Hi all, after spending 6 weeks in the UK in a motorhome with central heating it has made us think seriously about putting heating in our van. Live in central Victoria. We often like to go away in winter, but not necessarily north as it is so busy. Most of the time we book into caravan parks because of heating needs. Do others have gas or diesal heating in their vans? Which do you recommend? We have a petrol territory but will be upgrading to a diesal in a couple of years.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Glenda
patrolst said
03:55 AM Nov 27, 2012
I installed a diesel heater last year and it was great on our trip this year when bush camping, would really recommend one.
I have not had any thing to do with gas heaters so couldn't advise.
Yuglamron said
04:31 AM Nov 27, 2012
Seems logical to me that diesel is the way to go if you will have a diesel tug.Less hassle with a single fuel sorce.The newer Diesel heaters are very efficient nowadays.
I used to drive trucks in Europe and we had Eberspercher Diesel heaters.Wonderful things when it's below freezing.
Is that Bamburgh Castle Northhumberland, in your Avatar?
Last time I was there I was in my grandfathers Caravan in March 1982 and we had a half inch of ice inside in the morning.
justcruisin01 said
05:45 AM Nov 27, 2012
The price of gas now is enough to make you go diesel.
JC.
golivers travels said
05:15 PM Nov 27, 2012
Yuglamron wrote:
Seems logical to me that diesel is the way to go if you will have a diesel tug.Less hassle with a single fuel sorce.The newer Diesel heaters are very efficient nowadays.
I used to drive trucks in Europe and we had Eberspercher Diesel heaters.Wonderful things when it's below freezing.
Is that Bamburgh Castle Northhumberland, in your Avatar?
Last time I was there I was in my grandfathers Caravan in March 1982 and we had a half inch of ice inside in the morning.
Yuglamron, we experienced ice like that on the Isle of Skye, was an amazing sight, especially with the highland cattle in the paddocks.
Castle is Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island, just north of Bambururgh Castle, you could actually see it in the distance from where I was sitting.
golivers travels said
05:18 PM Nov 27, 2012
justcruisin01 wrote:
The price of gas now is enough to make you go diesel.
JC.
Thanks JC you are quite right there. In UK they fill up the gas bottles with LPG at the service station so worked out quite cheap, but having to continually fill our gas bottles would work out quite expensive......food for thought.
Glenda
golivers travels said
05:23 PM Nov 27, 2012
patrolst wrote:
I installed a diesel heater last year and it was great on our trip this year when bush camping, would really recommend one.
I have not had any thing to do with gas heaters so couldn't advise.
Thanks patroist. Yes it would be great to do more bush camping in the colder months, and be warm.
Glenda
ozjohn said
05:52 PM Nov 27, 2012
We have a Truma E2400 LPG heater and reckon it's the best thing we ever had installed. Quieter than diesel. But each to their own. OJ
golivers travels said
06:47 PM Nov 27, 2012
ozjohn wrote:
We have a Truma E2400 LPG heater and reckon it's the best thing we ever had installed. Quieter than diesel. But each to their own. OJ
Ozjohn does the heater run off your gas bottlesalready in the van or from a seperate bottle?
Glenda
ozjohn said
07:33 PM Nov 27, 2012
golivers travels wrote:
ozjohn wrote:
We have a Truma E2400 LPG heater and reckon it's the best thing we ever had installed. Quieter than diesel. But each to their own. OJ
Ozjohn does the heater run off your gas bottlesalready in the van or from a seperate bottle? Glenda
Yes. No need for an extra fuel tank. Ozjohn
elliemike said
04:59 AM Nov 28, 2012
We fitted an Ebespacher Diesel heater about 4 months ago. So far it's Top of the Wozzer in our Avan Cruiseliner.
First 15 minutes running is the noisey part (not that noisey actualy) then it cuts right back when the van is up to the required temperature.
Less noise than the 240 volt fan heater we carry as well.
Actually its a bit of overkill in sommat as small as the Avan. But we love it.
patrolst said
09:37 AM Nov 28, 2012
Gas is very expensive when outback and of the beaten track, we have paid $22.00 4.5kg bottle refill.
-- Edited by patrolst on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 09:38:14 AM
golivers travels said
08:04 PM Nov 28, 2012
patrolst wrote:
Gas is very expensive when outback and of the beaten track, we have paid $22.00 4.5kg bottle refill.
-- Edited by patrolst on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 09:38:14 AM
Yikes, that is .
Ron and Shirley said
11:55 PM Nov 28, 2012
Those with either a gas or diesel heaters will all testify as to what a great addition they are to their van and how effective they are.
Gas has the advantage of it is already on board your caravan. Depending on your gas usage with cooking, fridge, and maybe hot water for showers/cloths washing then it is probably a good way to go. However installation into the vans gas system needs to certified, though that is a one off cost. Availability/cost of gas in remote areas is a consideration if you travel in those areas. The gas heater is comparatively quiet and requires less power at start-up initially, and again when the temperature drops and the heater fires up again.
