T1N Sprinter heat booster modification

[@jeremy-orion]

Thank you for sharing! Your sprinter is so clean, it looks new. Mine has been to Burning Man 10 times and the dust has found it's way into all the hard to reach places. Long overdue for a full and deep clean. This is an awesome mod I was not aware of until seeing your post.

[@DominickMarino]

Jeremy Watson thank you!

[@taylorcrocker7031]

I just found out that my van has one of these heaters. I can't believe I never knew this before because this will be a game changer!

[@DominickMarino]

Taylor Crocker my button is the modification. OEM it is the right dial center bar button that activates the heat booster. Depending on your and only works under 37°F and when the engine is running. The point of this modification is that you can run it with the engine off thus preheating the cabin and the engine.

[@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975]

They are handy. It gets (-40f) where I live.. I leave two 300W halogen lights under the oil pan at night with a thermal blanket over the hood.. and then fire this up after start. Kind of a smoky contraption but it works well.. in 12 years I had only one no start and that was operator error on my part.. I cycle the glow plugs twice by the way..

[@terracoilGuy]

WOW! That's what that box is! Thanks Dominick.

[@annod6]

wow me too.

[@YDVDL]

Finally i have found one good and very source-full video - GREAT JOB!!!!!

[@DominickMarino]

Thank you very much!

[@roryg94]

@DominickMarino HI Dominick, really appreciate your video and the links to the wiring diagrams. I read all the comments here. (Sorry you have had to repeat yourself so many times😂.) I am in Romania, with a 2001 T1n converted to camper. We did something similar. I put a blower in the cabin, activated by a simple cheap room temperature setter. The blower runs off the house battery, the heater still runs off the van battery. We pulled a wire from the temp setter to the heater, I am not sure which wire on the heater, but it works. We didn't go near the dashboard controller, (which is that programmable controller, not the on/off switch as on your dash) When the temp in the van falls below X, it simultaneously kicks in the blower and the heater. We put in 2 t-junctions and an on/off tap, so that I could choose to not heat the engine block, just the interior. But this doesn't work well. Reading your comments, I understand you have since installed a 2kw Chinese heater and that works much better. I may end up doing that too, but for the moment, I am in the field and wonder what I can do immediately. One comment you had was that this 5kw heater needs to heat the whole block, otherwise it just cycles. I think that might be my problem. I isolate the circuit from the engine block and the heater shuts down too fast. (Sometimes the heater is running but the water pump seems to not operate, other times both work and I get heat in the van, but only for very short period, like 2-3 mins, and then cold. So, what's your take on the issue? Really appreciate the video and your amazingly clean engine! 😊

[@DominickMarino]

Amazing work! Yes the 5kW unit needs to use the engine as a thermal buffer as it’s too powerful. For the last few years I’ve been using a 2 kW diesel air heater and only using the dash vents with the hydronic heater and coolant pump disconnected. This way I have fresh air and no moisture buildup and the heater is more appropriately sized to the space. If I ever have a failure, I can always reconnect the coolant pump and the hydronic heater.

[@kwhite8012]

Great video! going to try this on my 2013!

[@annod6]

mine works great too.tank has to be 1/4 full or higher to work.

[@timmysv1k94]

You should make a video of everything you did like what wires exactly you modified

[@gregboyd4321]

This drives me nuts cause I need to do this myself but need for u to start at 1 and go through the steps slllooowwweeeerrrr. Is this possible

[@DominickMarino]

Yes read the links in the description, this video is just an overview. Installing a dedicated air heater is much easier and the 2kw units are a better match for the size of the van. Good luck!

[@digitalmastercl]

Hi Dominick excellent video and extremely useful, I wonder if you know about some video showing how to wire the switch for those like me that we don’t know anything about electronics, I don’t even know how to read the diagram, Thank you so much .

