Small Diesel Shop Heater

[not done it yet]

I would have said that exhaust was far too restrictive. I'm sure there is a limit to the number of bends you can have.

Quite right. They (most of them) limit the bends to 270 degrees total. There is at least 720 degrees in that video - and exceeding the usual maximum exhaust length (at 25mm) to 2m. A simple case, once more, of the youtuber either not reading (or ignoring) the installation instructions.

Those instructions are there for a reason. Follow them and the heater should work As designed.

 

[JOEPRO]

I will probably just go through the wall for my limited use a copper pipe won't recover much in reality

 

[not done it yet]

Can an extra inline fan be fitted to help air get thru the exhaust heat exchanger? And is it worthwhile for a workshop heater ? Maybe only if it's running all day.

No, would be my reply. Also, eat recovery is likely only worthwhile for longer runs at high settings. I was going to go the EGR route, but my heater in the workshop runs at reduced speed and not for long.

I had a bit of a hiccup a couple of days ago. I left the heater running for the usual hour after my exit, but clearly forgot to press the buttons for a timed shut-down. Remembered late at night, but the meds I was on restricted my will to go and check it. Turned it off at about 05:45, when the workshop was at 30 degrees with the RH down at 35%. I expect the temperature has dropped back to low double figures by now

I expect it was only burning between 250-350ml/h so not too expensive -and I stopped it before the tank emptied.

 

[not done it yet]

I will probably just go through the wall for my limited use a copper pipe won't recover much in reality

The recoverable heat is an easy calculation. The chinese often quote 0.51l/h for their ‘5’kW heaters. Assuming that is 5kW gross (so a bit over 4kW heat output leaves a kW of exhaust energy, assuming 80% efficiency). Dave McLuckie has reported about 600W of the exhaust heat can be recovered. It would be less at lower speeds, of course.

Even the most efficient condensing gas central heating boilers only claim about 95% efficiency - and many are often running at a rather lower efficiency than that.

 

[fizzy]

The recoverable heat is an easy calculation. The chinese often quote 0.51l/h for their ‘5’kW heaters. Assuming that is 5kW gross (so a bit over 4kW heat output leaves a kW of exhaust energy, assuming 80% efficiency). Dave McLuckie has reported about 600W of the exhaust heat can be recovered. It would be less at lower speeds, of course.

Even the most efficient condensing gas central heating boilers only claim about 95% efficiency - and many are often running at a rather lower efficiency than that.

I love his videos. He sounds like the chap that used to narrate "Little nose" I used to watch as a kid.

 

[JOEPRO]

I have mine going now, I think I'm going to leave it as is. This way I get a pleasant breeze in my face when working at vice

 

[m_c]

This way I get a pleasant breeze in my face when working at vice

Remember and make sure the garage is as air tight as possible for maximum gassing heating

 

[jordhandson]

I have mine going now, I think I'm going to leave it as is. This way I get a pleasant breeze in my face when working at vice

View attachment 388719

dont leave that exhaust inside

 

[Scalarocco]

You'll need one of these...

 

[fizzy]

I have mine going now, I think I'm going to leave it as is. This way I get a pleasant breeze in my face when working at vice

View attachment 388719

Brilliant installation

 

[JOEPRO]

I have mine going now, I think I'm going to leave it as is. This way I get a pleasant breeze in my face when working at vice

View attachment 388719

I think I have to realign my expectations somewhat or there is something wrong.

I have a double garage. Block cavity walls and a large non insulated roller shutter and single glazed window. Large loft hatch still to be covered over I'll do that tomorrow.

Even in "Facegriller 3000" mode I had it running for 40 mins or so and whilst the chill was out of the air near the heater it still had put no real Dent in the space heating.

I did also notice am air pocket in the green diesel tube below. Is this normal?

It was pumping out heat but maybe my garage is simply too large for it or it has to run for several hours to get up to temp.

What size of space do you heat? (large side)

 

[Scalarocco]

My workshop is 3 metres x 6 metres and it is uninsulated. When the outside temperatures are around 5°c it just takes the chill off but it isn't what you would call warm. Below zero it just can't make a dent in it but it is still nice to just stand in front of it to warm up periodically! I've no doubt if I insulate the roof and the big steel radiator door at one end would improve things. It's on my to-do list for this year.

 

[m_c]

Mine manages to raise my main workshop which is about 12x40ft single block wall, with a lightly insulated roof, a few degrees after 30 minutes of running. If it's on for a couple of hours, and it's sub zero outside, it'll make it tolerable to work.

However I did fill lots of gaps with expanding foam after I installed it, as drafts make a more noticeable difference than lack of insulation. Which reminds me I really need to find some perspex to fill the gap above the door into the other part of the shed, to cure the biggest remaining draft.

