Winter is Coming! Fit An Auxilary Heater To Your Landrover Defender

[@ianwilkinson4793]

Having installed a Webasto Thermo Top (which pre-heats the engine as well as the cab), I found that there was a serious risk of draining the starter battery. The only solution I found was to install a second battery used solely by the pre-heater, and charged from the alternator through a split-charge relay. The problem with this solution is that the second battery needs somewhere to fit - and the only space is in the battery compartment. So where do you then fit your Webasto Air Top ? My Webasto Thermo Top is fitted in the engine bay between the heater box and the engine. Space it tight but the installation is neat and easy to maintain. Bought the kit on ebay as a refurbished item with a one-year guarantee for £400. As well as a warm cab, starting is quick, even in the coldest of weather.

[@DipstickDave]

I looked at the Thermo Top, but my engine runs so cold in the winter even with a radiator muff that the cabin just would get warm enough. As for the location, it depends on if you have a 90 or 110. The unit has to be protected and a couple of places I looked at was, under the rear seats of my 110 pickup, in the rear wheel arch in a fabricated Alu box, making a false bottom for the centre cubby and attaching it to the gearbox access panel. All of which were a lot more hassle than under the seat. It might be better to relocate the battery and using this space instead. The battery is much easier to site in the engine bay. One final thing (which I might try next year), is to change the one starting battery to 2 yellow top multipurpose batteries (that can start and deep cycle). They should fit (I haven't tried it my self) in the space of the one big starter battery and you can use one for starting and one of Aux. Also if the start battery goes flat, you can use the second yellow top to start it. Normal Leisure bats aren't designed for starting.

[@ChristianBorrman]

Hi Dave, thanks for this, I am in same dilema re separate vs internal tank, and need to drop the tank anyway to install a new sender, when you say you put the feed an inch higher, did you make a whole in the tank? where were you considering putting an internal tank if I may ask?

[@DipstickDave]

Hi, at the top of the tank where the pump is and all the fuel lines there is an unused port with some sort of rubber nipple covering it. I just nipped the cover and pushed the pipe down it until it hit the bottom, then finally pulled it back an inch or too. I’ve got a pickup, so I was going to pop it in there. I also thought about using the space in the front wing, under the plastic cover on the drivers side. Hope this helps.

[@davelock3166]

How do you find batter consumption, now you have had it for a while? have you fitted a back-up battery, or do you find the main battery ok? Thanks, Dave - great video!

[@DipstickDave]

It’s not too bad. If it’s very cold I do start the engine too. Just because I don’t want to hammer the battery at low temp.

[@davelock3166]

@@DipstickDave Thanks, Man! I will skip the extra battery to begin with.

[@BZHprepper]

Hello. How did you attach the fuel line to the tank?

[@DipstickDave]

Hi, I dropped the tank and there is a aux feed hole you can use to drop the line down. Wasn’t easy and also snapped a line when dropping the tank, but it’s nice and neat. Good luck.

[@richylad71]

Hi, a bit late to the party, but, do you start the heater on it’s own to pre warm cab, or start defender and then run webasto, I had a eber for a while just on a battery but the battery couldn’t cope(new battery) , as soon as I started the car all ran smoothly, I think I read somewhere these are meant to be used whilst engine running to assist with heating.

[@DipstickDave]

I use it mostly to pre warm the cab. Normally turn it on and then make a cup of tea and set off with a lovely warm cab. Never had a problem with the battery and it’s an old one. I’ve always said that as soon as the battery gives up the ghost I’ll install two new yellow tops( one for start and one for AUX like heater and extra lights), but it keeps on going year in year out.

[@robinsandler7709]

Hi, can I give you a call with reference to me fitting my Webasto? Thanks Robin

[@buzzingadventures1980]

Thanks for Sharing, I’m hoping to get one for my D2...I subbed 👍🏻

[@DipstickDave]

No worries. Mine is going full pelt at the moment on every trip. We’ll work the money.