BA4 Heater

That's where I was thinking of mounting my BN2 (if I ever get it going).  Nice, open spot and very easy to route the input/output ducts to get heat to the cabin.

 

My only thought would be that the BA4 might be a bit big for the small cabin of a Speedster. Those things put out a LOT of heat, so you'll go from Arctic to Equatorial in about a couple of minutes and then quickly become the tierra del fuego.

 

If you can figure out a way to moderate the heat output you should be OK.

 

Yup, I agree Gordon. Maybe a fresh air mix flap to moderate the heat into the cabin? That should do it.

If I'm not mistaken, in the rear in front of the firewall is where Paul (Mango) installed his Bn2 with a bilge blower...he always records his fabrications so this should be in his extensive web page.

 

I believe the cylindrical body of a Bn2 is about 19' long x 16'dia. and pumps out 2000 "Heizleistung"...whereas the bulkier Bn4 is about the same length by about 19"dia., but pumps out 4000 Heizleistungs!!

 

Now I'm not positive what a Heizleistung is but I'll bet that 4000 of them is just short of total meltdown.

Oooops...read "dia." as circumference

Yeah, Carl, a BN-2 is actually 5" in diameter. Add a couple inches along one side for the relays/sensors/switches.

 

I have never seen a BA-4. I had a really busted BN-4 at one time and they are about 7" in diameter.

I checked out heat output also, 1 kcal/hr is almost 4 btu/hr. So the 2000 equals almost 8000 Btu/hr, not bad output inside a little car, considering my 1800 sq. ft. home runs on 100,000 Btu boiler.

 

Also, for you electric heater fans(even though we put that to rest I think) one kcal/hr is 1.16 watts. 2000 kcal/hr becomes 2326 watts. P=VI. So to get this output electrically you'd have to draw 166 amps at 14V. Not gonna happen I'm thinking.

The ski mom who drove us to Vermont skiing when I was a kid had a BN4 in her VW Bus.  Fire that thing up and we would start opening windows to let the heat out after about 5 minutes.  Those things really put out!

Have you considered an Espar?  It might be safer and easier to install/maintain in the long run. You can find them used for half the price of a new one.

On a similar note: has anyone installed seat heaters? I will be getting my seats re-skinned and was going to ask about the possibility. At one point in time I saw a place that would do after market seat heaters for $300-$400 but that was for a modern car.

 

I dont know, might be another option that would put the heat more where you need it.

Jack runs an Espar in his ride and loves it.....

x2 on Espar heater it is great. Carey installed a way to route head to bulkhead as opposed to floor and defrost.

Last winter I had them install heated seats and absolutely love them. Price was right around 150/seat.

Carl; you are a very funny guy!

Lots of Spyders have seat heaters. I don't, but I have them in my Audi. They work very well. Spyder drivers with seat heaters seem to like them, and it is no problem to put them under leather, vinyl, or cloth.

Better 4000 Heizleistungs than 4000 spitzensparken!

 

I added Rostra seat heaters to my Yota 4Runner. $60 per side from Summit Racing. They work great with no issues.  Easy Install.  I do have a set for the Speedster (somewhere in garage!). I like toasty buns.

 

http://www.summitracing.com/pa...SO27wCFYqDfgodwD4AvA

 

So do these fit under the upholstery or sit on top of the seats or what?

Under the vinyl/leather/fabric.  You can generally slide under by just removing one side.  I got some that you can cut for the Speedster to allow for the rear of seat slots.

i put dual seat heaters in each seat (2 on bottom and 2 on back of each seat).  Yes bob - they go between the foam and material.  you will have the cut the foam a little so that you don't see them under the vinyl / leather.

 

wow - toasty warm.  i also have a B2 as Carl wrote.  Note it is not a BN2 (which is a different model).  i actually had a B2, BN2 and a B4 and chose to go with the B2 because of the small size.

 

but don't let that fool you, it pumps out serious heat.  my ducting routes from the heater to under the nose, along the inside of the drivers fender, the under the gas tank and back into the trunk, then into the cabin.  all uninsulated aluminized tube.  still works awesome.

 

you can see the duct routing here.  It terminates under the dash and i can direct air flow.  it points basically at your right thigh and only takes me a few minutes to aim it away because it's too hot (with the top down!)

 

 

only catch with the B2 is the fuel pump.  i related mine to under the gas tank and i initially plumbed it to the gas tank.  after a night in the garage, i came out the next am to a gas tank of gas emptied on the floor (through the gas heater pump)!

 

i ended up going with a separate (small) gas tank mounted below the fuel pump level to make sure i don't have any risks of gas tank leakage.

Mango:

 

Thanks, man!

 

Every time I see your car and the quality workmanship you have put into it I want to go outside and shoot my Speedster dead.

I just got a set of seat heater pads, switches and harness all for seat set $62.88 w/ free shipping

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251004563025?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Alan, could you let us know how the heaters really are when they arrive.. curious if they are as advertised..

 

cheers

 

Simon

Todd El Tahar on this site recommended them as he has the heaters in his speedster.

Since practically all vehicles now have factory heat it appears that Eberspacher has discontinued their B model retrofit heaters... and has evolved  the smaller Espar which is marketed as a sleeping bunk, overnight, cabin/cab heater for long haul over the road truckers...Compact, neat, but pricey.

Espar still markets a small heater under the Airtronic name. I called an the still makes one that runs on gas. The old ones would run on anything. Gas, diesel, or kerosene. Probably tequila as well but I never tried.

 

That's good news.  I had gotten the impression that Espar was only making diesel fueled heaters these days. 

Here's some info on the Espar I am using in my Speedster. I liked the idea of the Espar thinking that it might be safer because of newer parts and technology and I have been perfectly satisfied with it. The output is awesome and more than I've ever needed. I've had it since March, 2011 and there has never been a day so cold that I couldn't drive my car---in Arkansas were talking about max lows of 35 or so. Having the Espar extends my driving season to 12 months.

 

Moder # B1LC  (This is the gas burning model)

BTUs, 6,000

Price $1,490 ($1,560 with installation kit, rheostat & mounting plate)

Defrost deflector-- there is a two way valve that will direct warm air to the windshield for defrost but I decided to skip this and haven't needed it as the warm ait inside the cabin makes a separate defroster unnecessary. 

 

Source, I got mine from;

 

Espar of Michigan

3250 Old Farm Lane, suite #6

Commerce Toenship, MI 48390

 

1/800/837-3900   email;  ray@esparof michigan.com

 

Ray Lawrence is the owner--he is a car collector and a great guy to deal with.

 

Jake Raby did my install.  The unit is up under the nose of the car protected from road debris and the installation is as sanitary as you would expect it to be from Jake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commerce Township is in my area. If somebody wants to order one, is coming to Carlisle or Corn Daze, is willing to wait, & wants to save shipping, I could pick up from there for you.  I'm only limited by the capacity of Natalie.  I don't plan on having a right-seater this year, though.