Diesel Heater Install into a Caravan! Is it worth it?? 

A note from a plumber here. There is an error in the installation of the outlet fitting in the diesel tank. The ‘O’ ring should be on the inside of the tank to be sure of a good seal. There’s a significant chance diesel could seep along the threads if installed as shown.

Good instructional Video, few things you may like to add from my experiance. 1. Fuel line, pump and priming. The fuel pump does produce slight Vacuum to suck the fuel, however the pump only pumps tiny amounts of fuel with each pulse or tick. If the pump is mounted higher than the tank and or you have too long a line between the tank and pump the air in the line will expand when the pump ticks slightly as well as colapsing the hose wall then it expands when it stops preventing fuel from being pumped. To fix shorten the line and mount pump closer to bottom of tank. The pump can push fuel up approx 10 meters of fuel line and 3 meters high above the level of fuel in the tank. 2. The fuel line suplied is rigid plastic and small in diameter. You can replace the line between the pump and tank with a larger rubber line like in this video, but dont replace the line after the Pump. The fuel line after the pump going to heater is exposed and vulnrable to the enviroment and inside the van to being kinked or crushed. I recomend threading the thin fuel line through 6mm or bigger suitable rubber hose or fuel line to protect it. 3. If the pump is lower than the tank it will prime it self. 4. To silence the ticks, use soft EPDM rubber pipe insulation or strips wraped around the pump then use a rubber or PVC pipe saddle clamp, google heater pump rubber mount. I think your box idea was good but the rubber hoses comming in and out of the box where transfering the vibration to the plastic box and because it was mounted to the chassis amplified it through the floor. On a side note the heated exhaust on the heater can get hot upwards of 100-150c, mounting the heater under the bed like that could be a problem. I would place some rated glass wool insulation over the exhaust then some type of cover so the thin aluminum hoses dont get crushed. I think a fire risk to be exteam, more so malfunctions.

Used one in my caravan since start of pandemic. I’ve been using my caravan not only to go on holiday but also as a work from home office. Its sometimes used for up to 12 hours a day through the winter and it’s been fantastic…..no chance of me using the 2000w heater in my caravan at todays energy prices.

I bought a £85 5Kw heater for my van and 2 years later it's still going strong. If it only lasts 4 years, I can buy 10 of these for the same price as a Webasto

I have had one in my van for the past 4 years with no problem, something you can do it add a cap of desiel cleaner in you tank, I use a 5L tank ( the type you would put in your van tank ). I also have these for heating the lower floor of my house here in the UK.

Hello from the high desert of New Mexico USA 🇺🇸. Here is a tip, put some clear soft pvc hose over the hard white nylon fuel line and then use insulated clamps to mount the fuel line. I hope this helps you. Keep up the good work and stay safe and charged

Awesome info and sharing of helpful bits and pieces. Thanks. I will definitely be watching this when installing ours, lol.

Really informative. Good pro con arguments

Just came back to watch this demo again ( because there was something I wanted to check on) and I have to say I think it's one of the best, clearest demos I've seen yet. I've liked and subbed in case you embark on another mission that I want to know about. Cheers from Brisbane.

Great explanation- clear and concise. Well done

Thank you for the great instruction video. I just bought the exactly same one for my old campervan. - from NZ

Great video. You are a talented teacher! Thinking we will now mount ours at the front of the van rather than the back (under the bed). Thank you again.

Awesome video. Just bought one myself and was getting quite nervous about how to install it. You’ve taken some of my nerves away!!

Love the idea with the flange. Mate I have just installed a heater and in my kit there was a rubber mount for the pump That I’ve mounted straight to the chassis rail and I can hardly hear it. Definitely worth looking at 👍

Just came back in AGAIN to check out the start up process after the install. watched your demo diligently, wrote down the instructions to follow, and hopefully all will go well. have a few trips coming up where I wont have a powered site, and it's going to be cold. Cheers

Big help, Thank you!

worth watching for that handy tip on getting the flange and nut secured onto the fuel tank

Great Video You explained things well thanks

Great video and well thought out install. I mounted the fuel pump on rubber straps (similar to tyre rubber) like you say, the ticking sound will always be there. Thanks for sharing.

Great video and informative

Great informative video, thanks. We've spent a bit longer than a day trying to install ours into our van because nothing ever goes to plan!

