Portable diesel heater from Total Composites

[delica1994]

I am looking at this portable diesel heater, and wondering if anyone has had any practical experience with this unit? Seems like a versitile option to use in my RTT, and then to be able to use it in any number of other camping scenarios, including ice fishing huts, hunting cabins, bird blinds, emergency heater for your truck/car in the winter, really I can imagine lots of applications. I'd be greatfull for any input or thoughts on this sweet looking unit.
https://totalcomposites.com/product-category/heating-cooling/

 

[john61ct]

Can DIY.

Propane if you don't want to use your TV's propulsion fuel with an Espar / Webasto parking heater.

Propex HS2211

Also a tent heater can obviously be adapted.

 

[delica1994]

Can DIY.

Propane if you don't want to use your TV's propulsion fuel with an Espar / Webasto parking heater.

Propex HS2211

Also a tent heater can obviously be adapted.

Thanks for the thoughts. I have tried propane. First with a mr. Buddy Heater, which seems to expel carbon monoxide and moist air, then tried a Wave 3 heater which is good. But it creates a wet heat and leaves condensation or frost on the interior roof, which then drips on me and the sleeping area. I am hoping the Diesel Heater mitigates these difficulties, but don't have any actual experience with them yet.

 

[delica1994]

Can DIY.

Propane if you don't want to use your TV's propulsion fuel with an Espar / Webasto parking heater.

Propex HS2211

Also a tent heater can obviously be adapted.

Just looked the Propex HS2211.... interesting option. Thanks for that!

 

[john61ct]

Thanks for the thoughts. I have tried propane. First with a mr. Buddy Heater, which seems to expel carbon monoxide and moist air, then tried a Wave 3 heater which is good. But it creates a wet heat and leaves condensation or frost on the interior roof, which then drips on me and the sleeping area. I am hoping the Diesel Heater mitigates these difficulties, but don't have any actual experience with them yet.

All those are unvented, and I agree sub par as a result, better to not burn inside the living space.

The difference is **nothing** to do with the fuel but the **design** of the heater, and of course its price.

Check out the HS2211, especially in Vanagon forum.

Same advantages of the other-fuel units mentioned, burns outside the living space, very efficient.

Only use diesel if your TV does and sharing the tank is convenient for you.

The gasoline versions are better if that's what your TV uses.

But IMO best for a van or RV, for a separate trailer I would go propane.

 

[chet6.7]

I have not seen that diesel heater before,I just looked it appears to be Russian,"Planar Marine & Truck Air Heaters Ltd. is the first Canadian Distributor of Teplostar/Advers Ltd. – Russian leading developer and manufacturer of the heating systems for commercial trucks, boats,heavy equipment, etc."
That site has an electric floor pad that looks interesting,it's made in Germany.

https://totalcomposites.com/product/floor-heating-element/

 

[ArkansasDon]

I have & use the Heat Source H2000 tent furnace which is propane. The ducting is run inside the tent & the thermostat controls the temperature to the tent from the inside of the tent while the unit is outside. The whole heating unit is 22" L x 8" W x 10" H weighs in about 20lbs.

 

[john61ct]

The Russian brand Planar is a design knockoff from Espar / Webasto.

Made in China but widely used in Europe, reliability less than but acceptable.

There are unbranded Chinese units so cheap you can (and should) buy two for spares.

It is not a high tech product category, can install and learn to service yourself, long as you can get parts.

Northern states & Canada trucking service outfits are pretty common too, if not a DIYer then let your location dictate the brand if you go the parking heater route.

For Propex, the vanagon distributor gets my vote.

 

[Victorian]

The Russian brand Planar is a design knockoff from Espar / Webasto.

Made in China but widely used in Europe, reliability less than but acceptable.

There are unbranded Chinese units so cheap you can (and should) buy two for spares.

It is not a high tech product category, can install and learn to service yourself, long as you can get parts.

Northern states & Canada trucking service outfits are pretty common too, if not a DIYer then let your location dictate the brand if you go the parking heater route.

For Propex, the vanagon distributor gets my vote.

