Gas versus Diesel Heaters

StewG · Senior Member

Gas versus Diesel Heaters

Wanda · Guru

Hi
We have a new Planar Diesel heater in our new van, have not used it yet(summer) but we have checked that it is working.
It is very quiet, I was pleasantly surprised, it does have a muffler and was installed correctly with rubber mounts on things attached to chassis etc, I am sure this has all helped to achieve the quiet operation.
I hope this helps
Ian

Delta18 · Guru

We have a Diesel heater in this van and also had one in our previous van.

We too had the 'choice' dilemma. Clinchers for me were ....

1. Diesel is a DIY project, unlike gas which requires a licensed plumber so saved $600 odd oin fitting fees.

2. On the last van we only got 10 days from a 9kg gas bottle free camping, I didn't want to shorten this life at up to $50 a refill.

3. I have learned to love the reliable, economical Diesel Heat. We can get several nights heat from 1 litre of fuel. One cold period last year the heater ran non-stop for 3 days & nights for only a couple litres.

I have never had a gas unit but could not imagine it being better than what we have.

We bought from here http://www.dieselheat.com.au and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Cheers Neil

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I have a Gas heater fitted and flued to outside, I love it on the cold mornings mainly. I already have gas on the front of the van so saves carrying the extra deisel around. Les messy as well. IMO.

Both have advantages and disadvantages I spose.

Keep safe on the roads and out there.

Landfall · Guru

We had a Truma gs heater in our caravan and found it quiet and economical, we also have an Eberspacher diesel heater in our yacht.

The Eberspacher is noisier due to its configuration, it has a turbine type fan to supply air to the furnace and of course any type of furnace is going to make some noise. Once the required temperature is reached though, the fan noise is not heard internally. Average diesel use is one litre for ten hours heating.

There is a combined water heater and interior heating unit available, if fitting out a new van, this would be my choice.

I have just completed fitting an Eberspacher heater to our motorhome.

Although I live in Tasmania where "dieselheat" are located and drove out and had a talk with Graeme I elected to purchase a genuine Eberspacher from England (previous Eberspacher I purchased on Ebay from Turkey). The cost was the same or slightly cheaper than the Chinese unit from Dieselheat due to the exchange rate. I also purchased some extras I needed from the Turkish supplier who I then found out can do a better price than England.

Beware of the metal tanks being supplied by some retailers here in Australia, people are having problems with them rusting.

Brenda and Alan · Guru

For similar heating output at average prices around the country (not on special at bunnings etc) diesel is about half the cost to run as gas. This topic has been discussed before so a search of "diesel heater" or "gas heater" may be of use to help you decide. My choice if free camping a lot as we do would be diesel.

Alan

Woody n Sue · Guru

Delta18 wrote:
We have a Diesel heater in this van and also had one in our previous van.
We too had the 'choice' dilemma. Clinchers for me were ....
1. Diesel is a DIY project, unlike gas which requires a licensed plumber so saved $600 odd oin fitting fees.
2. On the last van we only got 10 days from a 9kg gas bottle free camping, I didn't want to shorten this life at up to $50 a refill.
3. I have learned to love the reliable, economical Diesel Heat. We can get several nights heat from 1 litre of fuel. One cold period last year the heater ran non-stop for 3 days & nights for only a couple litres.
I have never had a gas unit but could not imagine it being better than what we have.
We bought from here http://www.dieselheat.com.au and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Cheers Neil

Neil been thinking of getting one of these this year, what size is your heater the 2 kW or the 5 kW and does it take long to feel a difference in temp inside, I see you have a 21 ft van we have a 24 ft 5th wheeler so sorta similar size

woody

Delta18 · Guru

Woody n Sue wrote:
Delta18 wrote:
We have a Diesel heater in this van and also had one in our previous van.
We too had the 'choice' dilemma. Clinchers for me were ....
1. Diesel is a DIY project, unlike gas which requires a licensed plumber so saved $600 odd oin fitting fees.
2. On the last van we only got 10 days from a 9kg gas bottle free camping, I didn't want to shorten this life at up to $50 a refill.
3. I have learned to love the reliable, economical Diesel Heat. We can get several nights heat from 1 litre of fuel. One cold period last year the heater ran non-stop for 3 days & nights for only a couple litres.
I have never had a gas unit but could not imagine it being better than what we have.
We bought from here http://www.dieselheat.com.au and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Cheers Neil
Neil been thinking of getting one of these this year, what size is your heater the 2 kW or the 5 kW and does it take long to feel a difference in temp inside, I see you have a 21 ft van we have a 24 ft 5th wheeler so sorta similar size

woody

I fitted a 2kw to the van, noticeable difference after about 20 minutes.

