Thanks! We've got some already, behind the driver's seat, I think, but they obviously run off the main battery at the moment. USB sockets in cars, hotel rooms etc are still a novelty for me so I tend to forget about them!
Worth the wait! (VW T5.1)
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Hey Guest, Early bird pricing on the Summer Moot (29th July - 10th August) available until April 6th, we'd love you to come. PLEASE CLICK HERE to early bird price and get more information.
Sure. I’ve been looking into it for months now and become aware of a few possible pitfalls. I bought one from eBay and it arrived with the fan jammed solid and not mounted properly on the spindle. It was easy enough to return, but a pain nonetheless. Then I found Diesel Heater Midlands on Facebook. Curt and Abbie are great to deal with, even helping a bloke out via FaceTime on his phone to fix a problem on a heater that hadn’t even been bought from them. There are also a couple of Chinese diesel heater Facebook groups where there’s good information to be had once you’ve sorted out some of the idiot comments like “will it run on veg oil or petrol”, etc. Clue’s in the name. It’s a diesel heater.
Weather permitting it’s going in next week, I’ll keep you posted.
One of the main reasons I hardly ever used my Eberspacher Hydronic in my ex BT Transit van was because I was running the van on Biodiesel and heard the heater wasn't right keen on it, plus it wasn't great for heating the air anyway.
I would have been better using another fuel tank with diesel in but never got round to it.
The van ran great on Bio mind.
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Even running the van on diesel there’s no way I’m tapping into the main tank. It involves dropping it out to drill into, so I’ll use either the 10litre tank it came with or a 5ltr depending where we decide it’s going to have to go. I’ve read they’re not too picky about fuel but do run best on diesel. They’re truckers cab heaters so it makes sense to run them on vehicle diesel. Also the dosing pumps need the oiliness to lubricate the piston.
Aye, all the piping had already been done on my old Transit but there's no way I'm faffing on with plumbing into the road fual tank in my Toyota.
I think I'm after an Ebespacher copy as from what I've seen they are simpler to work on if needed.
Figure the 5 Kw one should do the van and maybe an awning tent if needed and yeah from what I see they run on a few diszel like fuels so as long as they get fully hot regularly they burn off a lot of the crud.
Left running at low levels all the time and they develop too much soot inside which causes issues.
The pump however doesn't like too light a fuel as it doesn't give it enough lubrication.
I really don't have a problem with running on on normal diesel nowadays so I assume it will be fine.
Plus the cost is far and away less than the German originals so its less of an issue if it fails.
I'll likely wait til summer for it as I'm not ratching about under my van in winter.
Spot on, you’re reading the same stuff as me I think.
Reason I wanted a genuine 2kw and not a 5kw is I want the thing running fast to help prevent sooting. The pump is gonna tick like a mad thing, but I can fix that with neoprene and an electrical box. I’m fitting to a fairly large hi-top LWB, 5kw is possibly overkill for a van.
If you know a farmer and can get hold of cherry, it’s fully legal to use. I reckon for my needs I’ll just run it on regular diesel, they don’t use a lot.
I didn't realise that a separate tank was an option! Do people not use them because it's more convenient to use them tank?
The Chinese diesel heaters do come with a separate fuel tank. This can be secured to either the outside or inside of the van depending on your requirements. I've seen them fitted wih the fuel tank underslung on a custom made bracket. Holes are then drilled through the floor of the van to install pumps, fuel and air lines. All very neat and tidy. I have an eberspacher diesel heater which has a fuel line directly into my vans fuel tank. That way I don't have to worry about filling two tanks, or running out of fuel for the heater (which will invariably happen right when you need it most, in the dark of night, in the wettest coldest conditions!).
One thing to consider with a separate fuel tank is the assumption that you will carry spare fuel for it. Where will this spare fuel be stored? If the fuel tank for the heater is internal, are you comfortable with 5 or 10 litres in the tank plus however many litres spare sloshing about inside your van while you're driving? Are you having it professionally installed?
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Thanks for the explanation! It's really useful to understand the various options before deciding what to go for.
I'd definitely get any work done by a professional - I know my limitations!
It could be argued the other way, totally depleting the vehicle fuel tank would leave you in a worse situation with no heat from the diesel heater or able to run the engine. I’m fine with fitting either the 5ltr or 10ltr tank secured in the vehicle, I’ve carried many cans of two stroke mix and spare petrol over the years in arboriculture, it’s not dangerous at all. It’s a see though plastic so I’ll know when I need a fill. Diesel isn’t volatile like petrol, my main concern is dripping the tiniest amount will stink the van out, so I’ll be pouring carefully with a cloth, or getting a non-drip self seal nozzle like on the chainsaw combi cans. No way I’m dropping out my vans diesel tank to drill a hole in the top, and splitting off the fuel line isn’t happening either.
This is the kit. Rigid fuel line, tank, heater, connectors, inlets and outlet ducts, fuel pump, controller, filters, exhaust muffler, mountings. Very simple, it’s a mini diesel engine that draws air in from outside, and pumps exhaust gas outside (that’s the two holes in the pic, the heater is upside down).
