so... am about to get underway on this same project
(as soon as a piece of exhaust hose arrives, had to mangle the heater-end to get the old one out).
my '06 doesnt have the 7day timer, only REST and booster functions - so will likely start with
vic's method
but am hoping someone can offer a 'consensus' on
what's the best way to go about re-configuring
the existing van controls to run the D5 as an engine preheater,
as well as run the REST function as a backup for the D2, as Mwd mentioned above..
ultimately all running on the house bank vs the crank batt, using one of the timers
(at some point anyway, dunno about getting to all this out in the cold)
here's what i've learned, far as sourcing the exact replacement D5 unit...
the '06 OEM install is MB's 'proprietary' model (according to espar NA/ontario, who told me ONLY MB can help with):
D5WZ / mod# 25 2343 / MB pt# 005 830 80 61 (this # is THE key bit of info)
was able to source it locally, via spec order from germany, at both the freightliner ($580) and MB dealer($650)
'10days to 2wks out'
(and ONLY because i finally found the MB pt#, since they 'dont speak espar' at the dealers, so had no idea what to replace it with..)
BUT... i ended up buying it from ecstuning.com (forget now who it was here that pointed us to them),
who shows a listing for the
25 2344 /MB# 0058308161, which has the 2nd 2wire connector-cord, for 519bux
however... after figuring out how their dbase/ numbering system works (with the MB pt# the key to it all),
tried changing the pt# on the URL from:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-mercedes-benz-parts/ventilation/0058308161/
to the 25 2343 model and VOILA! up she came:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-mercedes-benz-parts/ventilation/0058308061/
priced - at that moment - at 380bux
(they showing it now at 544.75, so mustave been a data entry screwup, mightve been their cost vs retail price?)
so i immediately clik'd and ordered the buggah! (and they honored the price that eye first saw it at = SCORE, hopefully it all works out)
it arrived as scheduled, '2 to 3 wks out', from germany (made in poland)
is exact unit as the OEM (only 1 cable/connector).
so... so far, so good - just waiting on the piece of exhaust hose to get here and...
ABOVE FREEZING TEMPS, to go out and install it.
(i got
very acclimatized to the wx in my prev location, so it takes me awhile to get used-to the cold, after just getting used-to the heat here in summer!)
that and we're stuck in 'the inversion zone' so there's bluesky&sunshine up there somewhere, just not down here in the valley!
(so mights well just go play
up in the canyon today and hope it
clears off up above...