Fitting a Deisel Heater....vent configuration

Dickodownunder · Guru

Hi all,

I am considering fitting a Deisel Heater in my caravan and as such I have been studying the various installation instructions from the manufacturers.
My choices at this stage is one from Deisel Heaters Australia or one from EBay by RV Direct which comes with a metal tank included.

I understand the configuration for the outlet for the heat into the van and I understand the configuration of the inlet and outlet that is fitted externally under the van but I am at a loss as to where the inlet INSIDE van needs to draw its air.
I am considering either fitting the unit inder the bed, in a bottom cupboard, or under a seat.
It is pouring rain here at the moment and I dont want to lay down under the van to check for fitment clearances with relation to tanks etc.
Can this internal air draw just from in the space under the bed or in the cupboard or does it need to have a vent tube from the end of the heater unit and fitted into the van space itself.
I hope I have explained this correctly so members can understand what I mean...
Thank you for any help and input,

Geoff

Treecrest14 · Senior Member

I fitted a Planar unit - off eBay - last year. I put it under the corner of the L shaped Lounge as I wanted the diesel tank on the back bumper.
The heated air outlet does face the kitchen cupboards and the air inlet is at the end of the lounge near the door (so it can get fresh air thru the bottom door vent). I suspect it would be better to have the inlet air to come from the van and not from under the bed. The unit came with a long wiring harness which allowed me to have the controller switch with the other instruments (Solar Controller, Water Gauges etc)
Under the van is the motor air inlet and exhaust, plus the diesel inlet.
Like any diesel motor they do puff a bit of exhaust smoke on ignition/startup, so I wanted the muffler under the van but closer to the side of the van.
As you need to cut a large hole in the floor, check what is under the floor.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Heater inlet opposite location to outlet . Our is up front and outlet can be swivelled to blow up between kitchen and bed or under bed .. At night we direct it under bed so it heats the whole rear . Including bathroom / on suite .

kezngaz · Senior Member

Treecrest14 wrote:

The heated air outlet does face the kitchen cupboards and the air inlet is at the end of the lounge near the door (so it can get fresh air thru the bottom door vent).

Hi, would drawing cold air from outside not make the heater work harder and use more fuel?

Surely recirculation would be more ecomomical.

rgren2 · Guru

Just a tip for fitting the diesel tank, mines on the front of the van on the same side as the fuel tank of my truck. Fill both tanks at the same time easily. I also constructed a checker plate cover and had it powder coated the same as the van. Looks like it was made with the van.

Treecrest14 · Senior Member

Having the air intake near the door may suck some fresh air in, but it was mainly put there to ensure it created air circulation - to heat the whole van.

This is the bracket I used for the tank on the rear bumper..

kezngaz · Senior Member

Does the thermostat work from supply or teturn air?

Dickodownunder · Guru

rgren2 wrote:
Just a tip for fitting the diesel tank, mines on the front of the van on the same side as the fuel tank of my truck. Fill both tanks at the same time easily. I also constructed a checker plate cover and had it powder coated the same as the van. Looks like it was made with the van.

This was my thought as well.

Having it on the same side as the vehicle filler would make it very simple to fill while refuelling.

I thought about the rear mounting but at this stage I would prefer one stop filling and not maybe having to carry deisel in a gerry can or similar for the heater.

Thank you for the pic Treecrest14 that is a great looking bracket.

Geoff

Dickodownunder · Guru

kezngaz wrote:
Does the thermostat work from supply or teturn air?

I am interested in the answer to this as well.

The unit I am looking at has the digital control as opposed to the analogue rotating knob control that was originally supplied by most manufacturers of these heaters.

I personally dont care what type of controller I end up with but I am wondering is the controller the position for the thermostat or is it located within the unit on either the inlet (which to me would make sense) or on the outlet.

Geoff

Stl · Senior Member

My thermostat is off the inlet side of the heater, most would be like this except the ones drawing air from the outside, which is the room temperature!!! If it was off the return the HOT air would be the reading! If you are drawing air from outside your van you will need a separate thermostat that will tell the unit what the temp is in your van.

