MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Troopy greg on July 02, 2017, 09:27:24 AM
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Has anyone purchased a diesel heater off Ali express if so how did it turn out and what size did you get
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Yes I use one, I've had it for a couple of years.
We use it all the time and it works great.
I think it was the smaller version. 2kw?
Anyway it heats our soft floor easily.
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That's good to hear was tossing up between 2kw and 5kw do you remember who the seller was?
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Yes, I bought 1 a few years ago, just the small unit, it was on my door step in 10 days :cup:
It was fairly easy to install, about 4 or 5 hours.
Pro's
very fuel efficient, about .25 litre/hour
very effective, we sat in the camper in "t shirts" when it was 4c or 5c outside
depending on how you can set it up, you can use it to dry clothes etc
don't need a plumber to set it up, not like the gas units
extra fuel is safe and easy to carry
Cons
Some people say they are noisy, a bit like a very muffled jet engine, but at 5 or 6 metres it was just audible (to me )
When I was selling my camper most people didn't seem to think the heater was worth any extra $$'s so I took it out and installed it into the new van :cheers:
If I was ever getting another camper it would be the 1st mod I would do.
As the add says "just do it "
cheers Keith :cheers:
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Yes ,got one Nov last year when they have their big sales, used it twice this winter so far. Just bought it from the cheapest seller I could find as they also had good feedback. 2kw seems fine in our 12ft softfloor although we haven't taken it to anywhere that gets really cold. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again in a new Camper, one other thing to keep in mind is that they use a reasonable amount of amps so depending on your current battery/solar set up you may need to increase the capacity to deal with the load.
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There are 2 types of settings, 1 which maintaines the temp which turns the heater on and off automatically and a constant output setting.
The heaters use about 12 a/h to start up, once it's running that drops back to about .5a/h
so, yes if you set it to keep maintaining the temp they will flatten your batteries over night :'(
We just set the heater to run on it's lowest constant setting and had no problems over night
cheers Keith :cheers:
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Thanks for that tip on the settings will keep that in mind
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There are 2 types of settings, 1 which maintaines the temp which turns the heater on and off automatically and a constant output setting.
The heaters use about 12 a/h to start up, once it's running that drops back to about .5a/h
so, yes if you set it to keep maintaining the temp they will flatten your batteries over night :'(
We just set the heater to run on it's lowest constant setting and had no problems over night
cheers Keith :cheers:
I think my control unit might be slightly different but my unit seems to operate differently. I haven't had the time to sit down and totally figure out what the difference is but just to say not all controllers operate exactly the same.
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There are 2 types of settings, 1 which maintaines the temp which turns the heater on and off automatically and a constant output setting.
The heaters use about 12 a/h to start up, once it's running that drops back to about .5a/h
so, yes if you set it to keep maintaining the temp they will flatten your batteries over night :'(
We just set the heater to run on it's lowest constant setting and had no problems over night
cheers Keith :cheers:
yep I second that. The auto setting is not really practical for us because when the heater turns itself off once it reaches temp it goes through a cool down process and when it starts it goes through a start up process, both of which are annoying.
We just leave ours on the lowest setting...even then it can get too warm at times.
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Do you have a link for your aliexpress ones?
Also, any danger with these when sleeping? Fire, fumes, etc?
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The combustion gases are completely separate from the warm air. Combustion gases go out the exhaust and the air is forced over a heat exchanger and into the camper
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
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So are these heaters left outside then? Sorry, I've never had one or seen one..
I just imagine if it was hard mounted, and the exhaust or something cracked, we'd be getting fumes all night and potentially never know it.
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Here's my original installation http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=21005.50 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=21005.50)
So are these heaters left outside then? Sorry, I've never had one or seen one..
I just imagine if it was hard mounted, and the exhaust or something cracked, we'd be getting fumes all night and potentially never know it.
