The official Chinese Diesel Heater thread (Webasto Knockoff)

[Zeitgeist 13]

Is there any reason why you couldn't divorce the ECU from the unit and say mount it in the intake air passage closer to the inside of the vehicle? That way it's in a relatively sealed space with a source of cool(er) air passing over the components.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[tristessa]

And heck, with a little bit of splicing you could possibly use the Chinese mobo+wiring+controller to revive a dead Espar or Webasto. Wonder if there's an equivalent parts source for the Chinese coolant parking heaters -- I've got a used Hydronic B5WSC with a fried motherboard, and the replacement Eberspacher controller is 3X what the entire heater cost, including shipment from Berlin.

[Zeitgeist 13]

That FB group is VERY active and has a wealth of information available about these units. They seem hugely popular in the UK.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[tristessa]

[Zeitgeist 13]

I plan on mounting it below my EV cargo floor and tying the intake and output hoses into the factory rear heater plenum. I've been fretting about how to weatherproof the package, so mounting the ECU elsewhere is probably my best bet. The heater unit itself just requires wires for the fan, glowplug and temp sensor, so extending the pigtails doesn't seem too problematic.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[tristessa]

Makes sense. I'd think that as long as you aren't fording rivers, treating the board with a conformal coating and sealing the case seams with silicone would probably be enough, but moving the electronics entirely would be even better...

And yes on the FB group, very active. It was what I learned from lurking there for a while that convinced me to pull the trigger on mine over the summer. No regrets...

[Buggeee]

[tristessa]

[rmcd]

Thanks for everyone’s perspective.
I’ve found an all aluminum 2k version with a remote and it says it can be used for high altitude above 4500m. I will be unconscious and covered with diesel soot but my body will be warm.
I will report back.

I’ve found the Espar replacement parts to be spendy so I thing the Germans are on to us. I will upgrade fuel line, filter and probably glow plug.
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VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight=

[GypsyDriver]

[Gruppe B]

[dobryan]

[tristessa]

The installation instructions of the Webasto Airtop states:

[dobryan]

[Zeitgeist 13]

I've been trying to think of a box design that allows relatively easy access to the unit for servicing. I think laying it over on its side with the intake/exhaust tubes sticking out horizontally makes the most sense with this procedure in mind--assuming of course, that doesn't mess with fuel metering.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[Buggeee]

[Gruppe B]

[tristessa]

Pretty sure the EV tank is on the driver's side. I know the filler is...

[Zeitgeist 13]

The tank stretches across the vehicle from side to side under the front seats. I thought about putting it under the seat, but I don't want to give up that storage space or have any smells inside the van.

This is essentially how I plan on installing mine. I probably would do the same on a Vanagon.

Syncro TDI EV:

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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[tristessa]

Food for thought -- this was posted to the FB group in a thread where someone was asking for mounting ideas for their T4. Looks like there's just enough room under the RH seat to mount and apparently have the exhaust and intake piping clear the gas tank. Not sure if they used the 5KW or 2KW version though...