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Coyotetrips
DIY Portable Diesel Heater Build
Total cost: just around
$220
During
late fall to early spring we love to go camping in
our DIY squaredrop camping trailer, in summer we go
tent camping with our motorcycles. We've camped a
few times in around freezing temperatures with the
trailer. In State Parks that's fine, as we can use
our electric heater. In national forest camp sites
there is no electricity, our battery can't support a
heater all night and running a noisy generator in
the woods isn't our thing.
I looked for alternatives and found propane buddy
heaters and similar devices that didn't seem safe to
me. Eventually I came across Chinese diesel heaters
and after a bit of research I decided that it was
the best option for our camper.
There are some Chinese-built diesel heaters in
boxes, tool boxes and other pre-manufactured
portable versions, but I didn't like them for one
reason or another. The main reason against pre-made
diesel heaters was that they are nearly all 5kW or
even 8kW, which is way too big for my tiny camper
and they don't easily shut off and come back on
automatically. So I decided to make my own 2kW one,
even though I knew that the parts alone would cost
more than the pre-made ones.
I've seen one 2kW heater in a box for sale for
$1500, maybe I should open a business if there is a
market for them at this price point. If you want me
to build one for you, just let me know.
There are plenty of YouTube videos about Chinese
diesel heaters and how to build a portable one in a
case, but I personally like to read a description
and take my time look at photos, instead of
constantly pausing a video and rewinding it. That's
why I created these pages. Take this as a rough
guide and feel free to make any changes that you
prefer, but this portable diesel heater works just
fine as is.
In the the descriptions below and on the following
pages, I describe the reasoning behind my design and
the DIY building process, and I link to some
products that I've used that I think will make it
easier for you. I'm not paid or sponsored by any of
these products, but I may receive a few cents when
you use the link to purchase an item.
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There
are many different "brands" of these Chinese
diesel heaters, but it seems that the parts
are all the same except for the controller and
different color housings. I had good
experience with other items from Vevor, so I
purchased a Vevor 2kW diesel heater with
Bluetooth connectivity (unfortunately
it's often sold out, but then comes back after
a few days).
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The
controller of the Vevor (left image) looks a
little different then most (right image), but
it has all the same functions and is easy to
operate. I have not yet been able to pair the
Bluetooth to my phone, but that's very likely
a problem with my old phone rather than with
the controller, as I had problems with other
devices before too. The heater can be operated
by the controller without using the Bluetooth
feature and it comes with a remote control
too.
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For
the housing I decided on an Apache 4800 case because
it's tough and waterproof. The heater will be
outside, next to the camper, in all kinds of
weather.
The initial layout (left image) got changed a
bit when I had all parts on hand. I mounted
the 10L fuel tank to back of the case so that
it sits on the ground with the case and then
used 3"
angle brackets to mount the heater to
the inside.
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I
used a thru
hull fitting for the exhaust. The
original exhaust pipe doesn't fit over it, but
I slit it and used pipe clamps to tighten it.
It doesn't matter if there should be a tiny
amount exhaust fumes in the case as they can't
mix with the warm air supplied to the camper.
I wrapped the exhaust with fiberglass wrap to
minimize heat inside. Wear gloves and a N95
mask for working with the wrap.
I installed a small, 50mm fan that I glued
inside a 3"
pipe grate and two small exhaust openings
to keep the inside cool. The air for the
combustion is drawn from inside the case.
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I
connected the warm air outlet of the diesel
heater with a silicone reducer to the
duct
connectors. I mounted one inside and one
outside of the case.
I also installed a Voltmeter to show me
the battery voltage, just as an added gimmick.
While the right side is a little crammed with
fuel lines and wiring, the left side, where it
gets hot, is free of any heat sensitive
equipment.
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