Running diesel heater
- Thread starter hallix100
- Start date
If your LB is decent then just run the diesel heater. It uses about 10 amps when it fires up then drops down to really low battery draw during use. Your LB will soon recharge next time you drive the van.
As the others have said, no need to run the engine or plug in as long as the LB is reasonably well charged. Also make sure you have more than about a 1/4 tank of fuel as some won’t run if fuel is too low or you risk picking up the dregs in the tank. Don’t get too hung up on running it precisely every month, just don’t leave it for months on end such as over summer. If left too long it may not start or if it does it will be really smoky for a few minutes. Every couple of months is fine.
I fill my van with V-power every few tanks and try to remember to do the heater then so it gets the same benefit of the extra detergents in the fuel. No idea if this helps but sounds good!!
I fill my van with V-power every few tanks and try to remember to do the heater then so it gets the same benefit of the extra detergents in the fuel. No idea if this helps but sounds good!!
Ok, so I am being extremely dumb- do you fill diesel heater separately? Apologies only had it a few weeks!
It takes fuel from the main tank.
Usually the pickup tube is short enough so that it won't drain the tank and leave you unable to drive, such that if it goes low, the heater won't be able to pick up any fuel.
Having said that, they are incredibly frugal, I've never noticed any difference in the fuel gauge on the dash even after a long subzero weekend.
Yours will be taken from the van tank as it is a pro conversion. Some DIY installs be may have a separate tank so it is possible, if rather unusual.
Martin Crikey
Member
Hi
Just had the Wabasto heater on today for the first time in 6 months and it set off the carbon monoxide detector. After reading this thread i should of been running it a bit more often I see. I will try it again tomorrow, if the same happens is there anything to check for on it ?
Thanks
Just had the Wabasto heater on today for the first time in 6 months and it set off the carbon monoxide detector. After reading this thread i should of been running it a bit more often I see. I will try it again tomorrow, if the same happens is there anything to check for on it ?
Thanks
Running it lubricants the motor parts so worth doing, remember to make sure the vents etc are clear. I got an error code as I forgot I stuff a mattress topper in the back by the vents that are normally clear when using it for real.
There is a service interval on the accumulated hours of use but not sure of the details of what is involved. The user manual may have that info. I have noticed a faint smell when the heater starts up if it’s not been run for three or four weeks but it clears quickly but have no idea if that would contain co as it is odourless and my alarm hasn’t triggered. Certainly if the alarm goes off again your plan to have it checked is a good idea.
Check that the exhaust pipe terminates correctly to the side of the van as per the manual. If you have oem install with the pipe terminating in the middle of the van by the exhaust pipe check that it isn't near any gas drop-out hole where fumes could enter the van. If the air was still and you had a door or window open it is remotely possible for fumes to enter that way. Usually there is a breeze here in the UK which prevents that occurring.
The longest that you should leave the heater without running is 2 months, preferably monthly. This keep the fuel line full and the pump functioning, motor doesn't have the same degree of need. Pump seizing is the main thing that can happen due to minute traces of water that is always present in diesel especially now that virtually all diesel contains bio-diesel which attracts water.
Servicing can be up to 5 years or so - it all depends upon amount of use. Campervan tend to have very low hours use in a year, quite often around the 100 hour mark. I have heaters in that have never been serviced in over 10 years and thousands of hours running and would still operate. On the other hand I have had heaters with less than 50 hours working but they were clogged up with carbon! Usually the time to service them is when they start to have difficulty starting, this is often due to carbon build up.
Martin Crikey
Member
Thanks for those replies, it's snowing up here in Dumfries and the perfect day for testing any heater so fingers crossed it runs alright today.
