Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

I'm looking at the idea of installing a Webasto diesel air heater.
They are very popular in Australia and NZ, but I don't see many of them for sale in Canada.
Has anyone had any experience with them?

They are expensive. That's the reason why you don't see them installed here.

They are however popular in VW's and GM van that people camperize.

Just not popular here in Delica's... yet.

I think the many reason you don't see many Diesel heaters here is the high price tag. If you don't spend a whole lot of time living in your van in cold climates a Canadian can not justify the cost. Also if you do install one you also would need to spend some time on insulation. Otherwise you will blast a lot of energy out of the window.
I'm going to install an Espar Hydronic 4 heater in our van. Received the package last week. It's now just a matter of time to install the thing. Main reason for Espar vs. Webasto is the excellent availability of parts worldwide as well as the heater works in high-elevations with an additional kit.
Beside hot air we also want hot-water for a shower therefore a coolant heater was the way to go.
I remember one guy here already installed an Espar hot-air heater in his Delica: http://www.delica.ca/forum/odyessy-1500 ... -6858.html

Not sure where you are, but you can get Espar heaters in Vancouver from http://www.roton.ca

Thanks for the info and links. Good to look at other options.

fexlboi wrote:I think the many reason you don't see many Diesel heaters here is the high price tag. If you don't spend a whole lot of time living in your van in cold climates a Canadian can not justify the cost. Also if you do install one you also would need to spend some time on insulation. Otherwise you will blast a lot of energy out of the window.
I'm going to install an Espar Hydronic 4 heater in our van. Received the package last week. It's now just a matter of time to install the thing. Main reason for Espar vs. Webasto is the excellent availability of parts worldwide as well as the heater works in high-elevations with an additional kit.
Beside hot air we also want hot-water for a shower therefore a coolant heater was the way to go.
I remember one guy here already installed an Espar hot-air heater in his Delica: http://www.delica.ca/forum/odyessy-1500 ... -6858.html

Not sure where you are, but you can get Espar heaters in Vancouver from http://www.roton.ca

How will you heat the inside of the Delica during the night when you're sleeping (engine off) ?

From what I understand, then Hydronic is a coolant heater for the engine, not air for the cabin.

Either I use the little radiator I took out of the rear heater assembly and build a box with a little fan. Or I go the lazy route and get the smallest coolant 12V auxiliary heater from Princess Auto.

http://www.princessauto.com/trailer/tru ... ary-heater

Just in case someone is also interested in this coolant heater from Princess Auto. It is on sale till Dec 5th.

So I guess I'll go down the lazy route

Wouldn't running that coolant heater drain your battery by the morning?

How safe do you thing running one of these all night inside the van would be?
http://www.princessauto.com/all-seasons ... ddy-heater

This coolant heater draws about 35 mA, so don't worry about draining your battery

Running a propane heater inside is NOT a good idea at all if you don't have adequate fresh air circulation.

Felix, it drains 350 ma which can make a difference.

Ups. I actually meant .35 A
It's still irrelevant with a 80Ah auxiliary battery. You run it only for a few hours anyway.

Guys
A propane heater is fine if it is a direct vent heater. This type draws combustion air from the outside and preheats it with (propane) exhaust heat increasing the units efficiency. The unit is sealed, safe and draws no inside air while venting exhaust products to the outside. My heater draws no battery power with its convective heating and works well at -10 deg C. That's the coldest week I have slept out in my van.

Many houses, apartments and campers have used direct vent propane heaters for decades. They are CGA and ASA approved. I have used a direct vent heater in both my Delicas for 3 winters and love it!! I back it up with a monoxide detector at night. Never a problem!

I hold an Gas AE ticket with 40 yrs experience in the trade so I am biased towards all gases and have read most of the heating articles with great interest. Noise, ventilation, insulation and battery life are the biggest problems with Delica interior heating.

Life is a compromise, nothing is perfect so live with it if you are warm.
Wayne
TLGF

We are ready for nice warm evenings in our Delica http://delica.rajce.idnes.cz/EBERSPACHER_D2/. We are just waiting for this:
http://www.pfjones.co.uk/eberspacher-ai ... e-kit.html

Propane is great, for sure. But if you are traveling abroad as Felix intends, there is much to be said for consolidating to a single fuel.