Heat for a Sprinter

[springer]

I'm getting close to making a decision on an EB Sprinter conversion. My question is about the Espar Airtronic heater and how well I can expect it to perform in Wisconsin winters.

I'm in hopes that I can keep the water system functional through the winter. While at home I can use shore power and a ceramic heater to keep the inside warm enough. Away from home I'd be using the Espar. That's my plan anyway.

Question #1. How cold can it get before the espar would need to go beyond the low setting? I'm just trying to get an idea here.

Question #2. How warm must I keep the interior to make sure I don't have to worry about freezing anything?

Question #3. Which heater does Sportsmobile install, the D2 or D4?

Thanks for putting up with a rookie.

Greg

[Greggd]

Greg,
If you are planning on having your unit built then there are numerous ways of addressing the concerns for freezing and many are very inexpensive if done at the time of the build . We had one of our Class A's and two of our trailers built to accommodate sub freezing temperatures . You should contact the builder that you plan to use and discuss the option's available to you .
If you are unsure or do not trust the information given to you then research it online and with other manufactures .
Greggde

[billwilson]

I posted a really groovey answer
either i forgot to submit
or i got erased

will try to repost in the morn

i would look at www.badgertrek.com
has some great info on water systems and insulation

bw

[windguy]

Springer,
Congrats on your first post

Great to hear you're planning on getting a Sprinter.
Good luck with your design and build.
Sorry I can't help you with your Espar questions. I'm sure the gurus will assist.
There are a bunch of other threads regarding Espars on this forum if you haven't seen them yet.
Just curious, what do you do in Wisconsin in the winter, Ice Fish?

Cheers!

[springer]

Originally Posted by windguy

Springer,
Congrats on your first post

Great to hear you're planning on getting a Sprinter.
Good luck with your design and build.
Sorry I can't help you with your Espar questions. I'm sure the gurus will assist.
There are a bunch of other threads regarding Espars on this forum if you haven't seen them yet.
Just curious, what do you do in Wisconsin in the winter, Ice Fish?

Cheers!

First, winter in Wiskyconsin can be a hassel. I travel around 40 miles one way to and from work and most of its busy interstate. I just think it would be nice to step out of work, throw something on the stove, and settle down for the night instead of risking slippery interstate highways dodging jackknifed semis.

Then there are things I like to do.

This was at -14f





And the boys and their field trials.

NFC Lighthouse Reverence


FC/CFC Flushingwing Dark'n Dirty



And Dox


And their field trial work.



Greg

[springer]

Originally Posted by billwilson

I posted a really groovey answer
either i forgot to submit
or i got erased

will try to repost in the morn

i would look at http://www.badgertrek.com
has some great info on water systems and insulation

bw

I'm sorry it went bad, but I appreciate the effort.

Greg

[springer]

Originally Posted by Greggde

Greg,
If you are planning on having your unit built then there are numerous ways of addressing the concerns for freezing and many are very inexpensive if done at the time of the build . We had one of our Class A's and two of our trailers built to accommodate sub freezing temperatures . You should contact the builder that you plan to use and discuss the option's available to you .
If you are unsure or do not trust the information given to you then research it online and with other manufactures .
Greggde

I submitted a floorplan that should be workable. I'm a ways away yet, and I think the more I get rolled into my initial plan, the better off I'll be in the long run.

This is very good advise.

Thanks,
Greg

[billwilson]

Dont know about the espar
Someone will chirp in on them

HOWEVER

your building from scratch
some easy things to do
fyi - most i have learnd here and badgertrak
and i lived in a ski resort for 10 years, 4 of them living in a VW van and 2 slide in campers

