Product Review: Espar Gasoline Heater in our Vanagon

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Product Review: Espar Gasoline Heater in our Vanagon

Рет қаралды 11,194

Күн бұрын

In this video we do a product review and walkthrough of our Espar gasoline heater that we installed in our Vanagon a few years ago. This heater has changed the way we camp and allows us to plan our trips year round and not be dependent on the weather.
We show you where we installed it and a few unique tricks we did to our Vanagon to get the most out of the heater.
#heater #dieselheater #vanlife
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Пікірлер: 74

@ramsaymillar 8 ай бұрын

Thanks Nate, I've had a westy since 1991 and you're the best Westy dude on KZfaq. Thanks much

@ThatBaldwinLife 8 ай бұрын

Wow, thanks! Really appreciate that. That’s a long time to own that Westy. Good for you! Nate

@christophervankleeck9273 2 жыл бұрын

Same direction I intend to take for our Syncro Westfalia. I really like your incorporating the rear area heater vent.

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! It is nice to have that heat back there when you’re sleeping. Nate

@mep1624 2 жыл бұрын

Hi from Calgary, Alberta, Canada 🇨🇦 Another informative video. Thank You. Great to see how you are improving the Westy. Definitely the best Westy channel. Your filming/lighting, editing and production was also very well done imho. I can follow everything you are discussing. The control box up top is brilliant.

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much, we appreciate the kind words. Thanks for watching! Nate

@jeffjordan3030 2 жыл бұрын

Nicely done Nate. That’s pretty much the same as my install, except I don’t have the small outlet for the bed and I have the controller with the digital readout that can also read and clear fault codes if they arise. It’s nice to see someone else install their heater where it can be serviced. They all need regular maintenance, such as cleaning out carbon and replacing the glow screen. I have to replace our glow screen every two years. But it’s an excellent heater and so quiet once it drops to the low fan speed and just idles along.

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

I think I can add a digital controller for mine as I think the new Espar controllers will work with mine. Maybe if mine ever breaks but the dial is super simple to use. I think this summer I am going to take mine apart and inspect and clean it. We have run it on low for too long at times and that can cause carbon buildup on the screen. nate

@karloskelly 2 жыл бұрын

I bought and resold 10 of the Eberspacher B1LC heaters from that same vendor, and distributed them to friends for 400. Cool trick to the add the rear bed outlet! Pump, wrap in closed cell foam pipe insulation? Rubber straps instead of zip ties? Add a one-way valve in the pump supply line to prevent drainback. FWIW, Eberspacher and Webasto are producing heaters in eastern Europe, pricing [before the Russian debacle] was around $600 + shipping for the current models. Unfortunately Russian dealers, but they did ship to the US. I bought several of the Webasto gas heaters for customers at $670 shipped.

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

Haha, that is nuts! That is a lot of B1LC's! I was going to add a comment about using Heatso and other Russian sellers but thought it might not age well in the video. That source will be dried up for most customers for some time. nate

@ericgoergen6332 2 жыл бұрын

Abother great video... I just picked up my westy here in medford Or. just wanted to say thanks for all the great tips. Your channel is a great resourse for a newbie with no experience... Thanks again

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

Good luck with the Westy build! Let me know if you have any questions on your van nate

@thereandbackagain9599 2 жыл бұрын

Great review !. I did the cheap Chinese heater and kind of regret it. It worked great for the first winter, but after that, it was pretty intermittent. Eventually, I replace all the electronics and it worked again. But not having heat can wreck a camping trip when camping in freezing temperatures.

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

The thing is the CDH's are so cheap you can just buy another but will most likely end at the same place. nate

@planetmarrs5239 2 жыл бұрын

Still having the propane tank, new one, I went with the Propex heater, mounted it under the Truck Fridge....

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

Propex is a great option but I do like having the drawer under the fridge for easy access. The area under the seat in inaccessible when the bed is out which is a big negative to us. Out friends love their Propex! nate

@JoeZyzyx 8 ай бұрын

Well done video about the gasoline heater.

@ThatBaldwinLife 8 ай бұрын

Thanks! nate

@ryanbarton6945 14 күн бұрын

Honestly neoprene foam box or even use the underhood sound deadener and a box lined with that plus it mounted on rubber or a box with it suspended in the air on like silicone bands look into how they used to mound hard drives on silent pc review

@theCajunCrocHunter Жыл бұрын

Great video. There's a sound deadening mat for mobile audio, dynamat, mass loaded vinyl, few different nomenclatures, anyway it's adhesive. Maybe try cleaning your pump well with a solvent and applying a few wraps. Your wrap solution was clever. Good luck!

