Vent for portable heater

[Thornebt]

I'm shortly changing my Autosleeper Cotswold coachbuilt for an Autosleeper Kemerton PVC. My current van has a Webasto diesel heater which costs a fortune when it goes wrong but the Kemerton has a Whale Gas / Electric heater.

I like the idea of preserving my lpg supply when off-grid and it's in use for the fridge and hot water so I'm considering a diesel heater option. I don't want to fit a permanent heater due to less space in this van so looking at a portable heater made by HCalory (described as a toolbox heater). I like the idea of being able to leave the heater at home when not required, not having to modify the van and being able to easily work on the heater if needed.

What I need is an elegant way of getting the exhaust to the outside. A drop vent seems obvious but it would need to be sealed to stop fumes seeping back in. So a vent, almost certainly through the floor that I can snugly plug the exhaust into when I want to use the heater.

Any ideas anyone please?

 

[MisterB]

There are 'turrets' available, though I think they're for permanent installs, perhaps you could see if you could adapt one ...?

 

[oldiesontour]

How noisy would one be in the van? Could it be outside and ducted in ?

 

[Thornebt]

There are 'turrets' available, though I think they're for permanent installs, perhaps you could see if you could adapt one ...?

That's a good idea. They look like they include an air inlet as well. I thought the inlet could just be inside the van but maybe that's not the correct way to do it.

I'm sure I can make up a 'plug' that would securely fit into one of these turrets. I do wonder if I would be making something that already exists though!

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

One funster we know has a portable heater he runs from the outside and just uses an extended hose to duct the hot air through an existing outside vent to the inside. It needs a large diameter hole to do this though.
Best to bite the bullet and fit one permanently they don't take up a lot of space

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[Thornebt]

How noisy would one be in the van? Could it be outside and ducted in ?

I thought I probably wouldn't worry about the noise if I was cold enough! Hopefully it would heat the van quickly so not on for long periods.

I could hide it under the van and duct it in. I like that idea.

 

[Carpmart]

I’ve had a portable ‘suitcase’ diesel heater for a few years. IMHO, there is no elegant way of either ducting the warm air in or the exhaust out…

My only thought was a permanently mounted exhaust and air intake through the floor (sealed in permanently) with bungs in the top when not in use. A high temp silicone hose and quality clamp could then be attached to the two pipes for exhaust and air for use of the heater when needed!

As I say it’s not elegant and prone to a poor connection on the exhaust unless very careful…

I would find a suitable space under the van and have one permanently installed there!

 

[Thornebt]

One funster we know has a portable heater he runs from the outside and just uses an extended hose to duct the hot air through an existing outside vent to the inside. It needs a large diameter hole to do this though.
Best to bite the bullet and fit one permanently they don't take up a lot of space

Not sure yet if the van has an existing outside vent that would be suitable but I guess a drop vent might work with a large 90 degree fitting to make it easier to connect to from outside instead of laying in the mud to connect the heater outlet hose on a winter's evening. Any existing drop vents will probably not be in suitable places to duct heat in.

 

[Carpmart]

Another option is fitting one in the engine bay then ducting the warm air from there!

 

[Thornebt]

Another option is fitting one in the engine bay then ducting the warm air from there!

That's also a good idea. I do wonder if there would be room for a heater there but I won't know until I get the van. I could then tee into the existing heater pipes maybe.

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[Thornebt]

I’ve had a portable ‘suitcase’ diesel heater for a few years. IMHO, there is no elegant way of either ducting the warm air in or the exhaust out…

My only thought was a permanently mounted exhaust and air intake through the floor (sealed in permanently) with bungs in the top when not in use. A high temp silicone hose and quality clamp could then be attached to the two pipes for exhaust and air for use of the heater when needed!

As I say it’s not elegant and prone to a poor connection on the exhaust unless very careful…

I would find a suitable space under the van and have one permanently installed there!

Can I ask how you got your exhaust vented to the outside with the suitcase heater you had?

 

[stevewagner]

You could convert to lithium, fit an inverter and use a low wattage electric heater.

 

[Thornebt]

You could convert to lithium, fit an inverter and use a low wattage electric heater.

Too expensive and complicated for me! I've always managed well with two good lead acid leisure batteries and just 100w of solar!

 

[PeterCarole29]

You can buy Ali or stainless steel external boxes for the normal diesel heaters plumbing it into the main tank via the tank sender breather
Have you considered the diesel smell from the portable heater

 

[Thornebt]

Is the steel external box to house the heater to protect it from the elements? If so I guess it would provide a small amount of soundproofing as well.

I like the idea of taking the diesel feed from the vehicle diesel tank breather. Would I just drill a hole in the sender breather and seal a grommet into it making sure the pipe was the correct length to not take the tank too low?

I hadn't thought about diesel smell inside the van. I thought that would be restricted to the exhaust but now realise that the heater diesel tank must have a breather. They are designed for use in vans though.

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[Thornebt]

I'm now thinking a heater under the van in a box is the way to go!

I like the idea of taking the diesel feed from the vehicle diesel tank breather. Much prefer this option to drilling the tank!

Duplicated my response as got distracted!

 

[oldiesontour]

The pick up pipe is fitted to the sender unit two types are available one with a round mounting plat with multiple screw holes..the one you want is a single nut pipe is " cut to suit"

 

[Carpmart]

Can I ask how you got your exhaust vented to the outside with the suitcase heater you had?

I didn’t. Could not come up with any idea other than the one I’ve already explained. I used it as an evening heater in the Quest pop up! I have a fitted diesel heater in MoHo!

 

[Thornebt]

The pick up pipe is fitted to the sender unit two types are available one with a round mounting plat with multiple screw holes..the one you want is a single nut pipe is " cut to suit"

Pardon our interruption...

So, assuming the above eBay link works is this what I would need?

 

[Thornebt]

Pardon our interruption...

I've seen this heater box on eBay. Looks quite smart but maybe quite expensive at nearly £70. But I'll wait until I pick the van up before deciding which heater / housing box to buy.

Any recommendations for an underfloor diesel heater for a 6m PCV would be gratefully received though.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

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