Diesel tent heater install

That is a really nice feature! And now it is all explained in my mind. Cheers for that.

Hey, if you ever need to, and maybe won't until the unit is many years old, but WD-40 makes a great diesel starter-fluid.
I'm sure you know to NEVER use ether in a diesel, so a safe alternative that is fairly inexpensive is the WD-40.

 

My plan/hope/dream is to throw a cap on my truck and travel the country once I retire in 3-5 years.... but would like some heat back there.... so it's cool to see this working and am taking mental notes as to what's out there.... thanks for the info!

 

Good tip! I didn't know that. Hopefully this unit will continue to function for many, MANY years to come. Maintenance is also extremely easy on it also, such as changing the glow plug and fuel screen.

My friend uses ether to start his F350 with a swapped cummins. It leaks like crazy and sounds like it's going to come apart at any minute. I've told him he shouldn't, he does what he does...

 

Absolutely. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I'll try to give semi...solid advice! Along with all the other guys on here, knowledge is abundant.

I don't know where you're located but anyone here on TW is more than welcome to swing by the house/shop whenever. Full lift, tire machine/balancer, welder, bullshit, beer, whatever. I'm always down for doing some cool stuff on the trucks!

 

I'm Albany (ish) ways but did some ARNG training at Camp Ethan Allen a half a dozen times or so.... It's nice up there!

 

Ether will detonate out of time, usually prematurely. So much damage can ensue (bent rods, blown head, intake manifold separation, and more)! He has been very lucky so far.

I had a diesel Oldsmobile in MN that lost one (of six) glow plugs. I couldn't believe how much of drag that one failed plug created! I learned about wd-40 then and if it worked in MN winters, it'll work most anywhere.

 

My old home

 

Never had an issue with mine. I cycle it a few times a year and then fully recharge it. But yes I suppose if you had a totally dead battery and were trying to crank the truck in -20F weather off of just the jump pack you might have issues

 

I wondered how low is the thermostat go... like can I keep it at 50f give or take 5 degrees or so...

 

Mine goes from 46-100

 

Overnight ice fishing trip, heater shined again

 

Really nice execution! The people claiming these are a bad idea or dangerous haven't spent any time looking into them.

For the price, did you consider a propex? Diesel vs propane, I'm not sure if one is inherently better than the other.

 

Thank you! Yeah it’s a SUPER safe heater.

I didn’t look at those, I wanted to go with a diesel unit.

 

Yeah, short of electric the diesel heaters and propex heater are as safe as it gets. Both keep the combustion out of the enclosed area.

What was your reasoning for diesel if you dont mind me asking?

 

This is a really cool mod! I have always used an electric blanket inside my bag plugged into a jackery. This has worked from the Sierra Nevada’s in winter up to Yellowstone.

 

From the quick research I did before building mine several years ago, propane units were significantly more expensive. They might have come down some since then Im not sure

 

I was more familiar with the diesel units and I also didn’t want to have to mount a propane tank. Swapping out rotopax containers was a better solution for me. And being able to fill it back up right at the pump is a big plus!

I’ve seen some really cool propane units. I think it probably just comes down to preference.

 

Wow looks great! Great job
https://youtu.be/VwAC5ZcRRkA

i just bought one already assembled and did some mods to it!

 

Just picked up this one. I like the portability of it as I plan on using it for the truck and future Sprinter build. Everything nicely packed in already. This thread has been helpful

 

Saw that in another thread! Love it man, awesome unit