The official Chinese Diesel Heater thread (Webasto Knockoff)

[shagginwagon83]

I appreciate it Steve. You are right in that this will probably be the best solution. I have most of the parts at this point and my dad put in an order for the aluminum.

I asked Ron this - but wanted to gather some opinions. I'm not sure where exactly to ask this.

But on this box design, is a vent really needed? I was planning on copying Ron's setup - which if I understand correctly his is vented through the fill neck. I had planned on doing this but was thinking about a rollover valve. Even with a rollover valve, the tank could potentially let gas back through the fill neck. The fill neck will be capped - so perhaps a roll over valve is not needed. I also doubt that cap is fully sealed - and would leak in the case of a rollover.

Thoughts?

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/perko--vented-diesel-fill--6586150?recordNum=14
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[tikiman71]

Quick question based on the last few posts and some unexpected pressure on a porta-potti that we experienced this summer due to elevation gain. Long story, but...

On the diesel heater plastic fuel tanks, do they need to be vented to compensate for temp/elevation pressure changes, or is this a non-issue? I'd hate to have diesel spewing and making a mess coming from sea level to the eastern Sierra at 9,000 feet.

Maybe fill the tank at elevation? Or burp it periodically as you ascend/descend? Any thoughts or real Vanagon world experience?

Cheers,

Adam
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1987 Westfalia GL

[owokie]

[vwhammer]

I think all of these tanks have a little pinhole vent in the cap that should keep pressure build up to a minimum
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Pretty normal daily driver build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708418&highlight=

4x4 build
https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/volkswagen-vanagon-4x4-conversion.162055/

[Gnarlodious]

Diesel expands slightly when it heats up, not from ambient air pressure change. Usually when you go uphill, the temperature drops. In any case diesel is not going to ‘spew’. If it is full right up to the top it may dribble a few drops. Just leave a little space on top.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[tikiman71]

Yes, I was more worried about the air in the tank expanding and contracting, and having an affect on the diesel level. Good point on leaving it full with little air. And the pics of the diesel tank caps do reveal a pinhole vent upon closer inspection, and should equalize pressure without spewage.

I'm not sure I'd want to keep my porta-potti waste tank full however. The air in the sealed waste tank built some significant pressure upon gaining elevation and temperature. Upon flushing, my wife and van received somewhat of a...golden shower. I promised her I'd never tell. Shhhhhhh.

Thank you for the diesel tank feedback. Back to the topic on hand...
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1987 Westfalia GL

[Gnarlodious]

What a scenario! Methane aka sewage gas does expand significantly with heat, so make sure that thing is vented.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[fxr]

It has to vent, otherwise there'd be fuel starvation when in use!
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[Howesight]

It's time for me to buy one of these Chinese Diesel Heaters. But, the companies that purport to sell these, ahem, "discounted" heaters seem to change on a weekly basis.

I want to buy one of these heaters, but I have no idea which of the many "brands" is the best, or at least is not fraught with problems. On Amazon, the 5-star ratings all seem to apply to a heater only 4 or 5 alleged buyers have purchased.

So . . . can anyone advise which recently purchased Chinese diesel heater unit they are happy with, its model number and the seller?

Many thanks in advance.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[fxr]

[joetiger]

[fxr]

[danfromsyr]

too much heat... camp where it's colder sucker..
we're hitting the frosty nights here in the North east now..

they are thermostatically controlled.. and it's not too hard to have the key fob hang near you when sleeping.. too hot wakes you up.. click it off. probably have to goto the bathroom about then anyways... well us older folk do.

[Howesight]

[joetiger]

[shagginwagon83]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-Air-Diesel-Heater-2KW...4039515233

I'd say this is a safe bet. 2k plus the rotary dial controller (I'm pretty sure this one is afterburner compatible). US seller
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[danfromsyr]

that 2kw is the smaller chassis.

and has the proper snap triangular plug for the thermostat controller.
you can switch between the dial and the digital+remote controller

beaware there are new ones out this year that have a threaded round plug for the controllers I do not know if those are/will be compatible with the afterburner
it looks like they're mostly the 4kw units.


we're running a 5-8kw unit with dial knob in 2 of our VWs and I just picked up a all-in-one unit to use as a outside tent heater.

[greenlakesgary]

" I just picked up a all-in-one unit to use as a outside tent heater."
Dan,
I would be curious to see some pictures of this set up when you complete it!

[danfromsyr]

gary, if your Cicero location is in NY. I'm right here in town.
I'll have pics. but have to have some with the VW in them to upload..
haven't fired it up yet, making a few weather tight updates to the box.

[tristessa]