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Post Info TOPIC: Mains power supply for diesel heater
Rick Sanchez


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Mains power supply for diesel heater
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I want to use my diesel heater to help dry out my garage. I intend to install it in the garage under my house (it has a moisture problem after a big rain). The fuel supply and exhaust outlet will be situated outside the garage.  As it will be away from the vehicle I would like to connect the power supply to the mains electricity via .......... what?  I thought about using a battery charger but there is probably a more appropriate device or technology that I am not aware of.

Any suggestions?

 



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Ozlad


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You will need something like this. www.ebay.com.au/itm/AC-110-240V-TO-DC-12V-24V-5A-10A-15A-20A-30A-Transformer-Regulated-Power-Supply/202346045107

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Possum3


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Instead of mucking around with modifications to Diesel heater get your self a small fan heater and run it on low heat or fan only - it will do the job and absolutely no fume risk www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-Heller-Portable-Fan-Heater-Thermostat-Floor-Table-Desk-Heller-2000W-AU-PLUG/254218874793

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Peter_n_Margaret


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Make sure the 240V to DC has sufficient power to start the diesel heater. That might be the largest of those listed. Check the diesel heater specs.
The fan heater might be OK, but the diesel heater may also have much lager heat output, depending on which diesel heater he has.
Cheers,
Peter


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Whenarewethere


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Passive alternative maybe.

Have you got some air currents around the house. Set up some panels or board or some sheets tied up & or weighted down to funnel air either in or out from under the house.



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Rick Sanchez


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Thanks for the advice folks
Whenarewethere wrote:

Passive alternative maybe.

Have you got some air currents around the house. Set up some panels or board or some sheets tied up & or weighted down to funnel air either in or out from under the house.

 I'm in the final stages of installing under floor ventilation, which I hope is drawing  damp air from garage . It was quite cheap to install myself - should have done it years ago blankstare

 

After the big wet like we had here in Sydney recently , water trickles through the rock under the house and  pools in my garage area , it  drains away after a week but the area remains damp for some time, I'm hoping that the heater will hasten the drying process.



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Mike Harding


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If you're talking about a caravan type diesel heater the glow plugs draw about 10A at 12V for a few minutes and I think the running current is only 1A or less. Also be cautious of using a battery charger the smarter ones won't produce an output unless they sense a battery has been connected.

A lot of effort though - I'd suggest a couple of BigW/Kmart 12" pedestal fans at about $20 each and you can use them for cooling next year.



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Whenarewethere


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We had an issue with damp, more so mould, under my parents house. We looked at typical air flow & positive negative pressure around the house. All gut feel stuff!

Knocked out a few bricks under the house here & there. Also removed a fair bit of soil in one area & it basically solved the problem.

The access door under the house stick an old security door grill in it, probably get one off a council clean up.

You don't need a lot of air flow, but just a low amount regularly. If you have rock surfaces, it is easy to remove soil off the surface.

 

Our block of units we live in, over a few decades I have been steadily removing building waste from the foundations (built 1950s). This has lowered damp levels just doing this alone. I do have a vested interest reducing maintenance costs as we own 3/15 of the units & things get done properly if I do it.

 

Get rubbish & asbestos while at it (bag it) out from under buildings.

 



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Hylife


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Recommend you keep the entire diesel heater outside in a wooden box for safety and just vent the hot air into your garage.
You could obtain a cheap second hand car battery from somewhere to power it.
In addition to the fan, the glow plug draws approx. 8-10 amps during start up, so a plug pack or other 240V power it not going to be suitable.
Obtain a small but cheap solar panel and one of those $10 blue pwm regs to keep the battery charged.

Simple cheap and safe.

Heck, they even sell the portable units on ebay cheap now.



-- Edited by Hylife on Monday 17th of February 2020 03:42:41 PM

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nomadz


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Gday Rick,

We had a couple of these in our underfloor area at Dalmeny. (Damp coastal area)

Worked a treat to keep the area odour and moisture free.

House could be locked up for up to 6 months at a time.

www.solarwhiz.com.au/ventilation/sub-floor-ventilation/

Regards.

Ian

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