Webasto Heater controls on Phone via Bluetooth

[Submariner]

Webasto recently came out with their SmarTemp 3.0 controller which has bluetooth to your phone. This allows for full control of the Webasto diesel heater from anywhere on the boat. Never touch that dial again.

Those of us who have the round dial controller (SmarTemp 2.0), it's an easy upgrade. Took me about 15 minutes.
If you've got the older style controller with a rheostat, you'll need a new cable harness as well as the SmarTemp 3.0.

But for the single round dial, SmarTemp 2.0 controller, the v3.0 offers the exact same functionality as the 2.0, but with added bluetooth to a Webasto app on your phone.

We use our heater a lot, but the location of the controls being in the cave are cumbersome to get to and operate. I suspect our fuel consumption will double since it's now super easy to turn it on and off, while driving, or in the v-berth, etc... pull my phone out and turn it on. Set a schedule to have it turn on the morning so we wake up to a warm boat...

Also, since we have a 5 gallon diesel tank dedicated to our Webasto heater we switched over to Kerosene instead of marine diesel.

I will say, of all the upgrades I've done to Channel Surfing, this was super easy. One of the easiest upgrades ever. And for us who like to boat year round in the Pacific Northwest, being able to use my phone to control the heater is a game changer.

Here's a short video we published on our YouTube channel that talk all about this and shows how to do the upgrade.
https://youtu.be/724BVK9FIsM

 

[RThorn]

Why kerosene?

 

[Submariner]

Why kerosene?

It’s supposed to burn cleaner as it’s a more purified fuel than marine diesel. Webasto recommends it, however it’s more expensive to burn kerosene.


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[Brian98133]

This is AWESOME! Thank you so much for sharing this... it's definitely a must-have for this 'larger' gentleman that has an issue getting into the cave to make adjustments, turn on/off, etc..

Regarding kerosene: I, too, want to switch over. However, do you know if I can simply add the new kerosene to the leftover diesel? Or do I have to figure out how to completely purge the system of diesel before the addition of kerosene?

BTW, I'm a huge fan, and will be sure to stop by and say 'hi' next time I see you on the hard at Dagmars. Thanks for all your great info! 😀

 

[Submariner]

Regarding kerosene: However, do you know if I can simply add the new kerosene to the leftover diesel?

Just pour it in the tank. They can be mixed. I tried to burn as much of the diesel out as I could just so when making the switch it would be more apparent on the difference. But it's ok to mix kerosene and diesel.

Kerosene is also called #1 diesel fuel oil, whereas regular diesel is designated as #2 diesel fuel oil.

BTW, I'm a huge fan, and will be sure to stop by and say 'hi' next time I see you on the hard at Dagmars. Thanks for all your great info! 😀

You're welcome!! We'll back over at Dagmars in the spring, probably around March as I need to go over the hull with the ceramic coating after-care to finish getting her ready for the season.

 

[Submariner]

Additional info:
This applies to the Air Top 2000 STC and the EVO 40 Webasto unit. The RT29 and RT31 have the EVO 40's. The smaller boats (27, 25, 23) have the AT 2000 STC. The AT 2000 STC and EVO 40 Webasto diesel heaters use the same SmarTemp 2.0 controller and both support the new 3.0 SmarTemp controller.

If you have an older unit with the two dials (one being the rheostat for hot vs cold setting) you would need a new harness and would need to run that harness from the Webasto heater back to the controller.

If you've already got the round dial SmarTemp 2.0 controller, no new harness is needed. Just need the short adapter cable to adapt the connector from the harness to the new SmarTemp 3.0 controller. I was done with this upgrade in 15 minutes and needed only a screwdriver. You'll probably need a square drive bit of size S1, S0 or S00. I forget which one as I just grabbed the size that fit.

One of things I like about the Ranger Tug is that they standardized on square drive throughout the boat. Pick yourself up a kit of square drive bits in sizes from S00 to S2 and you'll have the sizes needed onboard. Anytime I add something to the boat and need a screw I use square drive to stay consistent. No Phillips or flathead screws. Makes performing maintenance and upgrades easier.

The functionality between the SmarTemp 2.0 and 3.0 is identical. The only new feature is the ability to access the heater controls entirely via bluetooth from your phone. It's now easier to set a schedule for the heater to turn on (so when we wake up, the boat is nice and toasty). I can turn the heater on/off while I'm driving without leaving the helm. I can turn the heater on/off while standing on the dock outside the boat.

P.S. There was a "Webasto remote temp sensor" that I bought earlier in my first attempt at improving the performance of the heater. That remote temp sensor only works on the older style harness (2018 and older). The rheostat controls sense air temp at the air inlet of the heater. The SmarTemp 2.0 (round dial controller) has am ambient temp sensor at the SmarTemp 2.0 controller. So for us, it senses ambient temperature in the cave/quarter-berth, about knee height. The Webasto remote temp sensor doesn't work with the SmarTemp 2.0 harness.

 

[DMD3]

Nice upgrade. Anyone know if there is a similar upgrade for the Webasto FCF AC unit shipped with the LE?

The unit does have a remote but it needs line of site (LED not IR) making it difficult to use from the forward berth.

 

[Brian98133]

I have yet to get to watch this video... but do you perchance have a link to purchase this 3.0?

I tried the Googlator by typing "Webasto Smartemp 3.0 controller" (along with other variations of this), and the only controllers that pop up are the 2.0 and older. :cry:

I'm admittedly a better mechanic than a techy-guy :mrgreen:

 

[Submariner]

I have yet to get to watch this video... but do you perchance have a link to purchase this 3.0?

