Great informative video Chad. The only thing I'd add as an ice fisherman myself, is that you really need to bring a Carbon Monoxide detector, because the Buddy heaters have a "low oxygen depletion sensor", but not a CM detector. They are labeled as "indoor safe" but you need to be careful.
It was your Chinese diesel heater install video that brought me to your channel and have stayed ever since. Thanks for the overview very helpful. Always impressed by the artistry, info, and delivery. Keep it up Chad!
Hey Chad… enjoyed your diesel heater review… several years ago bought this heater based on your review three plus years ago… it works like a champ while skiing through Colorado and Utah in my 1990 Vanagon… ❤
I got one of these Chinese diesel heaters for my 30x30 garage and exhaust out a window. My garage is insulated. I just have a old lawn mower battery that I have I trickle charger hooked up to and it keeps my garage at a good temp all winter when I'm out there working and i could run this heater 24/7 and it would take 10L of diesel every 24 hours. I got mine off amazon for 150 and the company sent me a $50 amazon gift card back so I basically paid 100 for it and it's been the best 100 I've ever spent. This was 3 years ago now and it still works great.
because of you i bought a mercedes benz vito 4x4 from 2013! you are my inspiration! Thank you so much! im considiring to buy the diesel heater. THANKYOUUU
So thankful you're doing these again. I inherited basically the same van from my dad (one year older, and no subie swap, otherwise exact same) and these videos show me what my van can do. His van was parked in Darrington for years, you might've seen it!
If you are burning anything inside you must have a CO monitor. They cost very little and will save your life. It really doesn't matter what heater manufacturer claim as these are for heaters in perfect condition but they can and do deteriorate and their efficiently will decline and that means a risk of CO.
Thanks Chad, years ago, after watching your video on these great little units, and put one both in my '58 VW camper, as well as in the Vanagon. Living in Alaska year round, these little heaters been a real blessing...thanks again- you da Man ✌️🙂
Hi Chad! I've been following you and your video's for a while. You convinced me to replace my propane furnace with a cheap, Chinese diesel heater! It really is a game changer! I don't have a Van but a 4x4 Truck and Camper, I live in BC so fairly close to you and when I retire in over a year I will be spending a lot more time in my truck camper. A trip to the Arctic is priority 1 upon retirement, I thought you were absolutely CRAZY to go in the Winter but loved that video! I also bought the BFG KO2's tires because of your video.
On the tank side, if you need large tank capacity for cheap ive found a marine outboard boat tank, 2.5,6, or 12 gallon has a dip tube with a 14 inch pipe thread, then with a 1/8 barb to 1/4 pipe you can directly connect to the diesel supply line. it gives you a six gallon capacity, with a level gauge for around $60 (In my area, might be cheaper as I am on the coast of the Sound) and a $5 barb adapter.
Hey Chad love the video as always. The nice thing about the diesel heaters are some of the controllers are interchangeable. How that may help is the one with the control that's just a basic knob actually has a heat sensor in it so if you set the heat to say medium it will run the heater until the heat sensor in the controller reaches that certain temperature then throttle the unit down to it's lowest setting until it reaches a point that the temperature sensor gets cold enough to call for more heat again. It's kinda like your furnace at home only the heater never shuts off. It may be useful for some of your viewers to know that. It may also help you conserve power and fuel plus there only like 15 bucks.
Buddy Heaters are good for tent camping too. Add a tarp over top of your tent and you can keep it inside. Diesel Heaters are definitely a game changer for vans.
I love my two panel Buddy heater, but I've never used it for more than two days in a row, and only down to about zero outside. The info about the Chinese diesel heater is perfect. Thank you for that, Chad!! Rick
The reason why I started watching you, the VW is so cool, been through your new build, just how life works, BUT so good to see her again, well done on your life sharing so far and thank you. Love both builds have to say.
BTW, I started watching your excellent channel when you were in the Vanagon. Itraveled throughout Europe (England and the Continent), North Africa and parts of the Middle East in a new 1974 Westphalia Camper with an Air Force buddy who bought it while stationed in England.
Nice one Chad. Woohoo 🙌🏻 the vanagon and Trucker....❤ Lovely to see some scratchy old footage of you when you first started out van life... And great to see that you're still on your first Diesel heater. If I ever get a van, the first 2 things that I'll do is, insulate it and install a diesel heater....👍🏻 Thanks for sharing the information..... Peace out, keep on trucking ✌🏻
Thanks for the excellent information! Trust you totally on your info because WE see you out there living it. By the way you have the prettiest icy blue eyes!!! 😂🤣😂
WOW! This was phenomenal - thank you! Seriously - I really learned a great deal. I have been thinking about such a heater and was imagining it in my own van, keeping my dog warm while I was out with clients. So, the only part missing for me was seeing how you installed it -- like, where the items might fit, especially on a "basic/plain", minimally decked out, work oriented van like mine. Nice job!
