Tell me where you put the switch to your gas heater!

All---I am having some trouble deciding where the control switch to my Espar gas heater should go.

There is a place just to the right of the light switch but that sort of messes up the dash's looks I think. I like to show my car and thing the dash needs to stay uncluttered.

That switch is about the diameter of a silver dollar so it's not so small.

I was thinking of taking a piece of flat metal like a playing card and bending it in half and using it to mount the switch hanging down from the edge of the dash.

What has someone else done about placement?

Thanks for some input from the resident brain trust!

There's a piece of boxed steel running behind your dash. I made this up from aluminum angle, and mounted it about in the center of the dash. It fits nicely there.

Stan--many thanks for your response and idea. You are quite a craftsman I know from the other things I have see you do---I really like this switch idea. We were leaning towards that square piece above the passenger's knees too but had'nt thought of the aluminum stock to hold the controls. I really like that. Thanks a lot!


Jack

i run mine under my dash on an aluminum panel that covers the whole length of the dash.

Why not just mount the damn thing in the top of the tunnel?

Easy to reach, yet out of the way.

Not sure what you mean, Gordon. We opted for putting it on the cross brace--that square piece above the driver's knees on the left side. Clean and almost invisible. And very easy to reach without looking away from the road.

I got the simple 4-speed fan instead of the thermostat control for simplicity. When I'm blowing smoke with my breath I can just turn it clockwise.

I'll show it to you in Carlisle, Gordon.

Thanks for the input---I'm glad I didn't put it on the dash beside the light switch.

My car has a micro switch on the left vw heater lever and a light in the gauge i had booster fans on it ,and it worked nice but still had poor heat..

Use a relay in the dash and ground the relay for power with the micro switch.. OR You could use a small toggle switch ,same relay trick, and put it almost anywhere.

One of those radio shack push on and off 1/2 square switchs hides nicely

I'd tell you where to put your switch Jack, but I like your friendship too much... ; - )

I guess I left myself open for that one. See you and Margaret a week from yesterday for dinner! Russ will join us too.

Hello guys, I'm getting close to having my Beck Speedster on the road, my Type 4 engine is getting close to being finished. All during this process I have painted myself into a corner regarding heat...I will have no heater boxes and installing a Tangerine header. So, a gas heater has been on my mind. I've been poking around looking for knowledge on the subject, finding some odds and ends but nothing specific. Is there somewhere you guys could direct me to regarding this subject?

Richard---wow! A Type IV in a Beck--sounds like the ultimate! Good for you.

Well I had the same issue with my VS' Type IV----no heater boxes so no heat. I know that carey Hines has put quite a few Espar gas heaters in his cars so give him a call to see what he can do for you.

Jake installed mine and it is boss!

Truth is, I was never impressed with the quality of the heat when I had my 1915 Type I---almost like no heat at all. The gas heater really puts out and is worth every penny. I made the right decision getting it.

Oh--I opted for the no-frills control switch---just twist the knob for more or less heat. I didn't think I needed the thermostat and after doing 1,000 miles from Wilson, NC to Hot Springs, Ar last Sun & Mon it is perfect for me.

The switch went on that square beam above my left knee and to the right. I don't even have to look at it to operate it.

Good luck with yours!

I had the fancy thermostat- and replaced it with the knob. The thermostat is awful. The knob is the way to go.

Were'd you buy your set-up, Jack? Mine came from a Canadian distributor, and I've been buying parts from a trucking place here. A single source for interested people would be very helpful for future reference.

Jack, any chance you had one of these installed? i like the compact size. If not, what was installed?

I still think Jack should host a marshmallow roast over his car at Carlisle. You couldn't melt an ice cube with my heat.

Stan---you are right--I really should spread the word.

I called two Espar distributors--the one in Little Rock and the one in Wilson, NC. Neither one knew that Espar made a gas heater and neither one would install it after I briefed them on the Espar line they were supposed to distribute. All these places do is install diesel heaters in large trucks. This has grown into a huge business because many ststes have enacted laws about not running truck engines while parked so if they want to sleep with the engine off and bewarm, it's gonna be a diesel unit.

So I randomly called a couple of other distributors listed on the Espar site and located Espar of Michigan owner by a great guy, Ray Lawrence. (800/837-3900) or email Ray at ray@esparofmichigan.com Ray knew all about the Espar gas heaters and recommended the B1LC unit--this is the smallest one, which I got.
Ray was terriffic to deal with, smart and helpful.

I bought:
BiLC heater
Installation kit
Mounting plate --there are two--I got both to be sure one would work
Reostat control.

The cost for that was $1,560 plus shipping.

There is a divertor for defrost that I skipped.

Jake added $100 worth of aircraft Scat-10 tubing needed to complete the install. He put it in a protected area up under the front bumper
area and piped the heat into the car using a swivel grate that drects the heat that he supplied. No reason it couldn't go right into the regular heat channels either. The grate is right in front of my left shin. There is also a grate on the right side bulkhead where the cabin air is recirculated back through the heater.

The simple control is mounted solidly on the 2" square tube that runs accross the car above my knees on the left side to the left of the steering column.

I highly reccomend Ray Lawrence who also is a sports car lover and owner and understands "the madness". Great guy.

--Jack

I picked up a used diesel unit from the UK, like this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Eberspacher-D1LC-12v-diesel-night-heater-Used-but-VGC-/270726671413?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item3f08912c35

There's a bunch of electronics that I didn't need but its a simple matter of searching on the net and I found instructions on what to cut out of the harness and what to splice. For fuel I got an alum go cart tank. Works fine and just sips fuel. I would have got a gas unit but saving $1,000+ was worth it for me.

One thing be sure that there is unobstructed air flow or the unit will shut down and the only way to power it up again is to take it into a service center or using the 7 day programmer, many of those can run diagnostics and reset the unit. The service centre that reset mine (the trunk is apparently air tight on our cars...) said it looked like it was new and were amazed I only paid about $250 for it.

Supposedly they are used in boats too.

http://www.espar.com/documents/marine.pdf

Hadn't thought of that area up front in the nose! You may see me under your car at Carlisle. Give me a rag and I'll polish up stuff while I'm under there.

Thanks Jack, that was the info I was waiting to hear. Though costly, it does prove the point that a nice (new) compact unit is available.

Jack, Just move to CA!
Dale

Dale--man, don't I wish. I lived in Woodland Hills in the late 70s and loved every day of it. Got my pilots license at Van Nuys and started picking a banjo out there!

I will leave that banjo picking for you AK folk.