I tried the Googlator by typing "Webasto Smartemp 3.0 controller" (along with other variations of this), and the only controllers that pop up are the 2.0 and older. :cry:

I'm admittedly a better mechanic than a techy-guy :mrgreen:

I bought mine at van life outfitters dot com. Go to store, then to Webasto Heater and parts.
The SmarTemp 3.0 is also backordered.

 

[dbsea]

Do we know if this works with the evo 3900 I have? I’d definitely like to do this, even if I have to run the wiring harness.

 

[Submariner]

Do we know if this works with the evo 3900 I have? I’d definitely like to do this, even if I have to run the wiring harness.

The SmarTemp 3.0 is compatible with the Airtop 2000 STC, Air Top EVO 40, Air Top EVO 55, Thermo Top EVO, Thermo Pro 50, Thermo Pro 90, and Thermo Top Pro 150. (per the installation and operations manual).

 

[dbsea]

Do we know if this works with the evo 3900 I have? I’d definitely like to do this, even if I have to run the wiring harness.

The SmarTemp 3.0 is compatible with the Airtop 2000 STC, Air Top EVO 40, Air Top EVO 55, Thermo Top EVO, Thermo Pro 50, Thermo Pro 90, and Thermo Top Pro 150. (per the installation and operations manual).

That is what I feared. The unit in my boat is EOL support wise and the support guy at webasto was surprised they were still putting those in a 2016 boat…


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[Submariner]

Do we know if this works with the evo 3900 I have? I’d definitely like to do this, even if I have to run the wiring harness.

The SmarTemp 3.0 is compatible with the Airtop 2000 STC, Air Top EVO 40, Air Top EVO 55, Thermo Top EVO, Thermo Pro 50, Thermo Pro 90, and Thermo Top Pro 150. (per the installation and operations manual).

That is what I feared. The unit in my boat is EOL support wise and the support guy at webasto was surprised they were still putting those in a 2016 boat…
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An upgrade to an EVO 40, which comes with a SmarTemp 3.0 controller, is two boat units ($$) :cry:

 

[dexmot74]

I have a 2017 29S with the 2 dial webasto control. Would this work?

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[Mike and Sarah]

If you are purchasing a SmarTemp 3.0 make sure it is the Bluetooth one. They are make both a standard SmarTemp 3.0 and 3.0 BT.

 

[briandunnington]

The SmarTemp 3.0 is compatible with the Airtop 2000 STC, Air Top EVO 40, Air Top EVO 55, Thermo Top EVO, Thermo Pro 50, Thermo Pro 90, and Thermo Top Pro 150. (per the installation and operations manual).

The product docs and everything online specifically calls out the Airtop 2000 STC, but my 2018 R23 has the Airtop 2000 ST (no C). It does have the Smartemp 2.0 controller though, and I did see one online retailer (though it was in Canada) selling a kit with an Airtop 2000 ST and a Smartemp 3.0 controller, so I wonder if they are actually compatible? Trying to decide if it is worth the purchase to find out. Guess I gotta wait til they are back in stock either way...

 

[dbsea]

An upgrade to an EVO 40, which comes with a SmarTemp 3.0 controller, is two boat units ($$) :cry:

Two boat units doesn't sound so bad, but what does sound bad is the labor and contortionist body movements that would be required to get the old one out and the new one in. The unit is located under the floor in the cabinet under the galley stove, and I have no idea what would be involved in removing it. :shock:

 

[Submariner]

An upgrade to an EVO 40, which comes with a SmarTemp 3.0 controller, is two boat units ($$) :cry:

Two boat units doesn't sound so bad, but what does sound bad is the labor and contortionist body movements that would be required to get the old one out and the new one in. The unit is located under the floor in the cabinet under the galley stove, and I have no idea what would be involved in removing it. :shock:

And however much time you think it'll take, quadruple that estimate. :cry:

 

[briandunnington]

The SmarTemp 3.0 is compatible with the Airtop 2000 STC, Air Top EVO 40, Air Top EVO 55, Thermo Top EVO, Thermo Pro 50, Thermo Pro 90, and Thermo Top Pro 150. (per the installation and operations manual).

The product docs and everything online specifically calls out the Airtop 2000 STC, but my 2018 R23 has the Airtop 2000 ST (no C). It does have the Smartemp 2.0 controller though, and I did see one online retailer (though it was in Canada) selling a kit with an Airtop 2000 ST and a Smartemp 3.0 controller, so I wonder if they are actually compatible? Trying to decide if it is worth the purchase to find out. Guess I gotta wait til they are back in stock either way...

I contacted Webasto and their official response is "The SmarTemp 3.0 is not compatible with the AirTop 2000ST version heater."

That said, if it is the same as the 2.0 version plus Bluetooth, could it still work? Maybe it is just not "officially" supported? I still might try it out anyway. What is the worst that could happen (burn my entire boat down?!) :lol:

 

[dbsea]

I talked to Sure Marine Services in Ballard this morning, and they told me that unfortunately the 3.0 version with bluetooth is not compatible with the AT3900 EVO, which is of the same generation of the Airtop 2000ST. The 2.0 version (non bluetooth) is compatible with a different wiring harness, but not the 3.0. I guess I'll be suffering with my basic thermostat until the heater craps out, or I get a new boat...whichever comes first. :lol: