Technical
Diesel vs LPG Heaters:
Precise temperature adjustment and set point temperature control
Current LPG heaters run a single speed fan turning on and off as required by the thermostat. Because of this, LPG heaters never maintain a constant temperature. By using a microprocessor to control combustion and air flow (variable speed fan), Eberspacher and Webasto air heaters can maintain a constant set point room temperature (+/- 0.5c). This means you can set and forget your preferred temperature and the heater will maintain it even if the outside temperature changes
Current LPG heaters run a single speed fan turning on and off as required by the thermostat. Because of this, LPG heaters never maintain a constant temperature. By using a microprocessor to control combustion and air flow (variable speed fan), Eberspacher and Webasto air heaters can maintain a constant set point room temperature (+/- 0.5c). This means you can set and forget your preferred temperature and the heater will maintain it even if the outside temperature changes
Superior heating performance
Gas heaters are designed to work on a 100% propane mixture. In New Zealand we run our heaters on LPG (60% propane : 40% butane). Unfortunately butane stops vaporising at +2 degrees where as propane will vaporise at -45 degrees. Once an LPG bottle temperature falls below +2 degrees only the propane portion of the tank will burn leaving you with nearly half a tank of unusable butane (40%).
Diesel is not affected by temperature in the same way, you will always have the same burn performance and heat all year round. The quality of New Zealand diesel is also regulated (50CN - 10PPM ultra-low-sulphur-diesel ULSD since 2009) ensuring maximum performance and heater life. Diesel heaters produce a clean dry heat, whereas LPG systems can produce a 'wet heat' creating unwanted humidity and condensation
Gas heaters are designed to work on a 100% propane mixture. In New Zealand we run our heaters on LPG (60% propane : 40% butane). Unfortunately butane stops vaporising at +2 degrees where as propane will vaporise at -45 degrees. Once an LPG bottle temperature falls below +2 degrees only the propane portion of the tank will burn leaving you with nearly half a tank of unusable butane (40%).
Diesel is not affected by temperature in the same way, you will always have the same burn performance and heat all year round. The quality of New Zealand diesel is also regulated (50CN - 10PPM ultra-low-sulphur-diesel ULSD since 2009) ensuring maximum performance and heater life. Diesel heaters produce a clean dry heat, whereas LPG systems can produce a 'wet heat' creating unwanted humidity and condensation
Quieter operation
Both the Eberspacher and Webasto units offer quieter operation than LPG competitors. LPG heaters don't use variable speed fans because they are unable to control the fuel/air combustion mixture. They can only provide on/off heat which inevitably means you are either too hot or too cold and an increase in noise over variable speed systems
Both the Eberspacher and Webasto units offer quieter operation than LPG competitors. LPG heaters don't use variable speed fans because they are unable to control the fuel/air combustion mixture. They can only provide on/off heat which inevitably means you are either too hot or too cold and an increase in noise over variable speed systems
Safety
Diesel and LPG heaters are regarded as safe appliances. Both have auto shutdown when system temperature exceeds the design specifications. The obvious advantages of diesel over LPG are combustion and inhalation risks. A leaking LPG fuel line can result in explosion, permanent respiratory and nervous system damage, and even death. Although these risks can be minimised through annual LPG system inspections and gas detectors, these risks can never be eliminated.
A diesel system does not have these risks. On fault detection Eberspacher and Webasto systems shut down the heater unit and fuel supply (diesel pump). Because a diesel system fuel line is mounted externally there are also no inhalation and/or pressurised gas leak risks
Diesel and LPG heaters are regarded as safe appliances. Both have auto shutdown when system temperature exceeds the design specifications. The obvious advantages of diesel over LPG are combustion and inhalation risks. A leaking LPG fuel line can result in explosion, permanent respiratory and nervous system damage, and even death. Although these risks can be minimised through annual LPG system inspections and gas detectors, these risks can never be eliminated.
