Portable diesel heater from Total Composites

[NevetsG]

Knockoff of a knockoff

Please link to the latter.

Not shure what you ment by latter.

Knock off:
https://www.amazon.com/Parking-Thermostat-Monitor-Control-Motorhome/dp/B07KB7QD8Z/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1545238648&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=12V+5KW+Diesel+Air+Heater+Planar+Tank

OR

Cheap propane:

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-F232000-Indoor-Safe-Portable/dp/B002G51BZU

 

[luthj]

While the ventless heaters do work, they are not directly comparable to the vented heaters. In a closed space they result in significant moisture production.

 

[Ark]

https://www.truma.com/us/en/products/truma-rv-and-caravan-heater/truma-varioheat-comfort.html

Truma's heater finally appeared on the US site, yay.. contacting em now to see how I can get one.

Dreadlocks,

That Truma is an awesome looking option! Any idea on the price?

 

[dreadlocks]

to import one from the UK is about $800-$900 + shipping, but the pound is pretty weak right now so that might be a bit optimistic.. im hoping i can get one for under $1k out the door but wont be surprised if its more than that.

id rather buy one stateside tho and be able to get future warranty/service work without shipping it back to Europe.. its apparent they tweaked it slightly because the LP pressures we operate at are not the same that Europe operates at (they are lower PSI IIRC).. looking at the photo on the US site vs EU site you notice the shape is different and it has a pressure regulator built into it now accounting for the new shape.. That I like alot because with the Propex its suggested to adjust your regulator so it runs on EU pressure, which impacts all your LP appliances.. this should drop right on in and run full efficiency out the gate.

US Model:

EU Model:

 

[john61ct]

While the ventless heaters do work, they are not directly comparable to the vented heaters. In a closed space they result in significant moisture production.

And risk of death used without ventilation and alarms, especially while sleeping.

The "safety feature" is nothing I would trust.

Lost a good friend, and in a tent!

 

[yzeevy]

Hi,

How come the propane heaters cost 2-3 times more then the diesel heaters?

Thanks

 

[john61ct]

Because we campers are under 1% tapping into a large commercial transport market created by green "no idling" laws.

Truckers don't use much propane

 

[yzeevy]

If any of these heaters use up 2-3 amps / hour, do I need shore line / generator or batteries are anough?

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

If any of these heaters use up 2-3 amps / hour, do I need shore line / generator or batteries are anough?

That depends on how long you sit with the heat on and how cold it is. There are battery load calculators out there... like this one (https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/tools/calculator-sizing-a-battery-to-a-load.html).

Calculate the load and duration and then add in other components drawing power and you will get the battery(s) size you will need to support your application.

Solar is a good idea because, well after initial purchase it is free energy. Generators are nice, but bulky and require gas (also bulky). Lots of options.... Shore power is ideal if available.

I saw these a few months ago at Home Depot. Really small, and would be great for just such an application to top up batteries. https://www.ryobitools.com/outdoor/products/details/900-watt-propane-inverter-generator

 

[yzeevy]

Solar is a good idea because, well after initial purchase it is free energy. Generators are nice, but bulky and require gas (also bulky). Lots of options.... Shore power is ideal if available.

I saw these a few months ago at Home Depot. Really small, and would be great for just such an application to top up batteries. https://www.ryobitools.com/outdoor/products/details/900-watt-propane-inverter-generator

OK, I should have clarify.
I already have 2 x 100 solar panels and 2 big deep charge batteries.
My inverter himself is quite a user and I have my laptop, lights are LED.

 

[dreadlocks]

its too variable man, you'll just have to test and see.. if your furnace pulls 5A and its so cold it runs continuously, you'd need ~230AH of battery every 24h.. if it cycles on/off and only ends up running for 6h a day you need ~90AH of battery.. if your furnace is variable output it can change how much power it uses and that changes it even more..

In winter daytime is shorter so solar charging gets harder, also stuff like snow will knock it out entirely if you cant clear it.. more than likely you'll want a genset to recharge fully in day so your batteries can run all night long without loosing heat.

Get something like a Victron Battery Monitor that shows you accurate consumption and runtime estimates, and figure out if you need more battery or not.. I know alot of the big furnaces like the Surburban ones can hardly make it through a cold night without a massive battery setup, I've woken up some mornings and literally every RV in the park had a dead battery and no heat, if it gets dangerously cold the'll often let those guys run their gensets all night long.

 

[john61ct]

Over time, bank size is irrelevant.

You need to average greater energy in every day than you take out.

Only you (should) know your system well enough to answer that question.

 

[yzeevy]

Thanks, appreciate all the responds.

Although practically I prefer the propane heater, they are expensive and hard to find.
Any recommendations which diesel heater is more popular / preferred?

 

[dwh]

I saw these a few months ago at Home Depot. Really small, and would be great for just such an application to top up batteries. https://www.ryobitools.com/outdoor/products/details/900-watt-propane-inverter-generator

Oh man...just bought a new generator thus year. Still...I want that.

 

[hoodzy]

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.

Does Planar make a petrol version for no diesel vehicles? ie: similar to the B4 Eberspacher makes