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Fitting a diesel heater or similar

Posted: July 21st, 2018, 9:03 am
by TheWalshyWay
Hi, I'M looking into fitting a Webaso (or similar) heater kit and am wondering if folks here carry a separate Billy can for the fuel or somehow feed into the main pickup tank ?

Re: Fitting a diesel heater or similar

Posted: July 21st, 2018, 8:49 pm
by zildjian
I've had a look back through site for someone else doing this too but found only Two people beside you 'thinking' about fitting them and how to fuel them, most recently is Wonkywheel.


Mark had found a pattern heater from China and was last heard off still thinking about it .

So, looks like you are joining an elite group if you go with it, fuel consumption is pretty frugal I understand so its own fuel vessel would seem adequte

Re: Fitting a diesel heater or similar

Posted: July 22nd, 2018, 9:56 am
by TheWalshyWay
Thanks Zildjian , so what kind of heating system is preffered ? I just assumed all the heating was by diesel !

Thanks B.

Re: Fitting a diesel heater or similar

Posted: July 22nd, 2018, 12:46 pm
by zildjian
Preferred is a super Alde boiler,
most likely is a small blown air as you say or probably a small 240 Hook-up convector,

with such a small space to heat we've all noticed boiling a kettle over a gas flame is enough,
obviously we don't suggest people do this and poison themselves, so probably a truck/boat heater with small tank in locker to feed it would be good.

Re: Fitting a diesel heater or similar

Posted: July 23rd, 2018, 9:04 am
by TheWalshyWay
Thanks again, I like the idea of that "Alde" especially the underfloor heating !

B.

Re: Fitting a diesel heater or similar

Posted: July 23rd, 2018, 9:33 pm
by Toshbins
We have diesel blown air heater in the boat and gas in the camper. The diesel takes a lot out of the battery in the lighting phase. OK if leisure battery is fully charged and newish. Gas fires up more easily.

Re: Fitting a diesel heater or similar

Posted: July 23rd, 2018, 9:54 pm
by mjb666
I did think the Alde heating systems were unique to the Skarosser range of De-mountable's and an original factory build so had a look

http://www.alde.co.uk/design.html

After reading their website, i'm not technical but i guess you could retro fit a complete system but it does look complicated and there is no mention of cost?

Re: Fitting a diesel heater or similar

Posted: July 23rd, 2018, 9:59 pm
by mjb666
Does a diesel heater use a lot of battery power because of the glow plugs?

Does it in some way draw more power from a leisure battery than a diesel pick up cranking battery?

Re: Fitting a diesel heater or similar

Posted: July 24th, 2018, 9:29 pm
by Toshbins
Look up the technical specs for equivalent diesel and gas heaters. I think it’s just that diesel is not so volatile and takes more lighting.
It’s nowhere near as much current as a starter motor but it can take some time for the fuel to light
Before we renewed the batteries in the boat we would sometimes have to start the engine to provide enough current for the heater to start up. Once it’s running the current drain is nowhere near so great.

With good batteries and new heater you should be fine.

Re: Fitting a diesel heater or similar

Posted: October 23rd, 2018, 12:54 pm
by TheWalshyWay
Just took the plunge and ordered a Chinese made diesel kit. Made the decision after joining a fb group " Chinese diesel heaters" it's a mixed bag of results however loads of info and helpful advice from obviously the same outlook as our group here.
Cost delivered to Ireland about £200. Now the delivery waiting game starts :) the kit comes with a slim profile fuel tank and all the bits and bobs.
Interestingly one of the posts mentioned that you can use the cheaper red diesel as it's not going to be in the main tank.
I'll update when/ if I get it installed.

B.