The clever bit is a fan that blows air from inside the van over the hot engine and pumps good dry heat is completely separated from the the combustion chamber. It’s just an air cooled diesel engine where the warmth is circulated into the van. Your leisure battery will be running the fan and the glow plug to vaporise the diesel fuel. That’s another good reason to be using the separate fuel tank, the system isn’t affected by a flat vehicle battery.
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You are absolutely right matey, it's a personal choice. Your experience with carrying fuel about is much better than my own. I am not so confident with having unstable loads inside my van that's all.It could be argued the other way, totally depleting the vehicle fuel tank would leave you in a worse situation with no heat from the diesel heater or able to run the engine. I’m fine with fitting either the 5ltr or 10ltr tank secured in the vehicle, I’ve carried many cans of two stroke mix and spare petrol over the years in arboriculture, it’s not dangerous at all. It’s a see though plastic so I’ll know when I need a fill. Diesel isn’t volatile like petrol, my main concern is dripping the tiniest amount will stink the van out, so I’ll be pouring carefully with a cloth, or getting a non-drip self seal nozzle like on the chainsaw combi cans. No way I’m dropping out my vans diesel tank to drill a hole in the top, and splitting off the fuel line isn’t happening either.
This is the kit. Rigid fuel line, tank, heater, connectors, inlets and outlet ducts, fuel pump, controller, filters, exhaust muffler, mountings. Very simple, it’s a mini diesel engine that draws air in from outside, and pumps exhaust gas outside (that’s the two holes in the pic, the heater is upside down).
The clever bit is a fan that blows air from inside the van over the hot engine and pumps good dry heat is completely separated from the the combustion chamber. It’s just an air cooled diesel engine where the warmth is circulated into the van. Your leisure battery will be running the fan and the glow plug to vaporise the diesel fuel. That’s another good reason to be using the separate fuel tank, the system isn’t affected by a flat vehicle battery.
I had my heater installed professionally, for peace of mind with warranty and for insurance reasons. The main tank won't ever run out of fuel because of the heater. There is an auto cut off valve in the heaters fuel line which detects when my main fuel tank is down to about 5 ltrs of remaining fuel. When it gets this low, the valve cuts in a stops drawing fuel for the heater. I suppose it could be argued that I would then have no heating! But I always mitigate that by ensuring I fuel up if required before stopping for the night. These heaters, whichever brand, are incredibly economical. I can't recall exactly how little fuel they actually draw over a given time period, but what I do know is: I had mine running on a maintain cycle for about 17hrs in a Scottish winter and I don't think it even moved my fuel gauge!
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You are absolutely right matey, it's a personal choice. Your experience with carrying fuel about is much better than my own. I am not so confident with having unstable loads inside my van that's all.
I had my heater installed professionally, for peace of mind with warranty and for insurance reasons. The main tank won't ever run out of fuel because of the heater. There is an auto cut off valve in the heaters fuel line which detects when my main fuel tank is down to about 5 ltrs of remaining fuel. When it gets this low, the valve cuts in a stops drawing fuel for the heater. I suppose it could be argued that I would then have no heating! But I always mitigate that by ensuring I fuel up if required before stopping for the night. These heaters, whichever brand, are incredibly economical. I can't recall exactly how little fuel they actually draw over a given time period, but what I do know is: I had mine running on a maintain cycle for about 17hrs in a Scottish winter and I don't think it even moved my fuel gauge!
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I think I remember John McK saying every click of the pump pumped half a drip of fuel. A mate of mine has a go-kart fuel tank for his that’s 3ltrs and did him a week in Scotland last October.
I was kind of thinking I might put a tank against the bulkhead between the passenger seat and the rear load compartment.
That way I can access the tank from the sliding door.
On my old British Telecom smilie face Transit the Eberspacher was under the van, kind of shielded by the side door step but it was a fight to get to, not sure I'd be having one there again.
Mind, after saying that Ebespacher wasn't much use, I gave it to a mates son who has fitted it to his van, along with the calorifier/engine coolant heat exchanger and he's chuffed to bits with it from what I heard.
There is one version of those Chinese heaters that does water and air which is a bit posh but I don't need that much.
That way I can access the tank from the sliding door.
On my old British Telecom smilie face Transit the Eberspacher was under the van, kind of shielded by the side door step but it was a fight to get to, not sure I'd be having one there again.
Mind, after saying that Ebespacher wasn't much use, I gave it to a mates son who has fitted it to his van, along with the calorifier/engine coolant heat exchanger and he's chuffed to bits with it from what I heard.
There is one version of those Chinese heaters that does water and air which is a bit posh but I don't need that much.
Well, I found a bloke in Farnborough who drove the hour plus to me last Sunday and fitted the system in about 3 hours and charged my £95. I gave him a bit more than that to cover his fuel etc and the heater runs good as gold. He reckoned the 2kw was more than adequate for my van, and he’s right. I’ve been running it just for its novelty so far, but it really is beginning to open up some options now I know how cozy we can be on a frosty morning.