I fitted the switch such that I can activate it without getting out of bed. biggrin

Calculate the cubic meterage of your van then ring diesel heat for their recommendation of size. I think 2kw would be enough.

aussie_paul · Guru

We have a Planer 2kw diesel in our 24' van and it only ever runs on the lowest setting after initial warm up. Very happy. biggrin

Aussie Paul. smile

iana · Guru

Just a couple of things re the gas heaters, 1/ the air inlet and heated air outlet are both in the same direction, in other words like a "U". 2/ the length that the exhaust can be is quite short. 3/ the unit can produce carbon monoxide, so the exhaust cant be near a window unless a switch is fitted so that when the window is open the heater won't run. Also the gas lines have to be connected up by a licenced gas fitter. This is information I have gleaned from the web as I was interested in fitting one.

Hey Jim · Guru

Hi Stew,

I'm for the Panner Diesel heater+ muffer. Very cheap to run on the smell of an oily rag.(1.5lt per day at most). We turn ours on ten minutes before rising. We dress in front of same on cold winter mornings. 20deg inside. Zero outside.

I ran a blog ( I implanted my planner diesel heater). If you are handy and ( A must have, garage creeper to save your back) read the instructions, it can be installed in 5-6 hours.

You will earn many browie points from the other half.

Regards Jim & Lambie

-- Edited by Hey Jim on Thursday 2nd of February 2017 11:18:24 PM

sandsmere · Guru

We have a truma gas heater. It's a beauty.

Doesn't seem to use much gas, very quiet and contrary to what Delta18 said, it only cost $170 to fit , not $600.

We have camped near some diesel heaters and they were much more noisy than ours.

-- Edited by sandsmere on Friday 3rd of February 2017 09:28:51 AM

Delta18 · Guru

sandsmere wrote:
We have a truma gas heater. It's a beauty.
Doesn't seem to use much gas, very quiet and contrary to what Delta18 said, it only cost $170 to fit , not $600.
We have camped near some diesel heaters and they were much more noisy than ours.

-- Edited by sandsmere on Friday 3rd of February 2017 09:28:51 AM

That was a good deal. When I was fitting I wish I spoke to you, the best deal I could get was $2200 installed.

Treecrest14 · Senior Member

Landfall wrote:
We had a Truma gs heater in our caravan and found it quiet and economical, we also have an Eberspacher diesel heater in our yacht.
The Eberspacher is noisier due to its configuration, it has a turbine type fan to supply air to the furnace and of course any type of furnace is going to make some noise. Once the required temperature is reached though, the fan noise is not heard internally. Average diesel use is one litre for ten hours heating.
There is a combined water heater and interior heating unit available, if fitting out a new van, this would be my choice.
I have just completed fitting an Eberspacher heater to our motorhome.
Although I live in Tasmania where "dieselheat" are located and drove out and had a talk with Graeme I elected to purchase a genuine Eberspacher from England (previous Eberspacher I purchased on Ebay from Turkey). The cost was the same or slightly cheaper than the Chinese unit from Dieselheat due to the exchange rate. I also purchased some extras I needed from the Turkish supplier who I then found out can do a better price than England.
Beware of the metal tanks being supplied by some retailers here in Australia, people are having problems with them rusting.

I fitted a Planar Diesel heater -as I am a DIY person. If I was in your position of purchasing a new van, I would select the new combined Water/Interior heater on Gas. We free camp and using the gas for the fridge, cooking & water heating get 2 to 3 weeks out of a 9kg bottle. Main reason is the exhaust, no diesel tank reqd and the need to de carbon the unit after 12 to 18 months use - have yet to do ours!

Glen

Woody n Sue · Guru

Delta18 wrote:

I fitted a 2kw to the van, noticeable difference after about 20 minutes.
I fitted the switch such that I can activate it without getting out of bed.

Thanks for the info guys

I like that switch by the bed idea very much . biggrin biggrin

woody

StewG · Senior Member

A big thank you to all responders. JB are offering me the Eberspacher diesel heater and I'm not sure which gas heater. They say either will cost about $2000 fitted and while I am usually a DIY person, it seems simple for JB to do the fitting during manufacture to simplify potential warranty claims in the future. I'm still a little torn on gas vs Diesel, but probably leaning towards diesel after reading all the comments. Then again the fridge is 12/240 compressor so maybe gas is not so bad in terms of usage.
Stew

meetoo · Guru

I have the 2 kw diesel heater. Very happy with it. About 10 cents/hour to run. Heats the van well on low even.

Cheers, John.

adreamer · Senior Member

meetoo wrote:
I have the 2 kw diesel heater. Very happy with it. About 10 cents/hour to run. Heats the van well on low even.
Cheers, John.

