Diesel heater for Drakensberg winter camping — Webasto vs Espar comparison
This comes up constantly so let me give you the detailed breakdown based on real-world experience in Pretoria.
The technology: The SA market has matured significantly in the last 3 years thanks to loadshedding forcing everyone to learn about batteries, inverters, and solar. The knowledge in this community is genuinely world-class now — South Africans know more about off-grid power than most countries because we had to.
Pricing in SA (2025): R18,000 depending on brand and supplier. Get at least 3 quotes — pricing varies significantly between installers and online suppliers.
My setup: 156Ah LiFePO4 battery, 400W solar panel, Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/20 controller, and a Redarc BCDC1225D for DC-DC charging from the alternator. Total investment: R30,000 all-in. It powers a Dometic CFX3 45 fridge 24/7 and runs LED lights, phone charging, and a 12V air compressor without any issues.
Common mistakes to avoid: Undersized cables — voltage drop kills efficiency. Use the wire sizing calculators available online.
Happy to share my wiring diagram or go into more detail on any component. This stuff seems complicated but it really is not once you understand the basics.
3 Replies
On the alternator damage question — it is a real risk with large lithium banks if you do not manage the charge rate. A DC-DC charger (Redarc BCDC or Victron Orion) limits the current drawn from the alternator to a safe level. This is not optional if you have more than 100Ah of lithium connected to your starting circuit.
The LiFePO4 price argument is now impossible to dispute. I paid R6970 for a 100Ah unit 19 months ago. At my daily usage pattern, I am nowhere near the 4169 cycle limit. The equivalent AGM cost I would have spent in two replacements already.
The LiFePO4 price argument is now impossible to dispute. I paid R6966 for a 100Ah unit 28 months ago. At my daily usage pattern, I am nowhere near the 5023 cycle limit. The equivalent AGM cost I would have spent in two replacements already.