Espar engine heater

[dieselpilot]

Has anyone installed an Espar coolant heater and if you did so how well has it performed. They are pricey at first glance but when a life cycle analysis compares plug-in cost to the Espar cooler it becomes much more attractive, besides the idea of a warm cab is hard to knock. Winter is definitely here in Alberta and probably will be for the next 4 or 5 months.

For those curious about Espar heaters, here's the website and they make a mounting solution specifically for the F truck series.
http://www.espar.com/htm/applies/pickup.htm

Here's the Ford installation page.
http://www.espar.com/pdfs/FORD.pdf

 

[Doctor]

I am from Alberta as well and know what you mean by winter! I had an Espar installed two years ago, I wish the installer had the instructions you attached in your post! The installation would be my only complaint as I believe it has not been done properly (it is under the hood). In operation it is not quiet enough for my wife; however, it is alot quieter than the engine running and I do not notice it. I do get a fault code preventing the system from turning on from time to time (I believe this goes back to the installation) but, I can always get it to start manually.

Bottom line: it is, hands down, more reliable that plugging in, faster, and you cannot beat having a warm cab. I have been stuck in the field too many times before with a frozen truck! I would buy one again but, pay much closer attention to how it was installed.

Be prepared for lots of curious looks from your neighbors when it is running.

 

[DaveBen]

Welcome Doctor to SDD. Glad you are here. Join in any time, as you have.

Dave

 

[dieselpilot]

Thanks for the feedback Doc. That's the kind of info I was looking for and I actually didn't even consider the noise element, even though they have an exhaust. I'll just tell people it's the latest Ford diesel option that shuts down 6 cylinders when they aren't needed to conserve fuel, (g).

I also talked to a Blue heat dealer and was informed that Ford actually offer Blueheat as a factory installed option so they have a Ford specific heater as well.
http://www.blueheatinfo.com/

I like the Espar, it's less pricey than the blueheat and the dealer told me I could install it myself and they would still honour the warranty. Thanks for the comments.

 

[Nasty]

Espar is pricey!

checked with ThermoKing Manitoba....they quoted me $2950 C plus tax (per unit) to install an Espar on each of my F350s....I can do a lot of idling for that coin.