Diesel heating recommendations/fitting

[haganap]

I want to install a diesel heater in my 8 m motorhome.

Or, let me be honest, im not allowed to install one myself and have been instructed to get one fitted. This is mainly because Nikki saw Steve and Denise instalation and said I'm just not good enough or competent enough to carry this out.
I tried to argue but couldn't..

Therefore can anyone recommend an installer in the North West.

I think (sorry china) i want to go the webasto/eberspacher route and want an under van installation.

I did see a review but now can't find it.

If anyone wants to tell me what to look out for please do, I need it to heat lounge and bedroom overnight with the hope it will cut down on..y LPG use when we are away in winter.

It will be combined with an Alde system.

 

[Wildbill]

haganap this company are very good at what they do.
Only thing is they are in Newcastle it a one day job just make a day of it visit Newcastle for the day
WB

 

[haganap]

View attachment 989120
haganap this company are very good at what they do.
Only thing is they are in Newcastle it a one day job just make a day of it visit Newcastle for the day
WB

Thanks Bill.

Seems a keen price, might be worth a travel

 

[Wildbill]

Thanks Bill.

Seems a keen price, might be worth a travel

I know someone that got one fitted they were very happy with it
We

 

[Bertilak]

P F Jones: www.pfjones.co.uk

You are being redirected...

are the regional eber main dealers, and install a couple a day every day. A large and pretty professional outfit in Trafford Park...

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[Landy Andy]

I can understand why you want one, but just be aware that in motorhomes that I’ve had/seen, the heater ducts are run in the general area of the water pipes. So they are keeping the pipes/water from freezing. Just throwing a diesel heater in a van won’t necessarily give you the same pipe protection.

I don’t know if you are planning on using it in extreme temps, but it is just an observation that I have.

 

[Steve and Denise]

I can understand why you want one, but just be aware that in motorhomes that I’ve had/seen, the heater ducts are run in the general area of the water pipes. So they are keeping the pipes/water from freezing. Just throwing a diesel heater in a van won’t necessarily give you the same pipe protection.

I don’t know if you are planning on using it in extreme temps, but it is just an observation that I have.

I did look into this and came to the conclusion that a double floor is where all the pipes are routed also water tanks so if that area is heated it will do the job fine and allows the heat to come up around furniture very similar to the Alde system ducting is readily available if you do find any cold spots.

 

[haganap]

I can understand why you want one, but just be aware that in motorhomes that I’ve had/seen, the heater ducts are run in the general area of the water pipes. So they are keeping the pipes/water from freezing. Just throwing a diesel heater in a van won’t necessarily give you the same pipe protection.

I don’t know if you are planning on using it in extreme temps, but it is just an observation that I have.

Hadn't really thought of that.

However the plan is for it to supplement what we already have.

My thinking would be an outlet in the lounge and one in the bedroom. It would mainly be used at night just to keep the van at a happy temperature.

When we are skiing, I could use it during the day and then have the alde coming on every 4 hours or so for an hour or so to prevent any freezing of pipes... or of course to just use the alde if it were to be forecast to freeze.

But definitely something to consider, our alde system does trace all the pipes.between the floors and water tanks and waste outlet.

 

[Steve and Denise]

How about Sheffield

HLN Diesel Heaters Archives - Kirknalls Ltd

kirknalls.co.uk

 

[AdrianChen]

Hadn't really thought of that.

However the plan is for it to supplement what we already have.

My thinking would be an outlet in the lounge and one in the bedroom. It would mainly be used at night just to keep the van at a happy temperature.

When we are skiing, I could use it during the day and then have the alde coming on every 4 hours or so for an hour or so to prevent any freezing of pipes... or of course to just use the alde if it were to be forecast to freeze.

But definitely something to consider, our alde system does trace all the pipes.between the floors and water tanks and waste outlet.

I have been pondering plumbing a diesel Hydronic/coolant based system into the Alde circuit. We had an Eberspacher D5 before and it was very good. In theory the Eber would heat the existing Alde circuit, so the result would be the same as using the Alde burner, with no additional ducts and outlets. There are a couple of options about how to install it, but I'm pretty sure someone on here has done it, but I cant remember who!

Our previous install was a 50ft boat, and the D5 kept that nice and warm, plus keeping a 60l hot water tank (twin coil calorifier with a 240v immersion element) hot, so should cope with our 8.6m van.

If I had the space in the right places I could kick out the Alde boiler and install an eber and say 20l calorifier, since I would prefer to use Diesel for heating and keep the gas for cooking! I doubt the cost of replacement vs additional would be that much.....

It's on the list with going over to a condenser fridge, and with my usual rate of progress on the list it will be a while yet!

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[wildcampers69]

I fitted an eberspacher to a previos motorhome and moved it to our current one (double floor) we cant hear it running from inside the van. Its great for a quick heat at night also we had a problem with our alde heating this year and the back up heating left us in no doubt that we will never be without one.

