Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2012 17:43:42 -0700
Reply-To: Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Espar D2 diesel furnace run on gas
In-Reply-To: <1344801594.80454.YahooMailNeo@web121506.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Dear wants an espar
Had a Westfalia California model 100% OEM with a factory installed espar diesel heater with all the controls ...
1. Very safe when used with the fuel it is designed for
2. Left running steady (during winter) with out a start to charge battery gets a little more than 24 hours ( the fuel meter runs steady an the resistance rate is high as it controls the flow from steady to mere drops
3. Venting spent fuel and condensation with is an issue ... Factory exhaust pipe a simple affair of less than 1/2 inch diameter ... One can be sure that if you change the fuel to gasoline you will require a well engineered exhaust system ... Maybe even a catalytic convertor of some sort ...
4. Ventilation of burn chamber will have to be engineered to ensure volatile fumes do not spread prior to ignition
5. Diesel is not gasoline and gasoline is not diesel ... The explosive limits and handling procedures are very very different ... Think about a boat that runs on gasoline and how you have to vent prior to start up ....
Buy the espar diesel furled heater and install properly with a properly mounted fuel tank
Stay safe
Regards
There must be a lifetime of thought in the last second if we are to live from moment to moment.
On 2012-08-12, at 12:59 PM, David Vickery <david_vickery@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> The BA6 is a far cry from the newer Airtronic heaters. In terms of fuel use, and battery use, not to mention not being 30 years old. But I did have a BN4 a long time ago and it was a great heater for bringing the temps up in the morning but you couldn't run it all night.
>
> These espar and webasto heaters are safe. They have been extensively tested and are in use all over the world for exactly this application. Try to find a fire started by one of these. They have a great reputation and are packed with so many safety shutoffs. Switching from diesel to gas may introduce additional risk, that's why I asked. I wonder what is changed in the design from the diesel model to the gas model. But people have reported running them on gas and kerosene. I just want more detail if anyone has done it.
>
> The back up plan is to use a 1 gallon tank if it has to be run on kerosene or diesel, but it would be nice to run it off gas if it can be done safely.
>
> Dave
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2012 1:13 PM
> Subject: Re: Espar D2 diesel furnace run on gas
>
> Get a ba6. They're a dime a dozen.
>
> -craig
>
> On Sunday, August 12, 2012, Roger Whittaker wrote:
>
>> Dear gasoline heater
>>
>> What a great idea ... Why didn't we think of this before ... Highly
>> volatile petroleum distillates being vapourized and atomised into a small
>> non explosive tested container ... Lighted by a hot glow plug under my bed
>> while I sleep ... I can't believe I had not previously thought of this ...
>> I will get right on this as soon as I finish building my car ... I plan to
>> call it the Corvair any suggestions
>> Regards
>>
>>
>> There must be a lifetime of thought in the last second if we are to live
>> from moment to moment.
>>
>> On 2012-08-12, at 11:43 AM, David Vickery <david_vickery@YAHOO.COM<javascript:;>>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Has anyone ever run an Espar diesel heater on gasoline? I have read a
>> couple brief posts that say this can be done, but I like confirmation that
>> it works and doesn't destroy the heater. I would think you would need to
>> adjust the fuel, but not sure if that would be more or less fuel than
>> diesel. I also read people run them on kerosene periodically to clean them
>> out. The gas versions are rare but used diesel units are everywhere. They
>> would be great for vanagons if they can safely run on gas.
>>>
>> http://www.lubricationspecialist.com/airtronic-2/airtronic-d2-7500-btu-air-heater/
>>> Thanks, Dave
>>
