dennisvr Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 (edited) I've been thinking about using the Volvo as a motorhome for a few days at a time and leave the toyhauler at home. I've got the essentials, fridge, micro and porta pot. Had been looking into 12v Diesel heaters and thought I would try one of the Chinese knock offs. Got one off Amazon and installed it in my Volvo 660. Got to say it works great. This morning it was 45 deg. ( I know that's tshirt weather for some but its cold for me) anyway I fired it up and put it on high and 20 mins later it was 70 deg inside, so I turned it down to the lowest setting and let it run for about 4 hrs. Went out to check and it was 82 deg so I turned it off. I hooked it up to the 2 1/2 gal fuel tank it came with and don't think it dropped 1/2". I hooked it up to (1) 12v battery and the reading on the monitor said 12.3v when I started and 12.3v when I turned it off 4 hrs later. I'm very impressed with it and cant wait to take it out for a few days and try it out. Pretty good deal on Amazon for $119.00 "IF" it keeps going. Edited February 14, 2021 by dennisvr Quote "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 As long as you treat them as disposable, they're a great way to get cheap heat. Guys local have been putting them in their sled trailers, with the built in tank, and reporting good results. Have heard a few reports of charring around the exhaust port, but haven't seen the installs in person. Quote I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted February 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 4 minutes ago, Darryl&Rita said: As long as you treat them as disposable, they're a great way to get cheap heat. Guys local have been putting them in their sled trailers, with the built in tank, and reporting good results. Have heard a few reports of charring around the exhaust port, but haven't seen the installs in person. I read some of the reviews from truckers that have used them for going on 2 to 3 yrs and say they're still going ( its got to be true if its on the internet right) we will see. I was concerned about the exhaust so I drilled a larger hole that was required because I was going thru the insulation in the floor of the jockey box where I installed it. I'll will check it tomorrow. Quote "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 Linky?? Quote 2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff 2019 Arctic Fox 32-5MCindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner) Oh...I forgot the five kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 Just type in 12v diesel heater in Amazon search bar. I found a ton of options. Quote 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrformance Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 I did not know such a thing existed, but looks to be a good option. We occasionally CrackerBarrelDock, and I have started the little generator to run the small electric heater to take the chill off the DW. This looks like an easy solution. With less noise. Thank you for sharing Mr. Dennis Quote 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 So one isn't any better than another? Haven't seen one of them, honestly. Quote 2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff 2019 Arctic Fox 32-5MCindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner) Oh...I forgot the five kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted February 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 40 minutes ago, Parrformance said: I did not know such a thing existed, but looks to be a good option. We occasionally CrackerBarrelDock, and I have started the little generator to run the small electric heater to take the chill off the DW. This looks like an easy solution. With less noise. Thank you for sharing Mr. Dennis They do put out some noise, but can barely hear it inside the cab. For the price I figured if I only use it a couple times a year it will be worth it. Quote "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted February 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 46 minutes ago, spindrift said: So one isn't any better than another? Haven't seen one of them, honestly. I really dont know, but I dont think so. I read some of the reviews (if you can believe them) and figured for $119 it was worth a shot. Quote "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted February 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 (edited) One other thing, I was torn between getting the 5kw or the 8 kw. I'm sure glad I went with the 5kw. I had to turn it off after awhile because even on the lowest setting it got to hot (82deg) inside the cab. Also there is a lot of info on Youtube, on installation, operation and trouble shooting. Just a word of caution, the instructions are garbage. I had to go on You Tube to find out how to use the controller. Edited February 14, 2021 by dennisvr Quote "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 I never knew such a thing existed. I wonder if they would work in a tent. Quote Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 A tent!! Oh, the indignity! 