Survey:
I'd like to get some heat in my DIY ghetto B without breaking the bank. I have been using a propane catalytic heater (Little Buddy, or as I call it, Little B@stard, scuse me..), but only when up (not run while sleeping). Does ok, but where I go anywhere I want heat is >5000' elevation and the little O2 sensor is soooo sensitive that when I need it most in the morning the darn thing won't lite, or stay lit. If I wasn't apposed to littering the thing would be in the bottom of a lake right now. I'd love an Eberspacher as the vehicle is diesel, but the price is out of the question for this machine.
You don't say whether shore electricity is available. If it is, the oil-filled radiator-type electric heaters are unbeatable for small footprint, safety and quiet warmth in a space the size of a B.
VernM
GMC Conversion van/Wells Cargo MiniWagon trailer
Sent via HughesNet/SatMex5 Internet Portal
I agree, the Olympian is safer, works better and doesn't fail at elevation. The Wave 3 should be fine for a smaller B.You can even sleep with it with a vent/window opening. (square inches required to vent the heater are in the instructions) VK
We had used a portable cat heater in our old unconverted Econoline pretty much the same way you do now.
There is simply no comparison to how much nicer the Airtronic D2 is in our DIY Sprinter. It is such a leap ahead of a conventional rv propane heater. Quieter, more btus per gallon, much gentler on the batteries. No oxygen consumption issues.
I did find an experienced installer who does this on the side and paid $250 to put it in for me. That was a good deal.
Pretty much all the major systems--the Prosine inverter, the Engel fridge, the Airtronic, micro, induction burner, even the bench system, were designed to be salvageable for the next diy camper if I don't get ten more years out of this one or the price I'd want "as is" when the time came to sell it. So I could justify using better components since mostly the labor costs would be the only completely lost cost.
If you can manage the diesel heater you won't regret it. We're able to drycamp when the nights start to get cold. Feels ridiculously luxurious to have 50-site campgrounds completely to ourselves.
Dan
02 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 long tall home brew conversion
VernM,
I keep forgetting to mention shower powered vs dry camping, for me it is almost entirely dry camping. Most of the stuff I go to in this thing (triathlons at lakes, mtn bike races, etc) are generally at pretty undeveloped areas, or are sufficiently popular that it would require an act of God / Congress to get a powered site. The only time I got a powered site it was b/c the dry camping sites were full, and I never thought I'd get a powered site so I didn't even have a battery charger with me...
mockturtle,
Thanks for the line on the Olympian Wave!
bananadanna wrote:
Pretty much all the major systems--the Prosine inverter, the Engel fridge, the Airtronic, micro, induction burner, even the bench system, were designed to be salvageable for the next diy camper if I don't get ten more years out of this one or the price I'd want "as is" when the time came to sell it. So I could justify using better components since mostly the labor costs would be the only completely lost cost.
That's a very good point, I hadn't really considered it. This vehicle is sort of an experiment for me, seeing what I can do with home produced biodiesel and if a B is really something my wife and would make sufficient use of to justify. I suppose if later we're loving it so much that I upgrade to a new diesel Quigley 4x4 (ha!!) van I could always move the stuff over.
I'd be very curious if the Airtronic would operate on B100 or blends thereof.
I'd be very curious if the Airtronic would operate on B100 or blends thereof.
Interesting question. The heater is very simple but the worst case of congealed fuel is where you would need it most. Could be reasonable to switch over to a regular winter-blend diesel for the coldest temps.
I did find the tech support very good. You might ask them.
Completely agree with what Dan says about the Airtronic D2. I installed it myself and it’s a very straightforward procedure. In fact you could pick one up a used one, install it yourself, and even order any missing parts (I ordered the muffler later). I fully intend to keep mine “forever”
It (Airtronic) definitely sounds like the way to go. Just looking on eBay as previously suggested turns up a couple used ones that look interesting. What level do you find the D2 running at most of the time to keep things cozy? I don't know how they operate, so I was wondering if they use a fan that is powered by the expanding exhaust, basically like a turbo, to move the hot air? So, the only current draw is the fuel pump? If that's not how it works, forget I mentioned it, I'm gonna be rich! =)
Interestingly, I found a PDF data file:
http://ovniclub.free.fr/dossiers/chauffage/Chauffage_Eberspacher_Airtronic.pdf
It says that the D2 is not certified for biodiesel, but up to 10% blend is ok. The larger D4 *is* certified for biodiesel.
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