australia:diesel_heaters
Table of Contents
diesel heaters for camping
see also:
- I don't sell any of these nor do I receive any remuneration if you buy them, and I have not personally reviewed all of them, they are listed here to give you perspective
- do NOT use fuel burning devices (including gas or diesel) inside your tent unless there is lots of ventilation as there is a major risk of carbon monoxide poisoning - the silent camp killer, let alone the tent rapidly catching of fire!
- see also Victorian rules on camp fires
Introduction
- diesel heaters are relatively compact heaters which create heat by burning diesel fuel and then blow this heat out using a 12V electric fan
- their main advantage over a gas cartridge tent heater (usually max 3hr heating) is that they can run all night and use relatively little fuel (~200-400mL/hour), can be remotely controlled, but they should be placed OUTSIDE the tent, under an awning for rain protection and you will need a 12V battery to run it and it will run at around 12W power usage (preferably LiFePO4).
- many campers HATE diesel heaters being used by other campers at night because they do tend to be noisy and adversely impact the experience with nature
- if you buy a cheap Chinese model, be prepared to do some “upgrades” to improve its utility and reduce noise and smell
General considerations
- DON'T BUY a “8kW model”, these are just hypertuned “5kW models” and may have less safety 1)
- they need 10-15A 12V (180W) on start up for 1st 10 minutes so cannot be run off a standard 10A cig lighter socket, after that they usually only need ~1A or 12W
- need between 12.5v & 13.5v to ignite the glow plug - this can be an issue if using a lead acid battery and the wires are thin and so not able to generate enough voltage at the glow plug
- a 5kW unit generally uses ~200-400ml/hr of diesel
- they will make a ticking sound due to the pulsing fuel pump plus fan noise - your nearby neighbours may not be happy!
- they need to be primed before starting - read the manual
- diesel exhaust smells and it will smoke initially - your nearby neighbours may not be happy!
- diesel fuel itself smells - use gloves and don't spill it in your tent or in your car!
- the fuel caps have an air intake which unfortunately also tend to allow fumes out - consider drilling these out and replacing with a Pit Bike Breather 2)
- if fuel sloshes against the cap, you will still tend to get fumes escaping from the cap - avoid over-filling the tank
- some cheap models have a leaky fuel cap! see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwE2XrBYrbk
- some have cheap rubber components which cause a nasty smell
- the exhaust duct is likely to become red hot near the exhaust outlet so keep it away from flammable materials like a tent floor
- this is particularly likely if there is excessive soot build up
- can be problematic 5):
- carbon can build up needing cleaning, especially if ran at low heat for prolonged periods or you use poor quality fuel, or used at altitude without changing altitude setting (too much fuel not enough oxygen)
- if you have been running unit on Low, need to be run on high for 1-2 minutes at the end to burn off soot
- don't buy a 5kW unit if you will always be running it on Low - buy a 2kW unit instead
- can also be minimised by running a lean burn mixture (eg. set as per 15000 feet altitude even at sea level for a 5kW unit) but this will reduce max heat output 6)
- shuts off when overheats
- can flood itself when re-starting
- diesel can drip out of the intake
- wiring is often too thin for 15A, so you should consider upgrading the wiring 7)
- infamous green fuel lines may need replacing and reinforcing 8)
- some models have poorly sized exhaust ducts which easily slip off even with clamping 9)
- supplied fuel filter may leak - consider upgrading it 10)
- you may need to replace the fuel pump and re-design how it is mounted to reduce noise 11)
- control panels are not waterproof, yet you don't want the unit inside your living space due to potential exhaust leaks and potential for fires at the exhaust outlet
- can catch on fire and shoot flames out the exhaust if fuel-air mix is set too lean
- if you run it by setting a temperature, the controller will run at max output until temp reached then shut down creating swings in output, the alternative is to set the pump frequency which will give a more steady output level
- in a mounted unit, if the exhaust duct has a low point, water can pool and corrode it, and also the muffler has a weep hole - this should be facing down to allow water out
- the remote should have a slide cover so you don't accidentally press buttons when it is in your pocket
Units designed to be outside a tent with duct into tent
- a 2kW unit would be the best size for most small-medium sized tents - and you should select an all in one unit which houses the fuel tank and the heater, then place the unit under an awning
- 5kW units are generally used for caravans not tents
- Generic Chinese 2kW all in one small units with silencer:
- 2kW; 12V DC; 2.5L fuel tank; fuel consumption: 0.16~0.48L/h; uses ~40W power to run the fan; remote controller - on/off, heat level; motor intake duct and exhaust duct exit underneath and pass to bottom rear of unit; rear DC input terminals; front control panel;
- 32.5×26.5×13.5cm; ~$AU130;
- there are 5kW and 8KW versions for similar price but these are larger;
-
- have a range of models but not a 2KW all in one unit, all priced around $AU180
- see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gta9GnIwdtg, may want to avoid this brand as per https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ootOoPQ8KEc
- MaxPeedingRods Adjustable All-In-One 2kW heater:
- 5L fuel tank; smartphone control or remote; automatic altitude adjustment; can control fan speed to reduce noise; 43x17x41cm
- https://aussieoutbackstore.com.au/collections/diesel-heaters/products/adjustable-all-in-one-diesel-heater-2023-model $AU329 this model may no longer be in production?
- Gasmate Diesel heater designed to be outside a tent:
- 2kW; 12V DC;
- 4.25 Litre fuel tank which allows up to 7 days of typical usage (based on 4hrs use per day, on power level 2-3)
- 23 W x 40 L x 30 H; 9kg (plus fuel)
- $AU549 on special
Units designed to be used as caravan heaters
- these do not come with an inbuilt fuel tank - this must be installed separately
- maXpeedingrods 12V 5KW Air Diesel caravan Heater
- 49 x 49 x 21 cm; 9.78 Kilograms
- $A149
- 1 INCHHOME 2KW/5KW Air Diesel caravan heater 12V
- $AU149-199
- Autoterm Diesel Air Heater 100-02502 12V KW Kit with Rotary Controller
- “Silent pump”; computer controlled stepless fan speed; air intake silencer included;
- fuel Consumption: 0.1-0.24 L/h; Hot Air Flow: 34-75 m3/h; Power Consumption: min 10W to max 29W;
- 6.5kg excluding 100-02510 fuel tank which is not included in price, and fuel;
- $AU1385 on special
- Autoterm Diesel Air Heater 100-02504 12V KW Kit with Digital Controller
- “Silent pump”; computer controlled stepless fan speed; air intake silencer included; needs PU-27 Digital Controller;
- fuel Consumption: 0.1-0.24 L/h; Hot Air Flow: 34-75 m3/h; Power Consumption: min 10W to max 29W;
- 6.5kg excluding 100-02510 fuel tank which is not included in price, and fuel;
- $AU1449 on special
- AUFocus diesel heaters
- https://www.borntoroam.com.au/shop/dieselheaters $AU649-849 for kits but they don't sell all-in-one units
Industrial heaters for large areas:
- DETROIT 20KW Radiant Diesel Heater
- uses 1.9 l/hr (10.5L Steel fuel tank) to give 20Kw output radiant heat; no fan; no electricity needed;
- 61 x 58 x 38cm;
- $AU799
- DETROIT 20KW Diesel Indirect Fired Air Heater
- uses 1.94 l/hr (38L Steel fuel tank - 12hr Max Run Time) to give 20Kw output heat
- Air Output 750m3/hr
- 83x53x36cm wheel trolley mounted;
- $AU799
australia/diesel_heaters.txt · Last modified: 2024/10/08 18:45 by gary1