Heated water

[THL4KEL]

A lot of people put the diesel heater outside the garage and put a hole in the garage wall and fit the blower pipe to that hole. You just need to put the diesel heater in a waterproof box.

 

[kevinc250]

indeed, thats what many people do but, if you look at how the heater works its, far more fuel efficient to move the heater indoors.
the air heater will only heat the air on full whack a certain amount "each pass" i.e. if the incoming air is 5c then it would heat the outgoing air by 7c meaning the outgoing air would be 12c by each pass of the air it would increase in temp by 7c this would mean that if you had a small space i.e. the back of the van then you could use a smaller kw setting 1.1 for example overnight when its -7 (yes i've done that) and in the morning its +9 in the van, all for something like a 100ml of fuel used.
the exhaust pipe should be no longer than 800mm, any longer than that the air fan will struggle to blow out the exhaust fumes and the heater will coke up and the exhaust if possible should point downwards so condensates can drip out, it goes without saying that the exhaust will be exited to fresh air i.e. outside but the air intake could be from the inside of the van or workshop in paddies case 22mm coolant hose being the smoothest option and as short as possible with the filter installed,
i've had my heater since 2019 and has only once let me down with a dodgy glow pin, i now have a complete repair kit including pin gauze and gaskets should i need it (stuff always breaks down when you really need it) it cost me £16.95 from amazon next day, honestly forget the faff with oil rads and duvets/taking stuff inside and marking the bath defrosting the hose reel just get one of these, they work and are cheap to run and are there when you really need them

 

[THL4KEL]

I have a 5kw in the back of my van. I put it on at 11pm for an hour gets it up to 30 degrees, and then put in on again an hour before I set off for work, the temp in the back of the van when I set off is 30 degrees again. I just put it on full blast both times, so no soot build up. Not had any issues since doing this. Best thing is it's all operated and monitored from an app on my phone.

 

[THL4KEL]

Wonder if this would be any good -

[£272.40 27% OFF] 12V 5KW Plumbing Water Heater Kit for Truck SUV Bus RV Boats Car Electronics from Automobiles & Motorcycles on banggood.com

12V 5KW Plumbing Water Heater Kit for Truck SUV Bus RV Boats

m.banggood.com

 

[Iron Giant]

indeed, thats what many people do but, if you look at how the heater works its, far more fuel efficient to move the heater indoors.
the air heater will only heat the air on full whack a certain amount "each pass" i.e. if the incoming air is 5c then it would heat the outgoing air by 7c meaning the outgoing air would be 12c by each pass of the air it would increase in temp by 7c this would mean that if you had a small space i.e. the back of the van then you could use a smaller kw setting 1.1 for example overnight when its -7 (yes i've done that) and in the morning its +9 in the van, all for something like a 100ml of fuel used.
the exhaust pipe should be no longer than 800mm, any longer than that the air fan will struggle to blow out the exhaust fumes and the heater will coke up and the exhaust if possible should point downwards so condensates can drip out, it goes without saying that the exhaust will be exited to fresh air i.e. outside but the air intake could be from the inside of the van or workshop in paddies case 22mm coolant hose being the smoothest option and as short as possible with the filter installed,
i've had my heater since 2019 and has only once let me down with a dodgy glow pin, i now have a complete repair kit including pin gauze and gaskets should i need it (stuff always breaks down when you really need it) it cost me £16.95 from amazon next day, honestly forget the faff with oil rads and duvets/taking stuff inside and marking the bath defrosting the hose reel just get one of these, they work and are cheap to run and are there when you really need them

An interesting read, I was watching some Youtubers based in Alaska this week and they were ice fishing and sat inside a tent it was -40c outside and they had a diesel heater going so I assumed it would beat the figures that you've provided.

I personally don't have an issue using an oil rad either it works for me we have had it 12 years or more so it owes me nowt and I already have a small 1m 2 gang extension inside my van for my battery charger which gets plugged into an outdoor socket at the front of my garage the oil rad just gets put in as and when needed, in my little van I don't think I'd have the room for a diesel heater.

 

[P4dstar]

An interesting read, I was watching some Youtubers based in Alaska this week and they were ice fishing and sat inside a tent it was -40c outside and they had a diesel heater going so I assumed it would beat the figures that you've provided.

I personally don't have an issue using an oil rad either it works for me we have had it 12 years or more so it owes me nowt and I already have a small 1m 2 gang extension inside my van for my battery charger which gets plugged into an outdoor socket at the front of my garage the oil rad just gets put in as and when needed, in my little van I don't think I'd have the room for a diesel heater.

