Webasto / Espar knockoffs

AKMel · Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 11:04 am Post subject:

Followup:
As stated the problem seems to be my controller. I ordered another. I detailed this to the seller after filing a "dispute." They offered reimbursement. There are two controllers, one wired, one wireless. They work together. I have both. I eventually realized they offered reimbursement on the cheaper of the two, which was half the price of the one I needed. Then the dispute expired because it exceeded the amount of time (3 days) allotted by Alibaba / AliExpress, (a Chinese ebay?). In my opinion the system is set up in favor of the seller. So it's Buyer Beware if you have a problem. If I had to do this over again I'd spend a little more and do business with a seller that has merchandise warehoused in the USA.

AliExpress offered to have me return of the merchandise for full refund. I didn't think that prudent after spending 6 hours on the install, and probably another 2 hours to uninstall and box, and return postage is the responsibility of the buyer. I suspect return postage alone would amount to more than the cost of the controller. I'm prob out $20 for the controller. I can throw $20 out the window. To me it's the principle of the matter.

AliExpress sent me a questionaire about how satisfied I am. I answered honestly.

I also tried to file a review (1-5 stars) on their site, with description of my problem, and my difficulties with their customer service. The software came back that I am not permitted to use Chinese characters or symbols. I wish I knew some. I only used English. Like I say, their system is weighted in favor of the seller.

pcg · Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 11:31 am Post subject:

ssobol · Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 1:31 pm Post subject:

AKMel · Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 5:33 pm Post subject:

I had a conversation with a Chinese friend today. She has been in the States about 6 months but is fluent in English. I mentioned about Chinese customer service lacking English ability. Her response was that, unless it's a big company, they don't have English speakers at all. She says they run the comments though Google Translate. (she considers that 85-90% accurate in translation). They then answer what they think we said, run their Mandarin answer through Google Translate again, and send the result.
Now that makes sense.... or does it.

ssobol · Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 6:58 pm Post subject:

localboy · Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 8:13 pm Post subject:

ssobol · Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 10:23 pm Post subject:

AKMel · Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2024 9:54 pm Post subject: Life and Heater update

It's been about 4 years since my last post. A lot of water passed around the boat since then. My wife of 50 years got sick and I cared for her for her for two years before she passed. After several more years I got married again. Those were years away from C-Brats forums. I still have C-esta and am getting out in it again. We recently did Glacier Bay NP for 3 days.

Back to the heater: The Chinese heater worked ok in my truck, but unless the outside temp was 32˚or below, actually got the cab too warm. I slept in the back seat several times and the heater would go to low setting and remain on all night. In a boat with more cubic feet the 2KW heater could be about right, depending on your conditions. I never had any problems with the Chinese heater once I got a good controller.

The Espar on the C-dory has been flawless as well. I just don't prefer the 4˚ differential between off and on. It's acceptable but 2-3˚ would be better.

Regards, Mel

ssobol · Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2024 11:30 am Post subject:

I'm in the process of installing a HLN 4KW diesel heater in my garage. These get good reviews and comes with good features. If it works out well, I'll consider a 2KW version for my CD22.