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Post Info TOPIC: Gas vs Diesel heater
Philw


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Gas vs Diesel heater
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I also realised it has been done to death but was chatting to a caravan repairer who suggested that gas heating was better as a diesel heater had to be run for an hour every month to clean out the diesel residue and serviced every year at a cost of around $100. That gas was cleaner and did not need the servicing cost or the residue issue. Was considering gas but now totally confused.

So interested in your thoughts and personal experiences with regard to this. Have some understanding of the cost of running a diesel heater but not sure about gas. 

Cheers guys

Phil



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Philw

 

 
Philw


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Meant to say was considering diesel not gas.



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Aus-Kiwi


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We have a diesel . Had no issues whats so ever . It feeds off main engines tank so no issues furling etc . Not saying it's better than gas . I just get annoyed paying the rip off prices some charge to exchange a bottle ., Often not used for months on end . Worked great the 4 years so far we've had it ..

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Delta18


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We have a diesel in our current van but have a new van on order.  I will be fitting gas heating to that.  Ask me why, not real sure, just a gut feeling I will like it more.

My diesel did seem to go off a bit on heating efficiency, maybe got some infected fuel.  I did run a conditioner in the tank.

The new van has a compressor fridge so I have to use the gas on something before it goes off. biggrin



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Neil & Lynne

Pinjarra 

Western Australia


MY23.5 Ford Wildtrak V6 Dual Cab / 21' Silverline 21-65.3

' 1260w Solar: 400ah Lithium Battery: 2000w Projecta IP2000 Inverter

Diesel Heater: SOG Toilet Kit: 2.5kw Fujitsu Split System A/c

 

 
KJB


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Our experience is the same  as Aus-Kiwi ,had our diesel heater (Webasto) 4 years, first  in a "slip-on" and then I shifted it to our Fifth Wheeler (2 outlets incl. ensuite ) . It runs off it's own small diesel tank and we have never had a problem with it. Excellent quiet , odour free, economical  warmth, always at the ready . A couple of aquaintances have the  Chinese version (which looks identical ) and have also had excellent results. Diesel heaters are a well proven concept and I would imagine that the "hot water/heater " dual version would be just as efficient and trouble free. Diesel Cooktops are also available.

KB



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sandsmere


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Ours is gas.

Fantastic and quieter than any diesel ones we've come across in almost 5 years.



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Baz421


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sandsmere wrote:

Ours is gas.

Fantastic and quieter than any diesel ones we've come across in almost 5 years.

what brand gas heater please sandsmere???? 



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chicken


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Ours is gas as well and we love it just LOVE IT!!!  Quiet and warm in no time.  Runs off the gas bottles at the front of van.  No trouble with it and would put it in again in any new van purchased.

Chicken



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Geeco


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Our motorhome came standard with a combi boiler that uses 240V or gas to run the hot water and central heating. The brand is Truma and it works fine. We have used it in outside temps of -4C indicated and it warmed up the MH in no time at all. No doubt helped by the class 3 English insulation. 



-- Edited by Geeco on Thursday 7th of April 2016 03:31:41 PM

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terrola


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i have a gas heater

is great

only thing i changed was the vent outlet inside van

its made to vent hot air  up  and to each side  and to floor 

sitting up other end of van   was cool from knees down

now with different outlet blows straight  (fanstatic)

very easy to change 

 



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chicken


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Sorry forgot to say that make is a Truma.  Great unit. Wouldn't use anything else.

Chicken



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Philw


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Many thanks for everyones response. Seems that it doesnt really matter. Both types run well. Our motorhome is diesel of course but to get the pipe into the tank , for the diesel heater, they have to remove the fuel tank. So the installation cost is getting high. Gas lines are easier. It may simply come down to price. Really do appreciate your thoughts.
cheers all
phil

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Philw

 

 
Peter_n_Margaret


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The diesel can be drawn from the return line. No need to touch the tank.
Diesel is very cheap compared to bottled gas, and light too compared to gas in a bottle.

Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
sandsmere


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Baz421 wrote:
sandsmere wrote:

Ours is gas.

Fantastic and quieter than any diesel ones we've come across in almost 5 years.

what brand gas heater please sandsmere???? 

G'day Baz,

 

It's a Truma. We have it under the bed and it makes very little noise.

Doesn't use much gas either. 



-- Edited by sandsmere on Friday 8th of April 2016 09:51:21 AM

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Philw


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Thqnks Peter. Did not know that. Will have another talk to the mechs.

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Aus-Kiwi


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Mine is fed from main line with what looks like a valve on the T connection ..

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Geeco


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There is a good article in imotorhome issue 90 that shows the installation of a Webasto diesel heater in an ex rental MH (project prolly). Worth a read before you commit to a gas or diesel type.

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Aus-Kiwi


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Here's the link guys .. http://www.imotorhome.com.au/_literature_152067/Issue_90_-_iMotorhome_eMagazine_-_05_Mar_2016#page42

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adventure before dementia


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I have a question about my old van 16 foot franklin . Would theses units your talking about keep my van warm on a cold winters night

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elliemike


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adventure before dementia wrote:

I have a question about my old van 16 foot franklin . Would theses units your talking about keep my van warm on a cold winters night

 Would it Ever.

We have an Eberspacher Dometic diesel D2 in our Avan Cruiseliner.    Run it  set at about  19-22 deg. C.   It then automatically modulates the unit to maintain that set point temp.  You can set it to what you want.   

These units  are designed for the Northern Hemisphere Winters   Europe , USA , Canada, etc.  Fitted into trucks over there for Driver comfort and stopping them freezing to death,   when parked up.  



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