Electric Aux Heater retrofit

Robin_Cox said:
I understand the point you are trying to make. However, from actual experience in the last few days (and indeed, in the last few winters including last year's morning when we hit -14 degrees here overnight) I find the opposite to be the case by a significant margin in terms of AMF (5000W Webasto) vs BHC (1500W electric heater) when confronted with conditions giving a heavily frosted windscreen (inside and out). That is why the AMF is my official winter car simply because it is so much more pleasant to drive on really cold days because it gets warm in a usable time-frame. If I have time one weekend to get the cars lined up on a frosty day I could probably do a timelapse video.

I'm going to meet you halfway on this : perhaps the electric element on my BHC car is not working - or not working effectively somehow - I will investigate.

@Edwrai - actually, I wonder if you've got a clue here - the load-shedding action that the A2 has for high consumption electric circuits when the battery isn't great could be coming into play. I ran the battery down once before Christmas by forgetting the dashcam left on for several days, and I've not had an opportunity to hook up the CTEK battery reconditioner and get it fully topped up (the colour DIS says voltages are fine but sometimes the starting is a bit heavy).
Click to expand...

I find my AHL also never really warms up with the heating on at non motorway speeds and the my AMF did. Also the AMF could clear the windscreen faster.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
For those who have somewhere to plug it in, I highly recommend getting a Defa or Calix engine block heater. It’s a far simpler install than modifying the car’s heating system.
 
dj_efk said:
For those who have somewhere to plug it in, I highly recommend getting a Defa or Calix engine block heater. It’s a far simpler install than modifying the car’s heating system.
Click to expand...

I’ve always wanted on of these!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
dj_efk said:
For those who have somewhere to plug it in, I highly recommend getting a Defa or Calix engine block heater. It’s a far simpler install than modifying the car’s heating system.
Click to expand...

Do these have there own water pumps?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Link to the manufacturer’s website for mine in this post HERE

No it doesn’t pump the water I don’t think, although I am not 100%
 
dj_efk said:
Link to the manufacturer’s website for mine in this post HERE

No it doesn’t pump the water I don’t think, although I am not 100%
Click to expand...
I've got one of these built into my BHC for the exact reasons quoted in this thread. No, the one used on an A2 doesn't have a pump - it is plumbed in right next to the oil heat exchanger. This will sound insane, but I've not yet got round to testing / using it, largely because I got the Webasto working in my project car.
 
Robin_Cox said:
I've got one of these built into my BHC for the exact reasons quoted in this thread. No, the one used on an A2 doesn't have a pump - it is plumbed in right next to the oil heat exchanger. This will sound insane, but I've not yet got round to testing / using it, largely because I got the Webasto working in my project car.
Click to expand...
Yes I have my yet tested mine either Robin as Akoya has been in residence in the workshop. Now that she is sold I am looking forward to trying it out - I will do a write up here when I do.
 
HI All
Sorry for hi jacking this thread. I too would like to know if it is possible to retro fit the electric heating element to my A2. It's a 2003 model and has neither heater option (no webasto and no electronic heating element) Gets super cold in mornings especially with non heated leather!
In particular does the heater matrix, unit need changing to accomodate electronic unit.
Thanks
Steve
 
Are you absolutely sure there is no Electric heater already there? All diesels either had a Webasto or electric heater fitted when they left the factory.
 
audifan said:
Are you absolutely sure there is no Electric heater already there? All diesels either had a Webasto or electric heater fitted when they left the factory.
Click to expand...
No webasto heater under bonnet and where there should be a fuse for ptc nothing (location 14?) No connector on back of fuse box either
 
stevec said:
No webasto heater under bonnet and where there should be a fuse for ptc nothing (location 14?) No connector on back of fuse box either
Click to expand...
do you have the build sticker either in the battery compartment or in the back of the log book?

Reason why I'm asking is that the alternator specification code could indicate whether the car was built with the heater in mind : the swap to the 140 Amp alternator from the 120 specified in the Webasto-fitted vehicles was made to supply the extra current needed.

You are looking for the code beginning 8Gx - 8GU in the case of vehicles specified with 140A, 8GL for 120A. (8GD and 8GG for 90 and 110A respectively).

Secondly, is there any evidence that at some point there was a Webasto and it has been removed? Ie., bracket for the extra fuel pump behind the fuel cooler, any additional brackets around where the Webasto should be fitted, the brake fluid reservoir is slightly differently-positioned on my BHC vs AMF cars.
 
Fuses.jpg


Webasto fitted to cars with VIN upto F >> 8Z-3-030 000 PR 7E4, 7E8
 
Robin_Cox said:
do you have the build sticker either in the battery compartment or in the back of the log book?

Reason why I'm asking is that the alternator specification code could indicate whether the car was built with the heater in mind : the swap to the 140 Amp alternator from the 120 specified in the Webasto-fitted vehicles was made to supply the extra current needed.

You are looking for the code beginning 8Gx - 8GU in the case of vehicles specified with 140A, 8GL for 120A. (8GD and 8GG for 90 and 110A respectively).

Secondly, is there any evidence that at some point there was a Webasto and it has been removed? Ie., bracket for the extra fuel pump behind the fuel cooler, any additional brackets around where the Webasto should be fitted, the brake fluid reservoir is slightly differently-positioned on my BHC vs AMF cars.
Click to expand...
no option codes 7e4, 7e6, 7e7, 7e8?
 

Attachments

  • _20220227_110620.JPG
    _20220227_110620.JPG
    752.9 KB · Views: 122
Last edited:
Your build sticker is very similar to my one. Your car has the 140A alternator and also 1500W electric aux heater fitted from the factory.
 
Have climate control and also vcds when i looked at it found this
group 16 aux heating generator load 34.8% auxillary heating shut off condition 01000000 heating element activation 00
supply voltage terminal 30
Couldn't access the additional heating unit?
 
The electric heater does appear to be more temperamental than Webasto. Have a read of this thread ( and others ) about the electric heater...


Electric cabin heater

Do all TDi's have either a diesel powered auxiliary heater or the electric heater? I have an 05 plate Special Edition so believe I should have the electric heater but not really noticed instant heat - I've tried ECON off but is there some other prerequisite like outside temperature below...
www.a2oc.net www.a2oc.net
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top