Diesel Heater in Auto Mode

Ian G · Senior Member

Diesel Heater in Auto Mode

Mike Harding · Guru

You would be wasting your time... and money. Run the heater in pump frequency mode, forget the temperature mode.

Mine is run at its lowest setting, 1.6Hz, 98% of the time but if the outside temperature is above about 5C the van gets too hot and I crack open windows at the front and back of the van which provides a balancing, and refreshing, airflow.

Due to the long start/shutdown cycle and the high current draw of the glowplug during startup turning the heater on/off as a temperature control method is not really practical. They are a terrific device and this issue is their only drawback - nothing is perfect :)

jontee · Veteran Member

G`day Ian ,
I run my heater in the same fashion as Mike , however , you could try setting the temp on " auto mode " at say 16 degrees if you wish to use auto mode .
Cheers,
Jontee

Ian G · Senior Member

Thanks Mike Yes I thought it was a bit too much to ask of a heater of that price, having windows open is also a healthier option, very happy with the heater though

Ian G · Senior Member

Hi Jontee Yes I have tried it on lower temp than 16 but it just keeps running, I was just a bit curious on what actually is supposed to turn off and on again to maintain a preset temp, I will just keep doing what I have been doing. Thanks Ian

Mike Harding · Guru

Ian G wrote:
I was just a bit curious on what actually is supposed to turn off and on again to maintain a preset temp

The temperature (auto) setting simply controls the pump frequency but it cannot reduce the pump frequency below a minimum threshold (usually 1.6Hz) as were it to do so the burner would soot up and likely go out randomly. So it doesn't matter what temperature you set on the controller it can never command the heater to produce less than its minimum output.

The basic issue is that a 5kW heater, even at minimum, produces too much energy for a space the size of a caravan unless the outside temperature is below about 5C. However there are some advantages to this; the heater runs very quietly and wear on the fan bearings and pump is minimised.

I believe that by accessing the controller's "secret menu" it is possible to set a minimum pump frequency below 1.6Hz but running at such a low level may well produce the issues I mention above - on your own head be it.

To access the secret menu:

----

Press the "Settings" button 3 times until a padlock icon appears

Enter a PIN of 1688 - press OK after each digit

----

If it all blows up and kills a passing cute little girl and her adorable puppy it's not my fault! :)

Are We Lost · Guru

I have accessed the advanced menu as you described, and set the minimum pump rate from 1.6Hz to 1.2Hz. Also did a similar adjustment to the minimum fan speed.

It works fine, but I am aware it is below the standard. Being concerned about carbon buildup, I usually give it a good blast on high before switching off.

Tony LEE · Guru

My time on a couple of Chinese heater groups shows that Most users with heater problems have messed around with the settings. There are 2kw units available.

Mike Harding · Guru

Tony LEE wrote:
There are 2kw units available.

Unfortunately they are not easy to find, usually more expensive than the 5kW units and, it seems, many/most/some Ebay suppliers simply advertise 5kW units as 2kW units.

And to be fair; it may well be running the 5kW unit on minimum is, longevity wise, better than running a 2kW unit at 50%?

oldbloke · Guru

Sooooo,,, is this fairly common?

Ian G · Senior Member

Ye I'll just leave it alone and stick to what I've been doing, don't want any puppies on my conscience . Ian

markf · Senior Member

We got what was billed as a 2kW unit. Turns out it is a 5kW unit. Oh well...

For the thermostat mode the temp sensor is behind the control panel and seeing as ours is an "all-in-one" unit the control panel is outside rendering the thermostat mode useless.

We have a forward fold camper which offers nil in the way of insulation and having the heater set at a pulse rate of between 1.7Hz and 2Hz keeps us nice and warm.

We spent the second week of July at Stenhouse bay (tip of Yorke Peninsular SA) and it was bloody cold. I'd not recommend Stenhouse Bay in winter - COLD, wet and very windy... The heater worked a treat - we thought of a Gasmate butane heater but at the Marion Bay store the butane cartridges were $7.50 EACH.

The heater sits under the camper under the pantry drawer with a length of duct running from the heater to inside the camper - https://jandmf.com/index.php/2021/07/16/the-big-trip-hits-the-road/ . About halfway down is a pic of the heater setup. I know the duct looks a bit "unusual". It's a length of drainage pipe wrapped in duct tape because muggins here forgot to pack our purpose made silicone three inch duct. Still and all it worked a treat.

It's very quiet does a good job and uses bugger all diesel and power.