A diesel system does not have these risks. On fault detection Eberspacher and Webasto systems shut down the heater unit and fuel supply (diesel pump). Because a diesel system fuel line is mounted externally there are also no inhalation and/or pressurised gas leak risks
Installation
Eberspacher and Webasto heaters are generally plug and play. All kits are supplied with full installation instructions and everything needed for a standard installation. By law, LPG systems have to be checked by a qualified technician after they have been installed and inspected annually for compliance. This does not apply to diesel systems
Eberspacher and Webasto heaters are generally plug and play. All kits are supplied with full installation instructions and everything needed for a standard installation. By law, LPG systems have to be checked by a qualified technician after they have been installed and inspected annually for compliance. This does not apply to diesel systems
Convenience
Diesel heaters are normally plumbed directly into the main fuel tank providing the advantage of a single filling point. They are also able to be safely operated in a moving vehicle or boat unlike LPG heaters
Diesel heaters are normally plumbed directly into the main fuel tank providing the advantage of a single filling point. They are also able to be safely operated in a moving vehicle or boat unlike LPG heaters
Lower operating costs and maintenance
Using less than 0.25 litres an hour at 2kW, diesel heaters are typically 75-85% cheaper to run than equivalent LPG systems. Eberspacher and Webasto have a service life of 2000-4000hrs. To ensure trouble free operation and a maximum service life it is recommended that you run them for 10-15 minutes periodically (monthly) to keep the system in optimum condition. Eberspacher and Webasto systems have inbuilt error logging and self-diagnostics ensuring fast and effective fault finding
Using less than 0.25 litres an hour at 2kW, diesel heaters are typically 75-85% cheaper to run than equivalent LPG systems. Eberspacher and Webasto have a service life of 2000-4000hrs. To ensure trouble free operation and a maximum service life it is recommended that you run them for 10-15 minutes periodically (monthly) to keep the system in optimum condition. Eberspacher and Webasto systems have inbuilt error logging and self-diagnostics ensuring fast and effective fault finding
The bottom line
Diesel heaters are a significant investment. In return you will have extended use of your recreational vehicle all year round in the absolute comfort and convenience that only diesel heaters provide. Buying an Eberspacher or Webasto solution will reward you with the lowest cost of ownership and a lifetime of reliability. Or new Chinese heaters offer similar performance at never before seen pricing
Diesel heaters are a significant investment. In return you will have extended use of your recreational vehicle all year round in the absolute comfort and convenience that only diesel heaters provide. Buying an Eberspacher or Webasto solution will reward you with the lowest cost of ownership and a lifetime of reliability. Or new Chinese heaters offer similar performance at never before seen pricing
Installation and Maintenance
Webasto AT 2000 ST:
Installation. Webasto and Eberspacher heaters are designed for easy installation. This video takes you through a typical installation. All kits come with a comprehensive installation manual and all necessary mounting hardware. Installations are generally straight forward, but if you are unsure feel free to give us a call to discuss
Maintenance
This video shows you the assembly sequence of the AT2000 ST heaters. After years of use, all heater units will require a general overhaul to clean, check and replace worn components. This can by done by Heatspace or by you. We also supply the full range of service kits for Eberspacher and Webasto
This video shows you the assembly sequence of the AT2000 ST heaters. After years of use, all heater units will require a general overhaul to clean, check and replace worn components. This can by done by Heatspace or by you. We also supply the full range of service kits for Eberspacher and Webasto
Balancing hot water systems:
Increasing the life of your heater unit
It is important to balance a hot water system when using a Webasto or Eberspacher water heater. Balancing a hot water system means keeping flow temperatures as even as possible across multiple appliances (heater matrices, calorifiers, radiators, towel rails). Often the calorifier is put at the front end of the heater circuit to give priority over the other appliances and therefore reduce heating time. If this is done incorrectly the heater will turn on and off to compensate for the unbalanced circuit. This will cause excessive heater wear. To minimise cycling a regulator value(s) should be used to control flow. See link Balancing hot water systems
It is important to balance a hot water system when using a Webasto or Eberspacher water heater. Balancing a hot water system means keeping flow temperatures as even as possible across multiple appliances (heater matrices, calorifiers, radiators, towel rails). Often the calorifier is put at the front end of the heater circuit to give priority over the other appliances and therefore reduce heating time. If this is done incorrectly the heater will turn on and off to compensate for the unbalanced circuit. This will cause excessive heater wear. To minimise cycling a regulator value(s) should be used to control flow. See link Balancing hot water systems