Coolant Heater

[green 'n stinky]

Has anybody installed a coolant heater (Webasto, espar, mikuni, etc.) in their truck? I'm about to install one in my Series III diesel, but I'm not sure where to best tap into the engine coolant. It seems that splicing it in to the heater hose would be best, but I'd appreciate thoughts from anyone with experience.

[KevinNY]

In Georgia???

[green 'n stinky]

I plan to travel elsewhere..

[JimC]

Ask and ye shall receive:

http://www.d-90.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11628

We like series guys too!

[Daurie]

I put a coolant heater in mine. I actually got the lower radiator hose heater from RN and it (obviously) goes in the lower radiator hose. It was a snap other than having to drain the coolant. I had a Kim Hotstart heater that tapped into the heater hose but swapped it in favor of the radiator hose unit. My problem with the frst one was I couldn't find a suitable place to mount it where it would be low enough.

I love mine even when it's not freezing because warm up time is reduced and the heater blows warm almost instantly.

I decided to go the cheaper route as some of the heaters you listed cost a bit more and it really doesn't get too cold here.

[green 'n stinky]

Cool, thanks for the link! That installation looks very professional. Have you had any issues with the Espar since you installed it?

To further respond to KevinNY... While I do intend to travel to colder places, I also think this will be useful here in Atlanta. Even in our relatively mild winters, the diesel can be a pain to start when cold and take forever to heat up. I was going to buy one of the electric heaters from RN, but I am often parked away from any power source. I got a pretty good deal on this Mikuni heater so I'm going to try it out. I agree that it would be overkill at full price.

[JimC]

No problems at all, the thing works perfectly, has a diagnostic system built into the optional timer unit, and is fully rebuildable.

The engine starts so well when its nice and warm, and the diesels just dont warm up until you're on the road for a while, so the immediate availability of hot air to defrost is key. The added bonus is reduced engine wear!

[friar mike]

diesel

I was suprised that my SIII with a 2.5 nad started right up after sitting in below zero for a week and it warmed up to 30 one day I went out and it fired up without being pluged in! I was amazed.

[yorker]

Cool, thanks for the link! That installation looks very professional. Have you had any issues with the Espar since you installed it?

To further respond to KevinNY... While I do intend to travel to colder places, I also think this will be useful here in Atlanta. Even in our relatively mild winters, the diesel can be a pain to start when cold.

Which diesel do you have?

[pepe]

I once installed a boat heater (used by lobsterboats in maine) and drove in T-shirt in temps around zero F. can't remember the brand name, but it came from Hamilton Marine. check their website.

comes with powerful fan, and can be 24 or 12 v. mount inside cab and run hose to heater. recirculates cab air, so more effective. remember to prevent chafe and an exploding hose in the cab, using the appropriate hard plumbing and bracketry within cab.

see link: http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/4,217.htm

you would NEVER be cold again. Plus you could convert rover to sauna with this.

best 300 i spent.

Erik

[green 'n stinky]

One more question... Are dual batteries necessary or can one run a coolant heater on a single battery? I have a 75 amp alternator and an optima red top. It's a standard 2.25 diesel. The stock heater seems to put out sufficient heat when the engine finally warms up, but that boat heater does look nice.
thanks!