[@sepudo1950]

Great t1n and nice mod... Question : now that you've had it for a while how does it work for you for keeping the van warm inside? Also, you mentioned you can use the heater to either warm up the engine 'or' warm up the cabin... Is there a way to choose just cabin and forgo engine warming when using it moddifed and camping with van not running? Lastly, did you get a chance to make it power from you aux battery? If so I'd love to hear the how to about that part. Many thanks in advance

[@DominickMarino]

se pudo works great, plenty of heat. It heats the head and heater core circuit so the engine is always heated. You simply select how much heat you want oh the dash controller (oem). See the attached diagram in the videos comments regarding injecting power from the house battery.

[@martinharte1554]

Hi, have you a wiring diagram for this conversion.

[@DominickMarino]

Yep please see video description.

[@vincentrolfe1384]

I have a 118 with the 15" wheels. You need to come drive that thing in Chicago so it will have some rust on the roof, along the wheel arches, on the spare tire, at the bottom of the sliding door, on the stand of the drivers seat, on the back doors at the bottom, and all other places one can imagine. Just drop it off and I will do the rest for you Dominick. A neighbor was having here garage ceiling rebuilt and I noticed a white long wheel base and raised roof T1N parked. He said he just rolled over 303,000 miles last week and had all his work on the van done by a repair house west of here. I asked what repairs he had done; no problems said he except the rust (rust all over the doors and along the sides-big 4" wide holes); I said "What rust??" we both started laughing.

[@DominickMarino]

lol, growing up in Michigan I have rust PTSD. This van has seen salt free snow once.

[@thatchillaxdude]

Sorry for asking the dumb question here. But you mean I can use my behind-the-headlight Espar to heat the van while it is off?! 🤯

[@DominickMarino]

Michael Albrecht yes, this is using the Espar behind the headlight. See the links in the description for more info.

[@thatchillaxdude]

@@DominickMarino do you happen to know about how long this project took you to complete?

[@DominickMarino]

@@thatchillaxdude A few days to collect the parts and about 2 hours to wire.

[@thomasgarrett6392]

Do you have information about how you did the wiring? And did you use an auxiliary battery? Maybe I missed that

[@DominickMarino]

A wiring diagram is listed in the description. It shows a "12v coach battery", that is your aux battery connection.

[@burtonsville]

I saw in the comments you added a 2kw heater. Can you share whether you connected that to the same system or is it completely independent. Trying to decide whether to convert the current system or put a whole new heater in. Any advice appreciated.

[@DominickMarino]

Completely independent. My advise is to use the small independent unit.

[@davetelling]

Have you measured the current draw with this setup, and if so, what value of current did you get?

[@DominickMarino]

davetelling Heater current measurements of the entire system which includes the water pump , espar hydronic unit and the dash fan. I did not take measurements after the heater went to low mode. From my experience the entire system runs less than 50% duty cycle even extremely cold weather. Start up high mode - low fan (0) 5.85a high fan (4) 7.5a After startup in high mode.. Fan speed - A 0 - 5.6 1 - 5.6 2 - 5.6 3 - 6.7 4 - 7.2

[@arreglandoconmanu]

hello can you tell me what that piece is called because I have to buy it and I need to know what it is called

[@utubepro7742]

Wish my sprinter looks that good outside

[@DominickMarino]

Thanks, its about to get painted. It's from the southwest so no snow or salt.

[@frontlinemedia4270]

I'm confused. What is the heat boster #1 and heat booster #2. I need a ledger for this wire diagram

[@DominickMarino]

Please see links in description

[@frontlinemedia4270]

@@DominickMarino I looked at that, didn't help me

[@Yaffatastic]

Hi Dominick, Great looking 118"! Curious what wheel/tire combo you are running, I like the look and am in the market for my 118 SHC

[@DominickMarino]

Thanks! This is a 140" and I used the stock 16" rims with BFG K02 245/75 r16. Due note the 118" sits a little lower and might not clear this size.