In my van that has (and is keeping) the Grippa hot water system they have installed a plug. I could in theory just throw an oil filled radiator and plug it into that plug as the van is on charge. It only works when the van is charging. An electrical engineer fella reckoned they installed that system because it was cheaper, he did the same to his camper van. What I am thinking about is the energy saving. Commercial electric is expensive so if I can use diesel and a small amount of electric then it could reduce costs.

A large diesel heater like this;

MasterPro Diesel Heater 102 000 BTU 30KW New Model | Euro Car Parts

MasterPro Diesel Heater 102 000 BTU 30KW New Model at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

www.eurocarparts.com

can most definitely be used outside. They have them on the sidelines at the GreenBay Packers when the snow is coming down sideways.

 

[Iron Giant]

In my van that has (and is keeping) the Grippa hot water system they have installed a plug. I could in theory just throw an oil filled radiator and plug it into that plug as the van is on charge. It only works when the van is charging. An electrical engineer fella reckoned they installed that system because it was cheaper, he did the same to his camper van. What I am thinking about is the energy saving. Commercial electric is expensive so if I can use diesel and a small amount of electric then it could reduce costs.

A large diesel heater like this;

MasterPro Diesel Heater 102 000 BTU 30KW New Model | Euro Car Parts

MasterPro Diesel Heater 102 000 BTU 30KW New Model at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

www.eurocarparts.com

can most definitely be used outside. They have them on the sidelines at the GreenBay Packers when the snow is coming down sideways.

This week I saw a gas blow heater at a customer's house, but without looking I'd assume that the gas bottles aren't going to be as cheap to run as a diesel one and then there is a risk of a gas heater being left unattended overnight in your unit.

 

[ched999uk]

This week I saw a gas blow heater at a customer's house, but without looking I'd assume that the gas bottles aren't going to be as cheap to run as a diesel one and then there is a risk of a gas heater being left unattended overnight in your unit.

I have one of the gas blow heaters, it's quite big and has variable output. I used to use it in my lockup when working on cars in the winter. It did work well and gets the whole place hot quickly. I don't remember it using loads of gas but I probably only used it over weekends.

Thinking about it, it's still in my garage and has not been used for the last 24 years and has moved house 4 times . I should test it and if it no longer works take it down the tip.

 

[Gadgetfox]

Just going back to immersion heaters; is it possible to powere it from a 3000W inverter attached to the leasure battery? Or would that drain the battery too quick?

 

[Iron Giant]

I have one of the gas blow heaters, it's quite big and has variable output. I used to use it in my lockup when working on cars in the winter. It did work well and gets the whole place hot quickly. I don't remember it using loads of gas but I probably only used it over weekends.

Thinking about it, it's still in my garage and has not been used for the last 24 years and has moved house 4 times . I should test it and if it no longer works take it down the tip.

I think yours is probably big enough you could sit on it and ride it across the skies "rocket man"

They are a lot smaller now!!

 

[ched999uk]

Just going back to immersion heaters; is it possible to powere it from a 3000W inverter attached to the leasure battery? Or would that drain the battery too quick?

It would drain way too quick even if it did run it. 3000watts/12v = 250 Amps So a 100Ah battery would power it for about 12 mins before going below 50% charge.

 

[ched999uk]

I think yours is probably big enough you could sit on it and ride it across the skies "rocket man"

They are a lot smaller now!!

It really is that big! About 2ft high and 2.5ft long, it does look like a mini rocket

 

[dazmond]

In my van that has (and is keeping) the Grippa hot water system they have installed a plug. I could in theory just throw an oil filled radiator and plug it into that plug as the van is on charge. It only works when the van is charging. An electrical engineer fella reckoned they installed that system because it was cheaper, he did the same to his camper van. What I am thinking about is the energy saving. Commercial electric is expensive so if I can use diesel and a small amount of electric then it could reduce costs.

A large diesel heater like this;

MasterPro Diesel Heater 102 000 BTU 30KW New Model | Euro Car Parts

MasterPro Diesel Heater 102 000 BTU 30KW New Model at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.

www.eurocarparts.com

can most definitely be used outside. They have them on the sidelines at the GreenBay Packers when the snow is coming down sideways.

I doubt a diesel heater will be cheaper than an oil filled radiator in the back of the van overnight....

1.you have to buy the diesel heater

2.then the diesel and electric to run it!

Keep it simple! An oil filled radiator does the job and only costs around £4 a night!

 

[P4dstar]

This week I saw a gas blow heater at a customer's house, but without looking I'd assume that the gas bottles aren't going to be as cheap to run as a diesel one and then there is a risk of a gas heater being left unattended overnight in your unit.