@ThatBaldwinLife Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Now that winter camping is on the horizon, I am going to try some more solutions to see if I can get the ticking to quiet down. Thanks for the suggestions! nate

@eprohoda 2 жыл бұрын

wht'up. really beautiful editing. 👐

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@petefrost1787 7 ай бұрын

Just wondering how it's going with the Espar heater since you've had it for about a year? I am thinking of one for our van. Thanks. And nice details in your video, plus no annoying music, well done!

@ThatBaldwinLife 7 ай бұрын

It has been amazing. Always lights, even up at 10k feet. Such a game changer for all year camping. Nate

@petefrost1787 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I think we will go ahead with an Espar. Also, we watched your 3 part Canada series. Very well done videos, generous amount of drone footage and good voice over commentary. We subscribed! Thanks for showing us parts of BC (our home) that we have never seen.

@ThatBaldwinLife 7 ай бұрын

You won’t regret the Espar. And having one fuel source for the engine and heater is great. Thanks for the kind words on the videos and appreciate the sub! We love visiting BC! Nate

@fgoindarkg 11 ай бұрын

So the heater is installed inside the van? Cool.

@ThatBaldwinLife 11 ай бұрын

Yep, that's where you put these. nate

@Gpeck96 2 жыл бұрын

Could you do a short video on your 1lb propane set up / conversion. Like the placement under the van. I’m looking for ideas/ help on my conversion. Thanks!

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

Others have asked as well. I will add it to the list!! Thanks! Nate

@whiterabbit2786 11 ай бұрын

VelitCamping now has a gasoline heater. It is about $650. I'm in the process of installing mine.

@ThatBaldwinLife 11 ай бұрын

Never heard of them before but looks like a great option for a great price! Thanks for the heads up! nate

@Nicker686 6 ай бұрын

Great install! I love the idea of a gasoline heater in our Syncro. I am worried about the risk of gasoline having a lower flashpoint than diesel. Any input on safety? Thanks!

@ThatBaldwinLife 6 ай бұрын

No I don’t have any info on that but Espar has been making gasoline heaters for vans for decades. Not sure what could happen with a gas heater that wouldn’t for diesel. Both have combustion chambers burning fuel in your van. Nate

@billws893 9 ай бұрын

Great video, wish I had the cabinets to route the vents. Have you tried pipe insulation foam. It shouldn't transfer the pump vibration to the body plus muffle the sound.

@ThatBaldwinLife 9 ай бұрын

I haven’t tried that yet but will give it a shot. Thanks! Nate

@daveroe8612 2 жыл бұрын

Just a thought, but could you use some underhood sound insulation around the pump for noise? It must be weather resistant to go under the hood, Loved the video!

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I might try wrapping it or building a box around it with insulation? nate

@bradleystookey 7 ай бұрын

How did you run the ductwork to the rear? I partially pulled the rear panel and there doesn't appear to be any space for the duct. Thanks, you rock!

@ThatBaldwinLife 7 ай бұрын

It’s a tight fit for sure. Goes under the rear seat to the pass side panel then snakes back to that vent. I think it took 4 of those tubes to get back there. Nate

@ckt6448 2 жыл бұрын

How can I find one of these? Thanks! Great video’s btw!!

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

They are no longer available new unfortunately. Maybe keep an eye out on eBay. nate

@derekdrew 2 жыл бұрын

You are saying that you turn off the heater overnight because otherwise it can get too hot inside. If it was 20° out would you really turn the heater off overnight? Is this another way of saying that you are unable to set the heater to go low enough? Would you consider switching to one of the small screw in propane heaters that just about last overnight for those nights when you consider the s bar Overkill?

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

We can set the heater to run low enough but I can get bothered by the ticking of the fuel pump when it is set to a very low setting. If it needs be set that low, it isn't cold enough to run it overnight and not great for the heater as it can clog the screens. If it is 20 degrees out, we would run it overnight but it would be at a high enough setting to quiet the pump. Propane heaters like that produce condensation in the van and we don't need anymore of that! I guess what I was trying to get to was the heater is more than enough to heat up our small space and we rarely need to run it on high. It does not get that cold here in the PNW even during snow camping to need to have the heater on a high setting overnight thanks for watching! nate

@Indeewoods Жыл бұрын

Have you thought of adding a little 2 stroke oil? Maybe 40:1 mix might help quiet down that pump a little? And naybe more btu’s but sounds like you already have plenty. That’s pretty cool I didn’t know they made gasoline heaters. Years ago I did see an old gasoline type heater from the 1940s but I heard they were not too safe. Lol

@ThatBaldwinLife Жыл бұрын

Well since it pulls gasoline from our tank, we would be adding the 2 stroke oil to our engine as well. Not sure that's gonna be great for it. I don't think it is the lack of lubrication in the pump, it is just the nature of these pumps, they are loud. I've been getting used to it and with a noise machine, I rarely hear it anymore. nate

@fgoindarkg 11 ай бұрын

2 stroke oil in your gas tank is a non starter.