[@ManWander]

on my 2006 sprinter 2500 nothing at all happens when i turn on the heater booster button except the light comes on - the temps are well under 40 degrees and i had the engine running and full tank of fuel - is there a wait time?

[@DominickMarino]

Likely the unit is non functional. An Autel scanner like the Autel MaxiAP AP200C can interrogate the heat booster allowing you to test.

[@robfletcher653]

Do you have a part number for the switch? Great mod!

[@DominickMarino]

europarts-sd.com/switch-rearblower.asp

[@donner101]

Do you see the third circle button to the right off the gear stick, isnt that the engine heater for cold days for a better start up? I have just bought the same van.

[@DominickMarino]

Yes this video is about adapting that heater to heat the vans interior. An inexpensive 2kw Chinese diesel heater is a better solution and what I ultimately upgraded to. The factory 5 kW heater is too powerful.

[@donner101]

@@DominickMarino Ah I was lucky as mine came with a leisure battery that ran a seperate heater straight off the regular diesel tank without the ignition. Im still stuggling to work out when I need to turn on that third cirlce button (dont know what its called) the previous owner did explain it to me but my brain was a bit mushy that day. Anyway the temperature has dropped here so I have been starting the engine and pressing it so the little red light comes on for a few minutes before i drive off. I think thats what he said to do on cold starts. Does that sound right?

[@chancesinclair570]

@@DominickMarino What did you learn about inexpensive 2kw Chinese diesel heaters? Is there a particular brand that you'd recommend?

[@DominickMarino]

@@chancesinclair570 I installed an Hcalory 2kw. After the first season it had some bearing noise so I upgraded the bearings. I also added a replacement controller called an afterburner which all enables the heater to better hold a constant temperature. If searching Amazon today I’d advise searching for “Superfastracing 2KW 12V Diesel Air Heater”, this brand will send a real 2kw unit.

[@donner101]

On the subject of that third button isn't it supposed to light up without the keys being in the ignition or the ignition being on? I am sure that's what mine used to do but now it only comes on when you turn the ignition on which seems to defeat the purpose of pre heating the van on cold days.

[@jbphot0]

great video and wiring diagram. do you believe this mod could be used with the factory REST system blower and heat exchanger? My 2004 system has the REST feature and it's easy duct the heat where you want it. I'm also looking for ways to add a bypass valve to avoid wasting heat on the engine block when you only want cabin heat.

[@DominickMarino]

Absolutely this is what I'm using. Regarding the bypass you need a thermal bank like the engine block or a large water tank or the hydronic heater will cycle too much.

[@gregboyd4321]

Would like for u to have a diagram of ur work explained to us like we are 3 year olds pls

[@jakobbreitbach]

Great video! Does anyone have this timer module? The LED on mine has gone bad, and it's hard to read. I am looking for a manual or instructions on how the timer can be set/turned off. Thanks :)

[@DominickMarino]

Thanks! Does this help? drive.google.com/open?id=1uCW7K-QD1CmAFWV02eVki-J7dQv80kq9

[@Jeff-oq8tr]

Hello, does anyone have a recommedation regarding which relays I should use for this mod?

[@DominickMarino]

Any Single Pole Double Throw SPDT relays will work. Id advise you buy a multipack on amazon that comes with pigtails so its easier to wire.

[@petermyers1513]

Hey Dominic, did you set this up with a thermostat, or does it simply run all night? ever get too hot?

[@DominickMarino]

I did use an inexpensive RV thermostat to interrupt the fan relay which works as a perfect solution for overheating. Basically the dash vents cycle as necessary. Ultimately even though the system is still installed and working it is used as a back up. It’s been replaced by a 2 kW diesel air heater as the installed 5 kW hydronic heater is too powerful and ends up cycling. If I run both heaters at the same time I can open the sliding door and heat the campsite 😅.

[@sprinterdan]

I was wondering if you have the instructions or a video of the how to do it, thanks

[@georgiow11]

This is awesome. Do you have an update on how its worked since you did the mod? I purchased a webasto forced air diesel heater before stumbling across this. If this is working great for you I might do that instead. Thanks!

