Diesel heater.

bowser · Veteran Member

Diesel heater.

travelyounger · Guru

Hi I have a webastco diesal heater push button model has a timer so you can programne also has temp range from 10 up to 32 you can get one or two outlets and are very reliable ,fuel efficient,and have a low amp draw approx 1 amp per hour.They are more expensive than the Chinese ones but I would rather go for quality when fitting to my van

Cheers

elliemike · Guru

travelyounger wrote:
Hi I have a webastco diesal heater push button model has a timer so you can programne also has temp range from 10 up to 32 you can get one or two outlets and are very reliable ,fuel efficient,and have a low amp draw approx 1 amp per hour.They are more expensive than the Chinese ones but I would rather go for quality when fitting to my van
Cheers

And me. Eberspacher D2 Diesel Heater used a lot this last two months. I installed mine 5 or 6 years ago. Cost me $1200:00

I helped fit one in a friends van a few months back a $250:00 Chinese job. I do my own servicing of the heater (it's not too technical) while installing the heater with my mate I noted this "el cheapo" heater was an exact copy of my Eberspacher.

He has had no probs so far. Him and his wife love it.

-- Edited by elliemike on Sunday 1st of September 2019 03:44:42 PM

BAZZA44 · Senior Member

We have a Webasto, installed for about four years now, no problems.

We originally tossed around the idea of a Chinese one but I could not see how the quality could be the same. Yes I know they work but how safe are they.

Do they have safety shut off features like the Webasto. Is the firebox metal the same thickness. ?

If finances will stretch that far get the Webasto of Eberspacher

Barry

The Travelling Dillberries · Guru

bowser wrote:
I am looking at fitting a diesel heater, Any thoughts on a good brand, I am looking for ideas.
Regards Bowser.

Bowser if you are considering a Chinese one have a look at a Facebook site Chinese Diesel heaters first. It is dedicated to trying to get/keep them running. Very popular site and gets many new questions daily!! Some of them are on their 3rd heater (cheaper to get another one??)

Some buy glow plugs 2 or 3 at a time!

Do you have gas installed? If so have you considered a gas one? The new ones are very efficient, cheap to run, no smells. no extra fuel and tank.

cheers,

Chris.

elliemike · Guru

The Travelling Dillberries wrote:
bowser wrote:
I am looking at fitting a diesel heater, Any thoughts on a good brand, I am looking for ideas.
Regards Bowser.
Bowser if you are considering a Chinese one have a look at a Facebook site Chinese Diesel heaters first. It is dedicated to trying to get/keep them running. Very popular site and gets many new questions daily!! Some of them are on their 3rd heater (cheaper to get another one??)
Some buy glow plugs 2 or 3 at a time!
Do you have gas installed? If so have you considered a gas one? The new ones are very efficient, cheap to run, no smells. no extra fuel and tank.
cheers,
Chris.

I must add that having had a lot of use from a Gas Heater in an American small motorhome that we hired (1989 January/February and most nights below 0 C) It was very pleasant inside. Little noise, and was not that bad on the Gas.

Also once a Blizzard blowing outside at Flagstaff Arizona, one side of the van with a Snowdrift up to the roof and we were snowed in. Well we did get out eventually but at no time were we ever cold. I was impressed with that little heater.

Baz421 · Guru

BAZZA44 wrote:
We have a Webasto, installed for about four years now, no problems.
We originally tossed around the idea of a Chinese one but I could not see how the quality could be the same. Yes I know they work but how safe are they.
Do they have safety shut off features like the Webasto. Is the firebox metal the same thickness. ?
If finances will stretch that far get the Webasto of Eberspacher
Barry

Just camped next to Chinese heater in van couldn't hear it,,,, and 2 vans away Webasto made heaps of smoke on start and we could hear it clearly,, a bit noisy.

elliemike · Guru

Baz421 wrote:
BAZZA44 wrote:
We have a Webasto, installed for about four years now, no problems.
We originally tossed around the idea of a Chinese one but I could not see how the quality could be the same. Yes I know they work but how safe are they.
Do they have safety shut off features like the Webasto. Is the firebox metal the same thickness. ?
If finances will stretch that far get the Webasto of Eberspacher
Barry
Just camped next to Chinese heater in van couldn't hear it,,,, and 2 vans away Webasto made heaps of smoke on start and we could hear it clearly,, a bit noisy.

The Diesel Heaters need to be Maintained. Usually the Filter Screen on the Glow Plug and the Pump Filter need replacing when when the first hints of smoking occurs.

The combustion Chamber can get carbon deposits building up which in turn results in smoking. Setting the unit to it's top temp say 32 C. before shutting down helps to prevent coking up.

I took mine apart last summer for an overhaul and it was clean in the combustion chamber. Hence always letting it start at 32 C and shutting down at 32 C.

I have replaced the Filters twice in six years I think. Fairly easy Job.

But Gas is decidedly cleaner burning and less maintenance.

Wanda · Guru

Hi
If you go for the cheaper Chimese variety( about half the price of others), make sure you buy from an Aussie supplier so you have some fall back incase of problems.
We bought ours from Pinnacle Wholesalers in Ballarat and have had no problems after almost 3 years. There is also a mob in Tasmania who have a very very good reputation.

I would be very very careful buying direct from China, yes they are very very cheap but what do you do if you have any problems??

