Diesel tent heater install

Great work! I plan to make one as well. My wife and I are taking a several month tiny trailer tour starting in the late summer of 2022. I am waiting for a trailer and then will build one of these. Thanks for taking the time and posting your work. Very helpful!

 

Seems sketchy. I'd rather buy an insulated tent and or use an electric blanket on a battery pack.

 

Absolutely. I’m finding a lot of things that I want to do or think are a good idea, aren’t… It’s a process. My goal is to make it easier for someone who wants to do something similar! Thank you

 

Research diesel heaters. Sometimes things seem sketchy, and aren’t…

 

10 degrees Fahrenheit outside temp. I know diesel can be difficult to light in an engine when the fuel is very cold, maybe due to poor atomization, and that fuel heaters are common on newer diesel vehicles to warm up the fuel near the injectors until the engine compartment is up to temp. That is a bit different of a scenario, because compression ignition, but besides having a second fuel tank the efficiency seems pretty darn good.

 

Interesting. So the heater is inside the pelican case? Does it not get too hot from running? How do you not get fumes in the tent from the exhaust?

 

I was thinking maybe I’ll pipe the intake for the heater in to my tent (no, not the combustion intake) so I won’t have to heat up cold air. Just recirculate the air in the tent. Then realized these are designed to heat cold air and by doing that I’d be negating the pressure effect also, which will help keep cold air out and condensation down. So, went back to the original air filter for the intake.

Also thought insulated duct would be a good idea since that would minimize the heat loss from the duct before the tent. Smallest was 4” so I just got an adapter. Figured $30 for 25’ of insulated duct or $20 for 8’ of 3” aluminum duct that would probably crack in a few uses. Didn’t realize how bulky the insulated duct was… Going to try it out and see how it goes. Trying to find the balance between efficiency and simplicity. Also want the entire thing to be quick disconnect. No need for it in the summer.

 

Got it! Yep, it was simple

 

Yep, heater is in the case. I was worried about it getting hot but a lot of people run them this way with no issues. I also think that pulling the air that is going to be heated inside the box will help keep the heater cool. Trying to solve potential problems before they arise but this is my first crack at it. There will be a few trial runs at the house before I trust it on a trip.

The intake and exhaust hoses that come with it are pretty long, I should be able to get plenty of distance from the tent. I also realize weather will be a factor each time. Which way the wind is blowing will determine where the combustion exhaust will be run. The hoses are flexible so that shouldn’t be an issue. Worst case, I’ll have to extend it.

 

Ok that makes sense. I was just picturing an exhaust and air intake like a foot a part.

I knew that would definitely not be the case, but havent watched any videos.

Cool project!

 

Wired up the inside of the case and got the pump mounted. Completely forgot to run the controller harness through the box before I put the connector on the end… I’ll fix that tomorrow, only 4 pins.

Grommet in the corner is where the fuel lines will pass through. Figured having them come out towards the tailgate will assist in me seeing them before I throw something in there and hit them. They’ll also be on the opposite side of the hot air.

Might be able to get a test run in tomorrow if all goes well!

 

I bought one off Amazon….

VEVOR Diesel Air Heater 8KW, All in One 12V Truck Heater, Parking Heater with Black LCD, Remote Control, Fast Heating Diesel Heater for RV Truck, Boat, Bus, Car Trailer, Motorhomes

$112 VEVOR Diesel Air Heater 8KW, All in One 12V Truck Heater, Parking Heater with Black LCD, Remote Control, Fast Heating Diesel Heater for RV Truck, Boat, Bus, Car Trailer, Motorhomes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W4WM5SS

 

I really want to know what they SOUND like in operation. The fuel pump buzz might be too much for me.

Post a sound track when you try it out. Please?

 

Sure can. Don’t think we’re too far away either so you could definitely check it out in person one of these days

 

I wonder what the burn time would be if powered by one of those GooLoo jump starters? A self contained system ;-)

 

I’m not sure but I’d like to eventually get a Jackery. Probably going to wait until I can spring for the 1500 system with the 4 panels. Or a dual battery setup. Both are pricey and have their pros/cons. It’s the spiral… add one thing, need another

 

Put in a pass through for the controller harness I can close off during travel.



Mounted and finished up the fuel lines. Power leads are about 4’ too short so I’ll have to finish those up later… But, everything is tucked away as much as I can get it and there’s plenty of slack in the lines to open the box.

 

I have a mummy bag that is rated to -30

 

I’m not cold when I sleep. I want to be able to hang out in a warm area. Have a warm space to drink coffee in the morning, get dressed, not have condensation in the tent. Be comfortable. My days of going minimal are behind me.

 

Well, this is lightyear's beyond my ability to comprehend, but I sure am intrigued.

I consider this minimal. Now days we have so many options to be comfortable, the survival stuff should be a last resort. In my experience, it's not a "use it or lose it" skill set. It's something you never forget. So make use of your resources if they are available to you.

Will be great to see some in use pics during your trips OP. Pretty inspiring stuff here.