The images below show the installation of an air heater and a coolant heater in our 1997 Ford E350 7.3 L diesel camper van.

Note: Thermoking did the installation.

1. Eberspächer (Espar) D2 air heater to heat the inside of the camper van when the engine is off. Installed Feb 2017.

2. Eberspächer S3 coolant heater to pre-warm the diesel engine in winter. Installed January 2019.

Image below: The diesel comes out of the front tank. The diameter is big enough for fuel to go to both the air heater and the coolant heater at the same time. Then there is a splitter; one line goes to fuel pump for the air heater, the other to the fuel pump for the coolant heater.

Image below: The air intake (black) and the exhaust (brass) enter and leave the cabin space through the floor.

Eberspächer Airtronic Air D2 HeaterEberspächer Airtronic Air D2 Heater
 

Image below: The Espar D2 and the thermostat before the cabinetry went in.

Eberspächer Airtronic Air D2 HeaterEberspächer Airtronic Air D2 Heater

Images below: Kitchen block has been installed. We used a Y splitter for the duct with hot air: 1 outlet for warm air behind driver's seat, the other facing the rear seats. Note the duct is protected with plywood inside the cabinets to prevent denting the duct.

Image below: The thermostat installed above the fridge. Note: there is a high elevation kit for the Espar D2 installed behind the face. This increases the air and oxygen flow at high elevation, contributing to a clean burn and reduced failure and maintenance.

Image below: The S3 coolant heater hoses tie into the hard lines under the driver's door. Note: the step in diameter of the hard line and the diameter of the inflow and outflow of the coolant heater was too big for 1 hose with 1 diameter. An intermediate diameter piece of pipe with hoses on both sides had to be used to have no coolant fluid leak (see image above).

Image below: The first installation (one step between diameter coolant heater and diameter hard lines van) failed; coolant leaked. We needed 2 steps to keep coolant from leaking.

Image below: The S3 coolant heater installed under the driver's door.

Image below: The control panel for the S3 coolant heater, installed on the kitchen block. Note that the programming is for the departure time, not the start time of the coolant heater.

Images below: Both the Espar D3 and S3 coolant heater have an Espar muffler installed.

Eberspächer Airtronic Air D2 HeaterEberspächer Airtronic Air D2 Heater

Test: on a cold night (about 0 F (-18C)) we ran the Espar D2 air heater throughout the night, thermostat set at 50 F (10C). In the morning we programmed the S3 coolant to turn on for 90 minutes. Everything worked, there is enough 12 V in our house battery to power both units throughout a cold night. In addition, there was no problem with fuel flow going to both units at the same time. A large enough diameter line between the fuel tank and the splitter is critical through.

Advantages:

1. Espar D2 air heater: warm, operated through thermostat, can probably run the heater for a few weeks before running out of fuel.

2. S3 coolant heater: The engine starts even at extremely low temperatures, reduced wear and tear on the engine, no black smoke out of exhaust, engine less loud when you drive away. The alternative would be to use a generator and plug in our block heater. However, on most camp grounds in National Parks you cannot use generators at night or in early morning, plus... you would have to get out of bed to start it 1-2 hours before driving away. The noise of the S3 (with or without muffler) is way lower than a generator; it is not in the same league. It is probably not or barely audible to neighboring campers. Since we live in Montana, the coolant heater makes it possible to use our camper van in winter (especially Nov through Mar).

Safety: Always use a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector in the van.

Maintenance: before turning off the Espar D2, set it on its maximum capacity (e.g. thermostat at 93 F (34C)) for 10-15 minutes. This burns off soot and reduces failure and other maintenance issues. Have a professional check the water pump of the S3 coolant heater about once a year.

Note: mud and snow can stick (Image below shows mud and snow on propane tank). This can block the air intake of the Espar D2 and the S3 coolant heater. I am planning to plug the air intake hoses and remove the plug before use. This reduces failure and maintenance issues.