump(s) to make a hydronic heating system. Many installations add a heat exchanger with the engine's coolant loop to provide engine heating and engine preheat. Also a coolant to fresh water heat exchanger is usually used to provide domestic hot water. The hydronic space heating can be acomplished with radiant heaters or small forced air heat exchangers distributed throughout the bus and connected as zones. My system uses the fan heat exchangers and includes the engine heat exchanger and domestic water heater with electric supplement. I have two space heating zones, seperate thermostats, and the water heater zone. Wirco International,Dick Wright, sells a kit to implement a Webasto system, that is what I have. Installing the Webasto system has been much more work than I 'predicted'. Positioning and mounting the many components then routing and connecting the coolant lines and many electrical connections are a significant challenge to say the least. I hope to be enjoying it this winter. Regards Jerry 4107 1120 | ||
| Marc Bourget Rating: N/A |
Pat, Keep in mind that these style heaters are also produced by Espar and ProHeat. | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
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Pat, In a single word, GREAT. I had one in my Eagle 10 and loved it. It was plumbed thru the engine coolant to preheat the engine as well as eliminate the requirement for a surge tank and different coolant systems. I had toe kAick heaters with adjustable speed fans and thermostats in four different zones. Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen/dining, and lounge/driver/co-pilot areas. Also a heat exchanger in the water heater to supply all our hot water needs. I also had the genset coolant provided by the engine so that I only had one coolant system to maintain. Driving down the road or boon docking with the genset running, the furnace portion of the Webasto never had to come on. During 15 years of operation I never had any problem, other than those of my own doing. Richard | ||
| Ed (Ednj)
Rating: N/A |
They also make "HotAir" units. No water, No plumbing, no extra parts. | ||
| Randy Davidson Rating: N/A |
No one mentioned Aqu-Hot and Hydro-hot, both sold by Vehicle Systems, very popular, and very expensive as well. But hey, there's the cool stainless steel box 'n all, you know. | ||
| Leslie Robinson (Lesrmc9)
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also Huricane, made in Richmond BC, Canada | ||
| Rob King
Rating: N/A |
Hi Pat I have the aqua hot system going into my Prevost. The aqua hot system uses the webasto diesel fired furnace just like the webasto system uses. However, the webasto furnace in the aqua hot system is quiter that it is in the webasto. When I ask aqua hot why they said different fluid pressure engineering. Who really knows but I do know that the webasto does have a definate whine while running and the aqua hot does as well but not as loud. A new aqua hot system will run from upper $5K to $7K depending on bells and whistles. I was lucky enough to get a used system out of a blue bird from James at Colaw RV Parts and Salvage (toll free 1-877-548-2125) for $3500. Aqua Hot web site is http://www.hydro-hot.com. Very good explanation of how the system works and what bells and whistles are available. Rob 91 Prevost | ||
| Pat (Proudeagle10)
Rating: N/A |
Thanks to all. Looks like the Webasto is over my budget and will have to go with something more conventional, like the toe kick heaters, for now. Than maybe upgrade later on. Thanks again PAT | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
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Pat, In addition to the Webasto with toe kick heaters, I also had electric toe kick heaters in all the areas, also thermostat controlled. This was great while the bus was parked at home or in a campground with 50 amp service. Caution, anyone using the electric toe kicks, check them occasionally for accumulation of dust. According to the fire department, this is what apparently happened to DML. The dust/lint caught on fire and destroyed the interior. Richard | ||
| John MC9 Rating: N/A |
I'm still in the building stages myself. We don't plan to stay for long in any cold climate, but we don't want to be without sufficient heat, either... What I envision using, may be a worthwhile consideration for others (?) Home type hot water baseboard radiators can be fed from the bus's cooling system. Adding an RV type propane/110 hot water heater in line with the piping and a small circulator pump, and I should have the equivalent of the "webasto" at a fraction of the cost. Both motorhomes we've had, had a conventional school bus type hot water heater at the rear of the rv fed by the engine's cooling system. The hot water tank in each, also had a coil of tubing around the tank that was connected to the engine's cooling system. I found that running the hot water heater in the Massachusetts winter kept the engine warm as well.. And... warm air would flow out of the rear heater. Just some food for thought... | ||
| Ian Giffin (Admin)
Rating: N/A |
Hi Pat, The Bus Converter's Bible has a section dedicated to HVAC including a discussion on Webasto heaters. It is online here at BNO now. Ian www.busnut.com | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
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I seriously doubt if you will get sufficient heat from a regular water heater to provide any significant amount of heat. If I were doing this I think I would explore the instant water heaters that provide several thousand btu of heat. Richard | ||
| Jim Ashworth (Jimnh)
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I agree with Richard. The Webasto and other propane heaters are in the 30 to 40,000BTU range for space heating. The RV water heater can't keep up with 2 showers in a row and on 120 volts, is about 5000BTU maximum. If you can't justify the expense of a diesel fired boiler, go for the propane RV warm air heaters. Not ideal but they will keep you warm. It's the old story: "Why do diesel fired boilers cost so much? Because they're worth it." Not because it costs that much more to manufacture. A recent experience with the Webasto nozzles-- I can get them from Webasto dealers and Aqua-Hot for about $17 plus shipping. I had a plumber friend of mine special order some from the local plumbing supply house, he had to buy a box (12) as a minimum, but the cost--- get this--- $4.07 each. Three from Webasto is more than 12 from the local supplier who, by the way, is still making a profit on the sale. Jim | ||
| Tom Caffrey (Pvcces)
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The only reason they're worth $17 is because they're going into a Webasto. We buy ours from the plumbing and heating trade, as well. These little boilers are fairly critical in that they want the right nozzle. If you ever lose a heat exchanger on one of them, you will remember after that to get the right nozzle and keep the fuel clean. For what it's worth. Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 Suncatcher | ||
| R.C.Bishop
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Jim.....Tom is dead on...very critical to proper operation of the unit. Also a heads up...the spacer, provided by Webasto, may or may not be proper for your nozzle. After months of playing around with things, getting no consistant flame, I contacted Vehicle Systems. David Haynes, I believe, was the name of the fellow who gave very generously of his time to work out the problem. (No Charge!!!) They gave me the *exact* measurement (from the igniter tips,in all directions)..wallah..no problems since. In fact,disgarded the spacer as a bad deal. Webasto is a marvelous and wonderful piece of equipment. Try Ron The Busnut. He may have one..and is very helpful. The unit is worth every penny!! Very versatile if one needs heating someplace or another.( I'm talking the coolant heater here) FWIW,  RCB '64 Crown Supercoach (HWC) | ||
| Jim Ashworth (Jimnh)
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What I got was EXACTLY what Webasto supplies-- right down to the same brand. The electrodes only ignite the flame and then stop sparking and I have had no trouble with the jig to set them correctly. I, too, think the Webasto is the best, it's just too bad they are so costly. Jim | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
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I love my Webasto. German engineering costs money. Charge what the market will bear... And bear it, I will! Capitalists in the room say AMEN? Minus 10 Farenheit and the bus starts like a summer's day after 20 minutes of 100 000 BTU Webasto? DBW300 model And can reach operating temperature, and heat the interior while idling under those conditions, and won't oil up excessively? One thankful AMEN from this Canadian corner! Some of us have to run from way up here to Jack's party and get home again for work and school. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
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AMEN! |
