Recommend me a workshop heater

[willie.macleod]

The Webasto / Chinese knock-offs need to exhaust outside - usually a relatively small hole is required for the exhaust. Air for combustion could come from inside, though outside would be better. There are 12V and 24V DC models. Peak current draw tends to be at startup, when typically 5A off 12V might be drawn. Once the glow plug gets hot enough, it does taper off after that, plus about 1A for the fan. The pump is usually an solenoid impulse type, that draws brief pulses of current. A typical current draw whilst running is about 1A.

Agree they need to exhaust outside but it is a c. 25mm hole so no real issues there. My one and only issue was relating to the power supply, they really need something that can supply clean power - I initially had it hooked up to a battery charger which could supply 40A but it didn't like the waveform. Ideally needs to run from a battery, current draw was closer to 15A for me (12v model) on startup. Don't assume a cheap PSU will cope with it. Pumps out enough heat for a uninsulated metal single garage although it's noisy. Great value for money.

 

[GraemeVW]

Agree they need to exhaust outside but it is a c. 25mm hole so no real issues there. My one and only issue was relating to the power supply, they really need something that can supply clean power - I initially had it hooked up to a battery charger which could supply 40A but it didn't like the waveform. Ideally needs to run from a battery, current draw was closer to 15A for me (12v model) on startup. Don't assume a cheap PSU will cope with it. Pumps out enough heat for a uninsulated metal single garage although it's noisy. Great value for money.

Old battery and a solar charger to make sure it's always topped up maybe.

 

[badabec]

Nearly all the problems with the Chinese heaters arise from not having enough amps at start up. I use a 30 amp power supply, they are Chinese amps though.
The 8kw heaters are 5kw with different stickers.
My first one wouldn't work at all. Got a full refund from PayPal. The next one was perfect. I fixed the faulty one by fitting a new motherboard.

 

[GRW]

Was going to suggest a Diesel Heater.... and plenty have covered it well.
I can't think of more bang for Buck and heat without faffing with wood and ashes.
Run one off Kero for more heat and less sooting up.
I've had a 2kw Webasto in my Camper for nearly a decade.
Fumes outside, recirculated heated air inside

 

[winchman]

Couple of Chinese diesel heater groups on Facebook.
I found them helpful and the majority of issues I have seen are down to incorrect fitting.

 

[Bravheart]

Have seen one of these airrex heaters in an agricultural machinery dealers large show room/spare parts area. No fumes or exhaust that I could see and quiet running.
Possibly a fair bit dearer than a Chinese suitcase though.

AIRREX AD-1250

Airrex AD-1250 is an auxiliary DC heater for different types of vehicles. The heater is extremely easy to install.

rexnordic.uk

 

[hunter27]

2 reviews on Chinese diesel heaters from Doubleboost
Sorry for stepping on your toes Gaz

 

[skotl]

2 reviews on Chinese diesel heaters from Doubleboost
Sorry for stepping on your toes Gaz

Ah - hadn't realised DB had reviewed these. I watched half a dozen other youtube reviews yesterday and I'm almost sold, other than having no clue where to fit one in the garage.
John's vids on the menu for tonight!

 

[skotl]

Ah - hadn't realised DB had reviewed these. I watched half a dozen other youtube reviews yesterday and I'm almost sold, other than having no clue where to fit one in the garage.
John's vids on the menu for tonight!

Sidenote: Bangood are literally twice the price of Amazon for these...

 

[GraemeVW]

Somewhat noisy aren't they.
I thought the propex in my camper was bad.
That ticking fuel pump may get annoying.

 

[not done it yet]

Sidenote: Bangood are literally twice the price of Amazon for these...

If you say so (not arguing). I would certainly buy from Amazon, with a guarantee, over a dodgy sub-standard item reseller from china any day. I still have a 2MT taper that is not quite 2MT. An offer of a small reduction in the cost does not improve the quality of absolute rubbish.

It would appear that the airrex exhausts to the space it is heating. OK if keeping the area warm all the time, but no good if the space is allowed to cool (like my workshop) where a low relative humidity is needed to avoid condensation, leading to rusting machinery and tools. B expensive, too.

 

[JMS1972]

So a cheap 5a 12v psu would run one fine then?

I run mine off an old ATX power supply that's rated at 23A. I'm seeing over 10 A drawn on startup. Need to fit a bigger ammeter and chunkier wiring really.

 

[voipio]

So a cheap 5a 12v psu would run one fine then?

Plus something like a 7Ah or 12Ah sealed lead acid battery to deal with startup current if it is any higher than 5A.

 

[gaz1]

No idea what output I need either but the workshop is 6m x 8m with the roof being 4m at the peak and 3m at the eaves. About 180 cubic metres of volume ish. Doesn’t need to be like the tropics but would be nice to have it above freezing.

Any ideas chaps?

you never said if your insulated or not

if not you will need more output than an 8kw just to maintane lost heat

Was going to suggest a Diesel Heater.... and plenty have covered it well.
I can't think of more bang for Buck and heat without faffing with wood and ashes.
Run one off Kero for more heat and less sooting up.
I've had a 2kw Webasto in my Camper for nearly a decade.
Fumes outside, recirculated heated air inside

kero is harder for me to get but wood isnt

as its free for me and i dont need much store for the winter months

 

[daedalusminos]

This is what my installation looks like - all components mounted on a single plate for wall mounting

 

[not done it yet]

Plus something like a 7Ah or 12Ah sealed lead acid battery to deal with startup current if it is any higher than 5A.

Yep, a small battery with a float charger should do the trick.

It seems like the pumps may need some lubrication so diesel is preferable to kerosene. Or kero with a small percentage of oil added?

I also see it is recommended to mount the pump at 45 degrees (not horizontal or they wear quickly), but is vertically, with the output upwards, not the ideal mounting - and if not, why not?

 

[James1979]

This is what my installation looks like - all components mounted on a single plate for wall mounting

View attachment 320505

That’s nice and neat

 

[fizzy]

Yes. Just took delivery of this and first burn today. Totally free standing. Nice glow heat without the rocket style space heater style.
View attachment 320419
View attachment 320420
View attachment 320421

Deville Multi Fuel Heater (Tent/Marquee/Warehouse/Workshop/Log Cabin/Garage) | eBay

Runs on Diesel or Kerosene only. Not waste oil. Deville Multi Fuel Heater 40216. Log Cabins. is not fit for the purpose it is described. If you would like to collect your.

www.ebay.co.uk

I have been looking at these.
Same control box as an aga/rayburn.

 

[fizzy]

The Webasto / Chinese knock-offs need to exhaust outside - usually a relatively small hole is required for the exhaust. Air for combustion could come from inside, though outside would be better. There are 12V and 24V DC models. Peak current draw tends to be at startup, when typically 5A off 12V might be drawn. Once the glow plug gets hot enough, it does taper off after that, plus about 1A for the fan. The pump is usually an solenoid impulse type, that draws brief pulses of current. A typical current draw whilst running is about 1A.

They use a lot more than 5 amps on startup - think I measured mine at 12amps so get a 20 or 30amp 12v supply - cheap enough on Ebay.

 

[fizzy]

So a cheap 5a 12v psu would run one fine then?

No!
Get a 20 or 30 amp.
They draw a lot until running.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KINGPRINT-Universal-Regulated-Switching-Computer/dp/B079BR75SF/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B079BR75SF&psc=1

This kind of thing - £20.