Portable Diesel Heater

[longtimecoming]

Hi - I quite fancy running an external portable diesel heater with my T6 Kombi Dayvan / camper. My plan is to power it from a Power Station and there are some that can can run from 12 or 240.

I quite like the look of the Hcalory TB2 based on the reviews I've seen comparing to other models but... I don't think it can be run with a thermostat inside the van.

I'm imaging that over time I'll get used to figuring out how long a time to run it for, and be able to set the auto-cutoff for some point during the night that works for me but this is theoretical.

Does anyone have any experience of either this or different similar heaters and do you have any suggestions that might address the question of maintaining a decent temp during the night for a good night's sleep? Do I "need" external thermostatic control?

Thanks,

Ade

 

[oldiebut goodie]

You need bedding to maintain warmth in bed.
If you have a portable heater outside how are you going to get the air from and to the van? It really isn't a viable proposition especially if there are tealeaves about.

 

[Kind of Blue]

have a look at Wallas, Boat heaters and stoves, cottage heaters and water heaters - Front page - Wallas

 

[longtimecoming]

Hi - the heaters have the same vent pipes that the usual eberspacher etc diesel heaters have, they are just in a box.

I would pass the heat pipe into the window and fill the rest of the window with a blanking plate of foam insulation shaped to the side of the open section of the window.

As for tea-leaves, I’m not planning on leaving it unattended or parking anywhere it would be likely to be half-inched.

Good questions though! Thanks

 

[longtimecoming]

Thanks for the Wallas tip. Have you tried any of them?

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Wallas - not really suitable for use externally!
How are you going to get the air for heating from inside the van - open another window at floor level? You will end up travelling with a van full of ducting.
I have just looked at that heater - 8Kw!!!! The most that you need for our vans is 4Kw and the majority of people fit 2Kw especially if you want overnight heating.

 

[longtimecoming]

Wallas - not really suitable for use externally!
How are you going to get the air for heating from inside the van - open another window at floor level? You will end up travelling with a van full of ducting.
I have just looked at that heater - 8Kw!!!! The most that you need for our vans is 4Kw and the majority of people fit 2Kw especially if you want overnight heating.

lol. The intake is part of the portable heater so is external to the van.

The only elements entering the van are the heated air and the electric.

You are right of course on the 8kw, but it does have power levels. I’ve not tried it though so I don’t know how low Level 1 is.

Planar / autoterm do a 2kw version that is basically the same but I’m not sure it’s available in the uk and obviously there is the Russian element when it comes with that.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

So you intend to heat the atmosphere rather than the air in the van? That does not make sense - heating air constantly from, say, 0 degrees up to, say, 35 degrees just to keep your nose warm at night! There are reasons why everyone fits a heater inside the van.
I advise a Webasto Air Top 2000 ST or STC for most people ( but then I am biased as I repair them ). I don't recommend Chinese heaters due to the quality. Also not Planar as they are still owned by Russians domiciled in Israel, they are easily available in the UK for those that wish to support Russia.

 

[Dellmassive]

Just to add that i have done this previously.

And that, Most portable power stations have a regulated 12v output that is not enough to fire the heater up. And end up flooding and smoking like trooper.

I done this module setup as a tent heater.

With the Halcory suitcase heater.

My issue was the PPP. Once moved over to a 12v battery it worked ok.... But by then it was soaked in derv.

 

[Bigsidavies]

I think you are trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Why not just fit a standard diesel heater under the van that takes no storage space, no setup time, is easily controlled and can be started and stopped from a control panel within the van.
There's a reason no one else has the setup you describe.
My planar has been working perfectly well for over 4 years and did just fine last week when the temps dropped to -6.

 

[Dellmassive]

I think you are trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Why not just fit a standard diesel heater under the van that takes no storage space, no setup time, is easily controlled and can be started and stopped from a control panel within the van.
There's a reason no one else has the setup you describe.
My planar has been working perfectly well for over 4 years and did just fine last week when the temps dropped to -6.

A fitted heater is next in our list....

Soon hopefully.

autoterm fitted by planner Pete hopefully

 

[Kind of Blue]

Thanks for the Wallas tip. Have you tried any of them?

