Retrofit parking heater discussion

[Bigbud]

Wall of text ahead ! Also worth noting before I dive in is I spoke to our dealer and was told

"Just had a chat with our service department and as long as it isn't fitted by a monkey (their word) i.e a reputable company you shouldn't have any problems, but if a part was to fail and the ultimate problem was the fitment of the night heater then you wouldn't be able to replace the part under warranty"

First thing we decided we needed was a parking heater when we got our beach, first was the decision between eber or webasto. Apparently there much of a muchness but everyone I've spoken too and from what I've read the webasto edge it being a bit quieter and easier to service.

We had two quotes for the heater both very similar £1075, one from a respected guy on the T4 forums who mounts them under the van and the other from a company just down the road from us who I've met and discussed the installation.

First thing most of the installers don't realise with the beach is the slide door is on the o/s, apparently your supposed to exhaust the fumes on the opposite side of the van to the sliding door. As the unit goes under the drivers seat or under the van (under the drivers seat) means re-routing the exhaust will be problematic.

Next is where to locate the outlet, control unit & heat sensor. As we don't have furniture we have to be inventive, the outlet is in the B column on a factory fit (I'm told) but obviously we can't do this Best solution was to replace the standard seat base trim with a wooden panel so it sits flush, I also want to locate the control panel here so we don't have to cut a hole in the B column plastics (where both installers want to put it) The heat sensor was going to be located further back the bus on the edge of the roof lining.

So where to put the unit ? under seat or under van ? I'm really split on it and hence its not been done yet ! Under van its out the way with only the heat vent coming through meaning its quieter and there's room for more electrics, battery ect !

But I have come across a company in berwick that fit a double leisure set under the van so the park heater has to go under the seat, the benefit of this is the battery's are vented outside the van so CHEAPER more efficient acid battery's can be used instead of the gel sealed ones needed inside the van.

Any thoughts or ideas gratefully received

Bud

 

[soulstyledevon]

Batteries are best left inside the van. As most batteries performance and life span will decrease with effects from outside temperatures etc.

I would cut the control panel into the B side pillar. Can't see any problems with this if done professionally.

Again, I would rather the unit is under the van and vented in.

This is a job I also need to do and will be looking at having it done end of the year. Tried in vain to find a Beach with a night heater, but couldn't unless I ordered new. Could not afford the wait.
Would be great to hear from anyone else who has retro fitted one

 

[Stu]

The Cali has the heater closer to being under the passenger seat and I can see a number of reasons why this would also work well for you.

1. There is the space and potential to source OEM fixings.
2. There's power under the passenger seat (I think there would be on the beach too).
3. The exhaust would run away from the side door.
4. It's closer to the fuel tank.

If I were doing this myself I'd be looking to replicate a factory install. Had you considered buying the proper B pillar trim as opposed to a wooden addition to the seat base?

 

[James]

The Cali has the heater closer to being under the passenger seat and I can see a number of reasons why this would also work well for you.

1. There is the space and potential to source OEM fixings.
2. There's power under the passenger seat (I think there would be on the beach too).
3. The exhaust would run away from the side door.
4. It's closer to the fuel tank.

If I were doing this myself I'd be looking to replicate a factory install. Had you considered buying the proper B pillar trim as opposed to a wooden addition to the seat base?

I'm with you Stu - I can't say that replicating a factory install would be cheaper but all the parts are available, again, it may not be easy but some of the trim could surely be used and if you weren't replicating the factory install why not at least replicate the idea, i.e. where everything is placed. In a sense why reinvent the wheel?

I've had a little look into this and was also looking at the vanworx site as they retrofit heaters.

I've seen most of the OEM parts on the net for the heater, could be an interesting retrofit and project

 

[Bigbud]

Problem is I don't want to do it myself, I'm quite willing to pay for a good job but finding someone to do it is another matter !

Bud

 

[James]

Problem is I don't want to do it myself, I'm quite willing to pay for a good job but finding someone to do it is another matter !

Bud

I hear you - I think the first person who does this to their Beach will be very popular because in a way if you're not that bothered about OEM there all sorts of options. I was discussing this at COTF and it was said there could even be benefits to a retro fit parking heater option.

I don't have a heater in my Beach although if i was buying now I'd have good chance of sourcing a Beach at the right price with one and there's no doubt it will be popular resale. So a good retrofit one would be great.

James

 

[Ma77sc]

Watching with immense interest... Please keep us informed early adopters.

I was working under the mis-apprehension that Eber/Webasto fitters would just replicate to the best of their ability what the factory does with the Beach, but having said that are any factory-fit heater owners unhappy with the layout/performance/control of their units?

 

[Bigbud]

Suppose I need to get the B pillar trim off then and have a look, surely there will be a route for the pipe work already there. I would pay a couple £100 more to have a OEM look to it

Or as Ma77sc suggested, tapping into the existing outlets in the back.

I don't know but I have three weeks before we go away so have to get it sorted :lol:

 

[Custardtart]

I'm also thinking about this but not quite ready to go yet.

Think I've decided on a webasto. Control panel at the top of the B pillar above the seatbelt.

Probably put the heater under the driver's seat with intake at front and hot air blowing through a vent in the plastic panel at the back of the seat base. I like the idea of having the item somewhere clean and dry rather than under the van. Also the holes in the floor would be smaller - just combustion in/out rather than larger diameter blower in/out. I don't have strong opinions on it but this is what I think I've settled on.