- consider dynamat everthing - expensive but everything i have read makes it almost nessisary
- floor, research here and other places what and how to insulate
- windows, do they make double pane RV windows??
- windows, make sure they are sealed properly and insulated well right to the edge see below
- run all plumbing and tanks INSIDE
- insulate pipes espcially the ones going to the outside
- there are 12v anti freeze wraps for pipes and mats for tanks, cheap and effective
- metal valves where possible
- pressue tank (see badgertrak again)
- run xtra 12v plugs for fans to circulate warm air
- sidebar - i am installing a small computer fan under my gaucho to circulate air
- switches to turn all 12v wraps and heaters off
- once plumbed and wired INSIST on detailed photos to verify done properly and to track future repairs/ mods
- insulate with the best avail (ask here for what works)
- after insulation installed INSIST on detailed photos to ensure done properly
again see badgertrek pics and read other posts here
- Make sure you verbally agree to go to next phase of build AFTER you OK the pictures
- you may have to fly out and take pics yourself, a PITA, but worth it
- all the above steps cost virtually nothing, except dynamat, which will be about $2,000
- the pipe wraps and tank heaters might be $200 for all, so really a non isssue

when wiring, make sure you have plenty of 12v outlets
I have 8 in my van, plenty because of long cords
BUT i would like a few more to keep cords short
I also like the plug in road map lights on a gooseneck...

More "foundation" componets
- Generator
- Solar
- Airconditioning
- battery storage

generator
- bult in
- portible
- how big

air con
- do you need it
- roof top?

solar
- yes you need it
- how much... as much as you can stick on the roof
- controler - blue sky, with remote display
- wire size, call blue sky, they want 6 guage

batteries
- alot of us run 400 amp hours of storage
- usually two 4 d (i have 1-4d and 2- group 27)
- sprinter is bigger do you need 600 amp hours? 800?

another thought
alot of folks get the usuall list of add ons from factory
then pay AGAIN to upgrade
IMHO it makes sense to do it once not twice
(brakes, suspension, batteries, solar, sterio, tv etc)

stuff you can bolt on is easy to ad

Aluminess
bite the bullet, get em
functional, have storage and really make the rig IMHO
twin ladders
full roof rack
baja box
even if you dont plan on having stuff up top
SPACE is at a premium

i suggest you put it all on a spreadsheet
attached is one i used initially
will try to find others
black and white spreadsheet make things clear

bw out

[Greggd]

Greg ,
Ditto on all of the above ,it makes it so much easier to do these things at the time of the build
And if initial cost is a factor then have the unit built with the add on provisions incorporated , on our Bus we were unsure of the number of Roof Air's that we would need so I had them wire and install an additional Air ready Roof Vent as it turned out we only needed the two but had a very nice Vent to use . Like Bill stated do your homework and you will be much happier in the end !
greggde

[springer]

Originally Posted by billwilson

More "foundation" componets
- Generator
- Solar
- Airconditioning
- battery storage

generator
- bult in
- portible
- how big

air con
- do you need it
- roof top?

solar
- yes you need it
- how much... as much as you can stick on the roof
- controler - blue sky, with remote display
- wire size, call blue sky, they want 6 guage

batteries
- alot of us run 400 amp hours of storage
- usually two 4 d (i have 1-4d and 2- group 27)
- sprinter is bigger do you need 600 amp hours? 800?

another thought
alot of folks get the usuall list of add ons from factory
then pay AGAIN to upgrade
IMHO it makes sense to do it once not twice
(brakes, suspension, batteries, solar, sterio, tv etc)

bw out

Wow, you had to type that twice. I really do appreciate it!!!

There is alot to make my way through there, but also some things to re-think with the Badgertrek site. I really need to get this close to right the first time.

Thanks again for the effort, and I'm making my way through the list. The problem is the more you find out, the more you need to learn

My thinking was:

2 - 185W solar panels

No AC,

2 fantastic fans,

Espar air and water heaters,

I was thinking 200Ah of batteries, but a re-think of that with the water freezing protection will be in order. I'll need more.

I'll likely pick up a small generator somewhere along the line, but hope to keep it stowed and un-used most of the time.

I was thinking of a small inverter, 400W or so, and no microwave or big draw appliances.

4CF truckfridge.

Greg