Any Vintage owners install an Espar gas heater?

Espar is a modern gas heater used for tractors or big trucks.

Anyone with a VS ever installed one?

I had one of the old original style heaters in my Type II. It was amazing ! ! !

I used to serve umbrella drinks in it all Winter, it was nearly tropical inside that big tin can.

I would imaging that any newer heater would be just terrific.

Jack,

Sean at Peek Performance installed a new one into a beetle not too long ago. He was pushing me to go with a newer Espar. Great units from what i gather. Plug and play, and much safer than the older style units. They dont require all the maintenance.

Boats too. Aren't they like $1200+ though?

Yes--they are expensive but being new with computer control and a reputation for safety is worth a lot.

I wish I had someone close that could install one for me--I'd like to hear from someone who has installed one.

They are very compact and should be easy to put under the dash.

I've got one in my front trunk but its a diesel model so I have a small aluminum go cart tank to hold the fuel. Someone here installed on up under the dash on the passenger side and I will change mine to that some day.

Brian---why didn't you go with a gas model---was it that yourheater was diesel?

Jack- It's not a Vintage, but I've got one in my IM. Shoot me an email, and I'll give you the ins and outs. I learned a lot- and have made changes in the controls. Hint- simple is better.

As for the cost- 1-5/8" heater boxes from Tiger cost almost $600. 1-3/4" (as I've got) are unobtanium as far as I know. $1500 starts to look oddly reasonable after you consider the amount of heat an Espar puts out, and the fact that you can run any exhaust (or engine) you desire- without consideration of heater boxes.

Jack:

If you have any good marinas nearby, they might know and install ESPAR heaters on boats and can do one in your car. I recall several marinas near us when we lived in little Rhody and they all dealt with ESPAR heaters, both gas and diesel.

gn

Stan & Gordon--great info--I'll check it out. There is one trucking mechanic place in Little Rock that installs Espar and I will visit them.

If I had my druthers though I'd like heater boxes and regular heat but------.

Thanks.

That's because you've never experienced a well-installed ESPAR!!!!!

GOBS of heat, easy to use and safe, too!

Here's some unsolicited advice to anybody considering a new Espar gas heater:

There are a variety of controls available for the heaters- more "features" are not really more desirable. I threw out a pretty exotic set of controls, and installed the most simple Espar control available- a rheostat. It's got a big round knob, and a range from hot to really hot. It's perfect.

The heaters themselves have enough redundant safeties to make them maddening at times- sometimes something closer to the original "fire in the hole" would be preferable, as the modern heaters decide for themselves a lot of things that would be better left for the operator. The schematics are such that only a Kraut could love 'em.

... but, there's no other way to fly. I'd buy one again in a heartbeat, and there's no way any heater box can replicate the amount of heat available from them.

This is really good news, Stan and Gordon. I was hung up on regular heater boxes but I'm psyched now about the Espar. I'm gonna get going on this project.

These are really s,all, good-looking units and I believe it would fit well under the dash on the passenger side.

I'll post some pix when I get this done. It would certainly extend the driving season! Thanks again----Jack

Espar heaters are the bomb (no pun)...if the cost makes you hesitate, try the heat install I have in Knowledge "Improving Heat"
Quality German heater boxes routed directly into the rear frame horns using the tunnel as the "chimney" ..it gets damn hot. ~Alan

Alan-

German boxes are (maybe) 1-3/8" I/D (probably closer to 1-1/4" equivalent), and are pretty inadequate even for a 1776. If you've got a big engine or a Type 4, they're a total no-go.

Jack-

Mine is under the dash, and fits beautifully. I've got an access to replace the glow-plug through the trunk. They really are very compact, and make great heat. You'll love it. Get the rheostat.

Not a VS, but here are some photos of my install upfront in my chesil. I run a raised fuel tank.

Simon