TheSamba.com :: View topic - GoWesty Gas/Petrol Heater Kit

Thu Jul 31, 2025 5:13 am

This is an amazing deal! The kit is really well thought out, and the installation instructions look super thorough - this might put Chinese diesel heaters out of the game.

https://gowesty.com/products/gowesty-gasoline-furnace-kit?variant=52430466417008

Highlights:

12V DC Gasoline Furnace - Tap into your existing fuel system
Up to 8500 BTUs of Heat Output - Plenty for your Vanagon
High-Altitude Equipped - Works up to 10,000 feet of elevation

[Admin note: price removed by request since it changes over time]

Thu Jul 31, 2025 5:43 am

I've never seen that style heater for Gasoline so cheap, even the 'Russian' model versions that some people trickled into the US for vehicle installation.
If I had the money, I think I'd buy one since ,as you noted, you're on one fuel system and no Aux tank to fill or worry about with using a different fuel for just the heater. 8) 8)

Thu Jul 31, 2025 5:56 am

Wow! That's nice.

I am interested because my 412 has the factory Bn 4 or 6. Even though I know how to work on it well, it is a pain in the ass as the ancient parts and temp sensors slowly age out of calibration.

This may be a good drop in answer. Ray

Thu Jul 31, 2025 6:03 am

I bet they contacted a CDH manufacturer and did their own run of gasoline versions. We're very lucky for that. That is less than half the price of an Eberspacher or similar gas models.

Thu Jul 31, 2025 6:06 am

anyone know/guess what model that gasoline heater is? there seems to be so few out there.

Thu Jul 31, 2025 6:22 am

That is an amazing deal.

Thu Jul 31, 2025 7:23 am

dobryan wrote: That is an amazing deal.

i have dragged my feet on adding a heater to the bus... being lazy finally paid off!

no diesel BS, no propane woes... one fuel to run it all.

Thu Jul 31, 2025 7:33 am

dabaron wrote: dobryan wrote: That is an amazing deal.

i have dragged my feet on adding a heater to the bus... being lazy finally paid off!

no diesel BS, no propane woes... one fuel to run it all.

Thu Jul 31, 2025 7:46 am

A dream come true.

I've wanted a furnace, but the idea of carrying diesel always stressed me out. Especially having to have it inside the van with me.

Guess I better start putting together my pennies.

Thu Jul 31, 2025 7:50 am

One area where these CDH's are lacking is in the controller. With an Espar, the controller operates the same way as the wall thermostat in your home. Set it to 70 degrees and forget about it. Easy. The CDH controllers I've seen all require you to perform manual tuning, set the duty cycle, etc. A poor user experience in this regard, enough that there's a whole niche of aftermarket controllers for them to try and improve the situation.

Yes the Espar is spendy, but everything about it is top notch. It has been refined for decades, and the latest iterations are quite a bit more fuel efficient than any CDH.

Another datapoint to look at is the number of run hours between major servicing. The Espar can go far longer between maintenance than any CDH. And the Espar is rated for higher altitude, for those who have access to 10k+ feet of altitude.

IMO the only benefit to this GW kit is the fact that it's an all in one kit tailored to the gasser Vanagon.

Thu Jul 31, 2025 7:56 am

tdivan82 wrote: One area where these CDH's are lacking is in the controller. With an Espar, the controller operates the same way as the wall thermostat in your home. Set it to 70 degrees and forget about it. Easy. The CDH controllers I've seen all require you to perform manual tuning, set the duty cycle, etc. A poor user experience in this regard, enough that there's a whole niche of aftermarket controllers for them to try and improve the situation.

Yes the Espar is spendy, but everything about it is top notch. It has been refined for decades, and the latest iterations are quite a bit more fuel efficient than any CDH.

Another datapoint to look at is the number of run hours between major servicing. The Espar can go far longer between maintenance than any CDH. And the Espar is rated for higher altitude, for those who have access to 10k+ feet of altitude.

IMO the only benefit to this GW kit is the fact that it's an all in one kit tailored to the gasser Vanagon.

Agreed. I've also heard that the fuel pumps can be noisy.

Since I am carrying a propane tank for my stove anyways, I like having my propex. It also fits nicely under my truck fridge leaving all the storage space under the rear bench available.

I also like the simple controls of the propex. Set it to the temperature you want and forget about it.

Was a little bit more expensive than this GW kit, but not too much more.

Thu Jul 31, 2025 8:02 am

The instructions show that the heater is aware of ambient temperature. Typically, these heaters have different modes you can choose from. I have an aftermarket controller on my diesel heater and I can say "keep it on 70F".

I love a constant running heater - the white noise that is. However, if you try to use a heater when it is 55'F, on low it will likely be too much to where you will have to crack open a window.

Not all Espar heaters have altitude compensation - I think only the new models have that automatically built in.

As far as fuel pump clicking, the cheaper units had louder pumps, but my higher end model wasn't nearly as loud.

Thu Jul 31, 2025 8:17 am

shagginwagon83 wrote: The instructions show that the heater is aware of ambient temperature. Typically, these heaters have different modes you can choose from. I have an aftermarket controller on my diesel heater and I can say "keep it on 70F".
Out of curiosity, how much did the aftermarket controller cost, and how much effort to install/configure it? The inexpensive cost of the Chinese heaters is somewhat negated if you have spend more on a controller that actually works. It is super cool that folks have developed these options though.

shagginwagon83 wrote: I love a constant running heater - the white noise that is. However, if you try to use a heater when it is 55'F, on low it will likely be too much to where you will have to crack open a window.
My Espar turns off when the target temperature is reached, same as the furnace in your home. No issues with using the heater when it's 55 F outside. I too like the white noise for sleeping, for that I use a 12v RV fan. It's called the Sirocco II. Not cheap, but it's really nice, and can be aimed in any direction. You get the white noise, and air circulation, win-win. I have it mounted to the underside of the spice rack:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LDY4TE4

shagginwagon83 wrote: Not all Espar heaters have altitude compensation - I think only the new models have that automatically built in.
Like I said, they've been refining them for decades. Buy a new one (not used) to get all the latest improvements. 2kw is more than enough to keep a Vanagon at 70 degrees inside when its below freezing outside. 4kw would be an oven!