Diesel fuel is available virtually everywhere though a suitable tank will need to be installed on the van. The heater is noisy at start-up, though this can be minimised with mufflers, and if run overnight there is the constant ticking of the fuel pump. Also at start up there are some diesel fumes from the exhaust though once past the start-up phase this is not noticeable. Storage of diesel can be prolonged with additives to prevent algae growth, and stop gelling in cold (-ve) temperatures. It is recommended that on storing the van that the heater be fired up something like monthly.
We had a diesel heater installed before the current gas units were available. We carry 18kg of gas for cooking and occasional hot water for showers, our fridge is 12v. Today I would go gas as there is little likelihood we would run out of gas away from a main centre.
We have the controller for the heater next to the bed so we can switch it on prior to getting out of bed on those cold mornings. We dont run the heater overnight as we prefer the cooler air for sleeping.
justcruisin01 said
12:55 AM Nov 29, 2012
golivers travels wrote:
patrolst wrote:
Gas is very expensive when outback and of the beaten track, we have paid $22.00 4.5kg bottle refill.
-- Edited by patrolst on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 09:38:14 AM
Yikes, that is .
We had a Elgas dealer tried to charge $28 for a 4.5 kg at Homehill this year, he didnt get to fill the bottle.
JC.
golivers travels said
01:56 AM Nov 29, 2012
Thanks Ron and Shirley
Thanks JC.......no wonder you did not fill the bottle.
Glenda
Albert said
01:15 AM Jan 18, 2013
If you want to save yourself some money and still have a great product check out www.dieselheatingaustralia. It works as well as the better known brands. Their service is exellent and I should know because I stuffed up during installation and they were very helpful. $899 is better than $1600
Albert
golivers travels said
01:55 AM Jan 18, 2013
Thanks Albert for the info. Site looks good.
Glenda
I installed a diesel heater last year and it was great on our trip this year when bush camping, would really recommend one.
I have not had any thing to do with gas heaters so couldn't advise.
Seems logical to me that diesel is the way to go if you will have a diesel tug.Less hassle with a single fuel sorce.The newer Diesel heaters are very efficient nowadays.
I used to drive trucks in Europe and we had Eberspercher Diesel heaters.Wonderful things when it's below freezing.
Is that Bamburgh Castle Northhumberland, in your Avatar?
Last time I was there I was in my grandfathers Caravan in March 1982 and we had a half inch of ice inside in the morning.
The price of gas now is enough to make you go diesel.
JC.
We have a Truma E2400 LPG heater and reckon it's the best thing we ever had installed.
Quieter than diesel.
But each to their own.
OJ
Yes. No need for an extra fuel tank.
Ozjohn
We fitted an Ebespacher Diesel heater about 4 months ago. So far it's Top of the Wozzer in our Avan Cruiseliner.
First 15 minutes running is the noisey part (not that noisey actualy) then it cuts right back when the van is up to the required temperature.
Less noise than the 240 volt fan heater we carry as well.
Actually its a bit of overkill in sommat as small as the Avan. But we love it.
Gas is very expensive when outback and of the beaten track, we have paid $22.00 4.5kg bottle refill.
-- Edited by patrolst on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 09:38:14 AM
Those with either a gas or diesel heaters will all testify as to what a great addition they are to their van and how effective they are.
Gas has the advantage of it is already on board your caravan. Depending on your gas usage with cooking, fridge, and maybe hot water for showers/cloths washing then it is probably a good way to go. However installation into the vans gas system needs to certified, though that is a one off cost. Availability/cost of gas in remote areas is a consideration if you travel in those areas. The gas heater is comparatively quiet and requires less power at start-up initially, and again when the temperature drops and the heater fires up again.
Diesel fuel is available virtually everywhere though a suitable tank will need to be installed on the van. The heater is noisy at start-up, though this can be minimised with mufflers, and if run overnight there is the constant ticking of the fuel pump. Also at start up there are some diesel fumes from the exhaust though once past the start-up phase this is not noticeable. Storage of diesel can be prolonged with additives to prevent algae growth, and stop gelling in cold (-ve) temperatures. It is recommended that on storing the van that the heater be fired up something like monthly.
We had a diesel heater installed before the current gas units were available. We carry 18kg of gas for cooking and occasional hot water for showers, our fridge is 12v. Today I would go gas as there is little likelihood we would run out of gas away from a main centre.
We have the controller for the heater next to the bed so we can switch it on prior to getting out of bed on those cold mornings. We dont run the heater overnight as we prefer the cooler air for sleeping.
We had a Elgas dealer tried to charge $28 for a 4.5 kg at Homehill this year, he didnt get to fill the bottle.
JC.
Their service is exellent and I should know because I stuffed up during installation and they were very helpful.
$899 is better than $1600
Albert