Inside a 12V diesel heater, Maintenance

[XeonPony]

I use it to keep the upstairs of the house warm before I fire up the main pot burner, Usually it goes for nearly the whole winter before needing cleaning, seems hit or miss with luck of how they behave, some the newer ones have much less issue. It is due to build up in the air mixing chamber (Where you see the vanes) to clear that up I burn it out with a blow torch then pick the ash out.

Fans usually fail by year two, if you catch the bearings fast enough you can usually save it, it is the commutator that gets chewed through before the brushes wear out.

The motor is fairly easy to replace with moderate skill, if your first time you want to order a new combustion blade as you'll likely break it.

 

[WorldwideDave]

Way cool! There’s no major issue—these wear and maintenance challenges are typical for this type of unit. With regular cleaning and timely fan motor replacements, it should continue working reliably.

 

[XeonPony]

Way cool! There’s no major issue—these wear and maintenance challenges are typical for this type of unit. With regular cleaning and timely fan motor replacements, it should continue working reliably.

fan motor bearings!

Second you hear the squeak swap out the motor and slap in a new bearing set, and been trying to find a source for the commutator so I can replace those too as once that wears she's really dead.

good fuel filter and some isopropal alcohol in the fuel helps

rubber parts are the next issue I have found when you keep these things alive too long! hard to find the more obscure parts.

 

[XeonPony]

Few pics of how I have it set up, and the fuel system filter I strongly recommend for people to get for their sanity's sake! I usually have a big truck air filter on the intake to clean the air and help keep the unit clean but it finally got plugged and need to buy another one

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/156639164479 < Canada.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/156639164479 < U.S.

Just a random seller that offers the filters.

 

[Rednecktek]

Oh! Yo need a relief valve from a hot water tank! No wonder mine keep choking up when it's 15F outside!

 

[XeonPony]

Oh! Yo need a relief valve from a hot water tank! No wonder mine keep choking up when it's 15F outside!

I hate them, all ways a problem, but an exploded tank is worse, that was off a brand new tank, and leaked out of the gate. Now it is brass stock for casting.

the BIG brother:

 

[Rednecktek]

I hate them, all ways a problem, but an exploded tank is worse,

Absolutely true for water heaters, I just never thought to put one on top of my diesel heater.

 

[XeonPony]

Absolutely true for water heaters, I just never thought to put one on top of my diesel heater.

Gota put it some where till ya melt it!