 

[Steve and Denise]

I have been pondering plumbing a diesel Hydronic/coolant based system into the Alde circuit. We had an Eberspacher D5 before and it was very good. In theory the Eber would heat the existing Alde circuit, so the result would be the same as using the Alde burner, with no additional ducts and outlets. There are a couple of options about how to install it, but I'm pretty sure someone on here has done it, but I cant remember who!

Our previous install was a 50ft boat, and the D5 kept that nice and warm, plus keeping a 60l hot water tank (twin coil calorifier with a 240v immersion element) hot, so should cope with our 8.6m van.

If I had the space in the right places I could kick out the Alde boiler and install an eber and say 20l calorifier, since I would prefer to use Diesel for heating and keep the gas for cooking! I doubt the cost of replacement vs additional would be that much.....

It's on the list with going over to a condenser fridge, and with my usual rate of progress on the list it will be a while yet!

I’ve already done the fridge we only have air diesel heater plus Alde, already our gas usage is minimal a bit of hot water and gas hob when needed everything else is electric,
I am considering using my spare electric to heat the Alde boiler for water only say 1kw setting as our 300ah battery gets full pretty quick with 700w of solar,
We’ll see how it all performs in Spain this winter.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

We installed a deisel heater in our van and ducted the hot air outlet into our existing hot air duct system with just one additional outlet. We bought additional T sections and Elbows of e bay.
Works well but we do need to install a section with a flap valve to restrict the hot air flow back into the gas/ electric truma heater and tripping it due to an overheat.
We can run the hot air ducting system now on gas , ehu or deisel..

 

[CazPaul]

I have been pondering plumbing a diesel Hydronic/coolant based system into the Alde circuit. We had an Eberspacher D5 before and it was very good. In theory the Eber would heat the existing Alde circuit, so the result would be the same as using the Alde burner, with no additional ducts and outlets. There are a couple of options about how to install it, but I'm pretty sure someone on here has done it, but I cant remember who!

Our previous install was a 50ft boat, and the D5 kept that nice and warm, plus keeping a 60l hot water tank (twin coil calorifier with a 240v immersion element) hot, so should cope with our 8.6m van.

If I had the space in the right places I could kick out the Alde boiler and install an eber and say 20l calorifier, since I would prefer to use Diesel for heating and keep the gas for cooking! I doubt the cost of replacement vs additional would be that much.....

It's on the list with going over to a condenser fridge, and with my usual rate of progress on the list it will be a while yet!

So in theory you could use the existing Alde pipe work and fit a diesel heater, if say your Alde boiler was knackered?

 

[G1969]

So in theory you could use the existing Alde pipe work and fit a diesel heater, if say your Alde boiler was knackered?

Alde have a new bit of kit coming out April ish( see the latest motorhome matt podcast) which you would expect to marry in with their existing system

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[haganap]

We installed a deisel heater in our van and ducted the hot air outlet into our existing hot air duct system with just one additional outlet. We bought additional T sections and Elbows of e bay.
Works well but we do need to install a section with a flap valve to restrict the hot air flow back into the gas/ electric truma heater and tripping it due to an overheat.
We can run the hot air ducting system now on gas , ehu or deisel..

I presume you have blown air jim?

I think its quite easy in blown air but more different in alde...

I'm torn between increasing LPG with an additional underslung tank or diesel heater to reduce gas consumption.

But reading above how an alde failure was made easier by having a diesel heater, it does seem the way to go.

But Landy Andy threw my plans in to the air by pointing out quite a significant down fall to a skier.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Alde have a new bit of kit coming out April ish( see the latest motorhome matt podcast) which you would expect to marry in with their existing system

We were at Alde this year and one of the guys said Alde have a Diesel heater on test at their main factory but could not give me a date as to when it would be available.

 

[CazPaul]

Have a read of this relevant thread from 2022.


https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/connecting-webasto-diesel-heater-to-alde.262549/

 

[Wildbill]

Hadn't really thought of that.

However the plan is for it to supplement what we already have.

My thinking would be an outlet in the lounge and one in the bedroom. It would mainly be used at night just to keep the van at a happy temperature.

When we are skiing, I could use it during the day and then have the alde coming on every 4 hours or so for an hour or so to prevent any freezing of pipes... or of course to just use the alde if it were to be forecast to freeze.

But definitely something to consider, our alde system does trace all the pipes.between the floors and water tanks and waste outlet.

haganap Just remember that the intake for the hot air is better being drawn from inside the van like a closed system.
More efficient that way and get on with the hight altitude setting thay probably com as standard
All above for -temps. And thay run better on kerosene and it cheaper but you being very rich that won’t matter
Good luck
WB

 

[Landy Andy]

It would mainly be used at night just to keep the van at a happy temperature.

For this use I’d recommend going for a small diesel heater (if going cheap Chinese, don’t know about others), they don’t like ticking over and they are either hot, or F-ing hot, and they don’t turn off via any thermostat they only have the ability to reduce heat, but not stop it. That is my experience

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[haganap]

Have a read of this relevant thread from 2022.


https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/connecting-webasto-diesel-heater-to-alde.262549/

yes I checked that, seems to complicated and to much of a risk.. Would like to try and keep the engine a seperate entitity...

