Installing a Cheap Chinese Diesel Parking Heater

[danfromsyr]

just use a 12v battery and a battery charger/maintainer/power supply.
no reason you can't install/use a 12v all in one heater in a fixed residential installation..

search Youtube some are installed in people's sheds..

my brother used to have a RV propane heater installed in the bathroom of his house as the power would on occasion go out while he was away. and the RV furnace ran off 12v with a charger.. would carry over a couple days if needed before the battery ran out..
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[RParker]

Which seat were you able to fit it under?
What modifications were needed?
Can you post some pictures of your accomplishment?[/quote]

It’s under the passenger seat (left hand drive bus). I had to remove some metal to get the heater into the space between the week well and the walk-thru. Once in place, it fits well and the holes needed for the fuel line, air and exhaust have good clearance below (watch the brake hardline). It would be very easy to connect the output of the heater to the ducting under the bus that takes the heated air to the dash. I just worry about the temp of the air being too hot.

I’ll post pictures later.

[TomWesty]

[KentABQ]

[danfromsyr]

awww come on man, you mean you didn't check the barrels when it wasn't working correctly?

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[KentABQ]

Should've checked!
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-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[tristessa]

[obieoberstar]

Last night was the first time I was able to use the heater for some high mountain camping. The low was forecast to be 23 F.

A freshly installed deep cycle house battery worked to keep the heater going all night on the lowest setting. Barely used any fuel. Kept the interior nice and warm.

Might use a small USB powered fan to circulate some of the air as it was a bit cooler near the rear hatch.

Did anyone mention the remote control? It will even work when there is a knit hat covering the way too bright display panel.

[danfromsyr]

its an RF remote control. it'll work from outside the van too.

sitting around the fire and remoting my heater on
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[scubasteve321]

For those that have intake routed (properly) from the outside; how much quieter is it compared to if you did bench testing of the intake inside for example?
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1971 Campmobile Tin-Top
1971 Campmobile Pop-Top
1974 VW Bus

[obieoberstar]

intake and exhaust plumbed to the outside.

cold air return is in the kitchen cabinet.

barely hear the blower. but the clicking of the pump (hanging from a soft spring) is just as loud as the ticking of the factory dash clock.

never bench tested for comparison

[obieoberstar]

thanks for the tip on the remote. did not know it had such a range.

[ImAddicted]

If anyone is interested, I've been talking with one of my suppliers and have procured 3\5\8kw heaters in both the stand-alone and installable versions, I have them listed in the classifieds. Use coupon code SAMBA to save 10%. Mods, delete this if not allowed. Thanks.
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1979 Transporter (sold)
KC1MUR

[mcdonaldneal]

I installed a 5kW CDH in our ‘78 Dormobile camper over the winter and we have been away camping in it for the first time last weekend. I am so impressed, it is a real game changer for us. It was around freezing and it heats the bus really effectively. At warmer temperatures you would definitely have to open vents and/or windows but we had it on ‘low’ overnight with the pop-top up (increasing the space that needs to be heated) and it kept us comfortably warm the whole night, lovely!
It is installed in a cupboard under the sink, actually I ordered a 2kW but as often happens I got the larger 5kW, but it still just fits in there. The diesel fuel tank is in a hidden cupboard further rearwards but has quick disconnects so it can be removed for filling. The electrical power is from huge cabling with earth return from the leisure battery (100Ah, AGM) to avoid any voltage drop. I measured the current draw from the battery with the LED display attached, 85mA, and with the controller disconnected, 40mA, to give you an idea of the parasitic drain. You probably know it draws 10A for a couple of minutes on startup and shutdown and 1A on low power. I have no problem with running it overnight on the leisure battery, although that gets through a fair bit of diesel (125-250ml/hr).

I’ll do a few posts with pictures, but I would absolutely recommend reading around for a while before planning an install, and joining the CDH troubleshooting FaceBook page. It is very much a DIY process and the kit you are sent does need some suppplementation!