Great video mate, thankyou

Great video with clear instructions thanks mate. My wife put me onto your channel, and I'm glad she did. I am a neat freak with any install - always taking a lot longer to plan a job than to actually do it. As you have said, I also spend a lot of time researching things online, and especially RU-vid. A couple of questions or comments: 1. Was there an o-ring on the inside of the fuel fitting? Couldn't quite see - obviously there was one on the outside. Always best to seal fuel on the fuel side, not the outside (for newer diy enthusiasts). 2. I'd suggest having a tray (bund) under the fuel tank in case of spills. One spill with diesel will mean you'll smell diesel in your van forever after. 3. I'd certainly recommend putting the entire fuel line inside a protective cover - exactly like you would with electrical cable. Seeing it's a soft fuel line, a hard cover like flexible electrical conduit would be perfect. I'd place the filter right at the fuel tank, where you can see it, and inside the bund, in case (when) you need to change the filter on the road. Then you don't get fuel in your van. This also works with the entire soft fuel line being inside a conduit - can't do that if there's a filter in the way 👍. 4. Noise is essentially a mechanical connection. Mount everything on a soft mount, including the pump box. Try soft coil springs rather than rubber, which won't do much to decouple the noise energy.

Just a couple of points. The pump. It will lift fuel by about 50cm - so no problem with most installations. There is also no pressure involved, so the pump to machine distance will not be important for your installation. Secondly, the pump ducting. The exhaust length is limited to about 2m (and limited to 270 degrees of bends, I believe). Any extension should be of a larger cross sectional area. The combustion air ducting is likewise limited in length (without increases in diameter). These limitations are to ensure the resistance, to gas flow through the system, will not be excessive and will allow complete combustion of the fuel. The warm air ducting is likewise limited in size, length and number of bends. That one fan shaft shifts all the combustion and warm air, so should not be overloaded. Not important for a simple installation, but many ignore these limitations - probably because they don’t know they exist! They are likely the ones who get trouble and blame it on the heater.🙂 BTW, the machine will be using that approx one amp all the time, while running normally (excluding stops and starts). Overall a good video on how simple these machines are to install and use. (Plug that small hole/slot in the base plate if not required). A CO monitor/alarm is only a few dollars (for up to ten years protection) - not a high price to pay for your safety, even though the risk should be low.

Great video and well explained. I have a Jayco flamingo and will have to find a good location for the fuel tank.

Nice install 👌👍

Excellent install video! Nail it!

Pump noise tip... Ear plugs... Great video... thanks😎

Great video it really helped. 👍

FYI I’ve fitted a few of these heaters. My latest one is exactly the same kit as yours. Now re the position of tank/pump etc, I have my tank on rear bumper of caravan. My van is 21’6 and the pump is approximately 5-6 meters away from tank. I’ve used rubber fuel hose instead of the transparent line you get with tank and also a Ryco filter. I’ve run the heater for 4 consecutive nights for approximately 8-10 hours each time without any issues at all. I believe this kit/heater which is the same as yours is the better one out of all I’ve had previously. Great vid by the way.

Good explanation thank you

Hello from across the Big Pond in the States.................

Hi great video I mounted our pump in the supplied mount and then onto a small mount from Bunnings The pump is under the Van directly below our bed. We can’t hear it at all. This works a treat and easy to do

you can wrap some sound deadening material around the pump. the more weight you add this way, the less sound from the pump ! I used Alubutyl and that really makes a difference.

We got our Chinese Thermomate 5kw heater from Edison's and works a treat. We have a 22'6" van so should be able to run it on a lower setting most of the time.

Got one for auction looks exactly the same. Win mine at auction for 122 on auction., very ticky pump on low but don't here it much on higher setting. 10lt kept my 2 bedrooms warm for a week on lowest setting on auto 25degress, air comes out at about 60degrees plenty of air flow and cheap as chips to run.

Right, mate- I've just come upon your video on my 'HOME' page. Probably due to me very recently ordering a 2KW VEVOR diesel heater. This is a brilliant video, liked and subscribed. I'm in Ohio USA and have an old Ford truck with a tall camper top. I plan to build an extension from the cap over my tailgate (this is legal). I'm thinking of trying to install the heater inside a compartment at one end of the tailgate inside the 'new addition' and the fuel tank beside it in a separate area that is plastic lined with a tray under it as suggested. If I mount the heater on brackets raised up from the compartment floor I thought that the air intake tube would be unnecessary. I could utilise air from inside the interior of my tall truck cap if a few (2 inch- 5 cm?) holes are drilled into the interior side of the camping truck cap area. Ta, mate- right champion!

I’m thinking of a similar noise solution but I’m going to line the inside of the box with sound deadening mat and mount the box to the frame via vibration padding used for transformer installation.

