Skotl's diesel heater garage install thread

[skotl]

Have you had this running yet ? Does it heat the garage or is it too small ?

I have! Just haven't had time to complete this build thread. I was massively surprised that it a) didn't leak diesel all over the floor and b) fired up first time

More info and pics shortly...

 

[bayzoo]

I have! Just haven't had time to complete this build thread. I was massively surprised that it a) didn't leak diesel all over the floor and b) fired up first time

More info and pics shortly...

Just noticed this thread, I need to come and see this!

 

[skotl]

As premiered above, it's in and it works!

Youtube video below but here's a couple of pics and some thoughts...

First off, these are great value for money. They are fiddly, and the instructions leave something to be desired (although I got a better than usual set of instructions, available over here)
It's early days but so far it's working extremely well. My garage is well insulated but (smiley face) has plenty ventilation gaps deliberately set out and (frowny face) has a bog-standard metal up-and-over door.
That said, an unscientific test in 2 degrees C external weather earlier in the week raised the garage temperature from 4C to 13C in around half an hour.

The whole diesel pipe fitting scared the crap out of me (but then anything to do with plumbing scares me) so I did buy jubilee clips rather than relying on the pinch clips that came with the kit.

Building a harness was essential, IMO. This allowed me to figure out how the inlet and exhaust hoses would work, where the fuel pipe would route and how I would fit the power supply, fuel filter and full pump.
As an added bonus, I went with 8mm steel dowel to fix it in place rather than screws or bolts so that I could easily fit and remove it. The video has a bit more info on that.

I have wired it directly to the mains (via a power supply, of course) and didn't use the apparently-recommended route of using a car battery to provide an "uninterruptible power supply". I can see why this could be beneficial but the additional mess and complexity of managing a lead acid battery (or similar) and its charging seemed over the top for my use case. I'll be in the garage when I turn the heater on and will nurse it through its shutdown process. In the unlikely event that the power is cut during this process then my worst case is spending £100 on replacing the heater unit, but I personally (your mileage may vary!) have never been in a situation where this seems likely.

All in all, I think these are great buys but the installation definitely tests your metal in terms of fabrication, heat management, electrics, and combustible fuel storage & routing. I'm glad I did it and, in hindsight, would be far more comfortable if I had to attempt it for a second time.

I can get more pics if people are interested, especially of the harness, but I hope the video helps anyone else thinking of installing one of these.

 

[Lewis_RX8]

This is mine installed in the top corner of the garage

Just a piccy I found in camera roll will get a better photo of the charging and fuel tank system tomorrow if I remember lol

 

[skotl]

This is mine installed in the top corner of the garage

View attachment 327940

Just a piccy I found in camera roll will get a better photo of the charging and fuel tank system tomorrow if I remember lol

Oooohhhh..... carbon fibre - fancy

 

[500e]

Nobody tried the big 100/150 and venting exaust into that a Lot of feat goes out of exhaust, it does work

 

[decca]

As premiered above, it's in and it works!

Youtube video below but here's a couple of pics and some thoughts...

First off, these are great value for money. They are fiddly, and the instructions leave something to be desired (although I got a better than usual set of instructions, available over here)
It's early days but so far it's working extremely well. My garage is well insulated but (smiley face) has plenty ventilation gaps deliberately set out and (frowny face) has a bog-standard metal up-and-over door.
That said, an unscientific test in 2 degrees C external weather earlier in the week raised the garage temperature from 4C to 13C in around half an hour.

The whole diesel pipe fitting scared the crap out of me (but then anything to do with plumbing scares me) so I did buy jubilee clips rather than relying on the pinch clips that came with the kit.

Building a harness was essential, IMO. This allowed me to figure out how the inlet and exhaust hoses would work, where the fuel pipe would route and how I would fit the power supply, fuel filter and full pump.
As an added bonus, I went with 8mm steel dowel to fix it in place rather than screws or bolts so that I could easily fit and remove it. The video has a bit more info on that.

I have wired it directly to the mains (via a power supply, of course) and didn't use the apparently-recommended route of using a car battery to provide an "uninterruptible power supply". I can see why this could be beneficial but the additional mess and complexity of managing a lead acid battery (or similar) and its charging seemed over the top for my use case. I'll be in the garage when I turn the heater on and will nurse it through its shutdown process. In the unlikely event that the power is cut during this process then my worst case is spending £100 on replacing the heater unit, but I personally (your mileage may vary!) have never been in a situation where this seems likely.

All in all, I think these are great buys but the installation definitely tests your metal in terms of fabrication, heat management, electrics, and combustible fuel storage & routing. I'm glad I did it and, in hindsight, would be far more comfortable if I had to attempt it for a second time.

I can get more pics if people are interested, especially of the harness, but I hope the video helps anyone else thinking of installing one of these.

View attachment 327937


View attachment 327938

View attachment 327939

I had mine installed for 3 years now power supply plugged in and have shut the power off a couple of times in error not letting it do the cool down procedure this it did no harm at all. I wouldn't do it all the time but if you do knock the power off in error don't panic, it should be OK.