Hi there,
We are the dealer for Planar Diesel heaters. They are 100% designed and manufactured in Russia, NOT China! Fully complient with North American laws. Planar offers a superb customer service, 2 year warranty and spare part support, the chinese not so much...
The reason we became a dealer for them was the fact that the russians are famous for building automotive components that either last forever or can be fixed with basic tools. For example: the european heaters need a code reader and service tech if they stop working. With the Planar you need some basic tools and be able to read the "code" from the LED blinking light. They are very easy to trouble shoot.
The second big point was the price... At half of the competition it's a pretty good deal.
Altitude compensation:
Usually these type of heaters need a pricey and complicated accessory kit to compensate for high altitudes. The planar works perfect in 10.000ft elevation as I tested first hand for several weeks this spring. You could further increase that number by using kerosene as fuel. This would give you more efficiency and a cleaner burn.

In any case, thanks to the original poster for starting this conversation.

 

[delica1994]

I have not seen that diesel heater before,I just looked it appears to be Russian,"Planar Marine & Truck Air Heaters Ltd. is the first Canadian Distributor of Teplostar/Advers Ltd. – Russian leading developer and manufacturer of the heating systems for commercial trucks, boats,heavy equipment, etc."
That site has an electric floor pad that looks interesting,it's made in Germany.

https://totalcomposites.com/product/floor-heating-element/

Yes, the floor pad looks great. In the past while winter camping here in Canada, where it's often minus 20C or colder, the freezing floor becomes an issue. That could do the trick no doubt!

 

[delica1994]

Hi there,
We are the dealer for Planar Diesel heaters. They are 100% designed and manufactured in Russia, NOT China! Fully complient with North American laws. Planar offers a superb customer service, 2 year warranty and spare part support, the chinese not so much...
The reason we became a dealer for them was the fact that the russians are famous for building automotive components that either last forever or can be fixed with basic tools. For example: the european heaters need a code reader and service tech if they stop working. With the Planar you need some basic tools and be able to read the "code" from the LED blinking light. They are very easy to trouble shoot.
The second big point was the price... At half of the competition it's a pretty good deal.
Altitude compensation:
Usually these type of heaters need a pricey and complicated accessory kit to compensate for high altitudes. The planar works perfect in 10.000ft elevation as I tested first hand for several weeks this spring. You could further increase that number by using kerosene as fuel. This would give you more efficiency and a cleaner burn.

In any case, thanks to the original poster for starting this conversation.

Thanks for the in depth info on your unit. I have always liked the pragmatic philosophy that is the basis for a lot of the Russian equipment. Looks like I'll have to look you up and check it out. Might be just the unit for me. I own a Diesel and carry extra fuel in jerry cans always. What is the consumption rate for this unit? Also what are the max BTUs?

 

[Victorian]

On the lowest setting the unit is producing 2.700BTU . On Max setting we are are at 6,850. Our 12' camper rarely requires anything more than medium for 10-15 minutes to heat it up. Fuel consumption is at 0.03 min.-0.06 max gal/hour.
Let me know if you have any other questions! We are well stocked and can ship within the same day.
Cheers

 

[dreadlocks]

Do you camp at altitude? The Diesel Heaters usually need to be leaned out to operate at altitude w/out quickly fouling out.. the Propex works fine at 12k+ ft.

Rumor is the Truma VarioHeat is going to be distributed in North America soon, that will give some good competition but until then the Propex is the top contender for safe and reliable gas furnace thats very efficient with both gas & battery consumption.

 

[delica1994]

Do you camp at altitude? The Diesel Heaters usually need to be leaned out to operate at altitude w/out quickly fouling out.. the Propex works fine at 12k+ ft.

Rumor is the Truma VarioHeat is going to be distributed in North America soon, that will give some good competition but until then the Propex is the top contender for safe and reliable gas furnace thats very efficient with both gas & battery consumption.

Thanks, that is good information to put into concideration for sure. Certainly we get pretty high up in B.C. at times.

 

[john61ct]

We are the dealer for Planar Diesel heaters.

The only one? For what territory?

Or one of many?

Please post your company and some contact info.

So all the "Made in China" Planar products are counterfeit?