Swift Ecotherm Heater

Mack Truck · Member

Swift Ecotherm Heater

Bay Steve · Newbie

I installed my heater myself and spent 10 nights free camping with temperatures down to zero to 2 degrees, very comfortable with 18 to 20 degrees in 24 foot van. Very happy with the unit.

Mack Truck · Member

Thanks for the info it is encouraging as all other info I have had said that the unit only raised temp 2-7 degrees above ambient which is not much good at low temps. Has anyone else got any experience? Regards John

RAGB · Newbie

I initially had trouble warming the van as my hot water system was not hot enough. I changed the thermostat on the hot water heater and now works ok.
Seems to me that if you can hold your hand under the hot water tap it is not hot enough.

Dick0 · Guru

Welcome MT. Also, Bay Steve & RAGB.

Thermal heaters work on the same principle as car heaters. So test the temp at the HWS...(not at the taps), open the relief valve from the HWS and measure the expelled water temp with a thermometer.

The hotter, the better. I get 70C from my Suburban. (You may need to change your HWS thermostat). I made my own thermo heater from Ebay parts purchases.

Do these heaters work...the hotter the water the better the heating.

The radiator I use is approx. 35cm H x 30cm L x 4cm W. (Oil cooler). Used 4 x 120mm 12v computer cooling fans.

Anyways, at 0C outside temp heats to 20C cabin temp in half hour.

If you are not a DIY enthusiast seek the most assistance and opinions you can.

There are several blogs here about thermo heater installations.

-- Edited by Dick0 on Monday 6th of November 2017 05:50:12 PM

terrydel · Member

Hi DickO
"(You may need to change your HWS thermostat)." I've also read elsewhere that you need to change or adjust the HWS thermostat (Suburban). I haven't been able to work out how you do that, nor have I read anywhere how to do so! Any ideas??
Thanks
TD

edit. I have seen the spare parts diagram re thermostats, so to refine my question;- How do you adjust a thermostat to better control temperature?

Thanks TD

-- Edited by terrydel on Monday 6th of November 2017 09:44:23 PM

Dick0 · Guru

terrydel wrote:
Hi DickO
"(You may need to change your HWS thermostat)." I've also read elsewhere that you need to change or adjust the HWS thermostat (Suburban). I haven't been able to work out how you do that, nor have I read anywhere how to do so! Any ideas??
Thanks
TD
edit. I have seen the spare parts diagram re thermostats, so to refine my question;- How do you adjust a thermostat to better control temperature?
Thanks TD

-- Edited by terrydel on Monday 6th of November 2017 09:44:23 PM

Welcome Terrydel.

This should help you.

Not sure whether Suburban supply a variable thermostat version. Other HWS manufacturers do. Need to check suppliers.

My current thermostat regulates approx. 65C-70C at the tank (on gas). Of course not that temp at the taps as hot water is mixed automatically (by valve) with cold to eliminate scolding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGGv9T-bji8

terrydel · Member

Thanks for the info and link DickO. Was very informative. Through that link I saw another in which the presenter was installing a adjustable thermostat in an Atwood HWS, but he did mention that your can't install an adjustable thermostat into a Suburban. Which was what I had in mind.
Thanks for the info etc
TD