@countingcoup 2 жыл бұрын

Forest Forest 🌳 (YT Vanlifer/climber/cyclist) bought an after market brand fuel pump (for diesel) that was advertised to reduce the noise, not sure if they make one for gas but you might check with him on it 👍🏽

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

Hmmm…. I do check out his channel and I will look into that. Thanks for the heads up!! Nate

@johndoe-lr9if 2 жыл бұрын

You beat me to this comment lol! Nate here's the link --> kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eZZxZLeGrJjbgWg.html

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@countingcoup 2 жыл бұрын

@@ThatBaldwinLife ~ btw I’m Scott 👍🏽

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

Welcome to the channel Scott!

@run4thehills-jeepcamping Жыл бұрын

I use a Chinese diesel heater in my RRT on my jeep and it ticks quite loud. I have ocean wave sounds on my phone while sleeping and it drowns it out...

@ThatBaldwinLife Жыл бұрын

Yeah Nancy uses a noise app on her phone as well and it does help for sure! nate

@andrewjolley5086 9 ай бұрын

Is the pump interchangeable with the diesel heater pumps? I upgraded the pump on my diesel heater to the "silent" one sold on ebay and it works incredibly well and is near silent. I'm currently in the planning stages of a new van build and am thinking of one like this. Great video

@ThatBaldwinLife 9 ай бұрын

Not sure but I would assume it is. I did look at those pumps but have not purchased one yet. Maybe I should give it a try... nate

@t_sodo8745 Жыл бұрын

Thx for the great video. Try moving the fuel pump to the front of the van above the spare tire. If thats not far enough put it on a selfie stick out front !! 😂😂Suspend it entirely on its fuel hoses.

@ThatBaldwinLife Жыл бұрын

Haha! Espar wants the pump close to the heater. It is suspended by zip ties now which helped quite a bit. Mostly it's just me cause Nancy can't hear it at all! nate

@t_sodo8745 Жыл бұрын

@@ThatBaldwinLife I can’t think of a physical reason why the pump to be close to the heater other than installation orderliness. But you asked for ideas to quiet and distance should have an effect. WRT isolating the pump sound from the van body, try suspending it a little farther out… where there is a couple inches of rubber hose between the pump and the hard plastic zipties to the van body. I guess it depends how bad you want quiet. Its working now, and perhaps doesn’t bother you anymore. But others doing a fresh install can try these options.

@ianradsnow 2 жыл бұрын

Do Gas heaters put out a less dryer air than Diesel heaters? I'm all about the one source of fuel for a heater and want to run gas over having a second fuel source to use Diesel. But, I've heard Diesel heaters put out a dryer heat than gas. Any insight or feedback from Gas heater users? I'm leaning heavily towards a gas heater, so someone just push me already. 😆

@ThatBaldwinLife 2 жыл бұрын

They operate exactly the same and the fuel source has no bearing on the air moisture as the air that is being heated is pulled from your cabin and passed over a heat exchanger and does not get near the combustion. The combustion (whether gasoline or diesel) all happens inside the chamber with air that is pulled from outside of the vehicle and the exhaust is also expelled outside. Think of it like a hair dryer but instead of electric coils, you have a small gasoline fired heat exchanger heating up the air. Hope this helps nate

@waltsmith6515 Жыл бұрын

Try insulation on van floor for noise

@ThatBaldwinLife Жыл бұрын

That might help nate

@russsterns2656 7 ай бұрын

What heater is used for your defrosters???

@ThatBaldwinLife 7 ай бұрын

We use the heater in the van. The front heater in the dash runs off of the engine heat. We took out the rear heater under the seat which only heats the rear of the van. All factory defrosters are retained. Espar is only used while camping/stationary. nate

@johncrisp6683 Жыл бұрын

Have you found a way to lessen the pump sound?

@ThatBaldwinLife Жыл бұрын

No we haven't done much to it but for some reason it hasn't bothered me as much this past winter. I still need to dive in a bit more and try to minimize the ticking. nate