Mate you're looking for something that will probably NEVER happen
cheers Keith
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https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2KW-12V-diesel-air-heaters-for-caravan-truck-bus-Rv-car-ship-camper-similar-Webasto-eberspacher/32806867683.html?spm=2114.40010208.4.79.Y6i5eM (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2KW-12V-diesel-air-heaters-for-caravan-truck-bus-Rv-car-ship-camper-similar-Webasto-eberspacher/32806867683.html?spm=2114.40010208.4.79.Y6i5eM)
Most people install them in a lockable box on the mud guard or close by. Will be doing the same soon.
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Yep - This is how I have installed mine - its on the front tool box blowing the heated air into the step through and the diesel exhaust out of the non tent side of the tool box. http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=43524.msg729969#msg729969 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=43524.msg729969#msg729969)
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Great ideas on where to install thanks guys
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So Throbbinhood.
Just to add to the confusion, ok.
You can get CO detector alarms, like smoke alarms from Caravan spares places.
Possibly the big green shed as well, not sure though.
Aldi also has them now and again.
So, provided you had a detector mounted below the sleeping level, you'd know about it.
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So Throbbinhood.
Just to add to the confusion, ok.
You can get CO detector alarms, like smoke alarms from Caravan spares places.
Possibly the big green shed as well, not sure though.
Aldi also has them now and again.
So, provided you had a detector mounted below the sleeping level, you'd know about it.
Carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air NAFPA recommend detectors should be mounted at a height of about 5 feet above ground level.
Sent from my A1601 using Tapatalk
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Do you have a link for your aliexpress ones?
Also, any danger with these when sleeping? Fire, fumes, etc?
Mine is from the same place that AL put the link up.
I also keep mine in one the side boxes so if there is a fire it 'should' be contained in steel. I extended my exhaust out to the far side of the camper because, yes, I thought I could smell fumes in the past and probably still can sometimes but it hasnt killed me yet and I keep it on overnight plenty of times.....Ill let you know if it does kill me ;)
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So Throbbinhood.
Just to add to the confusion, ok.
You can get CO detector alarms, like smoke alarms from Caravan spares places.
Possibly the big green shed as well, not sure though.
Aldi also has them now and again.
So, provided you had a detector mounted below the sleeping level, you'd know about it.
I accept what two up has said.
But I still recommend you get a detector.
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I have 2kw Planar in 19'6" van. Works well mounted under the bed.
The gasses vent to the outside of the van so quite safe.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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So how quiet do they run?
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Had a Webasto diesel heater in our camper for 7 years now, it hasn't killed us yet ;)
So how quiet do they run?
depends where you mount each component....
inside blower unit....turn your car heater fan on high and sounds similar to that, the start up noise is louder though, so set it to run all night not cycle on and off. Downside is they really dry your mouth and throat out with the warm air, I need to get a drink of water when I first wake up usually from how dry my throat is.
Outside noise...the exhaust is abit like a caravan air con unit running, there's also a ticking noise on mine from the fuel pump. 5 metres away from the side it's mounted on I can't hear it....though reading some replays on forums from those who don't own one, you'd swear it sounds like a jumbo jet flying past (I think they exaggerate the noise out of jelousy though).
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I too have a combined fire / CO detector - I don't think you can be too safe even if they in theory can't pass the exhaust gasses back into the heating air.
As other have said they can sound a bit like a quiet jet engine as the spool up and have that characteristic whine. That however dies down as they get upto temp, and I don't find it irritating at all. There is on mine also the sound of the fuel pump which clicks. When the unit is running full out you hear a click, click click sound but when up to temp during the night we hear one click a minute or so. Certainly not loud enough to be irritating but it is certainly there.
I'll echo everyone else here and say it is the best mod I have done to the camper. It adds a few months of comfortable camping to the year for the family, expanding our season. That in itself has paid for it.
Don't think too hard and just go for it.... ;D
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Don't think too hard and just go for it.... ;D
x50 :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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This is the one I got https://www.aliexpress.com/item/VVKB-Air-Parking-Heater-12V-2500W-All-the-Electronic-Components-is-Car-level/32721921828.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.cRObXQ, (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/VVKB-Air-Parking-Heater-12V-2500W-All-the-Electronic-Components-is-Car-level/32721921828.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.cRObXQ,) after all the discounts etc I got it for $385 shipped in their 11/11 sales last year. It just has the 5 different heating levels as opposed to the set temperature setting others have talked about. I have also since purchased the muffler for it as well.
