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Diesel Heaters [message #368392] Sat, 08 January 2022 18:35 Go to next message
Greg C. is currently offline  Greg C.   United States
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Registered: October 2019
Location: Knoxville, TN
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Has anyone on the forum had any experience with the diesel powered heaters? My PO removed all traces of propane powered appliances, and I have no heat, range, or oven in my coach. The water heater has an electric element installed. Camping in November was a chilly experience using only two small electric space heaters. They were unable to reach 60 degrees inside during the night. I am installing a 1500 watt in wall heater with blower in my dinette wall next to the entry door, but that won't get it done alone. I know diesel heaters are commonly used on boats with good effect, and I am seriously thinking about installing one under my jack knife sofa. These heaters will run on battery power. I will utilize the duct work path Coachman used, except I will have the heater up front blowing toward the rear instead of the factory furnace in the rear bath. I will put the fuel tank out front behind the steering column and in front of the left tire. Has anyone used one of these in their GMC?

Greg Crawford KM4ZCR Knoxville, TN "Ruby Sue" 1977 Royale Rear Bath 403 Engine American Eagle Wheels Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
[GMCnet] Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368393 is a reply to message #368392] Sat, 08 January 2022 20:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ethan James is currently offline  Ethan James   United States
Messages: 32
Registered: October 2016
Location: Roanoke, VA
Karma: 1
Member
I don't have any experience with these but wabasto heaters can run on gas
and diesel which would be nice rather than having to have a diesel tank.
They are a lot more expensive than the knock off heaters from amazon, etc.

--
Ethan James
1976 Glenbrook "Rosie"
Roanoke, VA

On Sat, Jan 8, 2022 at 7:35 PM Greg Crawford
wrote:

> Has anyone on the forum had any experience with the diesel powered
> heaters? My PO removed all traces of propane powered appliances, and I have
> no
> heat, range, or oven in my coach. The water heater has an electric element
> installed. Camping in November was a chilly experience using only two small
> electric space heaters. They were unable to reach 60 degrees inside during
> the night. I am installing a 1500 watt in wall heater with blower in my
> dinette wall next to the entry door, but that won't get it done alone. I
> know diesel heaters are commonly used on boats with good effect, and I am
> seriously thinking about installing one under my jack knife sofa. These
> heaters will run on battery power. I will utilize the duct work path
> Coachman
> used, except I will have the heater up front blowing toward the rear
> instead of the factory furnace in the rear bath. I will put the fuel tank
> out
> front behind the steering column and in front of the left tire. Has anyone
> used one of these in their GMC?
> --
> Greg Crawford
> KM4ZCR
> Knoxville, TN
>
> "Ruby Sue"
> 1977 Royale
> Rear Bath
> 403 Engine
> American Eagle Wheels
> Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
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Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368394 is a reply to message #368392] Sun, 09 January 2022 08:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Tilerpep is currently offline  Tilerpep   United States
Messages: 404
Registered: June 2013
Location: Raleigh, NC
Karma: 7
Senior Member
If you google slim potato head diesel he has two videos I have previously watched to learn about that type heater. He is not tze specific but might still inform the decision

1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath Raleigh, NC
Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368406 is a reply to message #368392] Sun, 09 January 2022 20:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
cadelec is currently offline  cadelec   Australia
Messages: 303
Registered: September 2011
Location: Brisbane Australia
Karma: 1
Senior Member
I put one in our coach earlier this year i found this guys vidios extremly useful.
look at all of his videos he goes into great depths on every component
plent of us in Australia have installed these in caravans etc
i purchased a cheap chinese one on ebay around 120 AUD i installed a 15 liter tank up front under the stering column with the diesel heater under the cooktop where the old suburban heater was located i then connected it to 2 of the old floor ducts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64B2tnH1WDo


Trevor Brisbane Australia Siesta Koala 76 Edgemont (old Bobby Moores) 71 Cadillac Eldo Convert 58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Project
Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368416 is a reply to message #368392] Mon, 10 January 2022 18:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Greg C. is currently offline  Greg C.   United States
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Location: Knoxville, TN
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Trevor, did you find that the heater adequately heats the coach? And what BTU size heater did you use?

