Wedge Life

Got a link to the tank? Where did you run the exhaust?

 

A little less “they”….
Just the owner was the scam artist/thief, employees got screwed over just like the customers

 

Good for you to speak up about that. One can only imagine being in your shoes if they’ve never had a similar situation. Godspeed to you and the others as you move on.

 

The tank you can get anywhere. IIRC it was cheaper on ebay and Walmart than it was on Amazon. Just search 10 Liter diesel heater tank. The standpipe I got off Amazon for $20.

The exhaust is routed underneath. Just drilled a hole straight down.

 

Anyone with a VO camper ever unscrewed any of the button head screws that are on the bottom side of the overhang? Seems to be connecting the flange to the base plate but wasn’t sure. Thinking about using one to bolt a gutter of sorts to the bottom to deal with the rain runoff.

 

I run a diesel heater as well, with intake & exhaust running through the bedside, but mine's over the wheel well. My tank is in the bed, and while I can't say there's been zero spillage, it hasn't been any real issue for me. The low price of the Chinese ones was the main draw for me, but my research also indicated that gas heaters don't do nearly as well at high elevation. I don't have any proof or anything, but since it's normal for me to cover almost the whole range of elevation available in the lower 48, I didn't want to challenge that feedback...

No, but I like the idea. I've had the e-panel off, that's inside & over the cab, a few times, but never thought to check on those from the back side. Guessing from what I think I remember, there might be some holes cut in the aluminum riser tubes under the e-panel, which allow you to access the nuts for those. Don't take my word for it, but pulling the e-panel out to get a look isn't the worst job anyway. *Edit: be careful though, because some of the e-panel edges (on mine at least) have been super sharp.*
If you do check or do some kind of gutter like that, please report back.

 

I am pretty sure it is how you described - non-captive nuts on the inside that are accessible through holes in the square tubing. Must remove ePanel floor to access.

 

For what it's worth, I've got a espar/ebersparcher gas heater plumed in to the gas tank on my Transit van. It has run very nicely at most elevations, including up to about 9000ft. Only time I've had any trouble with it was in Silverton, CO at -20F. I ended up just getting a hotel room, which was probably a good idea anyway.

 

Thats brisk. I hit -15F last year in my RTT. I was solo too, so definitely a little nerve wracking thinking about all the 'what ifs'

 

Got it, thanks guys. I'm using the stick on J-channel gutters for now, and they seem to be working pretty well. Just thinking about a nicer looking solution for the future.

 

Update on the heater: ~250hrs of run time with no issues until last weekend. Tired to camp in the minus teens and the fuel gelled in the lines/tank before i got to my destination lol. Maybe running it while driving would’ve helped; definitely something I’ll be experimenting with in the future. Made for a long night to say the least.

I need to figure out a way to better insulate the lines/tank. Looking at those silicone heating pads for rv water tanks as a possible solution and adding some foam insulation around the lines. I’ve also read adding an anti-gel solution could help, but idk how much that would’ve helped in my situation without some additional insulation considering the temps.

Anyone else have this kind of issue before, or have ideas on solutions?


Side note - Filling is getting easier with practice. I carry latex gloves in the back and use them when fiddling with the tank; no more worries about smelly hands.

 

I have run a buddy heater...but the best thing to stay warm is an electric blanket to lay on. Coupled w a very nice sleeping bag, slept many nights in the mountains during snow storms in the cascades.

 

I bet the fuel treatment would do it. Folks run various versions of the ant-gel in their diesel equipment and tractors that get parked outside in really cold temps and it does the trick.

 

Anti gel additive or mix 50:50 with pure kerosene. Filters are typically where gelling builds up to the point of causing issues, so keep that in mind

 

I wouldn't expect this to have any relation to your gelling issue, but FYI when you mount the Chinese heaters on their side, supposedly the glow plug has to be on the top. Unless they make some that are oriented opposite, which I'd say is extremely unlikely, then your glow plug is on the bottom.
I'm pretty sure the reasoning was that the fuel can leak out if the glow plug is down, which would be a pretty big hazard, if so. It's worth checking on that to make sure.

 

Interesting call out. Looking at the tech manuals shows the glow plug directly on top of the heater. I can't find anything about needing to reorient it but I’ll keep looking. Thankfully haven’t noticed any fuel leaking. Easy enough to pull the cover and check. Appreciate everyone’s input!

 

Oh, I missed the Espar part. I assumed Chinese. Hopefully you'll be good to go.

 

If you go the additive route, make sure you get the right stuff. My buddy's F250 fuel lines gelled in Silverton at -20F even with additive in the tank. I don't know a ton about the subject but apparently there are different additives rated to different temps...?

 

Jeeebus! You guys camp in some cold weather!!

 

Maybe you should do a trip out past the sierras to the rockies