Quote:
Originally Posted by PNWVAN
Has anyone tried one of these? They look pretty cool and affordable, I havent dont much research on them yet. But looks like a serious option.
Off Road & Automotive Heaters
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The answer is no. But, I did run across them as well. How do you plan to pass hot coolant through the heater?
I'm putting together a hot water and heater system using a similar heater. Rather than tie it into the van's coolant system it will be a separate closed loop system incorporating an Espar D5, 2.5 gal coolant tank, REAL hydronic fan heater (like the Craft heater), 3 gal heat exchanger/hot water tank and a coolant reservoir/expansion tank.
Firing up the Espar D5 will provide hot water and cabin heat when needed without relying on running the van's engine. Tying the system into the van's coolant system would only lead to a much longer wait time for hot water and heat with the extra coolant volume and heat sink the engine block creates. Plus, I don't feel a need to preheat the engine coolant.
The 2.5 gal coolant tank (actually an air tank) is mounted on the frame rail while all other components will be inside the van. Ball valves will allow the hydronic heater to be cut out of the system when no cabin heat is wanted throughout the summer. The coolant res/expansion tank will be at the highest point in the system allowing for any air to escape and provide a way to fill the system with coolant aside from coolant expansion of course.
That's the theory on my hot water and heat system anyway! All components are in my basement waiting for install...
Anybody see any issues with this?
Here are the components I'm tying together for this system:
Espar D5
REAL Heat hydronic fan heater
REAL Heat 6400SS 19,250 Btu Marine Hydronic Fan Heater
Whale 3 Gal water heater/heat exchanger
Whale Seaward S300W Marine Boat Water Heater 3 Gal Heat Exchange/120V Aluminum | eBay
Viair 2.5 Gal tank
https://www.amazon.com/Viair-91028-2...air+2.5+Gallon
Coolant reservoir/expansion tank
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1