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Old 12-02-2019, 05:34 PM   #1
prndl
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Has anyone installed a 12V Diesel Parking Heater?

I was thinking of getting one of these to use instead of the built-in furnace.
They only draw about 1amp while running and barely use any diesel at all.

Before you start I will tell you that they are safe and do not put CO or any other gas into the rig. They operate the same way as the OEM furnace with regard to a separate firebox and heat exchanger.

The furnace uses so much electricity and propane I thought this would be more economical when boon docking. There are several to choose from and different accessories. I just posted a sample from Amazon for discussion.

Your thoughts?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...VGZXXS8Y&psc=1
 
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Old 12-02-2019, 05:43 PM   #2
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What circulates the air? How many BTUs?
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Old 12-02-2019, 05:51 PM   #3
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It has a fan that blows from one end over the heat exchanger and out the other end. It is a 5KW heater.

My OEM furnace is 35000BTU/1000(.293)=10.25KW so about half the OEM.
The OEM uses 7-10amps and this one only uses 1amp.
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Old 12-02-2019, 06:23 PM   #4
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My guess is the airflow will be much lower. You need airflow to keep your tanks and belly warm.
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Old 12-02-2019, 07:19 PM   #5
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My OEM cycles on and off. This one would probably run continuously. If the interior was comfortable the belly would have to be above freezing one would think.

I'm just throwing it out there to see if this is feasible. I sure don't know everything and all the questions are extremely beneficial. Online several say they have used this heater in their RV's and camper vans. It seems that this is the same type of heater that truckers use to keep their cab warm. We have many truckers on this forum so maybe they can chime in.
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Old 12-03-2019, 04:28 AM   #6
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How many square feet are they rated for? It may be that it does not replace the need for a furnace, but would replace a couple of space heaters.
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Old 12-03-2019, 07:16 AM   #7
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not sure about these things, as just in having to add on another fuel tank. not in there workings.


sure great if you have a cab over camper, on your diesel truck. a class A-B-C? you might already have a on-board fuel supply. but in a 5er or a tt? i think not so much.

for a 5er or a tt. great maybe? if you also have a diesel gen built in.
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Old 12-03-2019, 01:09 PM   #8
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Very similar to the diesel heaters used in larger sailboats. Repaired one in a 42 ft Catalina we were bareboating in the San Juan islands. They work very well in that boat which was almost 14 feet wide. Espar was one brand used in boats.
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Old 12-03-2019, 01:37 PM   #9
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If these Diesel Furnaces were so great, don't you think a RV manufacturer would be installing them on their coaches already?
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Old 12-03-2019, 03:03 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcurtis934 View Post
Very similar to the diesel heaters used in larger sailboats. Repaired one in a 42 ft Catalina we were bareboating in the San Juan islands. They work very well in that boat which was almost 14 feet wide. Espar was one brand used in boats.
That is where they were originally used in addition to the cab of semi trucks. They call them parking heaters.

I already carry 5 gallons of diesel when traveling in the truck bed so fuel is not an issue.

There are already diesel furnaces on some $$$ class "A" rv's. If you are ever parked next to one while camping you will know since they stink like burning diesel and they make a loud rumbling. Not that the occupants will care.
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Old 12-04-2019, 05:11 AM   #11
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If these Diesel Furnaces were so great, don't you think a RV manufacturer would be installing them on their coaches already?
Money, return on investment......
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Old 12-04-2019, 10:07 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Desert Rat View Post
If these Diesel Furnaces were so great, don't you think a RV manufacturer would be installing them on their coaches already?
Actually Kevin, it's not that they are so great, it's that they might be well suited to boon docking in conserving battery amps and fuel. The OEM furnace burns thru propane and amps in a rather high rate. This might be acceptable when in a campground with hookups and nearby propane but for me it is a bother when in a remote location.

The purpose of this thread is to explore the feasibility of these heaters in our trailers and not to necessarily promote their use.

So far I am encouraged by what I have read about them. If I can find an acceptable means of installing one in my Montana I will do so and hopefully use it at Quartzite in January.
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Old 12-08-2019, 05:51 PM   #13
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Yes, and it works great

I installed one in my Montana 3440RL. It is installed behind my "fake" fireplace and I put the heat register on the front. I have been running it as a back-up to my propane furnace. I run it about 3-4 hours a day. First thing in the morning to take the edge off, then a couple of other times during the day. It has reduced the amount of propane that we use, and it only burns about 4 gallons of diesel a month. Here is a link to the video of the install.


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Old 12-09-2019, 09:08 AM   #14
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I have to say that my saleslady suggested a space heater. BOBBIE was an awesome RV sales chick. lol I don't even know if my furnace works. I don't care. I bought a LASCO and it is FANTASTIC. Has titanium heat exchanger , tall thin, whisper quiet, super good heat source.....I m serious......everything BOBBIE told me about was good. U must get advise from people who are FULL TIMERS in motor coach. The LASCO was only 70 buck$ !! WoW ! FANTASTIC product. Buy one.....u will see Peace, GOD, auto racing...…...Marco
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Old 12-09-2019, 09:11 AM   #15
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btw, I have a 2009 MONTANA 3400RL and it is the "cats ass" (that means good) agghhhhhhhhh no really, I LUV living in it w MAGGIE my daughter. Shi Tzu TEDDY BEAR
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Old 12-09-2019, 10:43 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zwma6@aol.com View Post
I have to say that my saleslady suggested a space heater. BOBBIE was an awesome RV sales chick. lol I don't even know if my furnace works. I don't care. I bought a LASCO and it is FANTASTIC. Has titanium heat exchanger , tall thin, whisper quiet, super good heat source.....I m serious......everything BOBBIE told me about was good. U must get advise from people who are FULL TIMERS in motor coach. The LASCO was only 70 buck$ !! WoW ! FANTASTIC product. Buy one.....u will see Peace, GOD, auto racing...…...Marco
So..when you are boon docking you run your generator all night to have power for your LASCO space heater?

The diesel heater we are discussing here runs off 12V and <1amp and no propane so it would be good for boon docking.
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Old 12-12-2019, 02:43 PM   #17
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This looks very similar to the gas heater I had in a VW bus back in the 70's. Worked well but ran constantly and had all it could do to heat that ice box. I would think it could supplement the oem furnace but certainly not replace it. BTW, mine was very noisy but anything is better than an old VW in the winter.
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Old 12-12-2019, 10:13 PM   #18
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How about a Big Buddy heater? I have one and it sips propane and no battery needed.https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...BoCng0QAvD_BwE
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Old 04-03-2020, 03:26 PM   #19
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Why not install a catalytic heater from Camco It sips propane and has a oxygen depletion valve so it’s safe to use and draws o power ???
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Old 04-04-2020, 08:28 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by h2ojocky View Post
How about a Big Buddy heater? I have one and it sips propane and no battery needed.https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...BoCng0QAvD_BwE
I use the Big Buddy heater and it works great. I bought a 20# bottle and 12' hose and i slide the hose between the slide out gasket to the outside and have my heater sitting on the living room floor. If it's below freezing outside then i make sure and leave it on low so that the furnace can cycle so as to heat the underbelly. The heater saves me having to constantly refill my propane tanks on the rv.
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