Author Topic: Snugger diesel heater DIY install (Read 17063 times)

GBC · « **on:** June 07, 2017, 08:46:56 AM »

I am expecting delivery any day to quickly install this weekend prior to this year's winter run - nothing like a bit of impulse purchasing.... Any pearls of wisdom from those who have gone before me? I searched here prior to buying and all reports seem to suggest a relatively easy process?

Rodt · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2017, 08:51:58 AM »

Not sure where I saw it now but I saw recently an old article where a guy had mounted his in a small portable toolbox so that he could set it up outside wherever he wanted and then just run the hose inside. No issues with exhaust venting or diesel smells. Seemed like a simple and practical solution

xcvator · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2017, 09:42:49 AM »

Just lay all the bits and pieces out on a table and match them up to the "chinglish " instruction so that they make a bit of sense .
Hardest thing I found was getting the initial fuel flow through to the heater, I had to pressurize the fuel tank a bit by blowing into it .
You can seal around the exhaust outlet with exhaust silicone
cheers Keith

tryagain · « **Reply #3 on:** June 07, 2017, 10:18:06 AM »

I did mine recently, it's not too hard but a bit of prior thought as to how best to install it helps, what sort of camper do you have?

GBC · « **Reply #4 on:** June 07, 2017, 12:18:26 PM »

Quote from: tryagain on June 07, 2017, 10:18:06 AM

I did mine recently, it's not too hard but a bit of prior thought as to how best to install it helps, what sort of camper do you have?

MDC rear fold - Cape York. Not a huge amount of spare space to play with, but where there's a will....
Which means desert and flinders ranges in june/july, the boss has said "we WILL have a heater" haha.

tryagain · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2017, 01:19:54 PM »

Here is how I did mine, different scenario to you but might be useful for some ideas. http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=49024.msg900506#msg900506

tryagain · « **Reply #6 on:** June 07, 2017, 04:41:51 PM »

Also just found where I posted about some portable options I was considering before I installed in the camper.
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=42884.msg868752#msg868752

Ben.Archer · « **Reply #7 on:** June 07, 2017, 05:33:19 PM »

This is how I installed mine in the from toolbox with the heat blowing through into the Step-Through
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=43524.msg729969#msg729969

GBC · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2017, 06:14:01 PM »

Cheers all. I got it done today. Has anybody had issues with fuel freezing? Should I be lagging the fuel line?

tryagain · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2017, 06:23:45 PM »

I haven't, diesel should be fine, I haven't heard of the fuel lines in a car having issues and I would imagine the heater would be the same.

tryagain · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2017, 06:24:45 PM »

Quote from: GBC on June 10, 2017, 06:14:01 PM

Cheers all. I got it done today.

GBC · « **Reply #11 on:** June 11, 2017, 07:53:15 AM »

First lot:

I had to cut down the mounting plate to fit the gap.

GBC · « **Reply #12 on:** June 11, 2017, 07:54:53 AM »

Second lot. I'll put captions on later.

I had 5mm to play with to fit the unit between the rear of the drawers and the battery frame. It was pure luck that it just happened to be between two cross members underneath.

themissus · « **Reply #13 on:** June 11, 2017, 08:12:05 AM »

Looks good!
We have a diesel heater in the Q+ and AOR advised us to add a bit of kero to the tank in cold weather. We've never gotten around to it and haven't had an issue with diesel freezing, been in temps as low as -4 in SA last year.

weeds · « **Reply #14 on:** June 11, 2017, 08:24:53 AM »

Quote from: themissus on June 11, 2017, 08:12:05 AM

Looks good!
We have a diesel heater in the Q+ and AOR advised us to add a bit of kero to the tank in cold weather. We've never gotten around to it and haven't had an issue with diesel freezing, been in temps as low as -4 in SA last year.

I always thought in the colder regions that the manufacturers put an additive into diesel to stop it freezing.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

GeoffA · « **Reply #15 on:** June 11, 2017, 08:28:22 AM »

http://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp-country/en_au/media/fuel-news/diesel-cars-alpine-regions-winter.pdf

GBC · « **Reply #16 on:** June 11, 2017, 08:35:08 AM »

The diesel is that funny colour because there is a litre of blue kero in there. Cheap insurance hopefully. I'd be filthy if it didn't go when we really wanted it. It would be a cold day in hell that servos sold winter mix diesel in Brisbane

GBC · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2017, 12:03:00 PM »

A quick update on this, it ran perfectly on our trip - if they did one approx. 0.5 k.w it would do us fine. 2 k.w. is enough to set a camper on fire just about.
We did notice it was pretty noisy for the neighbours, but nice and quiet inside.
Once home again I did a bit of research and ordered a Webasto 5 kw intake silencer off ebay from Turkey - it made a big difference when installed - the intake whine is gone. The internal diameter is the same as the intake line so it cannot choke the fresh air feed.
I also took a gamble and ordered a Honda genset muffler from Hong Kong off ebay at the same time. I cut the mounting flange off it and stuck it on the end of the exhaust. This has also helped considerably.
There is still a dull roar when it takes off and gets the camper up to temp, but once it kicks back and cruises we can barely hear it outside now. I'd highly recommend the intake silencer at least, and the muffler for the more daring.
On another note, I think I have a cunning plan to convert the hard floor into a hybrid once the kids move on - anybody done such a thing?

DannyG · « **Reply #18 on:** July 25, 2017, 12:36:50 PM »

Quote from: GBC on July 25, 2017, 12:03:00 PM

Once home again I did a bit of research and ordered a Webasto 5 kw intake silencer off ebay from Turkey - it made a big difference when installed - the intake whine is gone. The internal diameter is the same as the intake line so it cannot choke the fresh air feed.
I also took a gamble and ordered a Honda genset muffler from Hong Kong off ebay at the same time. I cut the mounting flange off it and stuck it on the end of the exhaust. This has also helped considerably.
There is still a dull roar when it takes off and gets the camper up to temp, but once it kicks back and cruises we can barely hear it outside now. I'd highly recommend the intake silencer at least, and the muffler for the more daring.
On another note, I think I have a cunning plan to convert the hard floor into a hybrid once the kids move on - anybody done such a thing?

Have you got some links to the silencer and muffler?