cedarsanctum
re: Member
I just returned from 2 weeks living in the van with the new Espar heater i installed just before leaving on this trip. The install went well, with the usual problem of finding parts to tap into the factory fuel system. Mine was easier because it has the auxiliary hydronic heater and the attendant fuel lines to the tank, and because i have already installed a Wallas diesel stove tap into that line. The only other problem with the install (delayed me for one night because of rain and too tired to drive) was getting fuel to the unit so it would run. Gave up the last night, tried again in the morning after a refreshing sleep and it worked perfectly.
The first photo shows the flooring cut down to the asphalt pad under it. This was a nice square cut because the Espar install kit has a mounting plate that screws down with a heavy gasket and has all the proper holes pre-drilled.
The second shows the holes cut through the steel. I made 2 holes and cut out the middle with a jig saw to make it an oval hole.
The third Has the mounting plate, gasket and heater laid out to check the fit. Some shimming of the ridges in the floor were required to close up the opening with the gasket, and here i used pieces of the removed asphalt pad to close the little gaps underneath. I also filled in the gaps with heat resistant RTV silicone.
The 4th photo shows the heater ready to screw down to the floor.
The first photo shows the flooring cut down to the asphalt pad under it. This was a nice square cut because the Espar install kit has a mounting plate that screws down with a heavy gasket and has all the proper holes pre-drilled.
The second shows the holes cut through the steel. I made 2 holes and cut out the middle with a jig saw to make it an oval hole.
The third Has the mounting plate, gasket and heater laid out to check the fit. Some shimming of the ridges in the floor were required to close up the opening with the gasket, and here i used pieces of the removed asphalt pad to close the little gaps underneath. I also filled in the gaps with heat resistant RTV silicone.
The 4th photo shows the heater ready to screw down to the floor.
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