Ecotherm heater
Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 13, 2017 at 16:29
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Member - The Carman's
Has anyone got any knowledge of these heaters, how hard are they to instal? How
well do they heat an 18'6 caravan. Appreciate any feed back available.
Reply By: Notso - Wednesday, Sep 13, 2017 at 17:17
Wednesday, Sep 13, 2017 at 17:17
I did a bit of research on them a while back.
They are really designed to go with the Swift Hot Water Service but by the look of it they could be fitted to any Van HWS provided they had the heating capacity.
Provided you have the room all you need is a connection to the hot water outlet on the HWS and a connection to the cold water inlet. It has a built in pump to circulate the hot water and a fan to circulate the air. Needs a 12 volt connection.
Installation instructions Ecotherm
AnswerID:
613756
Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Wednesday, Sep 13, 2017 at 17:33
Wednesday, Sep 13, 2017 at 17:33
BIL had one and he was dissapointed with it.
FollowupID:
884265
Follow Up By: Kazza055 - Wednesday, Sep 13, 2017 at 20:55
Wednesday, Sep 13, 2017 at 20:55
Dodger, did he try increasing the water temperature?
My thoughts are to either get and
old car heater from a wreckers or purchase a auto tranny cooler and use 12V computer fans, reckon you could do one for around $200-250 if you are handy.
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Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Thursday, Sep 14, 2017 at 08:19
Thursday, Sep 14, 2017 at 08:19
He was so peeed off he installed a diesel heater.
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Follow Up By: Kazza055 - Thursday, Sep 14, 2017 at 10:40
Thursday, Sep 14, 2017 at 10:40
They work in your car so why not in the van unless the water is not hot enough or you are not pumping enough water through it.
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884295
Reply By: Member - Terry D (Brisbane QLD - Wednesday, Sep 13, 2017 at 20:33
Wednesday, Sep 13, 2017 at 20:33
Hi Carman's
You can read up on them in other forums (Caravaners
forum and
Grey nomads).
If your a bit of a handyman, not hard to install. There are mixed reviews. My external length of van is 19'. I wasn't happy with
mine, eventually returned to supplier and got a refund thanks to Swift, who were very helpful.
It seems to me that they may work
well where the unit is mounted close to the HWS, however you have to consider the actual length of pipework under van between them eg navigating around
suspension, water tanks etc. I also found the fan too noisy, but that is just my view, others seem very happy with them.
Regards
TD
AnswerID:
613765
Follow Up By: Member - The Carman's - Thursday, Sep 14, 2017 at 16:53
Thursday, Sep 14, 2017 at 16:53
Hi TD
Can you tell me what the brand of the hot water service you attached to?
We have a Surbaban,so not sure what to do. Did the heater include a pump?
Cheers Carman's
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Reply By: Member - The Carman's - Thursday, Sep 14, 2017 at 17:01
Thursday, Sep 14, 2017 at 17:01
Thanks for the replies
The Carman's
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613783
Follow Up By: Member - Terry D (Brisbane QLD - Thursday, Sep 14, 2017 at 18:00
Thursday, Sep 14, 2017 at 18:00
Carmans
Yes
mine is a Suburban. In theory should be ok, but as stated, I think they need to be close to the unit and unless your deaf or it's at the other end of the van, too noisy (for me anyway). I'd recommend reading the other posts/forums before making up your mind.
Regards
FollowupID:
884310
Reply By: noggins - Friday, Sep 15, 2017 at 08:04
Friday, Sep 15, 2017 at 08:04
If I was going to fit one I'd never use an auto tranny cooler as it's made of aluminium alloy and the water will corrode it out very quickly , especialy if you ever get hard water in your tanks.
Brass from a car heater is the only way to go ( that is if your going to do it ) and computer fans will draw a lot less current than the fan supplied with the Ecotherm type of setup
AnswerID:
613787