Saw a sound engineer compair foam and various other sound deadening products and what wone hands down by a country mile.....a beach town folded in three. I've wrapped mine in one and it sounds very faint indeed. Like a heart beat, and that's with it next to the hot air duct right by my head, also make sure the fuel lines don't touch the van anywhere, clamps are unavoidable. Hope that's helpful

Great instructional video. Most RU-vid videos I have seen the diesel heaters have had two pieces of ducting( one for cool air in and one for warm air out). Mine only came with one for the warm air out. My plan is to mount it under the dinette and just put a cabinet vent near the cool air side to allow air in. Hopefully that’s enough. Secondly seems to be alot of talk about the pump being noisy. Thought I might mount the tank in the front tool box and mount the pump under the tank in the tool box. Thinking that will isolate it from the van abit and reduce the noise. All in all everything looks fairly straight forward. Thanks

Nice 80 series in the background when you are fitting the fuel filter

Just what I needed to know ;-)

The ticking sound of the pump is actually resonating through the fuel line.

Nice

you could try hanging some exhaust mounting rubbers from the chassis and hang the pump fuel line either side of the pump from those.

On ya mate 👍

Yeah, I too didn't find a single example of a fire or injury from these. I did find people complaining about poor reliability, but most of those you could put down to poor installation choices and execution. I think this would also be the case if you badly DIY installed a $2500 Eberspaecher. The chinese clones of the Webasto and Eberspaecher are very good. Interestingly, some camping places rebrand the cheapies and sell for upwards of $800. (Although you can assume that there's some better local support and warranty with them) I've got a spare pump and controller stashed for mine, but may never need them.

I seen a comment on another video that somebody made about a top feeder for the fuel by going through the top of the tank and let the hose sit on the bottom because if you need to replace the tank or take it out then having the fuel line at the bottom allows leakage but if it's at the top it won't leak at all. I kind of like that idea more than bottom gravity fed

You might try to install your box into another container like a plastic container and fill around inside with rockwool of fiberglass this will help quiet the noise as well as the sound. let me know what you think.Charlie AKA Dismas

Thanks

Run your fuel pipes and wires through a partitioned re-openable electric conduit, fuel in one, wires in the other or better still, use two separate circular conduits. Protection against rubbing, and stones, and easy to fasten to anything and avoids sharp metal.

👍👍

You’ve got the fuel filter the wrong way around. The thinner bit is the collector chamber and that then feeds fuel through the thicker collar. Basically, the thinner part should face the tank.

Regardless of the brand, your install was informative and pratical. It seems these heaters can be cheap and perhaps nasty ,who knows or expensive and German. ACH made in Der Fatherland. I. Honestly can't see the intrinsic value in a heater for the best part of $2000 but on the other side of the coin the Chinese make things that look good on the outside . Will it last, that is the question. Thanks, I really enjoyed the video

Fairly common error to locate the fuel pipe on the bottom of the tank. In time, the seal will perish and diesel will spill all over your front trunk.... and that smell can be a bastard to get rid of. A hole in the top of the tank, and a fuel stand pipe fitted is the perfect way. If the seal perishes, no leaks. Simples.

Hi, very helpful, may I just say that the diesel tank outlet fitting will seal better with the o ring on the inside of the tank.

i like the ticking of the fuel pump... puts me right to sleep. like white noise

Helpful hints. I couldn't find a place to install the original plastic fuel tank. So I made a bracket and bought a cheap metal tank. Installed it on the front of the A frame. Please keep the videos coming. Cheers Andy.

Great video mate I think you box would of worked If you had rubber between the chassis and the box, even sound damping material inside

bigger box, and insulation rubber backing between the frame and the box. it should work for the pump.

Great video, very informative. I've saved it for later referral. Could you provide a link to where you bought the heater?

Gday , awesome vid ill use some of your tips, is the outlet air too hot if a sheet etc drops in front of it 🤔

This is just a thought I've had...since ever u-tube ticking fuel pump is a concern for a reply on the viewers thoughts.. mount the fuel pump on a pole and put it beside the Unit when parked..Like the way I have done...O and fuel tank. So one day I may put the fuel pump with the rubber tube extensions...... sticking out of the concrete brick in poured around the fuel pump Note do not for get to attach your DC line to the pump before pouring concrete lol... Thanks for the share on a random view I appreciate the people that post. Things of my interest Curtis Off Grid thanks for Solar and Internet I'm out there ,,

I just got on today going to get it installed on Monday or Tuesday that if the weather is dry. My mate have one in his caravan but not this one I pay £160 for it so I will let you know when it is fitted in my caravan

Great clear video. What brand or Ebay shop did you purchase it from

After reading all these comments, I have decided to mount my fuel tank in the front boot of my 17 ft. Oasis pop top van. I will make a little secure shelf for the fuel tank (not the provided one) but maybe a small outboard fuel tank (removable). I will mount it as high as possible and have the fuel pump immediately under the fuel tank giving it a gravity feed to the pump (also mounted inside the front boot) eliminating any priming problems. Would it be a good idea to install another vent plate where the unit inside the van is installed to circulate the air from within the van, instead of just circulating the air that is under the bed ?