[@DominickMarino]

william george working fantastic. Just got back from a trip and one morning it was 9°F. I recently added a thermostat to the fan relay so that it doesn’t get too hot in the van.

[@georgiow11]

@@DominickMarino Do you mind if I ask a few questions regarding how you wired in the thermostat and on some technicalities on general wiring?

[@DominickMarino]

@@georgiow11 not at all. Also here is a forum post with many details on the modification (how I learned) sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=668 and the wiring diagram drive.google.com/file/d/14b8SLou3ChrtLXT9loxFGobGzz6szNHo/view?usp=sharing

[@georgiow11]

@@DominickMarino I've read through both of those, thanks. Electrical systems give me a mild case of dyslexia. I just discovered that the heater booster may not be functioning properly in my van, going through the diagnostic process today. Hoping it's just the aux water pump. Your heater booster is wired to the starter battery yes?

[@DominickMarino]

@@georgiow11 If your van is an 04-06 (might be 05-06) the heater will only function above 36*F. The mod bypasses this limitation. If the pump is bad (nearly always is) you can test by running the van and pressing the heat booster button.

[@mdtarrer]

Excellent, thanks Dominick! A couple questions, is the wiring diagram you posted the one you followed? I know there were a few changes from the original wiring diagram posted in the sprinter-source thread. Also, did you use the parts listed on the original post on the thread? I was able to find the switch (MOPAR 5103853AA) and the connector (MOPAR 5120633AA), however I’ve had trouble finding the terminals listed (Mopar 5103882AA). Did you use that specific terminal, or can the connections be made another way? Also do you need 1 or 5 of those terminals? I was unsure based on the original wiring diagram from sprinter-source. Thanks, and great work!

[@DominickMarino]

Megan Davis Tarrer thanks! Yes I followed the posted diagram which per my understanding was the most up to date. Please see my photos towards the end of the linked form thread as to activate the fan I had to tap a different wire. I found this by using a power probe. Regarding connectors I use universal wire connectors from wirefly and crimped then down for a strong connection. No need to deal with he oem connectors.

[@toreycates8411]

Very interesting, It looks like my van has one as well but no switch. How can I turn it on/ why would it even have a unit in it without the switch? If I just buy the switch and timer will I be set for getting mine running? I was a little mystified at the sight of this unit since theres no toggle in the cab.. cheers

[@terracoilGuy]

same here, no switch on the shifter console. Just learning about this now.

[@Hj61S827]

If your van is like mine, the toggle is on the far right dial, on the 9 o’clock position. Should be 3 little wavey icons with a + symbol above. Again, this guy moded his to run while the van is off. Ours only run if it’s below 37° and the van is running. It’s meant to boost the heat whe it’s very cold

[@toreycates8411]

Right on. Going to try next winter.

[@utubepro7742]

Nice van

[@LEXICOGRAFFER]

Gotta talk louder my friend what that thing is cranking!

[@hardlightme]

Are you gonn show us HOW to MOD 🎉 this?🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@DominickMarino]

Absolutely, please see description for instructions

[@vincentrolfe1384]

Hey, take a look at my video on '06 Sprinter driveshaft reposition bracket update. Vincent Rolfe Chicago

[@DaeliaVanlife]

I try to do this on my 2011 😢

[@dougdobbs4317]

Wish mine worked .just replaced the circ pump but booster dosnt want to turn on oh well more fixing.lol

[@DominickMarino]

Doug Dobbs what year? (05-06) only fire above 39deg f unless you inject 12v to the trigger wire. See the wiring diagram in the description.

[@dougdobbs4317]

@@DominickMarino not sure.im just a carpenter but a gear head at heart I learn how to deal with the ups and downs of a dodge sprinter .most mechanics cant figure them out but I know this van in and out after driving it and of course all you guys on KZbin and forums thanks