I will use my current clamp on it next time, however, to check what current it draws as my initial impression is that it draws more than the .5Ah xcvator mentioned earlier (have you measured this or it just manual specs?)
A quick question for others is, do they have the air intake on the combustion side drawing from internally or externally of the camper, reason I ask is that a loose wire shut ours off without going through the shutdown process and some smoke/vapour came back through air intake which currently is internal to the tent area.
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Hi,
External please! Both!
The noise from near the inlet is bad enough, let alone some fumes on shut down and the ingress of cold air being drawn into the interior.
Cheers
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk
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.......
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Got mine installed in my forward fold next to the wheel arch.
The pump is in a pvc tube with foam so you can barely hear it ticking.
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Got mine installed in my forward fold next to the wheel arch.
The pump is in a pvc tube with foam so you can barely hear it ticking.
So air for the heating element and exhaust air of same are both drawn in and expelled thru the floor?
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Yep air goes in from the bottom and out thru an muffler all the way in the back of the trailer.
Air inside is recirculated so it gets warm fast and the heater goes in the slow recirculating mode and just sounds like a normal fan on low.
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Hi,
External please! Both!
The noise from near the inlet is bad enough, let alone some fumes on shut down and the ingress of cold air being drawn into the interior.
Do you have a silencer on the combustion intake like this (http://www.dieselheat.com.au/ttwp/wp-content/uploads/silencer-filter.jpg) and or a filter or is it free to just draw anything in. I went with the internal draw for the air side as then it doesn't have to work as hard and figured the little bit of air that the combustion side has to draw in would just keep a little bit of fresh air coming in, but the whiff diesel at start up and shut down is less than ideal. The noise for me isn't a concern at all I find the way it's installed actually makes it fairly quiet but even if it wasn't it wouldn't stop me from sleeping.
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I have that filter tryagain even if it is to keep bugs out of the system.
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Hi,
I draw combustion air up 400mm, along about 500mm and then into the heater. I can plug the intake if driving in dusty conditions, though I can disconnect the plumbing easily to check for dust but have found no ingress todate.
There is no filter/muffler on the inlet.
The exhaust is a mirror image of the inlet, going to the other side of the camper, but through a supplied muffler.
Cheers
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk
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FFS people, these things work, they are safe IF installed correctly, if you're not happy with the "aliexpress item" for $400-00 go to http://www.dieselheatingaustralia.com/products-pricing/snugger-sf2300-diesel-heater/ (http://www.dieselheatingaustralia.com/products-pricing/snugger-sf2300-diesel-heater/) and $929-00 for exactly the same thing sheesh
Instead of asking the same inane questions over and over try looking up how to install one of these units >:( >:( >:( Try thinking for yourself, it really doesn't hurt very much
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Got mine installed in my forward fold next to the wheel arch.
The pump is in a pvc tube with foam so you can barely hear it ticking.
Can you please post a photo of your pump set up as im mid install thanks Mike
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FFS people, these things work, they are safe IF installed correctly, if you're not happy with the "aliexpress item" for $400-00 go to http://www.dieselheatingaustralia.com/products-pricing/snugger-sf2300-diesel-heater/ (http://www.dieselheatingaustralia.com/products-pricing/snugger-sf2300-diesel-heater/) and $929-00 for exactly the same thing sheesh
Instead of asking the same inane questions over and over try looking up how to install one of these units >:( >:( >:( Try thinking for yourself, it really doesn't hurt very much
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d1/e8/6c/d1e86c178395249211945d3c1bef6533--its-funny-funny-sayings.jpg)
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(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d1/e8/6c/d1e86c178395249211945d3c1bef6533--its-funny-funny-sayings.jpg)
Stop it immediately girls, or both of you will be sent straight to your rooms! :police:
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Can you please post a photo of your pump set up as im mid install thanks Mike
My pump set up is near silent, if the tool box it is in is shut you can't hear it when standing next to it, I am sure there is more than 1 way to skin a cat though.