Do your homework
cheers
Ian

denmonkey · Senior Member

Have me the chinese varient and has been working without issues.
Asked the guys camped near me if noise was an problem and they said, it was not.
I let mine run through its automated shut down process which ramps up and does a burn before switching off .
early days, but thumbs up from me. for 200 odd bucks

Tony LEE · Guru

HINO now has a $250 5kW Chinese heater and so far after a couple of weeks in snow and below freezing weather, it is a great bit of gear. Turns down to a whisper once set temp is reached and even on full fire leaves my two Webasto for dead. I didn't need to use it but it came with a separate fuel tank, the Webasto equivalent of which was an optional extra costing more that is entire heater

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Check YouTube . Some require fan clearance . Especially if floor is not even . It distorts frame . This one has low voltage cut out . Without it they can overheat . youtu.be/MCFNdyRc3D8

woofta and precious · Senior Member

Installed my Chinese one 2 years ago, and still runs well.
I use about a third Kero in mine

Eaglemax · Guru

woofta and precious wrote:
Installed my Chinese one 2 years ago, and still runs well.
I use about a third Kero in mine

This is the one I installed 3 months ago. Note 2 mufflers I use one for the combustion intake which we cannot hear and one on the exhaust that is only 500mm long in our case.

3kw for our 16x7ft van is just right but a 2kw might have sufficed. However we havent had freezing cold days while camping yet.

Ive read where the LCD can fade over time $30 cheap. I installed a 30a rocker switch on the main positive wire. Once the heater shuts down I turn that off. Saves that screen. But I have a protecting guard on that switch do it isnt accidently turned off while running. Very

important.

The tank has a filler in the vorner. Rotate the tank about 15 degrees and you can poke the filler through a hole in the van wall (if its in the boot). Easier filling, make sure its on the same side as the tugs filler cap. No more driving bowser to bowser.

Good luck.

Tony

https://www.ebay.com.au/p/up-3kw-12v-Diesel-Air-Heater-Tank-2x-Vent-Duct-Thermostat-Caravan-Motorhome-EA/3027583304?iid=183737843662&rt=nc

Greg 1 · Guru

Contemplating fitting one in our van so interesting topic.

elliemike · Guru

Greg 1 wrote:
Contemplating fitting one in our van so interesting topic.

Heaps of good Youtube videos on fitting them.

Also servicing them.

Changing the Glow Plug Filter and also the pump filter can be done in situ. Not a hard job.

Baz421 · Guru

woofta and precious wrote:
Installed my Chinese one 2 years ago, and still runs well.
I use about a third Kero in mine

specific gravity of diesel greater than kero,,, so would it ever burn the kero

elliemike · Guru

Eberspacher recommend running the unit on Kero only once every year. Full on for 15 to 30 minutes. I have done that. Works well. I have not read that burning a mix anywhere. But if it works ?

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

First question is what do you want to heat?
We chose a diesel Webasto that heats glycol coolant and circulates that to give us central heating AND hot water.
MUCH cheaper to run that gas heating.
Cheers,
Peter

JayDee · Guru

Fantastic, we can now enjoy a cosy winter with the Diesel Hearer,

BUT.

I have written this previously on a number of times.

When will some one invent a diesel Cooler system to give us comfort in the summer months?

I do not know the answer, but say something like a fridge motor with a blower system \.

I am a top of the class dummy in this area.

We have a roof A/Con, but the noise is like a F111 on take off.

No doubt the day will come when we will see a new innovation similar to the diesel heater model.

Jay&Dee

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

JayDee wrote:
but say something like a fridge motor with a blower system \.

It is called an "air conditioner". biggrin

Domestic airconditioners have had enormous development in recent years and are now MUCH more efficient than RV types which are generally still "dark ages" technology.

Check out the small Mitsubishi Heavy Industries units. Compare "COP"s (Coeficient of Performance).

Cheers,

Peter

Tony LEE · Guru

"When will some one invent a diesel Cooler system to give us comfort in the summer months" Already been done - yonks ago - and I have three. Diesel generator powering a couple of Air-conditioners. Works well because the generator noise drowns out the noise of the aircon. Better solution of course is 2kW of solar panels, your choice of batteries and a big inverter that at least allows you to stay cool while the sun shines

Eaglemax · Guru

Tony LEE wrote:
"When will some one invent a diesel Cooler system to give us comfort in the summer months" Already been done - yonks ago - and I have three. Diesel generator powering a couple of Air-conditioners. Works well because the generator noise drowns out the noise of the aircon. Better solution of course is 2kW of solar panels, your choice of batteries and a big inverter that at least allows you to stay cool while the sun shines

Tony, the modern obsession of all things big is the culprit. Most caravanners when they add an aircon immediately think of a 45kg $3000+ unit that increases their roof height.

Enter the portable room airconditioner. While in Darwin May 2016 (one month too early) we sweltered. We went to bunnings and purchased a Mistral portable unit with 880w capacity. A life saver. Shop soiled $200!!

Recently we got the new home made van wired just for one power point for that aircon. The electrician measured the amperage draw and calculated it only uses 500watts. Yet it cools our van well (16x7ft)

So, had advice from another member that if we needed the aircon a 1kva genny would suffice with a 30amp smart charger running off the battery with a large inverter. The aircon fits under the kitchen bench and a bonus- we can put it in a bedroom when home

We also installed a diesel heater.

Tony

-- Edited by Eaglemax on Sunday 8th of September 2019 09:39:21 PM

jeepnudger · Senior Member

Why r u going for diesel when gas heaters are running off yr gas bottles used for cooking fridge , I had installed a truma gas heater very pleased with its operation and quite small fits under our bed and very quiet, not cheap but feel it was worth it. Oh well another thought for u.