HYDRONIC HEATER for VANLIFE: Installing ESPAR Heater Kit Under Van

[@trimportersvanconversions6973]

This install has been so much help for a customer build we are completing.. Even though we are a conversion company with access to support here in the UK from a Hydronic Supplier, its been a great watch and learn from both Dare Drives and yourselves. So a huge thanks to you all. Keep up the great content!

[@WanderfulRevolution]

Awww thanks so much!!!! We are really happy that you have found our videos helpful! Best of luck with your customer build!!

[@rogerlittlejohn475]

I mounted mine the same way. I like it because the differential protects it from flying debris. Thanks again for the video.

[@WanderfulRevolution]

Thanks for watching! We are actually liking the location. Have been gets lots of miles lately and everything seems to been holding together really well!

[@j6sj7]

Excellent recovery on getting this figured out. The install looks really tidy and when the time comes, it should be easy to access and work on. When you say, "Espar D five E hydronic heater system," you've said a mouthful! -Burt in NJ

[@WanderfulRevolution]

This was definitely all Sandy! She constantly researched and kept on Heatso until she figured it out...

[@lorenworthington8739]

Good video guys. We are two weeks behind on everything you doing and we can’t even remember to take simple photos. Our boy up in Canada was really helping all of us. Get busy Dub’l D. I would suggest you consider not using zip ties underneath your van. They just don’t handle the weather. They become brittle and then you’re underneath the van on the side of Road with duct tape

[@WanderfulRevolution]

We are definitely keeping an eye on the zips ties! Hopefully your project is coming along! Good luck and thank you for watching!

[@DJD8RR]

Une jolie installation, bien propre…. 😊👌

[@thewildearthlings]

We have been debating on using a hydronic heater for our build Trying to figure out of the pros outweigh the cons for us and $$$$$$$ is a big factor. Good video guys!

[@WanderfulRevolution]

Thanks! And thanks for watching! We went through the same debate about price! It is definitely more expensive but we are hoping we will be able to stay off grid longer because of it. Trying to have a one fuel system and minimize the amount of electricity we need to run things. Fingers crossed it all works to plan!

[@cluek9780]

Best to BOX that system, like the Espar MarkII. It gets +╬dirty under there! Also consider your individual high center limits, often THE limiting factor on trucks.

[@gavingrantham136]

On a side note, you could have installed the heater with your bracket/plate flush against the underside of the vehicle or in a protective box and then ran your intake line towards the direction of the driverside rear wheel, this way it's able to get the freshest of clean air possible??

[@WanderfulRevolution]

I’m not sure if mounting in that position would work or not. We followed the installation guidance which had 2 mounting positions for the heater unit. So far we are happy with the positioning as it is working well and is pretty well protected by the differential and the mounting plate that we had made. We’ve only been in the van a little over a month now, so definitely something we are keeping an eye on.

[@bkk6211]

Thanks for the video. I’m just looking into heating solutions now and I was wondering if you considered the timberline by Elwell is being installed in some of the commercially available RVs from Winnebago. If I’m not mistaken the timberline allows you to use shore power to power the heater and when heating the interior of the van the control will adjust the fan speed to maintain the set temperature are these options available on the Espar. It’s not clear to me on the Heatso site if these features are available. Thanks

[@ccarter8175]

I have a favor to ask . . . .what I'd really like to know is where you found the black, 90 degree elbow hoses. One is connected to the Espar and the other to the pump. Any chance you remember where you found them??

[@WanderfulRevolution]

The elbow hoses came with the kit from Heatso… the rest of the fitting we used came from a local supply company

[@ccarter8175]

@@WanderfulRevolution Thanks so much for the speedy and thoughtful response!

[@redhongkong]

does diesel gel up on ur little fuel line during cold season? i wonder if its better to mount it inside the van and leave exhaust outside.

[@WanderfulRevolution]

We haven’t had that issue… hopefully we won’t! We have been below freezing and at high altitude (over 10k ft) and has worked so far! Thank you for watching!

[@HackerL96]

Wouldn´d it be better to mount the heater inside the van or put on some insulation on?