My tip of the day, when you tighten your chuck up tight by hand twist it back the opposite way until it clicks, this will lock it and stop things coming loose on the chuck and flying out when the brake engages or when you change direction.

fuel pumps generally push fuel put it near the tank or just buy a good diesel tank with pump inside

Hey mate, Quick question re your video. 1. What was the size of the second holesaw under the bed for the vent? 2. Did you drill a whole in the floor of the boot for the fuel line or was that the drainage hole? 3. What did you use for the sound proof box or what did you buy? 4. What was the size of the hole you drilled on the bed where the face plate went for the display?

pump needs cool air to keep cool, put in a box and foam will over heat , stand alone rubber mounts work super quiet,🤫👍

Few things there, the tank seal washer is on the wrong side of the tank. Also where you put the pickup will leave a fare amount of fuel in the tank. I ended up using a 10 litre diesel jerry can that I can take out to fill. The pickup goes through the lid to the bottom of the tank and a quick release fuel hose fitting from diesel heat down in Tassie. It seals the line when disconnected. As far as the pump I bought a silent pump for $30, can’t hear any pump noise now.

A very neat install. How loud is the blower unit & fire box when running? Quiet enough to sleep through at night? Thx

I had a gasoline heater in my VW bus. The claim that a diesel heater is unsafe makes me smile.

Hey mate, where did you get the black fuel line from? The supplied clear line for me isn't long enough so was going to go black fuel line from jerry can in back of van, to filter and down to the inlet of the fuel pump like you did. -edit- noticed you wrote it in the video 😂

Hey mate, 2 years on hows it faired? Stood up to the conditions? Im looking at purchasing one of these. Keen to see how its lasted you. Cheers! Great video by the way!!

I’m going to mount my pump in a thermos ( vacuum flask) with the fuel lines running in and out through the cap

The only way to stop the pump noise is to fit a different type of pump to the system.

You don't have to follow the directions on the fuel pump angle and drill hole on the bottom of the fuel tank. As long as your fuel pump is at 45° or straight vertical, that will lube the pistons. The fuel pump is plenty powerful to suck the diesel from the top down. The O ring will eventually fail. You'll have a huge mess on your hands or fire danger.

Great Video --- I am considering the same heater --- are you stil happy with the heater

fuel filter is in backwards

I just wish that the installation videos by people spent more time on the wiring. The hardware is easy to understand and follow. But more info on the wiring package would be great. I think that I have it right up the fuse, as there is only one wire from the fuse to go to the batteries JBR

Apparently there is a quieter pump you can buy online and doesn't cost too much. I have see someone doing it on RU-vid.

Good vid but the part I needed was the wiring, and fuel connection is your wiring thru the bottom plate or no?

Good vid. But are these things thermostatically controlled or just constant output?

I installed one into my caravan and within a few months the sensor failed and the fan wouldn't turn off without being disconnected from the power supply. If I had to do it again I'd pay more for one of the mid range Russian units. It also put off a plastic smell that my wife hated and it would use surprising amount of battery too.

Hi. Great RU-vid video. Was the hole saw 100mm or 102mm to fit the bunnings 100mm zinc round down pipe top? Thanks Trev

Great video. Would you be able to send through a link for that flange at Bunnings? Thanks :)

Hi, is 2kw silent in comparison with 5kw? as i found 2kw has smaller fan, it means might work with higher revs. Im looking for most silent heater, need just verry little heat.

Maybe put some Dynamat (sound deadening material) around the pump box

Thanks for the video. Just wondering if any regrets or issues with the fuel tank in the front boot?

Mount the pump to the main Chace not cross beams for floor

Thanks for the video, Can anyone tell me if the 2kw heaters constantly use the 12v battery whilst running, or is it just used when first firing up. If it does use it constantly then how likely is it that it would flatten the 12v battery.

try sound deadning foam that people use inside car door panel.

I have found a good way to dampen that pumps clicking from reverberating into the house would be to just slip it into a pool noodle.

Did you ever find a solution you were happy with for the ticking of the pump ?

Lays mat on ground for bugs? in Australia. Im in Alaska. Lay in dirt with 44 mag on hip. great video.

Fang fang bang bang.

good job but the fuel filter is backwards

Should have mounted the exhaust just a bit past the edge of the trailer

The free standing ones DO CATCH FIRE!! the exhaust pipe will not last. They tend to clog with the black soot then begin having error codes, ignition error the most common. The pro for these component heaters mounted inside is that the fumes don’t carry right back into the intake like the freestanding ones and most importantly you need to make sure you have consistent output DC voltage of at least 11 VDC anything less and the fuel will collect in the exhaust pipe unburned and has the high potential of igniting. I’m just glad I was standing watching when it caught fire holding a fire extinguisher