 

[JOEPRO]

Mine manages to raise my main workshop which is about 12x40ft single block wall, with a lightly insulated roof, a few degrees after 30 minutes of running. If it's on for a couple of hours, and it's sub zero outside, it'll make it tolerable to work.

However I did fill lots of gaps with expanding foam after I installed it, as drafts make a more noticeable difference than lack of insulation. Which reminds me I really need to find some perspex to fill the gap above the door into the other part of the shed, to cure the biggest remaining draft.

Yes I need to close off the loft and address a large gap all along the top of a roller shutter door. That can't be helping at all! I'll try the carpet trick fixed to wall and resting on top of the shutter. I have new offcuts of carpet from a recent room in my house should work

 

[not done it yet]

Yes I need to close off the loft and address a large gap all along the top of a roller shutter door. That can't be helping at all! I'll try the carpet trick fixed to wall and resting on top of the shutter. I have new offcuts of carpet from a recent room in my house should work

If you seal your draughts, you may well kill yourself. Do read the instructions.

 

[JOEPRO]

If you seal your draughts, you may well kill yourself. Do read the instructions.

What?

Alot of people on here saying these heaters are going to kill you.

There is an exhaust for spent gases. This is be routed outside and sealed to Building fabric.

What's the problem then? Given the size of the space and exhaust gasses going outside I think you would be very unfortunate to DIE using one of these heaters correctly in a well Insulated and sealed garage.

A carbon monoxide alarm is also a must. But beyond that calm down everyone saying people are going to die FFS.

 

[m_c]

What?

Alot of people on here saying these heaters are going to kill you.

There is an exhaust for spent gases. This is be routed outside and sealed to Building fabric.

What's the problem then? Given the size of the space and exhaust gasses going outside I think you would be very unfortunate to DIE using one of these heaters correctly in a well Insulated and sealed garage.

A carbon monoxide alarm is also a must. But beyond that calm down everyone saying people are going to die FFS.

I think the tongue in cheek posts only made a whooshing noise as they flew over some peoples heads

 

[JOEPRO]

OK I have read the installation instructions. This is them. All of it.



I feel much safer now

Note the intake pipe is also an exhuast

 

[JOEPRO]

I think there is one misunderstanding here which I was also guilty of.

Note that the air intake hose and filter are just for the combustion chamber. The 2 pipes coming out the bottom - 1x intake air and 1x exhaust are both into the same combustion side of the appliance. I think both could be routed outside but actually this risks intermixing of gases impacting performance.

The small intake duct for combustion doesn't draw alot of air either so just leave it indoors. I think the issue of air temperature isn't so huge considering it is only to serve combustion.

As for the "Room Side" of the heater air flow it has a fan intake on the rear of the housing. This pulls in air from your room and puts it over the cast alu heat exchanger which sends the heat out the front.

This means this room air flow is separated from the combustion air processes completely.



I think get the exhaust outside and well sealed is the critical part and in terms of safety they are superior to traditional Diesel space heaters which are sending you heat and gases with no separate exhaust. The heat is also the exaust in your room! So these China heaters are actually very safe in this regard considering all the size of them too.

Aka I have a 36KW Diesel space heater and it is fumey in the garage when running for a while. That is pure diesel fumes you inhale. Not so with the China heaters if maintained and installed correctly you should have ZERO exhaust gases in your garage.

 

[jordhandson]

I think there is one misunderstanding here which I was also guilty of.

Note that the air intake hose and filter are just for the combustion chamber. The 2 pipes coming out the bottom - 1x intake air and 1x exhaust are both into the same combustion side of the appliance. I think both could be routed outside but actually this risks intermixing of gases impacting performance.

The small intake duct for combustion doesn't draw alot of air either so just leave it indoors. I think the issue of air temperature isn't so huge considering it is only to serve combustion.

As for the "Room Side" of the heater air flow it has a fan intake on the rear of the housing. This pulls in air from your room and puts it over the cast alu heat exchanger which sends the heat out the front.

This means this room air flow is separated from the combustion air processes completely.

I think get the exhaust outside and well sealed is the critical part and in terms of safety they are superior to traditional Diesel space heaters which are sending you heat and gases with no separate exhaust. The heat is also the exaust in your room! So these China heaters are actually very safe in this regard considering all the size of them too.

Aka I have a 36KW Diesel space heater and it is fumey in the garage when running for a while. That is pure diesel fumes you inhale. Not so with the China heaters if maintained and installed correctly you should have ZERO exhaust gases in your garage.

View attachment 388737

wouldnt pulling the warm air from the room in to the combustion chamber eventually cause an over heat