Greg Crawford KM4ZCR Knoxville, TN "Ruby Sue" 1977 Royale Rear Bath 403 Engine American Eagle Wheels Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
[GMCnet] Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368417 is a reply to message #368416] Mon, 10 January 2022 18:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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I must have missed the point about propane. I guess sitting on top of a
fuel system that contains 50 gallons of highly volatile gasoline perhaps
clouded my judgment regarding the hazards of 10 or 12 gallons of propane
that leaves the tank at about 2 psi pressure or so. Tens of thousands of RV
vehicles go down the highways every hour of the day and night and
experience no problems with it at all. But, what the heck, it only takes
once, right?
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 4:10 PM Greg Crawford
wrote:

> Trevor, did you find that the heater adequately heats the coach? And what
> BTU size heater did you use?
> --
> Greg Crawford
> KM4ZCR
> Knoxville, TN
>
> "Ruby Sue"
> 1977 Royale
> Rear Bath
> 403 Engine
> American Eagle Wheels
> Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
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Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368419 is a reply to message #368392] Mon, 10 January 2022 19:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Greg C. is currently offline  Greg C.   United States
Messages: 224
Registered: October 2019
Location: Knoxville, TN
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Senior Member
I don't know why the PO removed the propane tank and the propane cooking appliances, unless he was trying to get more storage room. I have a rear bath, so the starboard storage compartment at the rear of the coach is sealed off with the tub shower right against an aluminum sheet riveted behind the storage compartment door. The propane tank was originally in a compartment forward of the entry door, now it is storage. I would have preferred the original propane furnace, but that was removed as well, so I am forced to consider other options.

Greg Crawford KM4ZCR Knoxville, TN "Ruby Sue" 1977 Royale Rear Bath 403 Engine American Eagle Wheels Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
[GMCnet] Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368420 is a reply to message #368417] Mon, 10 January 2022 19:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jw mills is currently offline  jw mills   United States
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Registered: September 2006
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Senior Member
Jim, one more point for your side:If your regulator is
putting out 2 psi pressure you have a problem.NG and propane
appliances are supposed to have 11" WC or 6.35 ounces per sq
in (sorry I don't do metric).
>> IN WC PSI OSI> 10 = 0.36 5.77>
> 11 = 0.40 6.35> 15 = 0.54 8.66
https://www.engineeringclicks.com/manometer/Here is a good
article aon U-Tube manometers.The traditional U-Tube device
is the most common with one end of the partially liquid
filled tube open to the atmosphere and the other connected
to an outside source. By measuring the different heights of
liquid on the left and the right hand side of the U-tube it
is possible to calculate the pressure from the outside
source in relation to atmospheric pressure.
I've used "slack tube" manometers for years. Just 30" of so
of plastic tubing attached to a board and filled with about
15"of water.a rubber hose to a jet in your range top,
measure from the low water side to the high water side -
should be right about 11"
-- Jim Mills N0JME
Greeley, CO
1973 CanyonLands 260 TZE-063V100731(under renovation)

On Mon, 2022-01-10 at 16:20 -0800, James Hupy wrote:
> I must have missed the point about propane. I guess
> sitting on top of afuel system that contains 50 gallons of
> highly volatile gasoline perhapsclouded my judgment
> regarding the hazards of 10 or 12 gallons of propanethat
> leaves the tank at about 2 psi pressure or so. Tens of
> thousands of RVvehicles go down the highways every hour of
> the day and night andexperience no problems with it at
> all. But, what the heck, it only takesonce, right?Jim
> HupySalem, Oregon
> On Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 4:10 PM Greg Crawford captgregcrawford@gmail.com>wrote:
>> Trevor, did you find that the heater adequately heats
>> the coach? And whatBTU size heater did you use?--Greg
>> CrawfordKM4ZCRKnoxville, TN
>> "Ruby Sue"1977 RoyaleRear Bath403 EngineAmerican Eagle
>> WheelsEarly Version Alex Sirum Quad
>> bags_______________________________________________GMCne
>> t mailing listUnsubscribe or Change List Options:
> _______________________________________________GMCnet
> mailing listUnsubscribe or Change List Options:
For appliances propane is measured in inches of water column.
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[GMCnet] Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368421 is a reply to message #368419] Mon, 10 January 2022 20:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
Senior Member
I was going to give that figure about inches of water column, but, figured
that would confuse rather than inform. So I just gave a rough equivalent in
psi. I think that it is even lower than the figure I used. Sorry if I
wasn't exactly clear.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 5:48 PM Greg Crawford
wrote:

> I don't know why the PO removed the propane tank and the propane cooking
> appliances, unless he was trying to get more storage room. I have a rear
> bath, so the starboard storage compartment at the rear of the coach is
> sealed off with the tub shower right against an aluminum sheet riveted
> behind
> the storage compartment door. The propane tank was originally in a
> compartment forward of the entry door, now it is storage. I would have
> preferred
> the original propane furnace, but that was removed as well, so I am forced
> to consider other options.
> --
> Greg Crawford
> KM4ZCR
> Knoxville, TN
>
> "Ruby Sue"
> 1977 Royale
> Rear Bath
> 403 Engine
> American Eagle Wheels
> Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
_______________________________________________
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Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368424 is a reply to message #368416] Tue, 11 January 2022 02:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
cadelec is currently offline  cadelec   Australia
Messages: 303
Registered: September 2011
Location: Brisbane Australia
Karma: 1
Senior Member
I used a 5KW heater it was fine for what we require
but as we are in australia our temps rarely go below freezing

when looking check out the physical size
also some sellers may advertise an 8KW unit but it may only be a 5KW



but the price is right

here is a link about sizes https://abigpeacheyadventure.com.au/diesel-heater-size/

also for reference here is a link to where i purchased ours from
we paid approx 145 Australian so you should be able to get 1 in the states for around 110 USD

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/353252591992


Trevor Brisbane Australia Siesta Koala 76 Edgemont (old Bobby Moores) 71 Cadillac Eldo Convert 58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Project
Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368426 is a reply to message #368392] Tue, 11 January 2022 14:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Greg C. is currently offline  Greg C.   United States
Messages: 224
Registered: October 2019
Location: Knoxville, TN
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Trevor, thank you for the reply. I am going to try to get an 8KW sized heater if I can. I've read quite a bit about the loud ticking from the dosing pump. I plan on putting my pump outside under the floor to try to minimize the noise.

Greg Crawford KM4ZCR Knoxville, TN "Ruby Sue" 1977 Royale Rear Bath 403 Engine American Eagle Wheels Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
[GMCnet] Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368427 is a reply to message #368426] Tue, 11 January 2022 14:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bikertrash is currently offline  Bikertrash   United States
Messages: 16
Registered: August 2021
Location: Northern Indiana
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Junior Member
Greg, the video I watched clearly stated the 8Kw heater was just a
rebranded 5Kw and suggested not to spend the extra money for the 8Kw.

On Tue, Jan 11, 2022 at 3:47 PM Greg Crawford
wrote:

> Trevor, thank you for the reply. I am going to try to get an 8KW sized
> heater if I can. I've read quite a bit about the loud ticking from the
> dosing
> pump. I plan on putting my pump outside under the floor to try to minimize
> the noise.
> --
> Greg Crawford
> KM4ZCR
> Knoxville, TN
>
> "Ruby Sue"
> 1977 Royale
> Rear Bath
> 403 Engine
> American Eagle Wheels
> Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>


--
Scott Campbell
Jack of All, Master of None!
President AMCA River Valley Chapter
Member GMCMI & Great Lakers
1980 FXEF, 1997 XL, 2000 FLHT, 2014 FLD
1982 Chevy G20
1973 GMC Glacier Motorhome
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Scott & Mindy Campbell Northern Indiana 1973 26' Glacier, 88,000 miles, 16" Alcoa Wheels, Rust free frame (painted), Stock air suspension, New fuel lines & sending units, New brake lines, Stock front end, Onan generator Newer Coleman A/C
Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368428 is a reply to message #368426] Wed, 12 January 2022 01:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
cadelec is currently offline  cadelec   Australia
Messages: 303
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Location: Brisbane Australia
Karma: 1
Senior Member
my pump ticking iswas not a problem we have it mounted on the side of the tank up near th esteering column

Trevor Brisbane Australia Siesta Koala 76 Edgemont (old Bobby Moores) 71 Cadillac Eldo Convert 58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Project
Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368429 is a reply to message #368419] Wed, 12 January 2022 12:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Richard RV   United States
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Location: Full-timer for 12 years, ...
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Senior Member
Greg C. wrote on Mon, 10 January 2022 20:48
I have a rear bath, so the starboard storage compartment at the rear of the coach is sealed off with the tub shower right against an aluminum sheet riveted behind the storage compartment door.
Greg,

One of my Birchaven's previous owners cut an access door into the aluminum panel. There's a fair bit of storage under and behind the tub. Awkward to get to, but definitely useful exterior storage space for infrequently used items. It also allows access to the plumbing under the tub and is useful for pulling wire from one side of the coach to the other.

