Hogheavenfarm
Regulation Stifles Innovation
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2022
- Messages
- 432
"heating" is a very high load in most cases, even (electro)solar has a difficult time with that, "passive" solar being a better option for heat.
I found his videos recently when looking for videos on diesel heaters using biofuel and he had made a video or two about that.if you really are committed to this project, then look at youtube, there is a UK engineer on there that makes lots of things, and he has done a lot of work on wind turbines -
robert murray smith
What do you mean? If you are talking about electrical heating of course. Diesel heaters are so popular because they take so little electricity to work. 14 amps to start for a few minutes then settle to under 1 amp."heating" is a very high load in most cases, even (electro)solar has a difficult time with that, "passive" solar being a better option for heat.
David Mcluckie is the 'wiz' when it comes to diesel heaters. there are also a lot of people now using various methods to capture the heat lost through the exhaust, i use a diesel heater to boost the heat in my kitchen/conservatory, but as its installed outside, i cant really capture the heat unfortunately in the way and position its installed.I found his videos recently when looking for videos on diesel heaters using biofuel and he had made a video or two about that.
I find something rather eery about that gentleman. I think it is the inappropriate laughing which seems rather forced.
Great videos nonetheless and do like his mission statement on his title page about the videos being about empowerment. In my case though I looked up what he had on wind turbines and he is discussing DIY stuff. I don't have the tools or the inclination for that since small turbines are available fairly cheaply.
David Mcluckie is the 'wiz' when it comes to diesel heaters. there are also a lot of people now using various methods to capture the heat lost through the exhaust, i use a diesel heater to boost the heat in my kitchen/conservatory, but as its installed outside, i cant really capture the heat unfortunately in the way and position its installed.
If youre going to install a heater in your van, i would certainly look at how you can capture the exhaust heat instead of just losing it to the outside. Most early adopters of them simply use a 'shielded duct' immediately off the heater and dump the exhaust fumes and heat outside, though of course if you did harness the heat of the exhaust, you would need to be sure no fumes enter the van itself, so would need an extended exhaust pipe, and no additional joints that may leak.
this is one om favourites as it looks really simple
you would be surprised then by the numbers of people who have them installed in both van conversions and motorhomes. Westabo is perhaps the most well known but from 'all accounts' the chinese diesel heaters are exact copies due to the patent running out and not being renewed.I have one of these in my shop and it works really well. Really cranks out the heat and is fairly thrifty with the fuel as well. I have only done diesel in mine, none of the other things some people mix in there.
I will tell you on start up and shut down there is a bit of a smell, that could be something that bothers you, or not. With me in a shop with other smells, no big deal. Not sure I could deal with it in a more enclosed space.
The exhaust is both HOT and a bit loud. I tried different mufflers, but you can still hear it. If that is a worry to you.
I am a pretty big fan of it. Just remember it does eat some juice when it is starting up, and will slow down a bit when it is running. I am not sure in a van or RV I would trust it to run on the main engine battery. I think that would be a real bad idea.
Personally if I was in a motorhome or van or something along those lines I would do one of those Mr. Buddy heaters. Those are less smell, warm up pretty nice if you have a small fan to move the air around, I see a fan as a must. I think that is a better choice.
you would be surprised then by the numbers of people who have them installed in both van conversions and motorhomes. Westabo is perhaps the most well known but from 'all accounts' the chinese diesel heaters are exact copies due to the patent running out and not being renewed.
i have mine outside the house, with the air intake and heat output through the wall and they terminate under the kitchen units kick boards. i extended the electrics to inside the house, so we can control it from inside, though we mainly use the remote control. it supplements the heating in the kitchen/conservatory and really makes a difference when the temp drops. for me. it wouldnt work inside the house due to the noise, but outside it works really well. i remove it in the spring and block up the ducting with 'plugs' so nothing an enter via the 80mm holes in the wall LOL!I have seen the videos of people with them. I researched the hell out of them before I bought one. In my shop I love it. And they are so thrifty on the fuel and make a good amount of heat.
I can see why people like them.
For ME I just think the smell at startup would be a bit much. After it is up and going it goes away quickly, and I think it would heat up a small area butt quick.
Mine has "normal" Chinese QC issues and a cold solder joint on the voltage input lines, don't remember if it was + or -. But I chucked the box already and was "stuck" with the thing so why not take it apart. I was happy it was an easy fix. But I was looking at other parts for the things and they are all really inexpensive. So if something does go south it will not be too much to get it going again.
People burning oil and such seems to be the worst thing for them from what I have watched. I just stick with diesel.
I have installed the hob/heater now and have noticed a distinct sweet smell. Does that sound similar to what you smell? I have wondered what it is because I put the CO monitor all around it and no alarms. I thought it might be burning diesel leaking but if no CO then can it still be that or something else? I know the monitor is working because it went off when I was driving and I braked a couple of times at junctions so seemed pretty sensitive.I will tell you on start up and shut down there is a bit of a smell, that could be something that bothers you, or not. With me in a shop with other smells, no big deal. Not sure I could deal with it in a more enclosed space.
I have installed the hob/heater now and have noticed a distinct sweet smell. Does that sound similar to what you smell? I have wondered what it is because I put the CO monitor all around it and no alarms. I thought it might be burning diesel leaking but if no CO then can it still be that or something else? I know the monitor is working because it went off when I was driving and I braked a couple of times at junctions so seemed pretty sensitive.
I really want to know because I will be using this thing every day for cooking and/or heating. If there are carcinogenic fumes leaking out that is kind of a big deal isn't it?
I've seen accountings of teardowns of westabo, Espar, and generic Chinese heaters and they are not exact copies.you would be surprised then by the numbers of people who have them installed in both van conversions and motorhomes. Westabo is perhaps the most well known but from 'all accounts' the chinese diesel heaters are exact copies due to the patent running out and not being renewed.
I have seen a few wind installations do a “ok“ job on cruising sailboats ,sorta…but like solar it depends on the gear and installation ,plus where you’re sailing geographically .Do you have any data on that? I have never read a successful post about a windturbne for a portable build.
I have seen one wind turbine on one portable setup, but that looked like a cheap Chinese setup with the windmill 5’ high. Owner was not around but looked like a non producer.
I had a plan to build one with the goal of 150 Wh to 360 wH a day from a 500 watt turbine, but the price of decent equipment for that build is crazy. Also, 360 Wh of power covers parasitic draw on my rig for a day.
I’m also afraid of people putting their hands in a turbine too close to the ground.