I have a hot water bottle, cost me $10 at BigW.

meetoo · Guru

adreamer wrote:
meetoo wrote:
I have the 2 kw diesel heater. Very happy with it. About 10 cents/hour to run. Heats the van well on low even.
Cheers, John.
I have a hot water bottle, cost me $10 at BigW.

Well, I'm pleased about that Helen, but the post is about diesel /gas heaters.

Cheers, John.

iana · Guru

Before you buy a diesel heater, spend a bit of time sussing out where you are going to mount the fuel tank. If you have a sturdy bumper bar on the back it can go there. Advice I received is put it at the front on the A frame, and it can be filled at the same time the vehicle is filled. The tanks for these units are thin and tallish, so mounting it on the front A frame may look out of place. Put it in the front boot, the smell of spilt diesel, and the fumes permeating into the van?
I have to install a heater before winter and the problem I have is the fuel tank. With a gas heater the problem isn't there, you simply tap off the gas line.

Plain Truth · Guru

I mounted my diesel fuel tank on the rear bumper,it has a quick release fitting to make filling easier.

It also fits neatly behind the spare wheel. jerry can.jpg

StewG · Senior Member

Thanks to the latest responders, it's all good info. I've decided to go for gas because the van is only just been ordered and is due for completion in April. The fridge is electric compressor so gas is used for cooking and hot water when free camping. The higher cost of gas usage is probably the only downside. Gas is apparently quieter, less smelly and more environmentally and neighbour friendly. If I change my mind, the diesel can be DIY fitted later and the gas heater removed. Time will tell. Thanks again for all the good advice, even the hot water bottle has merit.

Stew

Sarge9 · Senior Member

Thanks for re-igniting (pun intended) this topic Stew.... and I am leaning with you... 12 volt fridge... it is just about as easy to carry a spare/extra/small gas bottle as it is to carry a 10 litre (10kg) tank of diesel me thinks... (And I have heard diesel heaters shoossshing & clicking... havn't heard a gas one)

Good luck.

meetoo · Guru

Sarge9 wrote:
Thanks for re-igniting (pun intended) this topic Stew.... and I am leaning with you... 12 volt fridge... it is just about as easy to carry a spare/extra/small gas bottle as it is to carry a 10 litre (10kg) tank of diesel me thinks... (And I have heard diesel heaters shoossshing & clicking... havn't heard a gas one)

Good luck.

I agree Sarge9, some diesel heater fuel pumps can be noisy, reverberating through the van chassis and frame. Mounted properly, you won't hear any clicking inside though.

StewG I can't imagine anyone changing their mind and changing heaters after the fact. I am sure you wouldn't do that. Just be sure to make the right choice upfront. I wish you all the best with your new van when it comes, and no matter which heater you choose, you will love having it on those cold nights away from 240 volt power.

Cheers, John.

-- Edited by meetoo on Tuesday 7th of February 2017 12:55:27 AM

Alfromoz · Member

We have the 17'10 JB scorpion and I fitted a gas heater. Very economical. Heats it up in 5 mins. 100g of gas per hour but only comes on a couple of times a night in exterior 2 degrees.
I was told that the gas has less problems due to gas being a cleaner burn. The salesman told me he had some customers with jet problems in the diesel units.
I fitted mine under the stove. It is a tight fit but very much out of the way, already a gas line there. It was after being built so I removed the stove, up the stove rest floor out, fitted it then reinstalled stove. Beats taking up all that space under the bed. Can still access electronics etc through the door.
Cheers, Al

StewG · Senior Member

Well that was more than a year ago and I can say that the Truma gas heater was the right choice for me. On a 5 month lap of Oz we only used it a dozen or so times and it was very effective. The reason for little use was that we were mostly north of the Tropic of Capricorn and no heating was needed. We also spent about 80% of nights in caravan parks with power and so used the reverse cycle air conditioner for heating. That also was very effective. The gas usage for cooking and heating was amazingly frugal. we are still using our second 9kg cylinder a year later.
Thanks to all who contributed their experience to the discussion.

iana · Guru

Thank you for letting us know the outcome. And am glad that its worked out well.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

They are both good . No point adding extra diesel tank to a van if you have gas already !! We have a diesel powered motorhome with diesel heater . Works fine also . We use the fuel from the engines tank .. Sons trailer camper has gas heater . It is an excellent heater also . I wouldnât say one is better than the other . Just go with the fuel you already have .

PeterD · Guru

There is currently a special going on TRUMA VARIOHEAT GAS AIR HEATING SYSTEM at RV Parts Express.