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=49024.msg900506#msg900506 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=49024.msg900506#msg900506)
I have that filter tryagain even if it is to keep bugs out of the system.
Yeah, that's my concern with an outside intake, if it sucks a bug up it might cause damage to the unit, and if I mount the silencer outside is it likely to get damaged? Shouldn't be too hard to figure out an ideal solution, however.
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Stop it immediately girls, or both of you will be sent straight to your rooms! :police:
Bossy bitch :-* :-* :-* ;D
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Stop it immediately girls, or both of you will be sent straight to your rooms! :police:
:cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup:
... an ideal solution, however.
by a good quality doona :D
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:cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup:
by a good quality doona :D
Yet you know you still want a heater ;D
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I crawl only once under the camper trailer to take a photo and here it is, the pump in full glory (nothing to see here so keep walking).
Pls no more stupid questions and start to think for yourselfs, it is not hard to install this heater ppl ???
:worthles:
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I crawl only once under the camper trailer to take a photo and here it is, the pump in full glory (nothing to see here so keep walking).
awesome photos ;D
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I know i know :cup: :cheers: :angel: ;D
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Thanks for taking the photos I though that how you had described it you had come up with a way of reducing the noise that people had spoke of. Don't worry i'm a big boy and I'm working out how to install mine I just wanted some advice regarding the fuel pump but seeing as you want us to think for our self's I won't trouble you again maybe next time just tell me you just don't want too I won't lose any sleep over it
Again it looks like this is just going to turn in to a fu-king soap box taken over by keyboard warriors not a place to share info and help each other ???
PS sorry to all other members I've just had a sh-t day and though that here we all had the same interests and were happy to show others our campers and help each other when doing upgrades
once again I do apologise
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Thanks for taking the photos I though that how you had described it you had come up with a way of reducing the noise that people had spoke of. Don't worry i'm a big boy and I'm working out how to install mine I just wanted some advice regarding the fuel pump but seeing as you want us to think for our self's I won't trouble you again maybe next time just tell me you just don't want too I won't lose any sleep over it
Again it looks like this is just going to turn in to a fu-king soap box taken over by keyboard warriors not a place to share info and help each other ???
PS sorry to all other members I've just had a sh-t day and though that here we all had the same interests and were happy to show others our campers and help each other when doing upgrades
once again I do apologise
Ask as many questions as you like mate I am happy to help out if I can. I am getting good ideas for my install as well.
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I am happy to help to but it is just too easy to fit these diesel heaters.
Have a look at my write up how to fit one of them on facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1213308812030813/search/?query=diesel%20heater (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1213308812030813/search/?query=diesel%20heater)
Scroll down to the Martin Meupelenberg post and download the doc file or the pdf file.
If i can do it, anyone can do it.
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Thanks Danny :cheers:
I don't know if you have got your heater yet ? I have I got mine from https://www.butlertechnik.com/vehicle-heater-kits-c1/2kw-air-heaters-c2 (https://www.butlertechnik.com/vehicle-heater-kits-c1/2kw-air-heaters-c2) In the uk they are on ebay but after talking with them it worked out cheaper to order direct and pay the postage as they remove the VAT from the price, I got a full kit Eberspacher Heater, fuel tank and fitting extras the heater comes with a digital controller and a 3 year warranty it come from them to me in 4 days and the phone support was second to none
I have started the install here a link to my camper http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=51469.0 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=51469.0)
I have read your build many times when looking at getting a camper I just tried to go back over it and your photos have gone ?
Thanks Mike
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I am happy to help to but it is just too easy to fit these diesel heaters.
Have a look at my write up how to fit one of them on facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1213308812030813/search/?query=diesel%20heater (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1213308812030813/search/?query=diesel%20heater)
Scroll down to the Martin Meupelenberg post and download the doc file or the pdf file.
If i can do it, anyone can do it.
Thanks for the link