 

[Lewis_RX8]

Power supply and small battery for any power cut shut down , AC coming in at top that is controlled via oven switch and DC coming out to heater

Fused oven switch here and control mounted by door

 

[Morris]

I've just installed one in our conservatory (aka wifey's craft room) to replace the ruinously expensive oil filled radiator. Fired up first time and works a treat.
However the operating instructions are proving to be a challenge. Can anyone explain how to use auto (or even how to get into auto) and "plateau mode". It references machine hypoxia

 

[Nomad]

Hi @Morris I'd agree about the instructions being poor ... yours must be different to the one I looked at, I didn't see any mention of plateau mode.

What would you like auto to do? I found I can set ours to run flat out, or at lower power (confusingly called "Frequency" on the control panel), I also saw a timer - I could set this to run a set number of hours then turn off, not sure if it's possible to set it to turn on as I didn't look ...

Just ask if any question and I'll help if I can

 

[Morris]

Thanks Nomad.
No frequency on ours, we've got gears!
I think the best thing I can do is put a photo of the page up. I'll do it tomorrow.

 

[Morris]

That sounds like mine with the H1 to H6 settings.
As you say, perhaps I shouldn't expect too much.

 

[Bullet2012]

I hope @skotl does not mind me asking on his build thread, but does anyone have any experience of this style of heater ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/maXpeedingrods-Diesel-Heater-Display-Pickup/dp/B08PDBZKJ7/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=36UQ33AXX6ID9&keywords=Diesel%2Bair%2Bheater%2B12v&qid=1643284142&s=automotive&sprefix=diesel%2Bair%2Bheater%2B12v%2Cautomotive%2C68&sr=1-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExTjNUQjE3M1U2NDVCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjk3MDk0N0M3UTlYQktCSzAmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDQzODcyM0pWTVBMSUU5RVRCTCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

 

[skotl]

I hope @skotl does not mind me asking on his build thread, but does anyone have any experience of this style of heater ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/maXpeedingrods-Diesel-Heater-Display-Pickup/dp/B08PDBZKJ7/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=36UQ33AXX6ID9&keywords=Diesel%2Bair%2Bheater%2B12v&qid=1643284142&s=automotive&sprefix=diesel%2Bair%2Bheater%2B12v%2Cautomotive%2C68&sr=1-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExTjNUQjE3M1U2NDVCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjk3MDk0N0M3UTlYQktCSzAmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDQzODcyM0pWTVBMSUU5RVRCTCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

Absolutely - good question!

I did look at these too and only discounted them as they were considerably more expensive (around £150 when I looked) then the kit components. No direct experience, although I understand the innards are the same as the kits,

 

[Kayos]

I hope @skotl does not mind me asking on his build thread, but does anyone have any experience of this style of heater ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/maXpeedingrods-Diesel-Heater-Display-Pickup/dp/B08PDBZKJ7/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=36UQ33AXX6ID9&keywords=Diesel%2Bair%2Bheater%2B12v&qid=1643284142&s=automotive&sprefix=diesel%2Bair%2Bheater%2B12v%2Cautomotive%2C68&sr=1-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExTjNUQjE3M1U2NDVCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjk3MDk0N0M3UTlYQktCSzAmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDQzODcyM0pWTVBMSUU5RVRCTCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

I fit that style in the D2, more for convenience. Drilled some holes for the air and exhaust, wired it up to thr rear battery and tipped some fuel in

Job done

 

[decca]

I hope @skotl does not mind me asking on his build thread, but does anyone have any experience of this style of heater ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/maXpeedingrods-Diesel-Heater-Display-Pickup/dp/B08PDBZKJ7/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=36UQ33AXX6ID9&keywords=Diesel%2Bair%2Bheater%2B12v&qid=1643284142&s=automotive&sprefix=diesel%2Bair%2Bheater%2B12v%2Cautomotive%2C68&sr=1-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExTjNUQjE3M1U2NDVCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjk3MDk0N0M3UTlYQktCSzAmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDQzODcyM0pWTVBMSUU5RVRCTCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

I have that very same heater. Been running for the last 3 years 8-10 hours 3 days a week no bother at all. Found it easier to install than the separate system. Get a decent power supply for it though I think that makes a big difference.

Will probably brake down now I said that but would recommend.

 

[Bullet2012]

Thank you peeps, much appreciated.

 

[Morris]

Here's my instructions, if anyone wants to take a guess feel free!

the controller

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I have the same one, only the [alleged] 8kw version with 4 x heat outlets on the front panel. I've never bothered to set the remote timer as I cut all power to the cave when I'm finished for the day. It's easy to pop out and set it going for half-an-hour before I plan to start out there.

Really effective and easy to install, just get a big enough power source as said above ^^

 

[jsf55]

I wonder if plateau is for using it at elevation and gives you a choice to alter the fuel to air mixture