Looking to buy a diesel heater for our caravan ( Jayco pop top 17.55.3 ) love the caravan and also we like to free camp a fair bit, so looking towards some form of heating that is cheap to run. I have looked at diesel heaters on E-Bay and most are around 5 Kw in size. I can install the unit myself, so no problem there. But some fellow campers have told me they spent closer to $1000.00 for the unit + install.
Are the units any good the are sold through E-Bay or would it be better to look else ware.
Ebay specials work fine and last the same as the overpriced name brands.
European manufacturers get theirs made in China and the Chinese simply copied the specs and make their own and sell them for $200.
5KW is way too big for an 18foot van. 2KW or less is plenty.
An oversized unit will always be running at minimum output and this results in excessive carbon build-up in the burn chamber rendering the unit inoperable.
Hi
2kw is plenty big enough, we have the same in our 18'6" and it is rarely turned up higher than 2-3(goes up to 7 I think). We purchase ours from Pinnacle wholesalers out of Ballarat but I know there is a mob in Tasmania that a lot of people are also very happy with. Cost is around the $8-900 dollar mark plus installation, although a lot of people do it themselves, not hard.
You can buy cheaper on Ebay(half the cost), lots have and seem very very happy, but I would do your homework first and find out where these happy buyers get these from.
good luck, you won't be sorry
Ian
My mate is installing one. He got it off Ebay about $200+ (Just as I started write this, he contacted me saying can I come and crimp some lugs on for him, and solder a few joints he's ready for a trial run).
I have had an Eberspacher D2. = 2.2 Kw in my van for about maybe five years. Works well, and I also do my own servicing once every two years so far.
Having a look at the one my mate bought, it is an almost exact copy of my $1200.00 European model. His wall control unit is far more informative than mine (which is basic to say the least). His also came with an extra Key ring remote for on/off.
I would buy one of these if I need to replace mine in the future.
Looking to buy a diesel heater for our caravan ( Jayco pop top 17.55.3 ) love the caravan and also we like to free camp a fair bit, so looking towards some form of heating that is cheap to run. I have looked at diesel heaters on E-Bay and most are around 5 Kw in size. I can install the unit myself, so no problem there. But some fellow campers have told me they spent closer to $1000.00 for the unit + install.
Are the units any good the are sold through E-Bay or would it be better to look else ware.
They are good
The facebook site "chinese diesel heater for vehicles- troubleshooting " is great and they have links for troubleshooting
Also several youtube sites for understanding the LCD controller
Buy a unit with two mufflers, one for exhaust one for inlet. I bought mine with the filler on the vorner of the tank, rotated it about 15 degrees and the filler is outside the van.
I paid $185 for my 3kw model same body as 5kw type but apparently the fuel flow is reduced. A 2kw is ample for you. Poptops and camper trailers likely better with 5kw.
Tony
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Be nice... if I wanted my school teacher here I would have invited him...
Mine was a cheap and cheerful blast from far Cathay. Cuppla hundred bucks. I deliberately bought the most analogue, least bluetooth looking one going on the notion that if the hardware is there and the electronics vaporises. I might be able to build a unit from the drawing board to get around disposable electronics. I dont belive that if the unit "bricked" you could ever reengineer it. You might want to look at component level troubleshooting but buying a new unit .. cupple more hundred bucks and you have spare hardware to go.
This is the least nasty Chineese bit of kit I have yet encountered. The English section of the Manual is clearly crosscultural but it is completely comprehensible and I like it as a work of poetry. Not being a smart arse here, I have a foot in this endeavour and I reckon, that user manual is a beautifully couched example of English Expression.
The unit itself I have flogged it , run water and diesel.. and water and low voltage.. and air a..It just seems so forgiving. As soon as you give it a bit of fuel that makes sense ... It just picks up a gentle hum and just goes cozy all night.
Couldn't be happier though I have only had the unit for 3 months.
Can post pictures if any one is interested.
Have had cheapie diesel heaters in 2 caravan now and both have worked fine. 2kw would be ample - others have said you need a unit which doesn't sit idling so as to get a clean burn.
I paid $185 for my 3kw model same body as 5kw type but apparently the fuel flow is reduced. A 2kw is ample for you. Poptops and camper trailers likely better with 5kw.
Well i finely have done it and ordered a 5 Kw diesel heat kit ( $185 delivered ) and i'm now just waiting on delivery ( via Aus post ) and then the fun will start with the install of said heater. Just one question, were dose one install the diesel fuel tank.
I was thinking of between the rear mounted spare and the back wall of the caravan, but found that there is not the room. The other place is in the front boot. There is already a devider between the gas bottles and the rest of the storage area in the boot. I'm unsure of the regulation in this regard ( 2 types of fuels in the front boot ). The diesel fuel line would be run under the caravan to the filter and fuel pump and this line would also be run in 16 mm hard walled conduct for protection.
Hi valiant81, do you have a side door on the boot, I have mounted our fuel tank in the boot, but as I didn't want the chance of spilt fuel and smell in there, I mounted the tank on slides. So to fill the tank I just pull the tank out from the van, via the side door, when full push it back in. The tank breather runs out to underneath the van to avoid smells there as well.
Hi; not side entry into the front boot, i have a few day's to have a think about were to mount the tank. One thought was to disregard the plastic tank and buy a 10 or 20 Ltr fuel tank and bracket and mount to the rear bumper bar.
On the drawbar between the gas bottles. I made up a bracket and stone shield using aluminium from the Big Green Shed.
If you have a lightweight van that has been built out over the drawbar then you probably have very little room except you will have a front opening boot where it could go.
Remember that diesel does NOT fume or have vapours like petrol does so if you have a rubber o-ring in the screw cap it will seal well and there will be no smells.
If you are installing the unit in a Jayco you will have to think outside the square for the placment of the fuel tank. I am in the same situation as you are and have considered many options. The option that is in the front of the cue at the moment is to place the tank, assuming it is 10litre, an angle about 35degrees and run it almost along the same line as the divider....If you get my drift
-- Edited by RodnEls on Saturday 4th of May 2019 02:28:38 PM
Thanks for the reply and your caravan's boot is the same as mine. With that divider and i have the same, i was thinking of mounting the tank to it. The only questions i have is, how safe it would be ( having two types of fuel, diesel and lpg in the same enclosure ???.The smell of diesel getting into the the inside of the caravan's is a concern, no matter how care full one is filling the tank. And finely, does the diesel tank have a breather, so as to allow the diesel fuel to feed the little fuel pump by gravity.
I recently installed a 2Kw Chinese diesel heater (eberspacher copy) in my Jayco poptop. I installed a 5 litre tank in a battery box in the front boot. It has a breather and a quick-release for the fuel line so that I can remove the tank for filling. Works very well. Bought the tank assembly complete from DieselHeat in Tasmania. Andy
I do not think the tank supplied will fit unless it is placed on the angle. Others have suggested a different tank, which is always an option. As diesel does not produce vapour, like petrol, I would be surprised if you got a smell from the tank inside the van, you may get a smell from the exaust. I do not believe a breather is required as it is not using enough fuel fast enough to create a vacuum. I do stand to be corrected on this! Cheers RodnEls