I don't have any experience with their gasser models, I use their 2kw diesel heater since I have a TDI (I don't want to mess with smelly/flammable gasoline in the interior of the van). IMO if you prefer a liquid fueled heater, get one that matches the fuel type of your engine, so you can plumb it directly to the tank.

Thu Jul 31, 2025 8:56 am

tdivan82 wrote:
Out of curiosity, how much did the aftermarket controller cost, and how much effort to install/configure it? The inexpensive cost of the Chinese heaters is somewhat negated if you have spend more on a controller that actually works. It is super cool that folks have developed these options though.

I think it was like $150? This is the reason I still have a diesel heater and not an espar. The Afterburner.io has so many features... but the one I loved the most was being able to adjust the temperature remotely, from the drivers seat, or the bed. Not only that, but you can program this thing to connect to your home wifi and start it with Google assistant/Alexa.

tdivan82 wrote:
My Espar turns off when the target temperature is reached, same as the furnace in your home. No issues with using the heater when it's 55 F outside. I too like the white noise for sleeping, for that I use a 12v RV fan. It's called the Sirocco II. Not cheap, but it's really nice, and can be aimed in any direction. You get the white noise, and air circulation, win-win. I have it mounted to the underside of the spice rack:

I have the same brand fan mounted under the spice rack. I went with the ultimate model as it is smaller footprint.

Yes mine has that mode too - to where it cuts off when temperature reached. You can also set the "swing" so it cuts back on after X degrees.

It even has "frost mode" to where it keeps your van above a certain temperature to prevent water from freezing.

tdivan82 wrote:
Like I said, they've been refining them for decades. Buy a new one (not used) to get all the latest improvements. 2kw is more than enough to keep a Vanagon at 70 degrees inside when its below freezing outside. 4kw would be an oven!

I don't question the quality one bit. $2,000 is a hard pill to swallow compared to this $550 offering.

Thu Jul 31, 2025 12:33 pm

this new offering looks like a good option, esp for those with a weekender or tintop.

Thu Jul 31, 2025 3:07 pm

Call me a worry-wart, but if Espar/Webasto does not make it, I'm not using gasoline in my heater. With my CDH, I use diesel fuel with confidence about safety, despite the complication of two fuels.

As a veteran of several Beetles with gas heaters, I remind everyone that these gasoline heaters don't use catalytic converters or precision fuel injection. My Beetle gas heaters stank! Many will say that the CDH smells like an old Mack truck. I say they smell like a home furnace fired by heating-oil, and have very low emissions when adjusted properly on the controller.

A quick look at the photos tells me that GW sourced most of this unit from a Chinese supplier and added their own fitting bits, including the well-executed under-seat cover. Still too much worry for me with the gasoline, though.

The GW installation instructions show a poorly-executed exhaust pipe installation. I go to areas with brush, long grass, weeds, etc that would catch on that exhaust pipe. Deep snow would do the same. More thought on that GW exhaust pipe install is required. I think a section of 1" steel electrical conduit might be better for part of that exhaust pipe install.

Another niggle - - my propane tank, even with a new main valve, lets out a tiny "puff" of propane when opening or closing the main valve. These tanks are not completely contained. I installed my CDH to exhaust on the passenger side, away from the propane tank.

View from Below:

View from above:

Thu Jul 31, 2025 6:06 pm

I like the idea of not having to introduce another fuel into your vehicle, my only concern is that these do use a bit of fuel so be sure your tank is full and you enough battery to power it.

You don't want to end up with an empty tank and a dead battery.

I have a Diesel Espar that was way more than this but also have a house battery and a separate diesel tank to fuel it.

I think this kit is a home run and you can not beat the price, another well thought out kit and real world pricing.

Stacy

Thu Jul 31, 2025 6:28 pm

shagginwagon83 wrote:
It even has "frost mode" to where it keeps your van above a certain temperature to prevent water from freezing.
Hey now that's pretty slick!

shagginwagon83 wrote: I don't question the quality one bit. $2,000 is a hard pill to swallow compared to this $550 offering.
Yowsa, I think I paid around $1300 a few years ago, and that was in a deluxe installation kit with a bunch of accessories. They must have really gone up in price.

Thu Jul 31, 2025 6:34 pm

The has version in the espar is typically 30%ore than their Diesel....I love my gas espar

Thu Jul 31, 2025 6:56 pm

Couple more concerns I thought of with the GW kit.

1. I don't see any maintenance or repair instructions on their web site, and I don't see any spare parts listed either. Espar/Webasto/Propex offer all of these things.

2. Installation instructions call for self-tapping screws and silicone goo. So even if you had maintenance/repair procedures and parts, the unit would not be easy to remove. This is more a nit pick of their install kit than of the heater unit. The big brands use a gasket to seal, and metric threaded fasteners.

3. I don't see any mention of exhaust pipe angle or drain holes for condensation. The big brands all include warnings about this, to avoid the possibility of exhaust pipe obstruction due to icing in very cold weather.