Skotl's diesel heater garage install thread

[Ubique]

Same here, I've a couple of units that I can make a good 'un from - I know they do other versions specifically for (narrow)boat heaters, I've only seen the vehicle fit versions which have a coded-in short runtime unless you're using K-bus controllers - which is my plan... I've got a Dantherm fuel pickup pipe for 20l Jerry cans, a couple of inline pumps with the anti-pulse diaphragm, all I need now is to start the workshop build!

 

[m_c]

I'm sure I still have an old Eberspacher Hydronic buried in a shed somewhere.

These heaters are pretty simple, with little to actually go wrong.
Fuel gets injected into a vaporising gauze, which is initially ignited via the glow plug during start-up, but then self-sustaining once ignition occurs (essentially the same has how model glow plug engines run).
A single motor runs a combustion and ventilation fans.
Ignition is detected via a single temperature sensor (often called a flame sensor, but it's just a thermistor) on the heater body.

They really are the simplest of things, with very little to wrong.
Biggest failures are motor failures, jammed fans, failed glow plug, or they get coked up because the combustion inlet/exhaust has been restricted, or they're only ever run at low speed.
Most manufacturers recommend replacement of the glow plug and gauze at least annually, along with a strip and decoke, and check of CO output, but I've known these heaters to run regularly for years without issues.

 

[Cuthy246]

I can’t imagine an ATX power supply handling 15amps comfortably.

You would be surprised how much they put out. Have a 750w supply for my pc and that will put out 62.5amps on the 12v rail. Even a cheap 350w supply will easily put out 20 amps on the 12v rail.

 

[qwakers]

This is true, they squeal a bit when the glowplug kicks in though.

 

[fizzy]

They run in boats for many hours on end. Days in a few cases.

I’ve not much experience of them as such, aside from service, as they don’t really go wrong.

Ours ran for 10 hours a day for 2 years no problem. Not bad for £80

 

[fizzy]

I'm sure I still have an old Eberspacher Hydronic buried in a shed somewhere.

These heaters are pretty simple, with little to actually go wrong.
Fuel gets injected into a vaporising gauze, which is initially ignited via the glow plug during start-up, but then self-sustaining once ignition occurs (essentially the same has how model glow plug engines run).
A single motor runs a combustion and ventilation fans.
Ignition is detected via a single temperature sensor (often called a flame sensor, but it's just a thermistor) on the heater body.

They really are the simplest of things, with very little to wrong.
Biggest failures are motor failures, jammed fans, failed glow plug, or they get coked up because the combustion inlet/exhaust has been restricted, or they're only ever run at low speed.
Most manufacturers recommend replacement of the glow plug and gauze at least annually, along with a strip and decoke, and check of CO output, but I've known these heaters to run regularly for years without issues.

Mine was very clean even after 5000 hours. Running on kero and always flat out.

 

[gaz1]

Mine was very clean even after 5000 hours. Running on kero and always flat out.

you can get more out of it as ive said before

wont show video

5KW Chinese Diesel Heater exhaust heat recovery/Water heater 12v part 1​

get that heat to spin in a vortex and it will create hot water

something like this

 

[OJCar]

^ easier to make heat exchangers out of end feed copper fittings than that faff.

 

[Newlands]

You would be surprised how much they put out. Have a 750w supply for my pc and that will put out 62.5amps on the 12v rail. Even a cheap 350w supply will easily put out 20 amps on the 12v rail.

Every days a school day. I’ve got an old desktop computer that I can raid for a power supply, so I’ll have to dig it out and see if I can sort out the wires for a 12v supply.

 

[Cuthy246]

Every days a school day. I’ve got an old desktop computer that I can raid for a power supply, so I’ll have to dig it out and see if I can sort out the wires for a 12v supply.

There should be a sticker on the psu that gives its output, you can also get pinouts for all the connectors online or just open it up and cut all the wires and just hook straight to the 12v rail

 

[Paul OCallaghan]

I'm interested in your findings and mods.

I ordered a self contained remote control 8kw unit yesterday, mainly because it was cheaper than the 5kw unit of the same design/spec..... ...

PS. If it works out ok, I might buy one for the disco, a nice warm motor from the front room via remote control...mmmm.

I've been using a self contained one for over a year in my workshop.
No problems at all with it.

 

[skotl]

...Do not rely on the mains power - as any failure will ‘cook’ the machine by failing to carry out the very necessary cool-down procedure. A battery, capable of amply supplying the power required, should be installed - along with a suitable means of maintaining a good charge level for that battery (noting that lead/acid batteries need to be maintained at full charge for a full design life)...

I'm going to risk it, to be honest. I don't want a smelly, heavy, leaky car battery in the garage but most importantly I'll never be leaving it on its own, plus I've never had a power fault in the garage.
All told, I'm happy to take the risk - worst case is I need to buy a replacement but I don't see that being likely.

 

[Ubique]

I'm going to risk it, to be honest. I don't want a smelly, heavy, leaky car battery in the garage but most importantly I'll never be leaving it on its own, plus I've never had a power fault in the garage.
All told, I'm happy to take the risk - worst case is I need to buy a replacement but I don't see that being likely.

Just use an alarm panel battery, it'll keep it 'alive' to allow a graceful shutdown, especially if you inadvertently unplug or switch off the socket

 

[gaz1]

^ easier to make heat exchangers out of end feed copper fittings than that faff.

the copper will melt please check your output temps there higher than you think

 

[OJCar]

the copper will melt please check your output temps there higher than you think

1,085C ?
Aye right.

 

[fizzy]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B08GKSZTJX/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the type of psu to get.

 

[skotl]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B08GKSZTJX/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the type of psu to get.

That's what I got

 

[Johnnybravo]

Mine run on a 15A power supply, no issues what so ever.They pull about 10A with the glow plug on, so 15A gives enough head room

 

[skotl]

Made some progress over the last few days (excluding yesterday, of course!).

Made up an L-shaped bracket out of aluminium to hold the diesel filter and pump, as well as the power supply. I wasn't sure how to fit it as I wanted to be able to get it out relatively easily in case there's any problems, especially with the fuel connectors, so I ended up making wooden hangers for it that are drilled to take thin rebar - that way it's just a minute to pull out and reinsert the bars.

Not had the guts to drill a 30mm hole in the garage wall for the exhaust yet (plus I don't have a 30mm SDS drill so need to knock my neighbour's door to see whether he has one...).

Fuel tank is fitted but not yet plumbed to the heater.

I'll take it off again and get some pics of the brackets

 

[MattF]

First pic. Ain't it a bugger when something's just a gnat's too tall to slide under your bench.