Diesel Heater Habits

[Sydwal]

Hi all. As a relative newbie I was wondering how you guys use your diesel heaters. The recent cold nights have been something of a shock to the system, despite us using really good insulation when we build the van. The Mrs has even been cuddling in and I can't be doing with that. Poor Charlie, our Pomchi cross has had to wear his coat to bed.

I don't know why but we've been reluctant to use the heater at night, though we do have a CO detector. Like most of you I have various modes available on the heater, including bluetooth. There's a timer function and an auto stop/start (when it reaches a temp it'll switch off then on again when the temp drops). There's also a constant temp mode. Do you use your heater at night this time of year? If so, what heater mode do you find works best?

 

[RichardHelen262]

There is no reason not to use it all night, after all truckers have been doing it for many many years,
As the exhaust is outside you should not have a problem on the inside

 

[Trotter]

If you wake up wanting a cuppa. All would have been good. Not to sure about the alternative.

Spose you could have coffee.

 

[Robmac]

I'll be using mine in anger for the first time next week. My plan is to just set the temperature to about 18° and let the thermostat do it's thing.

 

[wildebus]

There is no reason not to use it all night, after all truckers have been doing it for many many years,

Yup, I would (and did when I had one) use mine overnight when neccessary.

As the exhaust is outside you should not have a problem on the inside

One comment on this ... I have seen some installs where the exhaust outlet pipe was very short and terminated UNDER the van rather then going past the bodywork. That is not an good idea as you will get buildup underneath and can make their way inside.
Not something that should be left of course, but may not be noticed when moving around and in and out the van, but if sleeping, fumes could slowly build up ...

 

[wildebus]

I'll be using mine in anger for the first time next week. My plan is to just set the temperature to about 18° and let the thermostat do it's thing.

If it is a typical chinese jobby, the thermostat is really a speed controller and will never turn it off.

 

[Geek]

Chinese diesel heaters are cheap knockoffs of the quality German heaters.

Those were sold for fitting into truck cabs to keep the drivers warm, which is cheaper and better thsn leaving a truck engine idling to keep the heater on.

They were (and are) sold as "Night heaters" specifically for running them overnight to keep a vehicle warm.

If it is not installed safely, never use it.

If it is installed safely, use it overnight.

The constant temperature mode is the one to use: it will turn the heater down to maintain the temperature of the control panel but it won't turn the heater off and on becausevilof the 12v power overhead of stopping and starting.

 

[Robmac]

If it is a typical chinese jobby, the thermostat is really a speed controller and will never turn it off.

I believe it is a Chinese heater David although it has some part upgrades done over here, but regarding the thermostat this is the description from their website;

Craft’A’Camper PRO: this is a newer heater model which has been designed from the ground up. The PRO model is available in both 2kw and 4kw. All units come with 24 months warranty. Only we sell these units, they’re not available from third parties and with the brushless fan motor, Kyocera glow plugs and great software - it’s the unit we recommend. They have everything from the LITE model, with more fan speed options, better timer options and 2 thermostat modes where the unit will automatically turn on and off as the temperature fluctuates. The heater comes standard with the ultra quite fuel pump so none of that irritating clicking you get from some other diesel heaters. They also come with a wireless key fob remote and a third party user friendly app too. These are available on a Supply and/or Installed basis.

I guess I will find out next week!

 

[mistericeman]

We run our eberspacher 24/7 when we are away in cooler times...

Just stays running in the back ground whether we're moving or parked.... Keeps everything nice and cosy.
Kicks in and out as needed running on the thermostat...
There is a sweet spot with the thermostat where fuel economy is minimal BUT the heater isn't stopping and starting excessively.

Fuel pump has a silicon jacket and mounted on a rubber isolation block.

Decent exhaust silencer AND genuine inlet silencer means, it's nigh on inaudible unless closer than 1m

 

[barryd]

What do you guys do with diesel heaters when on hookup? Or is it just me that goes searching for EHU in the winter while you well ard proper wild campers stay off grid?

 

[mistericeman]

What do you guys do with diesel heaters when on hookup? Or is it just me that goes searching for EHU in the winter while you well ard proper wild campers stay off grid?

Still use the eberspacher....
Rarely bother with hook up Barring the odd time we stay put for a few days....

 

[Robmac]

What do you guys do with diesel heaters when on hookup? Or is it just me that goes searching for EHU in the winter while you well ard proper wild campers stay off grid?

Just you Barry.

Generally I switch the Diesel heater off, tip a bucket of iced water over me 'ead and go and sleep outside in the snow.

 

[alcam]

Just you Barry.

Generally I switch the Diesel heater off, tip a bucket of iced water over me 'ead and go and sleep outside in the snow. Wearing only socks

 

[Sydwal]

What do you guys do with diesel heaters when on hookup? Or is it just me that goes searching for EHU in the winter while you well ard proper wild campers stay off grid?

Guess I'm well hard then - oo-er. That said, I've had to fire up the van now as I'm low on power. Our climate sucks.

 

[Sydwal]

Just you Barry.

Generally I switch the Diesel heater off, tip a bucket of iced water over me 'ead and go and sleep outside in the snow.

I'm going to give that a go!

 

[barryd]

Just you Barry.

Generally I switch the Diesel heater off, tip a bucket of iced water over me 'ead and go and sleep outside in the snow.

Yes I thought that might be the case. I'm obviously way to posh and refined for this forum using fancy electric hookups and sitting in shorts and a T Shirt with my heater on full chat in November. This forum is way to well ard and gnarly for me. I'm off to motorhomo.com Much better class of clientele on there!

 

[Robmac]

Yes I thought that might be the case. I'm obviously way to posh and refined for this forum using fancy electric hookups and sitting in shorts and a T Shirt with my heater on full chat in November. This forum is way to well ard and gnarly for me. I'm off to motorhomo.com Much better class of clientele on there!

I don't think they'd have you Barry unless you paid them.

Maybe Kev will start a Crowdfund for you though?

 

[trevskoda]

Guess I'm well hard then - oo-er. That said, I've had to fire up the van now as I'm low on power. Our climate sucks.

Not a good idea to idle a deisel or any engine when not under load, it glasses the bores and burns oil after a while.

 

[mark61]

Not a good idea to idle a deisel or any engine when not under load, it glasses the bores and burns oil after a while.

Well, the alternator will be a bit of a load

 

[jann]

So long as it has been installed correctly, then its suitable for overnight.
Just turn the thermostat down a bit.