Diesel cab heater

[Misterg]

None of these look like a professional solution though. Also they’re quite bulky, I’m gonna be short on space in the van

Middle ground is the Russian heaters.

Planar have Eberspacher quality (or better) at <1/2 the price with full UK warranty & spares backup from PF Jones:

Autoterm 2D-12-TM Air Heater 2kW/ 12V - Universal Kit - PF Jones

Autoterm 2D-12-TM Air Heater 2kW/ 12V - Universal Kit. Autoterm Autoterm 2D is a compact heater model produced by heating experts Autoterm. This heating system can be used in crew cabins and work spaces of motorhomes, commercial vans and trucks as well as

www.pfjones.co.uk

The Planar is easily on a par with the Eberspacher for build quality (having owned both).

Nothing against the Chinese ones - they're incredible VFM, but I preferred something with a bit of backup.

 

[fizzy]

None of these look like a professional solution though. Also they’re quite bulky, I’m gonna be short on space in the van

They are an exact copy of the Eberspacher so the same size.

 

[carbon]

I purchased a new eberspacher d2 from ebay that had been so say removed from a vehicle as it wasn't required but couldnt see that it had been installed as the plug wasnt fitted on the controller or the loom hadnt been fitted. Granted there probably wasn't any warranty with but it was under £400 at the time. So far the only fault has been that something ended up behind the air intake and caused an over heat fault due to restricted air flow, but not the units fault. I have mine under the drivers seat in a VW T5.

 

[Brad93]

They are an exact copy of the Eberspacher so the same size.

I’m not sure what Chinese heaters you’ve seen but I haven’t seen one that looks as well made, or identical in size or with anywhere near as neat controller. That’s before the reliability issues.

thanks @Misterg i will have a look at the planar ones.

 

[Brad93]

I purchased a new eberspacher d2 from ebay that had been so say removed from a vehicle as it wasn't required but couldnt see that it had been installed as the plug wasnt fitted on the controller or the loom hadnt been fitted. Granted there probably wasn't any warranty with but it was under £400 at the time. So far the only fault has been that something ended up behind the air intake and caused an over heat fault due to restricted air flow, but not the units fault. I have mine under the drivers seat in a VW T5.

That’s what I want to do.

sitting in a Mercedes sprinter that wouldn’t heat up on breaks during a -2° night shift soon gets you realising that a heater would be money well spent.

 

[fizzy]

None of these look like a professional solution though. Also they’re quite bulky, I’m gonna be short on space in the van

They are an exact copy of the Eberspacher so the same size

 

[fizzy]

Chinese heater

Eberspacher

 

[fizzy]

They are virtually the same size.
Of course the genuine article will probably be more reliable in the long run but ours has probably done about 5000 hours by now and has been faultless touch wood!

 

[500e]

Mates has not done those hours but about 600 trouble free, & that is with the long exhaust mod.
Brad remember there is one style in box & one for fitting free hand so to speak as @fizzy shows
One thing to think about in van is a fail safe so they don't run when on the move

 

[carbon]

One thing to think about in van is a fail safe so they don't run when on the move

Whats the problem with one running when a vehicles moving. There is no mention of this in the eberspacher manual. The opposite is mentioned when a heater is installed in an ADR vehicle that a forced shutdown is required when the ignition is turned off

“Forced shutdown in ADR / ADR99 mode (only for diesel heaters)

In vehicles for the transport of dangerous goods (e.g. tanker trucks), the heater must be switched off before the truck drives into a danger area (refinery, fuel service station, etc.). Failure to comply results in the heater switching off automatically when:
• The vehicle engine is switched off.
• An additional unit is started up (e.g. auxiliary drive for unloading pump etc.).
• A vehicle door is opened (ADR99 regulation, only in France). The fan then runs on for max. 40 seconds.”

 

[500e]

Messed up the Propex gas one in the Transit.
I presume it screws with exhaust air flow
Venturi effect?

 

[fizzy]

Whats the problem with one running when a vehicles moving. There is no mention of this in the eberspacher manual. The opposite is mentioned when a heater is installed in an ADR vehicle that a forced shutdown is required when the ignition is turned off

“Forced shutdown in ADR / ADR99 mode (only for diesel heaters)

In vehicles for the transport of dangerous goods (e.g. tanker trucks), the heater must be switched off before the truck drives into a danger area (refinery, fuel service station, etc.). Failure to comply results in the heater switching off automatically when:
• The vehicle engine is switched off.
• An additional unit is started up (e.g. auxiliary drive for unloading pump etc.).
• A vehicle door is opened (ADR99 regulation, only in France). The fan then runs on for max. 40 seconds.”

Maybe its just wasteful.
With the engine running there should be enough heat from the engine.
Noisy buggers though. I doubt I would sleep anywhere near one.

 

[James1979]

I have an eberspacher d2 @Brad93. Bought it new with a truck in 07 and it’s been moved between a few trucks and latterly the camper van. Brilliant bit of kit and much more reliable than the 2 Chinese heaters I’ve had which are now dead in that time.

2 things - 1, service it regularly and properly; 2, leave it on all year on frost setting. Much better for them. I max mine out for an hour once a month all year which is also something else you’re supposed to do with them.

 

[James1979]

That’s what I want to do.

sitting in a Mercedes sprinter that wouldn’t heat up on breaks during a -2° night shift soon gets you realising that a heater would be money well spent.

Just watch what you’re buying second hand. A few of the HGV ones are brand and model specific. Ie part of the bits needed to run are in the truck and not the heater.

more on lekontois varnish site. He’s the expert really

 

[carbon]

Noisy buggers though. I doubt I would sleep anywhere near one.

When the eberspacher d2 is on Max there is a fair bit of noise but once it’s up to temp, air flow and fuel is reduced and then it’s difficult to hear if it’s running

 

[fizzy]

When the eberspacher d2 is on Max there is a fair bit of noise but once it’s up to temp, air flow and fuel is reduced and then it’s difficult to hear if it’s running

Our runs flat out permanently. Probably helps keep it clean. Running on kero helps as well.

 

[carbon]

I run mine on kero as well. I didn't want to drop the fuel tank and risk the chance of breaking a fitting on a saturday. I've also hacked the controller on mine so I can remotely start it on cold mornings. Controller doesn't have a timer, but I start at varying times and its nice to get in a warm van with the windows defrosted and being able to just go without having to scrape the ice off first

 

[Brad93]

How big a fuel tank do you run? I’ve not bought kerosene/paraffin before, only red and white from the local fuels supplier

 

[James1979]

Mines just into the vehicle tank. If you do that, make the pickup a few inches shorter than the engine one.

Ask me how I know that’s a useful bit of info........

 

[fizzy]

I use a 30L outboard motor fuel tank but in a van you don't need that. Flat out it uses just under 0.5L per hour.