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Post Info TOPIC: Heaters in Vans.
Zel


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Heaters in Vans.
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Hi folks, not sure where I should post this enquiry so I started this one.

I need to put a gas heater in my 2016 Jayco Outback 19.61-2.

Firstly what is a reliable heater brand for a pensioner solo travelling.

I was thinking of a 2Kw unit and had looked at a Giantz unit from Bunnings.

Secondly where do you install it? as I have drawers under both bench seats

and ltd space under bed due to 2 Lithium120Ah batts and storage of bedding

and other items.

Would appreciate any feed back.

Thank you

Paul 



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BBN2


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No, you don't.

You need to install a diesel heater:

www.ebay.com.au/itm/358440685150



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PeterInSa


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My understanding is that Bunnings do Not sell Gas Heaters for Vans, but the item below should meet your needs

www.bunnings.com.au/giantz-diesel-air-heater-12v-5kw-lcd-display-remote-control-for-car-bus-rv-indoor-10l_p0902858

Gas Heaters require a qualified Tech to install and based on a mates experience are more costly to repair than Diesel Heaters.

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fatty


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You will find these online only item sold on the Bunnings site are not infact sold by Bunnings but just a link to multiple offshore sellers (Chinese) Woolworths, Kmart etc are all taking part in this deceptive practice. Best to go direct to ebay, AliExpress etc for this kind of purchase 



-- Edited by fatty on Thursday 18th of June 2026 02:23:00 PM

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Are We Lost


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While I agree you are not really buying from Bunnings, I would put Aliexpress at the bottom of the list along with Temu. While their prices may be cheaper there is no AU consumer protection. With something like a diesel heater that protection may be important. And the more people who use such sites, the harder it is for the local businesses to survive.

I have purchased from the Marketplace arms of Bunnings and Woolworths and they are typically Aussie sellers, whereas ebay has drifted more and more towards offshore sellers. They are all using the same business model.



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PeterInSa


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Re (While I agree you are not really buying from Bunnings) Agree

Re, I would put Aliexpress at the bottom of the list along with Temu. While their prices may be cheaper there is no AU consumer protection.)

Never had proiblem with Ali or Temu if the item is not suitable always had a refund.

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fatty


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Agree peter,never had an issue with AliExpress . Haven't used temu but I'm sure they would be the same. I just feel if your going to buy budget Chinese products you may as well go direct to the source instead of paying inflated prices.

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Dick0


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Hi Paul (Zel) and welcome.

I have this unit in the caravan.

VARIOHEAT-KIT-CREAM.jpg

If you are looking for something cheaper then see the range of diesel heaters, as mentioned earlier.

 



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Cheers, Richard (Dick0)

"Home is where the Den is parked, Designer Orchid Special 21' towed by Jeep Diesel Grand Cherokee Limited"

"4x250W solar panels, 360w solar blanket, Epever 80A charger and 4x135Ah Voltax Prismatic LiFePO4 Batteries".
Rodsvan


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I've had truma gas heaters in 2 caravans we've owned. There are some benefits in the gas ones (less noise, odour, battery usage etc) but the vast majority of people choose diesel heaters as they are a fraction of the price.

The reason we had gas heaters is that I unfortunately have extremely sensitive hearing (which is a damn curse, I'm actually hoping for some hearing loss as I age) and I can hear the ticking noise of the pump in diesel heaters no matter what is done to muffle the sound.

Diesel heaters can be fully installed by the owner. I installed our gas heaters but had to pay to have them checked and certified by a gas fitter.

Regarding location, you mention drawers under the seats. To fit the heater in our first caravan I removed a drawer from under a seat but reinstalled the drawer fascia panel with hinges (on the bottom) so that it could still be opened for access.

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Dick0


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Rodsvan wrote:

I've had truma gas heaters in 2 caravans we've owned. There are some benefits in the gas ones (less noise, odour, battery usage etc) but the vast majority of people choose diesel heaters as they are a fraction of the price.

The reason we had gas heaters is that I unfortunately have extremely sensitive hearing (which is a damn curse, I'm actually hoping for some hearing loss as I age) and I can hear the ticking noise of the pump in diesel heaters no matter what is done to muffle the sound.

Diesel heaters can be fully installed by the owner. I installed our gas heaters but had to pay to have them checked and certified by a gas fitter.

Regarding location, you mention drawers under the seats. To fit the heater in our first caravan I removed a drawer from under a seat but reinstalled the drawer fascia panel with hinges (on the bottom) so that it could still be opened for access.

Yes Rod, I run a gas heater primarily due to convenience. Having two gas bottles supplying a three way fridge, a stove, an oven, an instant hot water system, internal gas heater and external gas BBQ, I did not want to add an additional appliance and fuel source to the van.

They are dearer than diesel units but the convenience outweighs the cost in my situation.

 



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Cheers, Richard (Dick0)

"Home is where the Den is parked, Designer Orchid Special 21' towed by Jeep Diesel Grand Cherokee Limited"

"4x250W solar panels, 360w solar blanket, Epever 80A charger and 4x135Ah Voltax Prismatic LiFePO4 Batteries".
BBN2


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Running only a gas fridge and a gas hob (fridge = 95% of gas consumption) the running cost per year was (26 x $35) = $910.

Were I to add to add an oven, gas heater, gas hot water and BBQ - I expect my gas cost would sky-rocket.

I now run a 240V fridge/freezer on solar and one 9kg gas bottle lasts for ever running just the hob.

My diesel heater costs around $14 per week to run in a southern Victorian winter.


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Peter_n_Margaret


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All of our cooking is on gas. We use about 1kg per month (all free camping).
Heating and hot water is mostly diesel, some waste engine heat and some solar/electric.
Everything else is solar/electric.

For our new build, heating and hot water will be mostly solar/electric (depending on the sun) or diesel and some waste engine heat. Everything else will be solar/electric. There will be no gas installed.
Cheers,
Peter



-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Friday 19th of June 2026 12:36:02 PM

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OKA196 DIY, self contained 4WD motorhome, 1280W PV, 326Ah of CALB LiFePO4 batteries, 1.3kW inv, 310L water, 350-450L diesel.
PeterInSa


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I have a Theory:
In general, a 2Kw Diesel Heater for a 21Ft van is Nosier than a 5Kw Heater for the same van.
(My experience, but of course different heaters could easily disapprove this Theory)

I originally purchased the 2Kw unit because it would do the job and it did but to me ran hardier, noisier than the 5Kw unit, but to me less likely to carbon up than the 5Kw unit..

Found a ready buyer for my old 2Kw Heater


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dogbox


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does anyone mix kerosene with their diesel to make it run cleaner

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TheHeaths


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Just an aside.

If you do look at the cheaper diesel heaters, I can certainly recommend contacting Edisons, an Australian company.

Ours is now 5 years old, works well, and Edisons have been good when I did contact them early on. They have the units at prices comparable or better than eBay.

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Regards Ian

 

Chaos, mayhem, confusion. Good my job here is done
Peter_n_Margaret


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dogbox wrote:

does anyone mix kerosene with their diesel to make it run cleaner

 I add 5 - 10% kero, but not to make it run cleaner, but to stop the possibility of the diesel gelling in sub zero temperatures.

Cheers,

Peter



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OKA196 DIY, self contained 4WD motorhome, 1280W PV, 326Ah of CALB LiFePO4 batteries, 1.3kW inv, 310L water, 350-450L diesel.
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