I'm paranoid enough about leaving the vans plugged in. I just bought two new caravan hook up cables to charge the vans. We had one blow yesterday morning. I couldn't find any info on the cable sizes. They all seem to be one standard size so I assume I'm safe.

 

[P4dstar]

I doubt a diesel heater will be cheaper than an oil filled radiator in the back of the van overnight....

1.you have to buy the diesel heater

2.then the diesel and electric to run it!

Keep it simple! An oil filled radiator does the job and only costs around £4 a night!

I see what you mean but remember these vans aren't plugged in at my house, they're at an office. Also there is 3 of them. I'm relying on the lads remembering to do it first and foremost. I'm also paying extortionate commercial rates for electric. I'm assured these small diesel heaters use less then 1.5 litres overnight. If its easy to do and uses a minimal amount of electricity it could save me money.

 

[ched999uk]

I'm paranoid enough about leaving the vans plugged in. I just bought two new caravan hook up cables to charge the vans. We had one blow yesterday morning. I couldn't find any info on the cable sizes. They all seem to be one standard size so I assume I'm safe.

The 16Amp hook up cables should be 2.5mm² cable. If you look closely on the insulation it's normally on there. There are some iffy sellers selling 16Amp cables with 1.5mm cable which is not safe.
The thing to make sure is that the cable is protected by a fuse or breaker that is rated below the maximum rating of the cable. I would guess that a lot of people will be using 16amp plug to a 13amp mains plug adapter so the cable is protected by the mains fuse. If you are using 16Amp wall sockets in your unit then double check they are covered by 16Amp breakers not 20Amp ones!

 

[P4dstar]

The 16Amp hook up cables should be 2.5mm² cable. If you look closely on the insulation it's normally on there. There are some iffy sellers selling 16Amp cables with 1.5mm cable which is not safe.
The thing to make sure is that the cable is protected by a fuse or breaker that is rated below the maximum rating of the cable. I would guess that a lot of people will be using 16amp plug to a 13amp mains plug adapter so the cable is protected by the mains fuse. If you are using 16Amp wall sockets in your unit then double check they are covered by 16Amp breakers not 20Amp ones!

I’m too thick for this Ched….
This is what I bought;
Cable
Plug

I took a stab that being from Halfords they would be sound.

 

[ched999uk]

I’m too thick for this Ched….
This is what I bought;
Cable
Plug

I took a stab that being from Halfords they would be sound.

They look good, cable is 2.5mm. The mains plug will have a 13amp fuse in so all good. Ideally your fuse board (Consumer unit) should have an earth leakage trip (RCD) in to give you a little more protection. You can buy cheaper i.e. https://amzn.to/49qiaDm and https://amzn.to/4irs8ss but not worth risking it if you are unsure.
Halfords usually do decent stuff, I've had some of their tools for about 40 years and they are still going strong. I used to work for them part time when I did my apprenticeship and their tools were decent then so I guess other stuff still is. I do still buy tools from them.

 

[P4dstar]

They look good, cable is 2.5mm. The mains plug will have a 13amp fuse in so all good. Ideally your fuse board (Consumer unit) should have an earth leakage trip (RCD) in to give you a little more protection. You can buy cheaper i.e. https://amzn.to/49qiaDm and https://amzn.to/4irs8ss but not worth risking it if you are unsure.
Halfords usually do decent stuff, I've had some of their tools for about 40 years and they are still going strong. I used to work for them part time when I did my apprenticeship and their tools were decent then so I guess other stuff still is. I do still buy tools from them.

I invested in a socket set during the Black Friday sale. Every time I needed a vehicle specific tool tool, a Spline for example, I had to go to my neighbour and ended up owing him favours I just ain't got time to fulfil. I thought the socket set I bought from Screwfix years back would be good enough. This one is epic though and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

 

[spruce]

I invested in a socket set during the Black Friday sale. Every time I needed a vehicle specific tool tool, a Spline for example, I had to go to my neighbour and ended up owing him favours I just ain't got time to fulfil. I thought the socket set I bought from Screwfix years back would be good enough. This one is epic though and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

If I purchase a set of spanners or a socket set, I have to check that a size 16mm socket or spanner is included. So many sets omit the 16mm, but with Citroen and Peugeot, that's a common nut and/or bolt size.

 

[P4dstar]

If I purchase a set of spanners or a socket set, I have to check that a size 16mm socket or spanner is included. So many sets omit the 16mm, but with Citroen and Peugeot, that's a common nut and/or bolt size.

We have some basic sets in each van. I had to find one with 7mm sockets as that is the size on the jubilee clip. Quite a few sets have 6 & 8 but not 7mm. Seems silly for them to miss out 16mm if its an even number also!