[@WanderfulRevolution]

The heater is designed to be on the outside of the vehicle… we had our concerns but it has worked flawlessly so far!

[@HackerL96]

@@WanderfulRevolution I contacted the manufacturer. He recomended to put it in a box to shield it from wind. He said that insulating it is possible but you have to stay insight the operating temperature range. Insulating the burning chamber should not be a problem. The weak parts are always the electronics.

[@junocheyennekrakus5004]

HYDRONIC S3 D5E is designed as water/engine heater. How it also can be a space heater at the same time?

[@WanderfulRevolution]

You can buy blowers to put into your circuit to provide heat. We’ve been happy with its performance!

[@ballancampeau6427]

Nice video. It’s reassuring to see that others are having “oh crap” moments. Did Rixen or anyone else give you any rule of thump about how much space should be allowed between the vehicle exhaust pipe (very hot) and the glycol hose? My furnace is mounted on the driver side, fairly far forward, and I want the water heater on the passenger side just forward of the wheel well.

[@WanderfulRevolution]

In general about 12inches away from the exhaust. The intake needs to be at least 18 inches from the tail of the exhaust. The hose we used is often used near the engine so we think it can withstand quite a bit of heat. So far everything is working well

[@RichardCrabbe403]

Dares Drives Rocks!

[@WanderfulRevolution]

Yes he does! We really enjoy his videos!

[@johannyang3341]

Thank you for the 2160p

[@CollinFrangie]

I noticed you T’d off your built in aux fuel line for both your stove and water heater system. Just curious how this system is working? Do you notice any lagging when starting up your heater after using your stove. Do you have re prime the line since you have multiple pumps coming off that one fuel line?

[@WanderfulRevolution]

We do notice that our stove does lag a little bit on occasion! We have never had to re prime the line though. A check valve would have been a simple solution but it works so might be a future addition! Thank you for watching!

[@robertlindberg815]

Hi. Thanks for great videos. So this is the espar hydronic d5e 12v if I am correct? And does this have radiant floor heating? As in water based with the long tubing? Thing is, I was keen on the Van Life Tech radiant floor heating, but I live in Sweden and the shipping would be 600 dollars, then 313 dollars from the swedish customs tax and 3000 dollars for the VAT. I have never done van life so I have some van builders to help me out. Would you say that this heating system is quiet? And will it heat the floors? I am also interested in a recirculating shower, I know there is a team in Finland called the shower loop. If I am correct I once saw a video where you mentioned this system? It would be great if I didnt have to change the water every day, once every few weeks would be great. Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@WanderfulRevolution]

Thank you for watching Robert! This is the Espar D5e 12v… it can absolutely be used to heat your floors! It’s a little extra plumbing work but shouldn’t be too difficult. The heating system is much quieter than the furnaces I have heard on RV’s here in the US. We designed our shower ourselves and the loop isn’t too difficult. There are some things we would change about the shower and hopefully we will be filming another update video soon! I really hope this works and good luck with your build. If you have any further questions feel free to ask. Also we love Sweden and the nature there!

[@robertlindberg815]

Hi. Yes it is lovely in summer. I haven’t even been to the true north yet. But I probably will because my van builders live up there. I am in the south, in Båstad. Which is just by the ocean and it has a ridge just above so its hilly like Tuscany. The views down to the ocean are epic. I bought my van in stockholm having only seen it online and sent it up to the van builders in the north. Will be fun to explore there. I really wanted the floor heating, but with the shipping and taxes it rises in price incredibly. I also wanted a huge battery at 630 Ah from Lithionics and second alternator to charge the battery faster but these will also have heavy taxes on it with import. Have you done floor heating? Why dont people use that one since it is significantly cheaper? Or is Van Life Tech’s floor heating still another level?

[@robertlindberg815]

Having lots of doubts now, like having pre wedding jitters (not that I have ever married, haha) its just the costs have gone up. I can cover it but in Sweden not many do the van life and if people do they buy them ready made, so its easy to feel weird about it like i am doing a mistake, as if its too much money being put in. Question is if its worth it? The floor heating from VLT or the Espar that is much cheaper? I am not the type that knows how to build these things, and my goal was to build it as much as an apartment with convenient components, like an extension of an apartment. However, I will start out using the porta potti 365. Hmm dont know what to do..

