[MsNomer]

Email from Heatso today:

"The B2L has been on the market for over a year with no major issues reported. Eberspacher has been in the business of making the highest quality heaters for many years and continues to outpace the rest of the market with their high quality standards.

Webasto and Eberspacher do use many of the same components and you will find the Airtop 2000 and B2/D2 series appear extremely close visually. If you are replacing the Airtop 2000 with a much higher altitude rated B2/D2 series you would need to replace the wiring but the existing intake/exhaust holes should be very close if not identical. You should be able to use the same fuel lines as well, but we would suggest replacing if possible and prime fuel through the entire line before connecting to the new unit. Of course the controllers are only useable with the units they were programmed for."

I'm getting really tempted.

 

[dhagberg]

Wow - sure looks like the right thing for my FutureVan - ideally I'd like to find a local installer here in Colorado 'cause it sure sounds like having a competent service person is important with these units.

Espar Airtronic S3 B2L Gasoline 12V Heater Kit with EasyStart Pro Controller

Espar / Eberspacher Airtronic B2L 12v (2kW) Heater With Installation kit for high altitudes

www.heatso.com

 

[GotDiesel?]

That comment from Heatso is disingenuous. For most of the last year, there webpage has had the write-up description for the Espar B2L and for most of that time it has been shown as "unavailable". The manufacturer has had some delays in making it to market and it's only within the past month or so that a local installer here, Rixens in Sandy, Oregon, has had any indication that working units are finally shipping.

As to the Webasto gas heater, I asked the owner at Rixens about it and while he would not say anything negative about it, he did say that there is a reason (reliability) they only install the Eberspacher brand.

 

[PNW_Camper]

Totally agree. I have emails from North American Espar sales reps from February and June of last year where they confirm this new unit was not yet released for production. It's been delayed upwards of a year, and until recently completely unavailable for purchase. So, to claim that it's been available for a year is not accurate based on my conversations either.

 

[MsNomer]

Response from the horse's mouth:

The B2L (gasoline version of our D2L) has not been released yet in the US. I have absolutely no knowledge of a leaking Heat exchanger, period. We do expect for it to be released soon. The B2L AS3 is beginning a pilot phase in the US as we speak.

Every Thermo King Dealer in North America is a dealer for our products, however none will have it as a stocking item yet as it has not been released to sell. It would not be a good Idea t buy from Heatso as they are an online seller from the UK and there has been MUCH problems with the products they sell into the US. It would be risky at best due to some parts they sell might not be covered by warranty if they fail. Buy at your own risk.

Best Regards
Jon Williamson
Regional Manager
816-260-1283
Jon.Williamson@eberspaecher.com

 

[GotDiesel?]

Thanks for that follow-up MsNomer.

 

[ChrisW8]

Always nice when a company shows their true colors, as Heatso did here. FWIW, I also got the 'not yet released by US corporate, due to some problems found' story when I called EsparParts.

 

[Kaliram]

I have received an Eberspacher Airtronic Heater Kit AS3 B2L (Gasoline) 12V. Ordered on Amazon. Shipped from Heatso in one day. Have yet to install it, but am familiar with the Eberspacher heaters from boats I have owned. They work great, and the controller is a real plus. I live at 9,000 ft and most of my camping is at 9,000-13,000 ft, so this heater will be a real plus.

 

[ChrisW8]

Have the B2 problems been fixed? Not on EsparParts, so probably not officially for sale in NA yet. Anyone know for sure?

 

[gregoryx]

I have received an Eberspacher Airtronic Heater Kit AS3 B2L (Gasoline) 12V. Ordered on Amazon. Shipped from Heatso in one day. Have yet to install it, but am familiar with the Eberspacher heaters from boats I have owned. They work great, and the controller is a real plus. I live at 9,000 ft and most of my camping is at 9,000-13,000 ft, so this heater will be a real plus.

Looking forward to your report, @Kaliram.

With temps 20-30 below freezing this last couple trips and the B4L barely keeping up, my opinion on B2 is firm: not adequate. Granted, we're windows-all-around and I didn't have the front cab closed or windows covered... but at least in an open-space layout, I'd say even more output would be fine.

So... looking forward to your reports from 9,000 feet in winter!

 

[ChrisW8]

@gregoryx - Now that is interesting. I was under the impression that the B4 was just too much… what about when it isn’t crazy cold?

 

[gregoryx]

@gregoryx - Now that is interesting. I was under the impression that the B4 was just too much… what about when it isn’t crazy cold?

When I was up a month ago it was ~22F outside and I had all the window covers on. It was cycling on/off at 72F, so working fine. Not sure how much of it this time was lack of window covers and how much was being another 15-20 degrees colder. I wasn't sleeping in the van this time, so I didn't care - just keeping it warm-ish. I backed it off to 55F the second night and it was cycling. But the first night, it was set to 70F and didn't climb over low-60s all night.

My usual approach when sleeping in the van is close everything up and crank it to ~75F then shut it down to ~60F so it turns off when I go to sleep. If it starts back up mid-night and I don't want to hear it, I drop the temp further. I don't mind cold air once I'm warm under the covers.

 

[NW_Freedom]

I will back up what @gregoryx said. My B4 is needed up skiing in a 148 non extended well insulated. At around 20* with the thermostat set at 60* it runs almost non stop.

 

[ChrisW8]

Great news, I don’t have to wait for a B2 then.
(wait, on second thought, now another spendy part that takes a lot of time to install)

 

[gregoryx]

Great news, I don’t have to wait for a B2 then.
(wait, on second thought, now another spendy part that takes a lot of time to install)

Spendy, yes. Not the most time-consuming install I've done, though. I think it helps to do the fuel-tank separate; two easy days instead of one long one.

 

[gregoryx]

Reminds me that I still need to build my boot-and-glove-warmer unit...

 

[PNW_Camper]

The B4L has a setting for low heat mode (I think that may cut it to half output at max?), but even when set to high heat mode with the easy start pro controller I definitely notice how it reduces the airflow and heat output automatically as it gets closer to the setpoint.

When we raise the temperature in the morning I really like the high output capability of the B4L for our HR Ext setup. I originally planned on the AS3/B2L but after waiting a while and all the delays I went for the B4L and have no complaints.

 

[MsNomer]

Our PM is full of uncovered windows and cab similar to gregoryx. Our Webasto AT2000 keeps up 99% of the time in the places we travel. It can crank the interior to 85-90° if we let it when it's about freezing outside.

That said, we are soon to replace it, I hope, with the new kid on the block. We are choosing it because of its altitude rating—in summer, we often need heat at 11-12,000 feet.

VELIT Gasoline/Diesel Air Heater 14000BTU 4000W

Download user manual Smart thermostat now comes standard. Model US Canada UK Diesel Backorder Special Order Special Order Gasoline In Stock Special Order Special Order Safest Heater on the Market Equipped with built-in carbon monoxide and flammable gas sensors, the Velit heater...

velitcamping.com

My impression, which may well be flawed, is that Espar is significantly more advanced as to handling altitude and thermostatically controlled heat. Webasto appears to be happy only full on at lower altitudes. The popular Chinese diesel heaters and the Bison gas heater appear to be knock-offs of Espar rather than Webasto. This VeLit appears similar to the B4L with the higher altitude rating of the elusive B2L.

We will be guinea pigs for this new heater, but willing To take the chance.

 

[NW_Freedom]

Using a easy start pro i haven't seen a way to run it on hi or low output. It just does it automatically right?

 

[GotDiesel?]

We will be guinea pigs for this new heater, but willing To take the chance.

Please let us know what the timeframe for installing this heater will be and give us a follow on review when you have a chance to use it. I have not heard of this company/product, so will be interested in your experience.