Resetting a Locked Espar Heater

[senormechanico]

If you put 12 volts on the glow plug and it didn't heat, that's a sign...

[SV Demeter]

Update:

Annapolis Cruiseaire says the control unit and glow plug are both shot. They are quoting about $800 for the control unit, $140 for the glow plug, and 3 hours of labor at $99/hr to get this unit working. So something in the neighborhood of $1200. The are also quoting me a new unit with new digital controller for about $1600.

I need to call them back and discuss but my question is this: Am I likely to find a new control unit on ebay or someplace for something cheaper? Is it worth my while to try and get this older unit funtioning again or make more sense to get a new one? Not sure what could take three hours but like I said I need to call them back.

[davefromoregon]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Do you have a manual?
Here ➥ http://www.eberspacher.com/downloads...tion_22278.pdf

Or ➥ Eberspächer UK - Support and Downloads

From Section 8:
“... Combustion may not be established when the heater is first operated. Several attempts may be required to start the heater. This is due to air being present in the heater’s fuel lines, that needs to be purged by the fuel-metering pump ...”

I have a Beneteau 343 with this heater. It is very slow to warm up. I crawled into the locker to try to see what was going on. The fuel line was full of air and it seemed to require starting the engine( or maybe just took a long time) before the air cleared out and the unit ignited. It did ultimately work after close to an hour. Does this ring a bell with anyone? Suggestions?

[senormechanico]

If the heater/fuel pump is uphill from the tank, you might possibly have a slow leak in the fuel line allowing it to drain back to the tank?
Just a thought.

[goboatingnow]

Pull the fuel line at the heater and cycle the fuel pump , sometimes I find that air takes a long time to relapse from the fuel lines with the back pressure of the burner.

Dave

[davefromoregon]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Pull the fuel line at the heater and cycle the fuel pump , sometimes I find that air takes a long time to relapse from the fuel lines with the back pressure of the burner.

Dave

How would I cycle the fuel pump? ( newbie here)

[davefromoregon]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

If the heater/fuel pump is uphill from the tank, you might possibly have a slow leak in the fuel line allowing it to drain back to the tank?
Just a thought.

It is uphill. Should I see a fuel spill some where along the line? I haven't noticed one but I'll look more carefully.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by davefromoregon

How would I cycle the fuel pump? ( newbie here)

Fire up the heater once or twice , ie begin the ignition sequence

Dave

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by davefromoregon

It is uphill. Should I see a fuel spill some where along the line? I haven't noticed one but I'll look more carefully.

Doesn't matter where the tank is. , but the pump input should lower then the output. The manual has some very specific placement information.

Dave

[senormechanico]

If the boat sits a long time between furnace uses and the leak is small enough, you might not even see it.
The pump should be low so it can easily prime.
My previous boat had an Espar and the pump was mounted at the level of the tank top in a horizontal input/output configuration.
After a few months of non use, it took a couple of cycles to get it to light.

[davefromoregon]

I changed the batteries in the thermostat and apparently reset something connects reliably that didn't before. It now works reliably...

[Ray-Dianna]

Hello all, first time posting, long time reader. Regarding the Espar heaters there is a fellow in Vancouver, BC who was a tech for Espar Canada then started his own business - Avalon Bay Marine ph# 604-312-9566. Brian Silk is his name and he spent 16 years in the business so knows his stuff and is not shy about sharing his knowledge or advice on your problem. He will help you any way he can. Hope this helps. RAY

[parado]

Ditto the above about Avalon bay marine. Fixed as difficult problem for me, less than 30 bucks. Really knows his stuff.