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Post by Warrenk on Jun 24, 2018 12:40:51 GMT 10
I am thinking about installing a diesel heater into our Olympic. Has anyone installed one of these heaters into your classic caravan? If so what do you think of them?
Warren
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Post by snoops on Jun 24, 2018 15:05:33 GMT 10
Yes, got one in my Viscount - bloody brilliant. 👍 I just bought a cheapy Chinese unit for $250 delivered - a copy of an Eperspacher D2 which retails for $1600 here in Aus - apparenty the D2 spares fit it as well -like the igniter. Used a different tank as the one supplied would have to be mounted externally. I used a 10 litre plastic jerry can mounted under the seat with the heater, with a vent line running outside so I get no diesel smell. I bough a 5KW unit, but that's way too big for my 19' van -I rarely get it above it's minimum setting. If I was buying one again, I'd go a 3KW unit. It draws quite a bit of power on startup while the igniter is on - around 8 amps for 2 or 3 minutes, then it drops down to around an amp or less that the fan takes. Inside is virtually silent when running on low apart from a faint clicking of the fuel pump - I need to work on that but I can live with it. Outside makes a bit more noise and I would think if you had it running on a very still, quiet night, someone camped in a tent next to you may not be too impressed but it isn't loud as such, just noticable. I fitted a muffler to mine - $15 from another seller which made a bit of a difference. Can take pics later if you want. Well worth it if you camp during the Winter months. Edit - this is the current listing for the one I bought off the same seller - they have gone up a bit since I bought mine - www.ebay.com.au/itm/AU-5000W-12V-Air-Diesel-Heater-PLANAR-5KW-for-Car-Truck-Motorhomes-Boats-Bus-Van/153007417481?epid=16018882206&hash=item239ff3e889:g:~w4AAOSwH4ha-qBo
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Post by Warrenk on Jun 24, 2018 18:05:33 GMT 10
Thanks Snoops, I am only looking at a 2 kw model (they are a similar price as the 5kw)as our Olympic is only 16ft. I really think most of the brands available are full of parts made by a single supplier.
Warren
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Post by snoops on Jun 24, 2018 19:19:43 GMT 10
Yep, all much of a muchness I think. 😊
Not sure on how you'd go getting any parts from the Chinese suppliers so it's good to know there are some available locally through the suppliers that stock the mega dollar units. I noticed on the website I looke at today that the 5KW unit is $1,600 but that doesn't come with a tank - that's an extra $150. Even the mufflers they sell are $45 (15 from fleabay). Expensive proposition to use a name brand unit so I was happy to take my chances on a Chinese unit. The only moving part is the fan motor - which has 2 fans on it - a small one off one end of the shaft inside the heat exchanger to push combustion air through and a bigger main fan on the other end which pushes large amounts accross the finned housing of the combustuon chamber to pick up the heat and deliver it into the van. Apart from that there's an igniter, a sensor to ensure the fan is running and an overtemp switch. Very simple really and no idea how they can justify the dollars they ask to be honest.
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Post by bobt on Jun 26, 2018 22:01:16 GMT 10
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Post by bobt on Jun 26, 2018 22:07:51 GMT 10
I fitted one to my 'box' have tested it in the driveway, it seems good. Ran it for over an hour twice. It did not use much fuel. I picked it up from <a href="http://www.pinnaclewholesalers.com.au/index.php?route=product/search&search=Diesel%20heater">Pinnacle Wholesalers </a> in Ballarat they appear on ebay.
They came highly recommended. The exhaust seems to be a bit noisey on the outside. Do hear the pump ticking inside.
The free camping did not happen this trip, well not yet. We ended up with some friends travelling with us, they are not geared for cold weather away from a power point.
The Diesel Heater seems like a great thing..
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Post by Warrenk on Jun 26, 2018 23:02:25 GMT 10
The exhaust seems to be a bit noisey on the outside. Have you fitted a muffler to the exhaust. My concerns is how intrusive the exhaust noise would be to the neighbors and can you smell the exhaust fumes. I am thinking about fitting it to a box of some sort and make it portable with just a hole for the inlet pipe and and connection for the battery in the caravan floor. Warren
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Post by snoops on Jun 26, 2018 23:14:53 GMT 10
You can smell the funes a bit when outside particularly when it first starts up, but once hot the combustion is quite efficient, so it is less noticable.
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Post by bobt on Jun 27, 2018 13:19:57 GMT 10
No muffler, they did not have them in stock when we called in. I will order one when we get home.
I originally had the smell inside the van, after I extended the exhaust past the external wall it was ok.
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