Ow much to have a Diesel heater installed

[generdawg]

... I know that if you mix 20% kero with the diesel they have less problems,...

Enough to make it a toss up lpg or distillate either way??? And what about unit cost and installation comparison - then what's on top?

dawg

[T1 Terry]

They are still noisy, to do the kero/diesel mix they would need their own fuel tank, then you have the issues with fuel going stale.
To me, we don't have a cold enough climate for them to get the use they were designed for. their original design was to keep the water heated for large capacity engines in Europe to save the dramas with freezing or for heating large areas they were not designed to work with the thermostats many fitters use, they were designed for constant running.
Cost between the 2 units is similar, the LPG unit needs a gas fitter to do the final tick off, but the unit itself is easier to fit, quiter running and doesn't have the problems the diesel unit does. Bottle refill costs could be the issue if the unit was going to get a lot of use, then the diesel heater may be slightly ahead.

[generdawg]

...Bottle refill costs could be the issue if the unit was going to get a lot of use, ...

Yes, with just two 4.5kg bottles and a thirsty 185 litre fridge, this was/is my main concern.

dawg

[nedskelly]

It really depends just where you want it, how many outlets and just where you want them and just how much mucking around is involved.
Are you sure you want a diesel heater and not a gas heater? The diesel heaters are noisy, they need regular servicing, they smoke and they have a history of failing to light just when you need it too. The pumps rattle, the fuel goes off in the tank over summer if you use a seperate fuel tank, the fuel waxes in the lines in very cold weather if it's not winterised fuel....... the list goes on
The electronic thermostats that turn them off, then back on flat out and slow down and off again cause the most trouble, the less perfect ones with simple low to high adjustments and no thermostat give the least trouble because the unit runs constant and burns itself clean.
The gas units give none of these problems, they are quiet, they are thermatically controlled without any issues, the light first time every time.

Just to balance the discussion

I dont have a gas one to compare BUT the diesel one I do have I installed, no great dramas
The only problems I have had in 2 years have been due to incorrect installation, fuel line needs to be constantly rising, I ran it up and over the bin door.
Wouldnt start one night and found low fuel level in the main tank, almost ran empty, I dont have a fuel guage just a sight tube and I tapped into the line as low as possible. Fuel doesnt go off due to constant turnover
Dirty filter, replaced all good.
I dont think mine is noisy, I cant hear it running.

All still going well with the Lithiums, I changed computers and lost the links to your forum

Regards
Gary

[Swisslulu]

Thanks for posting that Gary. Now I am game to put up my hand and say we have had no problems with our diesel heater since we bought our 2nd hand van a year ago. We don't think it is noisy outside and no fumes either. We love it. And it will no doubt get another workout on our 7 month trip commencing 1st March. We would go for a diesel heater again if we were to purchase new. Vented into the bathroom is a bonus.


Cheers
Lesley

[GregnDee]

We have a diesel heater installed in our Humpback Smartvan and have used it frequently with no problem. It was installed by the manufacturer of the van in Port Wakefield. If he can't do it he might be able to point you in the right direction...guy who owns the place is Ian.
http://www.humpbacksmartvans.com.au/

Cheers
GregnDee

[coongoola]

I have a Webasto and nothing has ever gone wrong in the time its been installed. While I'm not travelling I run the heater every week for 10 minutes or so. As for fuel going off why not just empty the remainder in with your vehicle tank. Also you can always use the 10 litres as an emergency backup if required. People have been camped about 10 metres away and say than can hear it when it starts but not after its been running for a while. They said its not loud or annoying by any means. My unit was installed professionally and I have every confidence with the installation.

Back to the OP. Warren I will search and see what I can find down there for you.

Pat

Sent from my android using Tapatalk 2

[BobnBev]

Terry,s right , Put kero in with your diesel and before summer shut down give it a run with a strong mix, that will give it a clean. We would have frozz our tits off in Tassie with out our diesel heater. Its just like the old kero blow torch the hotter it gets the cleaner it stays...
Just fitted the second one, and at $680 for the unit,(Fitted) will put up with a few small ? maybes...And the running costs almost zip...What noise!!, have you been to a airport, thats noisy.....
Funny thing, the controler on the last one was digital , the grand kids must have been in the van pushing buttons, The van was parked in the yard 20 ft from our bed room, At 6 in the morning I hear this jet running and running, we live 2ks from the airport.And when the wind is right we hear the planes, yep the heater had started up,the van was warm as when the penny dropped and I had to go out and turn it off.
This one ( in the new van) has the switch right near the bed so I dont have to get up to turn it on, Im getting smarter, Smile.....Bob n Bev..
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PLANAR-WEBAS ... 4d08ffff7a

[aussichef]

GregnDee
We bought our current van, a RoadStar off of Ian at Port Wakefield 3 years ago this month
Wish we could have afforded a Humpback
I've been up to see him last week . And will install it for me, for $500
A reasonable price I think . And if its not finished on the day we will stay in the lay over area as we have, when we had new awning etc put on early last year,under insurance . Ended up staying their a month lol . Ian was very busy . And we wherent in a hurry. So told him take care of the inpatient customers first we will wait
Warren aka aussichef

[aussichef]

Bob n Bev
That's the one we are looking at buying but for $760 including the fuel tank
Warren