[@quasimodo8215]

And you have also possibility of mounting fuel pump flexible to avoid horrible ticking going through your stomach...

[@cristinakim2479]

Great job! I will start my heater installation pretty soon in my van too. You order the cross fittings from Raleigh store but could you please write what are the cross fittings name, sizes and part numbers please? I tried to call them but I need the part number. Thank you for the great videos!

[@WanderfulRevolution]

Thanks so much for watching! I just added all the parts and part numbers to the video description. Best of luck with your install!!

[@cristinakim2479]

@@WanderfulRevolution Thank you so much for going back and adding the parts and numbers! Watching you doing installations such as electrical and plumbing shows that anyone that put their minds to do it can accomplish anything. As the saying goes if there is a will there is way. And your van build shows that! Once again, Thank you!

[@WanderfulRevolution]

😊@@cristinakim2479 you are absolutely welcome!!! we are so happy to help and are glad you find our videos useful!

[@hoogabooga9736]

did you consider re-routing the exhaust pipe of the van, then putting the heater where you wanted?

[@WanderfulRevolution]

We actually did consider relocating the exhaust! In the end we are happy with the placement. We feel it’s well protected in its current location. If we had to do it over again we would keep the same location! Thanks for watching!

[@fbr65]

We’re planning to add the same or similar system to our build. Is the system available from other retailers? I think I’ll check ...

[@WanderfulRevolution]

We’ve seen this kit available through Heatso, which is where we bought ours. The price has increased $1500 since we made our purchase! Crazy! We’ve also seen it here: bit.ly/3qPLQlK they seem to have better pricing. Also Rixen Enterprises in Oregon puts together custom kits based on your needs.

[@WanderfulRevolution]

Oh and also I’ve heard that ThermoKing of Michigan may have some options as well.

[@fbr65]

@@WanderfulRevolution wow!! That’s quite a price increase!! We really like this system, but I wasn’t planning on spending that much. We may contact Rixon’s ... we’ve been trying to use American made parts whenever possible.

[@mycalltoadventure9712]

Rixen wants 5K for a system now!!

[@scottyjackson6665]

why mount the unit outside?

[@WanderfulRevolution]

@@scottyjackson6665 as per the instructions it needs to be outside… plus it does get quite toasty

[@scottyjackson6665]

@@WanderfulRevolution Oh, I thought maybe it was too loud. thank you for your reply

[@timanderson8833]

Does it produce enough heat in real-life conditions to keep the van warm, and heat water?

[@WanderfulRevolution]

It does an amazing job at heating our water. We ran the shower for 30 minutes the other day and had plenty of hot water the entire time. As far has heating the interior of the van, we can’t say that we have tested it fully yet. It’s starting to warm up here already. We did have a couple days in the 40F range and it performed well at keeping the van comfortably warm. We will definitely be posting some update videos once we test it more.

[@mikesabiking]

I think you should rout the exhaust out the side of the van. You really don't want carbon monoxide finding a way into your van. since it's hot air it will rise to the floor and likely find its way in.

[@miltongonzalez7539]

Hello. this is probably a stupid question but whats the benefit of spending $4000 on a Espar S3 Heater? Wouldnt it be cheaper and easier to just buy a $250 Bocsh electric heater and an extra $2000 lithium battery to run it?

[@WanderfulRevolution]

Not a stupid question at all! Espar runs off of diesel which saves overall power with the added benefit of providing heat not just hot water…. The Espar provides continuous hot water… for as long as you want… at the time of our purchase it was not that expensive!!! Those benefits made us go with the Espar! Hope this helped and thank you for watching!

[@Michael-vh1re]

Why would anyone mount such a system under the vehicle😔

[@WanderfulRevolution]

The installation instructions for this system actually state that it needs to be mounted outside the vehicle.

[@Spiritualwarfare587]

50% of cars in eu have such heater mounted in engine bay coz they are very sensitive. My diesel ford has for engine and cabin heating and is factory installed in engine area