He gets about @SaraR and is pleased for the work, really nice guy. If you’d like his contact drop me a PM and I’ll send it over. He’s on Facebook, Josh Monaghan.
He gets about @SaraR and is pleased for the work, really nice guy. If you’d like his contact drop me a PM and I’ll send it over. He’s on Facebook, Josh Monaghan.
Well our vivaro is booked in for conversion. Not a full one. Only windows, line out, elevating roof, crash tested rib bed (they fold better than cheapo makes), split charge, leisure battery, plug in system for campsites, led lights with switches in useful places, 2kw heater and built in curtains.
No cabinets or other units but we may go that way for full camper. The side will be good for bikes until we get a rear frame bike rack fitted. Possibly an awning later too. Really a day van with cold weather sleeping possible to extend our camping season. Summer will still be in a tent. We just like tent camping.
Cooking will be trangia with gas kit. We might take a camping kitchen with stand and two hob stove but we'll see how basic we want to be.
It's fun getting your van sorted isn't it!
No cabinets or other units but we may go that way for full camper. The side will be good for bikes until we get a rear frame bike rack fitted. Possibly an awning later too. Really a day van with cold weather sleeping possible to extend our camping season. Summer will still be in a tent. We just like tent camping.
Cooking will be trangia with gas kit. We might take a camping kitchen with stand and two hob stove but we'll see how basic we want to be.
It's fun getting your van sorted isn't it!
I'd love to see pictures as when you got it done and hear more about what worked/ choices etc!
I fitted a 2kw Webasto airtop over the Christmas break and took the van down to Exmoor last weekend for a test. I think it's one of the best features of the van after trying it over a cold damp weekend. I plumbed the heater into a fuel line in the engine bay (rear engine camper) rather than drilling the tank. Running flat out it drinks 0.25 litres per hour but in reality it's on a rheostat so it's not on all the time.
The bloke that converted our van was clever with space and used almost all of it. I may look at turning the top bunk into cupboards, but I think we’ll keep the bottom one, the dogs seem to like it 
. To get a Ducato LWB self conversion with a toilet/shower must be rare, but I’m not putting on boots and a coat to go pee in the rain or dig a hole. Shower probably won’t get used much but good for muddy dogs. The heater is in the boxed in bit under the passenger seats. I’ve boxed it back in, but where the mag rack is now the outlet. It draws air easily enough because the space isn’t sealed, plenty of gaps where the boards meet the seats. I kept the 10lt tank, Josh fitted it behind the seats there, screwed to the side of the cubicle, ran the fuel line out underneath and back in to the heater. The pump is mounted in its rubber bracket outside and there’s hardIy any noise. I’ve added a wedge between seats and wall as the material is thin and he didn’t want to hole the shower unit but I was a bit worried about the tank coming away if I hit a pothole etc.
I’ll take a pic of the tank and vent tomorrow.
Agreed, it really is one one the best things you can do in a van. We were trying to demist and keep warm using the engine and fan. No chance, it hardly even gets warm on tickover, and I can’t run it all night anyway. My car has been in having some work done so I’ve been using the van, I’ve kept the heater on the thermostat all day. Got a battery for the remote this morning, so things are just about to get ridiculously lazy and cozy
. To get a Ducato LWB self conversion with a toilet/shower must be rare, but I’m not putting on boots and a coat to go pee in the rain or dig a hole. Shower probably won’t get used much but good for muddy dogs. The heater is in the boxed in bit under the passenger seats. I’ve boxed it back in, but where the mag rack is now the outlet. It draws air easily enough because the space isn’t sealed, plenty of gaps where the boards meet the seats. I kept the 10lt tank, Josh fitted it behind the seats there, screwed to the side of the cubicle, ran the fuel line out underneath and back in to the heater. The pump is mounted in its rubber bracket outside and there’s hardIy any noise. I’ve added a wedge between seats and wall as the material is thin and he didn’t want to hole the shower unit but I was a bit worried about the tank coming away if I hit a pothole etc.I’ll take a pic of the tank and vent tomorrow.
Agreed, it really is one one the best things you can do in a van. We were trying to demist and keep warm using the engine and fan. No chance, it hardly even gets warm on tickover, and I can’t run it all night anyway. My car has been in having some work done so I’ve been using the van, I’ve kept the heater on the thermostat all day. Got a battery for the remote this morning, so things are just about to get ridiculously lazy and cozy
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I was smitten mate. I wouldn’t have known where to start with a black Ducato LWB ex-freight van. The guy who converted it bought it to tow his Audi to Le Mans, hence the Audi grey respray. Mileage is high on it and the sliding door needs to come off and be re-hung, clutch has had to be replaced already, but it’s a cool van. The pics here are from the seller, they’re better than mine.
Not sure the tv is much use to us to be honest.
Sorry Sara, I’ve jumped in your thread.
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