Heaters

thommo · Senior Member

Heaters

BAZZA44 · Senior Member

I fitted a Webasto diesel heater to our van. Main reason for me was that I could fit it myself. So no installation fee.

A gas heater has to be installed by a gas fitter. More cost. The external outlet has to be certain distances from windows etc. This makes it awkward to fit in some cases.

We are happy with it.

Barry

aussie_paul · Guru

BAZZA44 wrote:
I fitted a Webasto diesel heater to our van. Main reason for me was that I could fit it myself. So no installation fee.

A gas heater has to be installed by a gas fitter. More cost. The external outlet has to be certain distances from windows etc. This makes it awkward to fit in some cases.

We are happy with it.

Barry

I fitted a cheaper option, a Planar diesel heater from Pinnacle wholesalers online. Based in Ballarat so I could pick it up. Was glad of it last night up in the hills west of Avoca Victoria.

Aussie Paul. smile

Yuglamron · Guru

Both Gas and diesel are flammable. However in my humble opinion you have less of a risk with Diesel heaters. As another forumite has said you can fit yourself if you at reasonably proficient. Less hassles than with gas and having to be fitted by a certified gas fitter.

Other members have very successfully self fitted the diesel heaters.

Grubbygypsy · Senior Member

I'll put in for gas. Clean, quiet, just runs off the gas I've already got, no ginning around filling tanks up. Very efficient. I try rarely to be in cold weather, but you only need it on for 1/4 hour tops to be nice and toasty.

Mike Harding · Guru

If you have a heater in your caravan (or even if you don't) please consider fitting a carbon monoxide (CO) detector.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/sonia-s-death-from-heater-prompts-urgent-inquest-20180320-p4z5as.html

Australia does not have an Australian Standard for CO detectors so ensure the one you buy meets the European standard EN50291.

Carbon monoxide has no taste or smell to humans and will kill whilst you sleep.

Detectors are not expensive, $25 or so.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CO-Alarm-Carbon-Monoxide-Detector-Voice-Notification-Smart-Sensor-w-LCD-Display/112858619732?epid=22005618703&hash=item1a46e5df54:g:-aIAAOSwAC1aAqen

Plenty of others on e-bay - probably Bunnings and Kmart et al do them too but ensure they are EN50291 compliant.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Another gas here. I had it done as they built the aluminium teepee. Control I had them put next to bed. Niiiiiiice. I chose gas cos there is two 9kg gas up front.

Bill B · Guru

Grubbygypsy wrote:

I'll put in for gas. Clean, quiet, just runs off the gas I've already got, no ginning around filling tanks up. Very efficient. I try rarely to be in cold weather, but you only need it on for 1/4 hour tops to be nice and toasty.

Much easier to refill a diesel fuel tank than to lug a 9 kg gas bottle in to be refilled especially out in the middle of whoop whoop biggrin

-- Edited by Bill B on Tuesday 27th of March 2018 10:22:49 PM

Grubbygypsy · Senior Member

Good idea about the CO2 detector Mike. I'm looking at one now.
I rarely run the heater as I'm usually in the warm climates, but I reckon I was CO2ing myself just with my breathing. For many years, I've been waking up in the night with a strange feeling that was relieved by taking a big breath in. I decided to try sleeping with windows open and it helped. I think these windows are so airtight I was starting to run out of fresh air.

Bill, I hate filling the tug with the diesel spills all over pumps. I have to have the gas anyways, so very simple to just be able to flick a switch for 10 minutes if I'm in 5c or below. Would be different I guess if you didn't need gas for anything else, but in most caravan/motorhome situations, they generally have gas sitting right there.

mezza56 · Senior Member

Thommo price wise the Truma gas heater , the webasto and eberspacher diesel are a lot more than a planar and thats a plus , you can pick the planar up off ebay for $350 the eberspacher is over $2k likewise webasto and truma , the chinese diesel " belief " brand can be $250 off ebay . We have a eberspacher diesel and love it , but I haven't tried the others ?

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Our diesel heater also heats our hot water, our fridge is 12V compressor so the only gas is for cooking and we now only use about 1kg of gas per month.
A big weight saving and big cost saving.

Cheers,
Peter

moamajohn · Guru

Go the Planar.Good value .I am a licensed gas fitter but I prefer the diesel and yes I fitted it myself to our Supreme classic . I also fitted a detector for safety too. My mate drove home from Mildura recently and as he is a bit hard of hearing he got home parked the van and went back out to it 2 days later and realised the heater was still on from Tuesday night in Mildura till Friday ! Cheers

iana · Guru

Something that may help the discussion, is where are you going to install it, the diesel heater, the inlet is at the opposite end to the heated air outlet, but with gas model, the air inlet is pointing the same way as the heated air outlet, i.e. the air to be heated does a "U" inside the heater. Also, and I can be corrected here, I think the exhaust tube can only be 900mm long on the gas model.
In other words one or the other type of heater may suit where you plan to install it better.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Diesel heater or good woman . Lol

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Our diesel heater is under the floor.

Cheers,
Peter

iana · Guru

Another point to consider, is where, if you go for diesel are you going to mount the fuel tank, you van may have spots available on the "A" frame, or on the rear bumper, or you may not want an ugly fuel tank out open in view, with also the possibility of getting the fuel contaminated. With gas that problem is taken care of by using the existing bottles.
Are you a handyman able to do the install yourself, which in that case its the diesel unit. With the gas unit you can install, but a certified gas plumber must connect the gas lines. If there is a problem with a gas unit you are not supposed to fix it your self.
I have diesel, and did the install myself, but not everyone is able to do this.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

In my case itâs connected to motor diesel fuel tank . No issues with filling, storing fuel seperatly being motorhome.

iana · Guru

Is this yet another case where the poster is asking us to provide reams of info, and yet does not respond again. It would be nice to know if the posts are even being read, like a simple "good info", or thanks all. I know I am being a bit unfair, but this is becoming a common occurance.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Diesel heater or good woman . Lol

I have my own "personal" hot water bottle, full body length, soft and squishy biggrin biggrin

thommo · Senior Member

Many thanks for all your replies / opinions.

Plenty of points to consider!!

-- Edited by thommo on Thursday 29th of March 2018 01:04:31 PM

thommo · Senior Member

iana

I agree!

Please note my reply!

iana · Guru

Noted with appreciation smile

JamTaa · Newbie

Hi I'm a newby and planning a trip to s/nsw so looking for info on getting a heater for my van ...

So yes these blogs are helpful...

Thanks keep it up...

Jamie

-- Edited by JamTaa on Wednesday 26th of February 2020 05:02:46 AM

Greg 1 · Guru

Hi Peter You say your heater is under the floor. I am interested in this as I am thinking of fitting a diesel heater into our van but am limited in where I can fit it. Is yours diesel and if so what breed of heater is it? I would also like to know if this sort of mounting is specific to the one you have or can the regular type that is advertised on EBay be similarly mounted.

The Travelling Dillberries · Guru

You dont need much space with a gas heater Greg, this is ours under the bed.

Exhaust under floor...