HYDRONIC HEATER for VANLIFE: Installing ESPAR Heater Kit Under Van

Who doesn’t want a hydronic heater for vanlife? This week, after several weeks of struggling, we have installed our Espar S3 Heater (D5E) under the van. In our opinion, hydronic heating systems are one of the best van life heater options available. This system is multi-purpose, not only will it serve our needs for van life heating of the interior spaces, but it will also serve as our van water heater. It’s a perfect option for our sprinter van conversion.

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These are the fittings we Bought from Cross Hose and Fittings. The part number is in parenthesis for each item. You will need 2 of each item to have the same setup we have, this will give you a 90 degree elbow where this comes out of the floor. (items #1-4)
1- Parker (12 WFTX-S) Male Bulkhead Connector 3/4 JIC X 3/4 NPT Steel
2- Parker (12 WLN-S) Triple-Lok Bulkhead Locknut 3/4 Tube Steel
3- Parker (12 C6X-S) JIC Swivel Elbow 3/4 JIC Female X 3/4 JIC Male Steel
4- Parker (30682-12-12B) Female JIC Straight Swivel 3/4 JIC X 3/4 Hose Brass

IF you DO NOT want the 90 degree elbow and want the barb to come straight down through the the floor. DO NOT order number 3 & 4. You will need to order number 5 & 6 instead. If you have any questions, be sure to call the awesome people at Cross!
5- Parker (12 G6X-S) Swivel Nut Adapter 3/4 JIC X 3/4 NPT Female Steel
6- Parker (125HBL-12-12) Hose Barb Male Connector 3/4 ID Hose X 3/4 NPTF
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DISCLAIMER: We are not professional van builders. We are sharing these videos so that you can see our progress and share our journey. If you are not experienced in the activities demonstrated in this video, please seek professional consultation before proceeding (we sure do whenever we are in question and need help).

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We’re Sandy & Jed and we are full-time world travelers. We sold almost everything and then quit our jobs as Emergency Room travel nurses so we can live small and travel big. We are excited and very fortunate to be able to live this amazing lifestyle! So, we want to share it with you! Join us to check out some amazing places, go on exciting adventures, eat delicious food, and perhaps learn some tips and tricks about the full-time travel lifestyle. We hope you will join us on our Wanderful Revolution! See you out there and as always, Stay Wanderful!

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[miltongonzalez]

Hello. this is probably a stupid question but whats the benefit of spending $4000 on a Espar S3 Heater? Wouldnt it be cheaper and easier to just buy a $250 Bocsh electric heater and an extra $2000 lithium battery to run it?

[Michael-vhre]

Why would anyone mount such a system under the vehicle😔

[junocheyennekrakus]

HYDRONIC S3 D5E is designed as water/engine heater. How it also can be a space heater at the same time?

[cluek]

Best to BOX that system, like the Espar MarkII. It gets +╬dirty under there!
Also consider your individual high center limits, often THE limiting factor on trucks.

[quasimodo]

And you have also possibility of mounting fuel pump flexible to avoid horrible ticking going through your stomach...

[ccarter]

I have a favor to ask . . . .what I'd really like to know is where you found the black, 90 degree elbow hoses. One is connected to the Espar and the other to the pump. Any chance you remember where you found them??

[mikesabiking]

I think you should rout the exhaust out the side of the van. You really don't want carbon monoxide finding a way into your van. since it's hot air it will rise to the floor and likely find its way in.

[HackerL]

Wouldn´d it be better to mount the heater inside the van or put on some insulation on?

[trimportersvanconversions]

This install has been so much help for a customer build we are completing..
Even though we are a conversion company with access to support here in the UK from a Hydronic Supplier, its been a great watch and learn from both Dare Drives and yourselves.
So a huge thanks to you all. Keep up the great content!

[CollinFrangie]

I noticed you T’d off your built in aux fuel line for both your stove and water heater system. Just curious how this system is working? Do you notice any lagging when starting up your heater after using your stove. Do you have re prime the line since you have multiple pumps coming off that one fuel line?

[lorenworthington]

Good video guys. We are two weeks behind on everything you doing and we can’t even remember to take simple photos. Our boy up in Canada was really helping all of us. Get busy Dub’l D. I would suggest you consider not using zip ties underneath your van. They just don’t handle the weather. They become brittle and then you’re underneath the van on the side of Road with duct tape

[gavingrantham]

On a side note, you could have installed the heater with your bracket/plate flush against the underside of the vehicle or in a protective box and then ran your intake line towards the direction of the driverside rear wheel, this way it's able to get the freshest of clean air possible??

[thewildearthlings]

We have been debating on using a hydronic heater for our build Trying to figure out of the pros outweigh the cons for us and is a big factor. Good video guys!

[ballancampeau]

Nice video. It’s reassuring to see that others are having “oh crap” moments. Did Rixen or anyone else give you any rule of thump about how much space should be allowed between the vehicle exhaust pipe (very hot) and the glycol hose? My furnace is mounted on the driver side, fairly far forward, and I want the water heater on the passenger side just forward of the wheel well.

[redhongkong]

does diesel gel up on ur little fuel line during cold season? i wonder if its better to mount it inside the van and leave exhaust outside.

[jsj]

Excellent recovery on getting this figured out. The install looks really tidy and when the time comes, it should be easy to access and work on. When you say, "Espar D five E hydronic heater system, " you've said a mouthful! -Burt in NJ

[bkk]

Thanks for the video. I’m just looking into heating solutions now and I was wondering if you considered the timberline by Elwell is being installed in some of the commercially available RVs from Winnebago.

If I’m not mistaken the timberline allows you to use shore power to power the heater and when heating the interior of the van the control will adjust the fan speed to maintain the set temperature are these options available on the Espar. It’s not clear to me on the Heatso site if these features are available. Thanks

[robertlindberg]

Hi. Thanks for great videos. So this is the espar hydronic d5e 12v if I am correct? And does this have radiant floor heating? As in water based with the long tubing? Thing is, I was keen on the Van Life Tech radiant floor heating, but I live in Sweden and the shipping would be 600 dollars, then 313 dollars from the swedish customs tax and 3000 dollars for the VAT. I have never done van life so I have some van builders to help me out. Would you say that this heating system is quiet? And will it heat the floors? I am also interested in a recirculating shower, I know there is a team in Finland called the shower loop. If I am correct I once saw a video where you mentioned this system? It would be great if I didnt have to change the water every day, once every few weeks would be great. Thanks and keep up the good work.

[rogerlittlejohn]

I mounted mine the same way. I like it because the differential protects it from flying debris. Thanks again for the video.

[timanderson]

Does it produce enough heat in real-life conditions to keep the van warm, and heat water?