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1978 marino yellow Bay Dormobile camper
1969 signal orange Karmann Ghia convertible
1976 martini olive Bay Dormobile camper

Stop dead photo links! Post photos to The Samba Gallery!

[mcdonaldneal]

So, some detail of what you are sent when you order one. It does vary wildly by all accounts, but mine did have good quality fuel hose and clamps and the controller with a remote. I did change for the simpler rotary controller as it fits with the bus better, doesn’t disturb at night, and draws less power when the bus isn’t being used.
I also had a look inside the casing, but everything looked fine!
Test fitted it in the space.

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1978 marino yellow Bay Dormobile camper
1969 signal orange Karmann Ghia convertible
1976 martini olive Bay Dormobile camper

Stop dead photo links! Post photos to The Samba Gallery!

[mcdonaldneal]

Once you’re doubly, triply sure you have the installation spot correct, drill holes and install the base plate. I had no flooring in the cupboard, so I just sealed the plate with high temp RTV. The previous hole was for the sink plumbing which is now deleted. The wiring on my heater was quite a heavy gauge, but I upgraded with some huge 4core flex I had left over, which now powers the fridge and a 12v outlet, as well as an earth return. A lot of people have problems with a voltage drop when the glow plug takes its 10A, and the heater will fail to light.
The exhaust and air intake are under the bus, well separated. This is my first attempt at the exhaust, I ended up mounting it higher, with an extension piece of exhaust.
The outlet at floor level is the only thing you see inside the bus. There is another outlet under the bed/seat but it’s not visible.

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1978 marino yellow Bay Dormobile camper
1969 signal orange Karmann Ghia convertible
1976 martini olive Bay Dormobile camper

Stop dead photo links! Post photos to The Samba Gallery!

[mcdonaldneal]

I fitted quick disconnects on the fuel tank, so it lifts out for filling, to avoid spills. Actually, I have tried running diesel and kerosene and I prefer the kerosene as it smells less (at the exhaust-there is no smell in the bus at all).
I initially had a priming bulb in the fuel line, but the pressure it generated just caused small leaks at some hose connections, so I removed it (and tightened the fittings).
The fuel pump was quite loud mounted to the wooden panel as shown, so I wrapped it in insulation and made an isolating mount. It’s about as loud as the clock now!

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1978 marino yellow Bay Dormobile camper
1969 signal orange Karmann Ghia convertible
1976 martini olive Bay Dormobile camper

Stop dead photo links! Post photos to The Samba Gallery!

[mcdonaldneal]

The supplied LED controller is good, and the remote is cool, but the display was either too bright (at night) or too dim (when you’re trying to set it!). I ordered a rotary controller, which just swapped straight in. Less bright and takes less power when you’re not using the heater. I disassembled it to improve the heat shrinking. It would be easy to extend the wiring if needed.

That’s all I have for you right now, five stars, would recommend!

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1978 marino yellow Bay Dormobile camper
1969 signal orange Karmann Ghia convertible
1976 martini olive Bay Dormobile camper

Stop dead photo links! Post photos to The Samba Gallery!

[mcdonaldneal]

The diesel tank is under the floor of a side cupboard, so I made a lifting shelf out of plywood for access. There’s enough room for the tank, spare paraffin, an emergency stove and a first aid kit.
I also made removable shelves for above the heater to allow storage, and wrapped the pump in more rubberised pipe lagging. To be honest, it’s not that noisy now, but I figured it would help a bit.

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1978 marino yellow Bay Dormobile camper
1969 signal orange Karmann Ghia convertible
1976 martini olive Bay Dormobile camper

Stop dead photo links! Post photos to The Samba Gallery!

[wagohn]

Can anyone see an issue with installing as shown? It seems I would only need to drill two small holes for the air and exhaust ports, and use the tire well drain hole for the fuel line. Then all I need is to create a flat cover with a vent incorporated. Thoughts?
I'd have to figure a way to make the mounting plate flush with the bottom of the tire well.
Thanks.

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1976 VW Transporter, 2.0 FI Engine