I have a Wallas had it since sometime in the 1990's they have changed a little and offer far more models now. the most similar to mine is

85 NDP

Wallas 85 NDP - Stove and Heater Combination

Durable diesel heater and stove for boats.

wallas.fi

​

Mine though has cast iron rings set in stainless top and runs on paraffin an ex marine unit minus the gimble and pan holders, it does have the therm o top. It could be used outside I guess just unmount it and connect up another flue. It would need a 12v supply and fuel of course. If it was mounted on ts own stand or unit the whole thing could be removed and or replace in the vehicle. I have not used mine for many years, it is still fitted in a laid-up Land Rover 101 Forward Control Radio Body . I may get it going again and mount it in a removable frame, something like Key Clamp. As my vehicle is a T6 Caravelle Executive I would mount this on the rails. Perhaps replacing one of the second row swivel seats or in between. I have had lots of other things to do unrelated so have not got around to sorting it out. I may buy a new model which would be diesel. I had thought is a good idea to buy one with an integrated oven but my wife tells me she has no intention of being tied to it and if I wanted one then I could do all the cooking, so ermmm Oh. I would never install a gas cooker in a vehicle or boat because of risks condensation, CO and gas fire risks naked flames or gas escapes the latter perhaps more of a problem in boats.

Here is a list page of there products Cottage - Wallas

This Finish firm, does have UK outlets, Marine, Camper, Cottage. They are very cheep to run but may not be considered cheep to buy but are very excellent quality stainless steel and all the combustion gases vented outside via an exhaust, so no worries about CO when cooking or boiling up a brew. just pull the lid down and the Therm o Top fans come into action and very quickly heat up the inside of ones vehicle.

Product page. Products - Heating and Cooking Solutions - Wallas

 

[sparkzer]

I have a total of 4 'Chinese' diesel heaters, the first I bought about 5 years ago (installed in van in the factory location) and it's still working well the others I've bought periodically and are used to provide heating to various outbuildings and sheds..again no issues with those for me. Whilst some (usually those who dont own them) give these cheaper heaters a bad rep, my thoughts were i could buy several of these should any fail for the cost of a 'german' variant they are copied from...i've yet to need to buy any replacements so i've saved quite a bunch. best bet would be to have a look around youtube, there are many people giving reviews and opinions based on first hand experience. I've seen a few people hav ethem mounted to a 'hook' that goes over a wheel to get them off the ground, which might be useful for you.

Your idea of piping in the hot air the a window (and blanking the remaining space around the hose) is a tried and tested solution for a portable heater. Down sides, your heating 'external' air and blowing it into the van which isn't the most efficient solution a more efficient solution is to take air from the van, heat it, then blow it back in again.

Easiest way of regulating temperature is extending the controls unit (all the many variants of heaters have a plugable display which contain the thermostat)...if you unplug, buy (cheap) extension cable put it inside the van. it would mean you can also control it from in the van.

i've never powered one from a powerstation personally, so can't help you there. but they are easy enough to power from a battery.

FYI, I have 1 Sunster (believed to be the same as a Hcalory with a different name) one Hcalory, both of which seem a bit more modern with some nice features and 2 older maxspeedingrods.

Personally, id say pick up a cheap one, have a play with it and see if you like it, if not you have not spent the earth.

 

[longtimecoming]

Thank you all.

@sparkzer - great idea of removing the control and extending it to the van! Thank you. I think I'll give that a go. the hooks on the wheel are tyre steps and they do hold them nicely off the ground don't they.

To everyone else - the thinking behind this is that I doubt I'll use the heater that often and that these external ones cost between £100 - £200 and I can move them between vehicles, tents and whatever, whenever I want as opposed the 1200 + VAT for an eber or similar or living with the Russian downside of the Planar / Autoterm version. Honestly, if I was confident fitting my own then I'd probably go with the one from Kiravans but I'm not.

As for the Powerstation, I have seen and spoken to a few people using the Anker Solix C1000 which is the one we have so hopefully that will work out okay.

Thanks again!

 

[TallPaul_S]

These videos might be of interest, really detailed review and strip down of these portable heaters.

 

[longtimecoming]

Thanks! I had watched the Part 1 of his video. He is a good few levels of geek above me

 

[TallPaul_S]

Yeah he's done a load of diesel heater reviews and strip downs, and a full van build for artic exploring. Really enjoy his artic series too where he's done stuff like walk to the 'true' most northern point of Europe (a few miles away from Nordkapp) and then got naked in -20 and danced around the marker...

 

[longtimecoming]

lol.. I have not seen that one! I found him through the heater videos but his other content does look worth checking out. Thanks!

 

[TallPaul_S]

lol.. I have not seen that one! I found him through the heater videos but his other content does look worth checking out. Thanks!

He's done 3 Nordic winter trips (and is probably there right now for round 4). Lapland, Lofoten islands, Nordkapp, the Russia/Finland/Norway border etc etc etc.

 

[roadtripper]

Remember if you are piping warm air "in" from the outside you also need to think about where the cold air already inside can get out - otherwise you have a fan that's designed mostly to blow against little resistance trying to pressurise the van to push the cold air out. That's another thing that isn't an issue when installing conventionally as you are taking the air from the van and putting it back so zero sum pressure wise.

Also take great care that your exhaust isn't going to get drawn in to the intake. That's easier to keep a good distance apart in a fixed install, but easy to miss in a portable.