Approx diesel heater consumption

[Jewellbags]

I think our diesel heater is very frugal but does anyone know what they roughly consume if left on a low setting alll day and night . ?

 

[Manic]

This is the calculation for a 5kw heater
0.022 x htz X 60 X 60 =ml per hour

 

[mikash]

Quite a few variables there.
I know some of the chinese ones atleast can run on constant power but you'd need to measure what the consumption at certain setting (pump frequency) is.
If you're using a thermostat, then you can do some rough napkin math guestimates.
1 liter of diesel = ˜10kWh energy.
10 degrees of temperature difference between inside and outside = 1 kW heating required.
heater efficiency should be close to 100%.

So at ˜0c oustisde and +20c inside, 2kW average heating power and 0.2 l / hour or about 5 liters / day diesel consumed.

The real amount of heating required varies quite a bit though, depending on van insulation, ventilation, number of people inside, waste heat from other equipment etc. Some claim excellent winter vans can be close to 60W / 1deg delta and 80W is reasonable for a well insulated van, but I think the 100W is a good starting point.

 

[Two on Tour]

Quite a few variables there.
I know some of the chinese ones atleast can run on constant power but you'd need to measure what the consumption at certain setting (pump frequency) is.
If you're using a thermostat, then you can do some rough napkin math guestimates.
1 liter of diesel = ˜10kWh energy.
10 degrees of temperature difference between inside and outside = 1 kW heating required.
heater efficiency should be close to 100%.

So at ˜0c oustisde and +20c inside, 2kW average heating power and 0.2 l / hour or about 5 liters / day diesel consumed.

The real amount of heating required varies quite a bit though, depending on van insulation, ventilation, number of people inside, waste heat from other equipment etc. Some claim excellent winter vans can be close to 60W / 1deg delta and 80W is reasonable for a well insulated van, but I think the 100W is a good starting point.

It's not that complicated, just simple math's as Manic has set out in his post.

 

[mikash]

It's not that complicated, just simple math's as Manic has set out in his post.

As I said, it depends on whether you use a constant output heater (mantic case) or one with a thermostat.

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[Jewellbags]

As I said, it depends on whether you use a constant output heater (mantic case) or one with a thermostat.

Thermostat and it’s a coach built French model with , allegedly good insulation

 

[mikash]

Thermostat and it’s a coach built French model with , allegedly good insulation

If you want more accurate estimations and have the option to heat with electricity, you can experimentally test your heating energy required.
At a sufficiently cold time, heat only with the electric heater with known power (f.ex. 1kW or 2kW). Measusre temperature outside and inside (maybe few spots average) and compare. You should see that eventually the two temperatures will stabilize to some difference and from there you can calculate the watts required / 1 degree temperature difference. Requires relatively stable outdoor temperature, because the van temp lags behind somewhat.
And with that information you can then approximate how much diesel you will need in any particular outdoor temperature predicted. There are some error sources though like sun, wind and clear night sky outside, and unaccounted heat sources (people, dogs, equipment, cooking) and sinks (water evaporating like wet dog or clothes, shower room drying) inside.

 

[Two on Tour]

Need to check the 0.022 though, I think there are different size pumps

A 2kw can be either a 0.016 or a 0.022 depending on what is supplied with the heater, just substitute 0.016 for 0.022.

As I said, it depends on whether you use a constant output heater (mantic case) or one with a thermostat.

Pump delivery rate is dependent on the hertz request by the heater, 1 hertz equals 1 pump pulse per second 2 hertz equals 2 pump pulses per second and so on, again easy maths to work out any fuel usage at any give rate at any time.

 

[mikash]

Pump delivery rate is dependent on the hertz request by the heater, 1 hertz equals 1 pump pulse per second 2 hertz equals 2 pump pulses per second and so on, again easy maths to work out any fuel usage at any give rate at any time.

Yes, the constant power heating is simple, we agree on that

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

As long as your warm an cosy and not using your gas is it really that important?
If we had ours on for more than 30 mins we would have to open the vents to let cooler air in.

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[Bill-H]

Does the heater have a thermostat then what about ventilation - is a window or vent open at night, how many times do you open a door to go in and out, have you got external thermal blinds on the windscreen, how many of you in the vehicle adding to the warmth, what size is the interior space to be heated, does it have a canvas pop-top, what is the outside temperature over night.
If it doesn't have a thermostat then don't pay any attention to this post..

 

[Tombola]

Can you remove the tube and stick it in a measured container with diesel in for an hour.

 

[mikash]

As long as your warm an cosy and not using your gas is it really that important?
If we had ours on for more than 30 mins we would have to open the vents to let cooler air in.

Think it's a climate thing. When you regularly dip below -20c you will become acutely aware of the consumption and the costs
Diesel helps a lot though, compared to going through 4-5 x 11kg gas bottles a week. Costs about the same but a lot less trouble and at least you can sleep few nights in a row without thinking about it
I am lucky in that I have a place up north where I have spot market price EHU available so the heating costs stay relatively reasonable, using cheap electricity when it's available and diesel otherwise.