Diesel tent heater install

Figured I should make a thread on this to keep it all in one spot. I’ve been trying to figure out where and how I wanted to install a heater. I wanted it easy to get to, out of the way, easy to remove, close to the tent, easy to refill, blah blah blah, blah. I’ve been working on this for a couple weeks now, mostly just staring at the truck going back and forth on where to put everything. I even considered installing it in the truck on the floor behind the passenger seat. Here’s where I finally decided to mount it and why…



I wanted another load bar for the tent anyways because the rear of the tent is barely on it. Just the way it has to be because of everything else mounted. This also gave me a rear mounting point for the box and with the Leitner system, mounts and un mounts extremely easy. I used a pair of maxtrax mounting bars I had because they lined up perfect on the top of the case. The case is a pelican 1600. I wanted to be able to easily hinge down the case and grab the components (duct, filter, etc) without crawling in the bed. I can easily reach it, even with the tailgate open.

Going to swap out the rear water pax for a diesel. I kept thinking about the easiest way to fill the tank at a station and those smaller tanks would have been a PITA. Didn’t want to carry a fuel can to fill the fuel tank either. I’ll be able to pull in to a gas station and fill the diesel pax easy. It will also allow me to use minimal fuel line.

The run for the hot air to the annex will only be about 2-3’ (to the pass side) so minimal heat loss and I’ll be able to store that small section right in the box.

Remaining parts will be here this week so I’ll continue posting as I get stuff together. A couple more pics, misc bolts holding the heater in the box for the mock up.



@Taye would be absolutely comfortable in 0 degree weather, I’m cold at 65…

 

Pretty damn cool.

 

So when you use it, whats the whole set up look like? Is that just where you store it?

 

What could go wrong?

 

It's not rocket science. Pretty simple actually just not easy.

 

I'd prefer mine further away from the truck in the open to avoid emissions

 

That’s where it will be when it’s in use.

 

What kinda temperature increase are you thinking you're going to get with this setup?

 

Made a little more progress. Fit the intake/exhaust ports for the heated air. Rotopax get delivered tomorrow or Tuesday so I’ll start running the fuel lines after that gets here. Sliver of tubing is to hold the inner hot air cone centered while the silicone dries.

 

Heater stops working and I get cold. Other than that, nothing

 

That’s pretty cool, reminds me of the heater on an old tractor. And it sure beats the Mr. Buddy Heater option. Keep us posted on your progress!

 

From what I’ve researched, these will roast you out of the tent. I plan on running mine to the annex and letting the heat rise. Also gets rid of the condensation. Going to do a couple test runs at the house before the trip just to make sure everything’s working right. I’ll post that when I do.

 

This technology was developed in Europe back in the 40’s and started showing up on our shores in the 80’s, very safe and hot enough to cook a chicken!

 

Why diesel instead of gasoline?

 

Safer, better mileage. There’s gasoline units also available but more risk to them because gas goes boom!

 

Requires an alternate fuel tank, pump, etc, though.

 

Yup but it comes with some of the kits.

 

Of course it depends on the temp outside, but according to this guy you would need the big version of the China heater for an annex.

https://youtu.be/LvHJdjIwjao

 

This thread is great. Typical for TW. Someone does a "new" mod, informative. And half the posts are on why this guys avenue is shit.

Id want propane or diesel because of altitude issues that gas heaters are known for.

 

How will you control it from inside the tent? Do you set it on a timer? Just warm it up and try to run in after turning it off and hoping no heat escapes?

This is a super cool build. Looks like you have an ikamper or something similar? What kind of annex is it?