Here in the uk the CDH retail around £100 and are a absolute game changer, i remember buying my 1st CDH and fitting into my Ford Transit for my youtube channel, i was so excited to get out. The CHD is just one of the best heaters ever. Now have one fitted to my Mercedes Benz Sprinter van. They can also run on kerosene and careful mixed old engine oil with some maintenance.
Thanks very helpful. I live in Italy but one of my dreams is to go in the great north in wintertime. With a self-made van. And your videos inspire me and for sure will help to make right choices. Ciao
I have a 1990 Westy and installed the diesel heater tank inside the wardrobe cabinet against the exterior wall, and run a stand pipe from top down to eliminate ANY chance of a leak. Don't know why I've never seen anyone else utilize this perfect space, considering it doesn't obstruct the use of the closet, as the tank is on the concave lower portion of the closet ! A total no brainer. Of course the heater is under the bench seat👍
Beginning on this new journey of mine with living the van life... 😍 Thank you Chad for the informative video articles. Shout out to Doug for mentioning about carbon monoxide poisoning. Be safe out there vanlifer's. 🤘🥰
The only tip I would offer is to run the heater on high for several minutes before turning it off to clean out the chamber. Most people who have problems with a Chinese diesel heater run their heater on low too much.
Glad to see you still have Trucker. Rolly & I met you and Trucker at the Revel Van Rally. Did you find out what his breed was? Looks like he has grown. Thank-you again for your video's.
i have one in my sprinter up here in Canada and the only problem is i got a code 3 glow plug . i ordered 2 one for a spare . order one with the tool , 5 min fix . other then that we love this heater and yes we drive with it on ,,,,,,
Great to see you back in the Vanagon again. Also had my van since 2011 and I chose a Webasto petrol heating system when they did the build. The weather in the UK is pretty similar to Washington state. I have a 80w leisure battery which also runs the fridge lights etc as well as the heater. A 60w solar panel helps top up this battery as well as power from the vehicle. I find that usually when I need the heater it will not work after a couple of days if I don't drive due to lack of electrical power. If I start and run the engine for a while it can provide enough charge to run the heater for a while. Sometimes if I haven't run the heater for a while it blows cold air. I have discovered if I run the heater with the engine running, for awhile and turn the Webasto heater and off again it seems to solve the problem. Perhaps I need to upgrade my leisure battery, do you have any problems charging the lithium batteries in those cold conditions? My leisure battery is under the bonnet in the engine compartment, so wonder if I would have problems charging a lithium battery in cold conditions. Last Summer I put an extra 100w solar panel on the roof, separate from the vans electrical system to power a solar generator. I also carry a portable 130w solar panel which I can use to power my leisure battery or my solar generator. In cooler conditions I take a small butane gas heater with me just in case I don't have enough power to run the Webasto heater. I also take a 12v electric blanket.
Great to see you & Trucker... out living the van life nice to see him I haven't seen him in a while so that's should tell you how long I've bin'a fan. Keep on trucking chad & have a blessed & Merry Christmas 🎄☃️
Hi Chad, interesting heater, I don't know why but I like the videos with the old VW van more than the ones with the also beautiful Sprinter. best regards from Germany
Curious to see how you installed the diesel heater and how someone could install it to an SUV. There is a lot of content on how to run for a rooftop tent, but there’s a big trend of people converting SUVs into livable spaces, so would love to see installation ideas there. With all that said, terrific video, appreciate the well thought out content.
In Kooteney’s mtn of BC , I run a espar heater on gas +3 years . Last winter parked van and filled with Jerry can . $425 Canada for heater for all of winter .
Thanks I got mine from you but I bought a 5 gallon Jerry can and installed it on the side of the teardrop and in 3 years of use The tank was half used. But it didn't take running it long to warm thing up at night and on cold morning I turn it on for 10 minutes. Thank's
This is the video I needed to watch and hear! Thank you, Chad! I have a 2019 GMC Savana 2500 cargo van and have been living on and off in it for a year and a half. I travel between Sacramento and San Diego. I have the middle sized Mr. Heater Buddy I use on occasion as it never really gets as cold as where you reside. My heater is on an hour before bedtime and maybe an hour in the morning. I was skeptical about adding a Chinese diesel heater as I heard so many negatives about them. Hearing your experiences and especially about using one on your totally awesome adventure to the Arctic Ocean, I will now invest in a Chinese diesel heater. I considered the German Wasco heater but the investment is a little high for my military retirement pension. Thank you for this excellent review and demonstration of an actual set up. My fiancee is wanting to live the van life with me and if she does commit to it we will upgrade my van to a Class B RV.
I've been looking at switching out my Mr. Heater for a diesel heater and thank you so much Chad this was so helpful to understand how much wattage it's really going to pull from my solar generator. I couldn't get that information from Amazon. I'll be sure and purchase it through your Amazon link.
