Marine Heater Install Kits

Roton Marine Install Kits are assembled from only the best marine grade parts and accessories, as compared to commonly available "RV Kits". All the parts you need for a complete install is included.

Stainless exhaust is all twin wall tp ensure no fume leakage, and oversized in diameter to allow for the additional length requirements of a marine install. Electrical harnesses utilize watertight Deutsch connectors. High grade stainless is used for all fittings and clamps.

Detailed install instructions are included.

In addition to full marine install kits for new Espar Airtronics, we also offer an Upgrade Kit, which is suitable when swapping from an older-generation Espar Airtronic to the latest generation. You will keep you existing exhaust and air ducting, but you'll need some new components such as cable harnesses and a modern digital controller.

Espar D2L Marine Install Kit 2 Outlets

$1,528.00

Espar D4L Marine Install Kit 3 Outlets

$1,998.00

Espar D6L Marine Install Kit

$1,628.00

Espar D8L Marine Install Kit

$1,798.00

Espar D5E Marine Install Kit

$2,048.00

Espar MII D10W/D12W Marine Install Kit

$2,048.00

Espar Airtronic Upgrade Kit

$698.00

Espar D5E Upgrade Kit

$798.00

Diesel Heater - FAQ

An Air heater is the simpler form of diesel marine heater, producing hot air and blowing it through a series of air ducts around the boat.

A Hydronic heater is a more complex heating system. The heater is essentially a boiler that heats up coolant (glycol) which it pumps around the boat. At various locations in the boat, fan blowers are installed which use heat exchangers to convert the hot coolant to hot air and blow it locally through short ducts.

Generally air heaters are ideal for smaller boats (up to say mid-30'). Although there are very large air heaters available too. Air heaters are, as rule, easier to install, less complex, and less expensive systems. For a small boat, a D2 Airtronic may be suitable. D4, D6, and D8 Airtronics provide progressively more heat and more air capacity for larger interior volumes.

As the boat gets larger, installing long lengths of increasingly large diameter ducting becomes impractical (and inefficient). Carrying the thermal energy through the boat in 3/4' hose is much more practical, and Hydronic systems make more sense. The D5E Hydronic is the smallest available Hydronic - suitable for a mid-30-footer. D10W and D12W are larger Hydronics.

Volume of interior space, and seasonal use (Autumn vs full Winter) are factors that need to considered as well.

Contact us and can help you choose the right heater.

Small Airtronic heaters (D2L and D4L for example) are relatively easy to install, when using Roton marine kits with provided instructions. Some basic mechanical and electrical skills are required, but no specialized tools or knowledge.

On the other end of the scale, Hydronic heating system installs are generally NOT a do-it-yourself project, and we highly recommend seeking professional services for such an install.

Online and/or phone support is generally NOT available for DIY hydronic projects.

When upgrading from an older Espar heater to a new one, we try and make the process as simple as possible with our "Upgrade Kits".

Manufacturers generally do not maintain 100% backwards compatibility. You will likely need to upgrade all cable harnesses, change fuel pump, change controllers, etc.

You can generally keep your existing air ducting (or coolant plumbing) along with your exhaust system.

Please read the detailed descriptions of our Roton Airtronic Upgrade Kit and Roton D5E Upgrade Kit for more information.

Feel free to contact us to discuss your symptoms. There are a few steps you may be able to take yourself to diagnose or even fix the problem.

Beyond that if you cannot find a local marine service technician that works on heaters, you can remove your heater and send it to us for bench testing and possible repair. Please communicate with us first, though. Use the "Service Ticket" form linked to from the footer below.

In most cases, it is generally NOT recommended to disassemble the heater and attempt repairs yourself. There are some models with user-servicable gaskets, glow plug, etc, but other units can basically be ruined by taking them apart.

The internal computer (ECU) on most diesel marine heaters will tolerate only so many critical startup errors (ie. voltage problems, lack of fuel, lack of coolant flow, etc). After a threshold has been reached, the ECU will lock out the heater for safety reasons, preventing any further operation, until the situation can be remedied.

The method of unlocking the heater, and restoring functionality, varies considerably across the range and generation of heaters. A few can be unlocked through the thermstat/controller, most cannot.

In those cases, the heater must be attended to by a certified professional. Call us and we can help you figure out next steps to unlock your heater.