Diesel tent heater install

Love that one also! Having a heater is a game changer for me. That will be awesome in the Sprinter.

 

Does anyone install these inside and add a hole in the wheel well for the exhaust? Or are these units designed to withstand the cold temperatures outside (I.e. feeding the hot air through a pipe in the RTT?

 

They’re designed to withstand the temps. I wouldn’t leave it out exposed to the elements but they don’t have to be inside a warm area. I’ve had mine pull 18 degree air and it cranks out hot air. I’ve also had it circulate the air inside with the annex attached and it works very efficiently that way also. The sprinter vans and build types like that use that method. All that matters is that the exhaust is outside the vehicle or sleeping area. The intake for the combustion can even be inside.

Very versatile units.

 

JDSmith - did you ever get the Aux setup or are you still having success with your cranking battery and the order of operation you described?

 

I use one of these heaters for my ice fishing tent. I use a small 12ah lithium battery, runs for a good 10 hours on that and the battery only weighs 3 lbs. A small 30ah thats only slightly larger would run it for much longer.

*picture shows my trolling motor battery as the lithium was charging.

 

I use basic drier vent hose to pipe the heat to our tent, and to vent the air intake well away from the exhaust pipe.

 

Fired the ol heater up for the first time this season last weekend. Other than leaking some diesel all over the inside of my heater box, it worked like a champ. Haven't filled it up yet but Im guessing it burnt right around 1 gallon over 15 hours on med-low / med setting.

 

The one, and I think the only drawback is the thumping sound from the fuel pump. It's not really loud, but more of a constant "thump, thump". I only use mine before bed and before getting up to get the chill off. If you're out at your favorite spot where it is sooo peaceful and quiet....it will drive you nuts. I keep mine away from my truck (about 6ft) and use a fold up sound "barrier" to help cut down the sound. If this thing is mounted to any hard/solid surface, the sound will resonate through. But I tell ya....these things will bake your ass!!! You want warm? You get warm.

 

I built my own last year before a winter trip from Southern California to Wisconsin, camping along the way. I used a large enough aluminum case to strore all the hoses, wiring and other related stuff.
Used it this past week with my James Baroud Awning Enclosure (comes with only 3 walls, so I had a custom 4th wall made) with a RRT Tunnel. Made the camping trip very comfortable in both areas.

 

I bought and replaced mine with a much quieter pump, wrapped it plumbing insulation this year. With my water sealed box, I can barely hear it now.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353856588268

 

Still running it off the cranking battery and it’s doing great! Haven’t had any time to do an aux setup though, everything else keeps grabbing up my free time…

 

That looks extremely peaceful!

 

That’s some nice work, looks awesome

 

Love the electrical passthroughs. Ive had some Amazon ones in my cart for a while for this exact purpose.

It was. Early season winter camping is always the best! Likely no other people within a several mile radius of me that weekend

 

The solitude is the best part of winter camping!

 

When using the annex, what kind of temp differential are you seeing? Do you feel the 2.2kw is sufficient or would 5kw be better?

 

I’d do the 5k just to have the extra heat if you need it. 2.2 wouldn’t be enough for the annex and tent if the temps really drop. Always better to have more heat on standby!

 

Do you happen to know the dimensions of that aluminum case? Great looking setup!

 

Thanks! Pulling the trigger on a 5kw unit now, appreciate the detailed writeup.

 

Thank you!
I purchased online from Target, but it isn't sold there any longer. I attached the information about the Box.

Mine is a 5Kw Chinese Diesel Air Heater. I'm not real happy with it. It isn't the right ECM to work with an Afterburner Controller. Which will help it run properly in high altitudes. If I was to get another, I would buy a Lavaner. I talked to a guy that works in their sales department and have the information for him.

Eber and Webasto (expensive units) are German and are made in China. DrivWrld, VVKB, LF Bros and Lavaner use the same quality parts as Eber/Webasto. Different ECM, DIfferent software, but the same components.