I'll be very interested to hear how others get on.

 

[James]

I'm also thinking about this but not quite ready to go yet.

Think I've decided on a webasto. Control panel at the top of the B pillar above the seatbelt.

Probably put the heater under the driver's seat with intake at front and hot air blowing through a vent in the plastic panel at the back of the seat base. I like the idea of having the item somewhere clean and dry rather than under the van. Also the holes in the floor would be smaller - just combustion in/out rather than larger diameter blower in/out. I don't have strong opinions on it but this is what I think I've settled on.

I'll be very interested to hear how others get on.

Custardtart

That sounds good The control at the top of the B pillar is similar to what was fitted to T4's - that sounds like a good idea.

James

 

[Bigbud]

Well I just had the top of the trim off and pulled the bottom half out, I can't see where you would run a pipe in there :? the only hole I could see was for the seat belt. I'm not drilling around that area to get a pipe through so unless I've missed it the pipe isn't coming up through there

Did notice that above the seat belt there is a plate for the adjuster, it slide up and down. Can't see you getting a control unit above it.

 

[gafferdavis]

We debated whether to spec a night heater on the Beach we've just ordered. In the end we decided that 95% of the time we'd want one, we'd be on a campsite with hookup so we could use an electric fan heater instead.
If that doesn't work then a retrofit heater is cheaper than the factory version anyway. If we do end up retrofitting, I'd probably look to copy the factory fit version as closely as possible.
We'll find out if we're right in about 10 weeks or so...
Andy

 

[James]

We debated whether to spec a night heater on the Beach we've just ordered. In the end we decided that 95% of the time we'd want one, we'd be on a campsite with hookup so we could use an electric fan heater instead.
If that doesn't work then a retrofit heater is cheaper than the factory version anyway. If we do end up retrofitting, I'd probably look to copy the factory fit version as closely as possible.
We'll find out if we're right in about 10 weeks or so...
Andy

Andy

We were in the same position as you. Nearly all our camping is hook up (where possible) and we see the Beach, for us, as a really practical vehicle outside of being a 'camper'. I think for resale they will be desirable but we make do with a £35 heater out of B&Q. They are lovely the heaters and is interesting to see how the idea of retrofitting them is becoming more and more discussed. Could be some really interesting options by following that route.

James

 

[soulstyledevon]

Well I just had the top of the trim off and pulled the bottom half out, I can't see where you would run a pipe in there :? the only hole I could see was for the seat belt. I'm not drilling around that area to get a pipe through so unless I've missed it the pipe isn't coming up through there

Did notice that above the seat belt there is a plate for the adjuster, it slide up and down. Can't see you getting a control unit above it.

Correct me if im wrong.
But i would have thought it will only be a small electrical cable up the B-pillar to feed and send signals from the display unit to the control unit mounted under the van.

It would be really good to see some of the technical drawings on how VW have fitted theirs. A good converter should be able to do this as close to factory as possible.

Might give New Wave Conversions a ring see if they could do something.
Also the guy on the T4 forum who specialises in this seems to know his stuff.

 

[Bigbud]

the cable in no bother, it where are you going to mount this bad boy !

 

[soulstyledevon]

Ok, i see your point.
Is there not a digital alternative. Looks a bit old fashioned to me. Wouldnt want that on show :crazy

 

[Bigbud]

this is your lot for webasto

http://motorhome.webasto.co.uk/heating/ ... ments.html

There are very deep units as well.

 

[soulstyledevon]

The Airtop digital timer looks more like the part.

 

[Custardtart]

Some fellers on the T4/T5 forum gave me these pictures which is where I got the idea from. I think the VW OEM is a control panel by the rear view mirror so not an easy option. Could put something on the dash but didn't want to cut into the dash and the panels below aren't really good locations for a controller. You'll have to scroll down on the bottom photo to see it.

 

[soulstyledevon]

I think that looks pretty good.
On the B Pillar is probably the best option, as its the back of the van you will most be in.
Therefore easier than climbing to the front to change temperatures etc.

 

[Custardtart]

That's what I thought - good access from front seats and back - can reach from the upstairs bed too.

Doesn't look out of place like it might on your dashboard and I'm not sure but if it's got a temp. sensor in for thermostatic control it's quite a good position for that too.

I thought there would be room in a T5 above the seatbelt but maybe not?

New Wave Conversions are near me and I was thinking of using them so be interested in anything you find out from them. I thought a converter might produce a better finish than the webasto agents who are auto-elecs. Sorry - don't mean to bash auto-elecs just that the converters are used to sparkly finishing detail.

 

[James]

The OEM control unit which sits above the driver is about 300 euros approx and easy to pick up. Would be interested to know if you could use this?

Not saying again that it would be easy but it must be in theory useable?????

James

 

[Bigbud]

Its going to have to be lower than the lower one, our arm rests will be a tad close. Will have to make sure it does not catch when rotating the seat !!

Its not going to go at the top I'm affraid, as you can see from photo the seat belt adjuster will be in way. There is a plate that actually goes up into head lining when extended fully up !.

 

[Bigbud]

 

[Custardtart]

Thanks for posting the photo - it looks like a neat job.

How do you find the control there - ok? Would you recommend it?

Also - have you got the heater under the van or under the seat? Would you do the same again?