I think i'm probably over thinking it.

 

[Mickey1]

After reading this post, I too am interested in a diesel heater, a quick browse and found this, any advice appreciated.

Diesel Heater: Supplied and Installed | Craft'A'Camper

FREE EXTENDED 18 MONTH WARRANTY ON ALL PRE-PAID INSTALLS! - USE CODE: PAY50% at checkout to secure this warranty, or simply pay in full. Please note: this is not a discount code and you agree to pay the other half after the work has been completed. The heaters are supplied and installed by...

www.craftacamper.com

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

I presume you have blown air jim?

I think its quite easy in blown air but more different in alde...

I'm torn between increasing LPG with an additional underslung tank or diesel heater to reduce gas consumption.

But reading above how an alde failure was made easier by having a diesel heater, it does seem the way to go.

But Landy Andy threw my plans in to the air by pointing out quite a significant down fall to a skier.

Yes we have a blown air system.
I just switched on my deisel heater to check it was working ok.as the van has not been on the road for a couple of months and although it took a few minutes it fired up ok . Nice and warm.
I bought a cheapo Chinese and had it for several months before I plucked up the courage to install it and drill the required holes in the van. I connected the deisel line to the main tank which was a lot easier than expected.Very happy with ours.I can't remember the price but it was less than £75 and probably another £20 for ducting and another exhaust silencer I was going to fit but found it was quiet enough with the one supplied.
We have gaslow refillables for cooking and water heating but it's really convenient to run the heating on deisel far outweighs the cost of the unit and deisel as its just easy.

 

[Gromett]

I kept my gas heating separate from my diesel heating so I have a fall back. I always like having two sources of heating after an "event" 8 or 9 years ago when my Truma packed in on Christmas day. All shops closed, and no way to get alternate heat.
I was kept awake all night by the very cold temps and was periodically turning on both gas rings on the hob to warm up a little. Next day I was queuing outside B&Q at 7am ready for it to open at 10am boxing day. I was so glad they opened that day.
Got a 2KW heater which kept me going till the new year.

Having a diesel heater and a gas heater now gives me much peace of mind.

 

[AdrianChen]

So in theory you could use the existing Alde pipe work and fit a diesel heater, if say your Alde boiler was knackered?

Don't see why not, but you would need to add a hot water tank, which if relatively small may well fit where the ALDE went. they come in cylinder & cubes starting at around 6lt and go up from there. I guess you would also need a circulation pump.

Hydronic

Enjoy maximum warmth and comfort with the Eberspächer Hydronic 3 water heater.

www.eberspaecher-motorhomes.com

There are Chinese and Russian versions/copies at lower cost.

If you already have an alde system, the circuit is mostly already there, we also have the Alde engine heat exchanger etc so not difficult I think, though I might be tempted to improve the existing "hot water from engine" circuit a bit for the summer.

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[Googlebot]

Just my opinion, I wouldn’t be spending a fortune on another heater if I already had gas and electric heating. If all else fails, I carry a 2kw fan heater that would do the job in an emergency.

I do say this however as someone who has used them a lot, but not in the motorhome. A mate installed a cheapo Chinese one in his van and swears by it. He had Alde as well so perhaps I am taking piffle!

I would also back up others advice, they are either on and melting hot, or off. They don’t do low heat output well in my experience.

I would be tempted to use the Alde on low and use the diesel to warm up quickly when you get back from a skiing. That way no freezing pipes and the massive blast of heat would be welcome.

 

[mikash]

Alde's releasing a diesel burner in 2025 so if the plan is to shift from LPG to diesel, replacing the gas burner on existing Alde system might become an option in the near future too unless you explicitly want an air heater to compliment the existing system. Official release is presumably on some caravan fair in Germany in January, and deliveries start in the spring.
Or technically it's a Truma burner, which I guess is in turn an Eberspärcher, so tried and true stuff, nothing new. Just modified to work in the Alde system.

 

[Landy Andy]

so I have a fall back

But if you have mega Lithium supply you can just use a couple of electric heaters. The Chinese heaters are a bit crude for a “nice” motorhome in my opinion. I’d want something more plush. Not that it matters as I’ve got an old van and my diesel heater in my Defender.

 

[Gromett]

But if you have mega Lithium supply you can just use a couple of electric heaters. The Chinese heaters are a bit crude for a “nice” motorhome in my opinion. I’d want something more plush. Not that it matters as I’ve got an old van and my diesel heater in my Defender.

A Lithium bank may be an ok backup for a very short period. But a Diesel heater is perfect.
Not to mention a diesel heater for me is half the price to run. In fact for the next 3 weeks it is 1/3rd the cost.

I just had to run gas for 8 hours and it doesn't put out as much heat as the diesel.

As for a bit crude. They get the job done, that is all I care about. Fast, cheap, reliable heat. Can't knock it.