:))

Dickodownunder · Guru

Stl wrote:
My thermostat is off the inlet side of the heater, most would be like this except the ones drawing air from the outside, which is the room temperature!!! If it was off the return the HOT air would be the reading! If you are drawing air from outside your van you will need a separate thermostat that will tell the unit what the temp is in your van.

:))

I will order my unit this afternoon so hopefully I will be able to determine the position of the thermostat when it arrives.

Geoff

Delta18 · Guru

The Belief heater, not sure about others, can run on either of two methods.

Method 1, Temperature control. You preset a desired temperature and, within reason the unit will achieve this temperature then shut down.

It then waits til the room has cooled to a predetermined temp drop, perhaps 15c then goes through the battery power hungry start cycle again.

Method 2, the preferred method is the Power control, in this mode, after start up you can dial from full power down to Low power, wherever you set it the

unit just ticks along at that setting using minimum battery power. After initial warming on High we turn down to setting 1 or 2 & that maintains temp in out 21' van.

Cheers Neil

mr glassies · Guru

Another thing to consider if you fit the heater at the front of the van make sure the inlet and outlet pipes are more than 1.5 mtrs away from the gas regulator . ITS THE LAW

Dibs

Dickodownunder · Guru

Just to advise as to how I configured the intake I have taken a pic.

The inlet draws air from the side and discharges warm air down the middle.

Deisel Heater 1.jpg

I am still installing the heater but from what I can determine from the "chinelish" instruction manual the thermostat is in the air inlet side so that senses the air being drawn into the unit.

Not to be confused with the air inlet for the burner.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Can I suggest two inlets ? Ours has one and often gets things stored in front of inlet .. Having a T with two inlets will ( hopefully) prevent this .. I may try a 90* facing floor ? Another option ..

Dickodownunder · Guru

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Can I suggest two inlets ? Ours has one and often gets things stored in front of inlet .. Having a T with two inlets will ( hopefully) prevent this .. I may try a 90* facing floor ? Another option ..

Although I can see your point I doubt very much if I had enough room to get two inlets in there.

I had little choice in the heaters position as the unit had to fit between the two water tanks so where it is is where it fits best.

i also didnt want to take up more of the storage space under the bed than absolutely necessary. I intend to build a ply or MDF cover for it to protect the unit and the ducting.

We will need to remain conscious of keeping both inlet and outlet vents clear of bedding and an other items.

Dickodownunder · Guru

OK,
Just reporting back and I must say I am overwhelmed with how well the unit works.

I chose the complete kit from RV direct and apart from not getting the muffler and the vents, when I phoned them the lady was more than helpful and sent me the missing items very quickly.

I installed it under the bed as per the abovr pic with the inlet to the heater on one side and the outlet positioned at the foot of the bed so as to blow warm air down the van.

We went away to Cowleys Beach SA (see wiki camps) for some free camping and we spent three days and nights there last week.
It was very cold with blustery south westerly winds which gave the heater a good work out.
I was amazed that we ran the heater on the lowest setting number one out of seven and the heat was ample for our van. One day was so cold my wife wanted it on during the day as well and for the 3 days and nights we used approx 4 litres of diesel. Cant complain at all.

A very happy camper.... biggrin

meetoo · Guru

Dickodownunder, glad you got it all sorted out. They work well don't they. I wouldn't be without mine. Toasty warm van at the touch of a button - can't be beat when it's cold.

Cheers, John.

Dickodownunder · Guru

meetoo wrote:
Dickodownunder, glad you got it all sorted out. They work well don't they. I wouldn't be without mine. Toasty warm van at the touch of a button - can't be beat when it's cold.
Cheers, John.

Hi John,

I feel the installation has given us the flexibility to be able to use the van in almost any climate year round rather than having to plan travel to the more northern parts of our country to avoid the cold weather.

When we first got the van we had a weekend visiting friends and it was during winter.

I am glad it was only for a weekend as we were both very uncomfortable at night due to the cold.

I think it was that weekend that convinced me that I needed heating fitted.

We hope to be on the road in Jan / Feb next year and we a really looking forward to it.