I don't want to hijack your thread, but figured that having this info in one thread might help others. I just finished installing an Espar B4L heater in my Transit (2019, HR, 148 WB). I bought the heater from HEATSO (a company in the UK). Shipment was timely and they were very helpful answering some installation questions I had.
The B4L kit came with the exhaust muffler and later I decided to add an intake muffler (purchased from esparparts.com). I bought the auxiliary fuel port adapter (part # CK4Z-9B210-A) from Tasca Parts (HEATSO said I could use a Dorman 188-800 connector, but I decided to stay with a Ford part) and a uxcell 8mm to 4mm brass reducer to go from the Ford auxiliary fuel port to the heater’s fuel line:
uxcell 8mm to 4mm Hose ID Brass Reducer Barb Hose Fitting Straight Connector Coupler Tubing Adapter 2pcs: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
I thought about installing the heater under the passenger seat, but after looking under the van I decided to find a place that would make the install a lot easier. My van layout is similar to Far Out Ride’s, but modified because I don’t have the extended length. I had space on the floor next to my battery and fuse block that worked perfectly with open space under the van to easily run everything.
The installation instructions aren’t very helpful so I watched a bunch of YouTube videos to better understand the process. Then I laid all the parts out on the floor how they would be installed to make sure I had everything I needed and could visualize where things would go in and under the van.
I drove the van until the fuel light came on to reduce the weight of the fuel tank. To lower it I used the jack from my Xterra and a long 2x8 under the tank. This let me lower the tank about 8 inches, which was all I needed to access the auxiliary port.
The floor of my van has 1” poly covered by ½” plywood so I needed to use the “RV” style mounting bracket (purchased with the B4L). I cut a 5” diameter hole through the flooring, but not the bottom of the van. The holes I cut in the bottom of the van were just large enough for me to feed the intake, exhaust, and fuel lines though (I attached these lines to the bottom of the heater first). I used sealant between the mount and the floor.
For the stuff I had to secure under the van (fuel pump, intake and exhaust lines) I was mostly able to find existing holes where I could use crossnuts/rivetnuts. There were a few places I had to drill and use screws. I was able to secure most of the fuel line, as well as the 12v wire to the fuel pump, with zip ties that came with the install kit.
Because my heater is located right next to my fuse block, I just ran the wires straight to it and did not use the separate fuse holder that came with the B4L. I also built a box to cover the heater and made it big enough to stash the excess length of wires inside.
I purchased the Easystart Pro controller to run the B4L. The set-up instructions are confusing and at first I couldn’t get the temperature to display on the controller screen. I emailed HEATSO and they sent the following directions which worked perfectly:
To open the workshop menu, select the Settings menu (gear Symbol) and then hold the BACK button (arrow back) pressed for longer than 2 seconds while the clock symbol under the gear wheel is flashing.
Scroll to option - CONTROL SENSOR. Select Control unit
Scroll to option - INDICATOR SENSOR. Select Control Unit
Confirm by pressing the operating button.
It took about 3-4 cycles of turning the heater on and off to get fuel to it and then it ran fine. I’ve only had the heater running in my driveway, but it puts out a lot of heat and I don’t find it to be that noisy. The noise outside is low enough that I would be comfortable running the heater at a trailhead/campground and not be worried about disturbing other campers (this is with mufflers on both the intake and exhaust).
The install is not that difficult, though I’m glad it wasn’t one of my first van projects. It helps to be comfortable with cutting holes in your van, as well as how to connect up the wiring.
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