Richard


'77 Birchaven TZE...777; '76 Palm Beach under construction; ‘76 Edgemont waiting its turn
[GMCnet] Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368431 is a reply to message #368429] Wed, 12 January 2022 15:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ricky is currently offline  Ricky   United States
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Registered: July 2019
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Junior Member
I have removed the aluminum panel and there is a fair amount of room in there. I removed it so I could get at the P trap for the tub. I have not put I back nor do I plan to.
Unused space for jacks, wheel wrenches etc.

Rick.

> On Jan 12, 2022, at 14:08, Richard wrote:
>
> Greg C. wrote on Mon, 10 January 2022 20:48
>> I have a rear bath, so the starboard storage compartment at the rear of the coach is sealed off with the tub shower right against an aluminum
>> sheet riveted behind the storage compartment door.
>
> Greg,
>
> One of my Birchaven's previous owners cut an access door into the aluminum panel. There's a fair bit of storage under and behind the tub. Awkward to
> get to, but definitely useful exterior storage space for infrequently used items. It also allows access to the plumbing under the tub and is useful
> for pulling wire from one side of the coach to the other.
>
> Richard
>
> --
> '77 Birchaven TZE...777;
> '76 Palm Beach under construction;
> ‘76 Edgemonte waiting its turn
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368432 is a reply to message #368392] Thu, 13 January 2022 08:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Tom Katzenberger is currently offline  Tom Katzenberger   United States
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Location: Kingsville, MD
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Rick,

Also room for an out door shower wand and controls. Great for washing feet and dogs.

Take care,
Tom K.


Tom & Oki Katzenberger, Kingsville, Maryland, 1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control, Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee Ignition
Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368433 is a reply to message #368432] Thu, 13 January 2022 12:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
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Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
Senior Member

With the understanding that Diesel fuel is not nearly as volatile as gasoline, You might re-think the tank location. In case of a front end collision, that tank could rupture and spray flammable liquid all over the front end of the coach, right where you are sitting.

This is true of the Fi-Tec "command center" as well.

Personally, I would be looking to re-install a propane system, but then again, we dry camp a lot and like to have the propane cook-top, furnace, fridge, etc.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368487 is a reply to message #368392] Mon, 17 January 2022 18:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Greg C. is currently offline  Greg C.   United States
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Location: Knoxville, TN
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Carl, a point worth considering.

I have removed the aluminum panel that covers my tub shower. There is not enough room in there to make it worthwhile. The shower surround practically touches the aluminum panel. Bob Donohugh had originally reached out to me regarding the possibility of storage there, so that's when I removed the panel, only to replace it after scraping out a dead mouse. There would be room for an outdoor shower box to the rear of the water tank.


Greg Crawford KM4ZCR Knoxville, TN "Ruby Sue" 1977 Royale Rear Bath 403 Engine American Eagle Wheels Early Version Alex Sirum Quad bags
Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368488 is a reply to message #368392] Mon, 17 January 2022 20:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Tom Katzenberger is currently offline  Tom Katzenberger   United States
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Location: Kingsville, MD
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Greg,

I did the same thing. I was hoping to find storage for tools, but no luck. I also riveted it back up. Then I began working on the outdoor shower to wash sandy feet and dogs. I think that is all I will get out of it.

Take care,
Tom K.


Tom & Oki Katzenberger, Kingsville, Maryland, 1977 23' Birchaven, 455 C.I.D., Micro Level, Howell EBL-EFI Spark Control, Macerator, York Air Compressor, 6 Wheel Disc, Quadra Bag, Onan W/Bovee Ignition
Re: Diesel Heaters [message #368602 is a reply to message #368392] Sat, 29 January 2022 06:09 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
6cuda6 is currently offline  6cuda6   Canada
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Registered: June 2019
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Senior Member
The real, not chinese knock off's work pretty good. I have one in my Volvo semi truck to keep the sleeper warn and it does a good job. As for one of our coaches, im not sure if it will be good enough unless you have a wack load of insulation in the thing.

The PO of our coach took the heater out so at one point i'm going to be searching for something as well but we still jave propane so it makes the selection easier.


Rich Mondor, Brockville, ON 77 Hughes 2600
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