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newfisher Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2012 Posts: 1764 Location: The wet spot--Oregon
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 11998 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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Check out butlertechnik.com in the UK for parts too.
I have no experience with them but they offer a lot of parts and seem legit. |
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TopBud Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2004 Posts: 1107 Location: Flagstaff AZ
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Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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The altitude issue is huge for me. Thanks for all that info. I'm going to research them more. keep sharing info here though.
Thanks _________________ 86 bostig SYNCRO
66 convertible Karmann Ghia |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:37 am Post subject: |
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TopBud wrote: |
The altitude issue is huge for me. Thanks for all that info. I'm going to research them more. keep sharing info here though.
Thanks |
I know Propex users claim usage to 11,000ft without problems. I just wanted a gasoline burning furnace since I didn't want to mess with propane. Runs about $800.
Espar heaters will run on gasoline, and have a high altitude compensator module as an option but it'll run you about $2,400 total. ouch.
The Webasto ran me about $1,065 new on ebay. but haven't dialed it in for high altitude usage. Booo.. _________________ Abel Longoria
VanAlert App for Vanagons/Buses | Texas Vanagons | My Vanagon Build Thread | Follow Me On Instagram | Vanagon-centric Stickers Available Now |
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acegallagher Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2015 Posts: 78 Location: Denverish
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Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2015 11:36 am Post subject: |
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I'll comment on altitude as it was a big motive for me. I start out at 7K feet and end often at 11K+ (up to 12.5K so far) and haven't had the propex die on me yet. It does a wonderful job. I'm waiting to see what happens when I hit -30F temps though. |
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davevickery Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005 Posts: 2887 Location: Fort Collins, CO
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Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2015 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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It is odd that their high altitude compensation tops out under 10K feet. On my Evo with altitude compensation, it says it is designed to adjust air delivery at up to 2500 meters (8200 feet). I've seen specs refer to 1500 meters as the ceiling for unadjusted heaters. And 3,000 meters for the high altitude fuel pumps. That's almost 10,000 feet but that still leaves out some of the high mountain camping areas.
They do say you can drive over passes and such with the unadjusted units, so it isn't that they won't work, but they tell you to use compensation if yo plan to stay above 1500 meters. I forget the exact wording on that. I'm sure those altitudes are rough guidelines since they use round numbers 1500, 2500, and 3000 meters. I've seen 2200 meters mentioned too for one of the heaters.
A lot of sportsmobiles have either the Webasto or Espar units and I've seen posts of people using unadjusted heaters at higher altitudes. But then again you read about undiagnosed problems with all kinds of heaters so I guess there is always some risk. One thing they do specifically say is to run the heater at least once a month. I bet a lot of people don't.
Got my formica today and gonna finish up my storage cabinet for the heater. |
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newfisher Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2012 Posts: 1764 Location: The wet spot--Oregon
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Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2015 8:31 pm Post subject: |
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Someone else will be cozy at night at the hill this year Just showed up and I cant wait to get going on the install now being able to physically place it in spots. Excited!
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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3082 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 10:20 am Post subject: |
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For altitudes above 8,000 feet there seems to be no better solution than the Espar gas/diesel heaters with the altitude adjusting module.
I have the espar seetup and really good last year. looking forward to this year.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=613526&highlight=espar
_________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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scottbott Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2010 Posts: 83 Location: essex,uk
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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I put webasto insulation on the pipework so the undersea area does not heat up and I get the most heat out of the outlet as possible |
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davevickery Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005 Posts: 2887 Location: Fort Collins, CO
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2015 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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Slow and steady. Finished my little cabinet.
Anyone who has built a cabinet before knows how much work it is for what seems like a simple box. Yey. |
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Tobias Duncan Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2013 Posts: 1388 Location: Taos NM
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2015 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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I have built many cabinets and that one is sweet!
Looks like it came right out of the 80s...I mean that in a good way. |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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davevickery Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005 Posts: 2887 Location: Fort Collins, CO
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Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 10:25 am Post subject: |
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Thanks guys. I like the way it came out.
Abel, this heater is so big I don't have a lot of venting options. It just fits the cabinet with a couple inches to spare. So the outlet is going to have to face the isle and I'll but an angled vent on it so it points at a 45 towards the fridge. I don't think I have any room inside the box for ducting. Size is definetley a downside to this heater. OTOH, when I really need the heat at high alitude middle of winter ski areas, it will crank. I could have put it under the seat if I wasn't stuck on having a shower tank there.
Dave |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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newfisher Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2012 Posts: 1764 Location: The wet spot--Oregon
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Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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I started at noon today and got most of mine installed by 5. I have not tackled the wiring or the thermostat yet. These are some things I learned:
Be prepared to spend ALOT of time under the van. Setting the heater where you want it may not work with the exhaust/inlet and fuel lines underneath. I cut the template from underside where it would "fit" and let the top side heater placement sort of fall where it wanted. It worked out better in the end as I was trying to maximize space and now it has rom to breathe in its compartment. I mounted it in the same location as Dave which works great for fuel source but sucks for exhaust and intake routing. I drilled 2 large holes in the vans support body mount arm and ran the intake forward above the control arm and over the power steering rack. Tucked up so no dust enters the tube. I ran the exhaust 10" into a muffler and then under the frame over to the rear center edge of the fuel tank away from the sliding door. I may shorten it up so it doesnt go under the frame and close to the fuel line, pointing the exhaust towards the center of the van.
The instructions suck. Have TheSamba threads pulled up and saved to re read through. The fuel pump wires come through the intake tube. I notched the plastic tube and then the intake tube so they could escape the edge when the intake tube meets up with the plastic downward hard pipe. I havent tackled the wiring and am lost on the schematics they give you or it may be the fact I havent ate anything and blood sugar/ vision/ patience level has exceeded normal.
Abels list I posted is awesome. I used everything. THANKS AGAIN ABEL!
Ill post up some pics when I get it cleaned and tidied up and get the thermostat installed and wires ran. Cant wait to fire it up at the hill....praying for snow this year! |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7733 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 5:05 am Post subject: |
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FWIW: Wouldn't you rather vent the exhaust towards/past the outside edge of the van? Carbon monoxide being what it is... _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 7:16 am Post subject: |
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newfisher wrote: |
Abels list I posted is awesome. I used everything. THANKS AGAIN ABEL!
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You're welcome...
I would be weary of having the exhaust line so close to the fuel tank. That exhaust gets really hot. I'd also suggest routing it to the edge of the van and not letting it terminate under the van.
I ran mine back to the rear passenger side jacking point and have it terminated there. pointing outward of the van.
Wiring was a pain. there are a few wires that aren't needed. secondary vent fan is one if i recall correctly. _________________ Abel Longoria
VanAlert App for Vanagons/Buses | Texas Vanagons | My Vanagon Build Thread | Follow Me On Instagram | Vanagon-centric Stickers Available Now |
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newfisher Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2012 Posts: 1764 Location: The wet spot--Oregon
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 8:38 am Post subject: |
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My thoughts running it to dump under the van vs the side was to avoid it being sucked in past the always out of adjustment slider door. I wont be running it while driving. I also thought it would be less noisy pointed at the ground and away from the doors if opened. I will rethink it tonight and most likely reroute. Thanks |
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HoustonPhotog Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2013 Posts: 1514 Location: Houston, TX
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