😉 Quote 2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff 2019 Arctic Fox 32-5MCindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner) Oh...I forgot the five kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted February 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 11 minutes ago, jenandjon said: I never knew such a thing existed. I wonder if they would work in a tent. Dont see why not. The only thing you need to do is vent the exhaust outside. I would think if I wanted to put it in a tent I would get the (what I call suitcase type). They have a tank already installed in one neat package. Just route the exhaust outside, fill with diesel and hook up battery and you will toasty in no time...... Quote "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 18 minutes ago, jenandjon said: I never knew such a thing existed. I wonder if they would work in a tent. Leave it outside, duct the heat into the tent. Quote I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 4 minutes ago, jenandjon said: I never knew such a thing existed. I wonder if they would work in a tent. If these are a bit overkill Herman Nelson 😀 Take a look at the website of "Expedition Upfitters". Planar portable heater I think the price in the link is Cdn dollar. Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted February 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 4 minutes ago, noteven said: If these are a bit overkill Herman Nelson 😀 Take a look at the website of "Expedition Upfitters". Planar portable heater I think the price in the link is Cdn dollar. That would be too much coin for me even if USD exchange would be lower. I thought for a tent something like this would work.12V Air Diesel Heater 5000W 4 Holes LCD Monitor Parking Heater for Trucks Boats Bus Car - Walmart.com - Walmart.com Quote "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 3 minutes ago, dennisvr said: That would be too much coin for me even if USD exchange would be lower. I thought for a tent something like this would work.12V Air Diesel Heater 5000W 4 Holes LCD Monitor Parking Heater for Trucks Boats Bus Car - Walmart.com - Walmart.com Yea that should work. When my son and I go we have a 8 man cabin tent. I just have a little Coleman heater to turn on in the morning to take the chill off. Quote Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pappy Yokum Posted February 21, 2021 Report Share Posted February 21, 2021 On 2/14/2021 at 8:44 AM, jenandjon said: I never knew such a thing existed. I wonder if they would work in a tent. Search "Diesel Heaters" (etc.) on YouTube. !!! *YES*.. to a tent - lots of 'em! Heater (intake & exhaust) stays outside, "pipe" the heat inside. Several with "roof top" tents on pickups. No condensation - as with a "Buddy" propane heater. Good comparison between a Webasto and a Chinese "knock-off" on YouTube. Dis-assemble both to compare......the (Web is superior at 5x the cost) and avail in a gas model (he does van conversions). Also a guy in cold country (30deg outside) who tried heating his shop with one (heater inside, fresh air intake and exhaust outside). Worked better (and less $$ ) than running his ceiling mounted electric heater.....so he has another video a year later...with two and a "cleaned-up" installation. Several comparisons of the various Chinese varieties. Advice: Get the lowest rated output (5KW) and run it on high - no diesel residue (and gum-up). Also portable versions - would have been a handy heat source in TX !! 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted February 22, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 I was so impressed with the one I installed in the Volvo that I bought another one for my wood shop. I have a three car garage with one bay walled off and using as my wood shop until I can get my shop built. The bay is 14'x25' so I went with the 8kw suit case, all together type. Should be here in a few days so I'll be nice an toasty in no time. Quote "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
podwerkz Posted February 22, 2021 Report Share Posted February 22, 2021 4 minutes ago, dennisvr said: I was so impressed with the one I installed in the Volvo that I bought another one for my wood shop. I have a three car garage with one bay walled off and using as my wood shop until I can get my shop built. When it comes to heating a shop or garage, I use a 'torpedo heater'...they dont cost all that much, they heat things up FAST, and they plug into a standard120v outlet....no 12v supply needed. I buy farm diesel and mix it 50/50 with kerosene. Works great. Downsides? It IS noisy (sounds like a small turbine engine!) but it only has to run for 10-15 minutes to heat the space up nicely. And of course, you can't use a torpedo heater in a closed-in space for long, it's just too stinky... Quote Nothing to see here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbluesea Posted May 14, 2021 Report Share Posted May 14, 2021 John McK 47 on YOUTUBE has a 16 part series that covers ALL aspects of the "cheap Chinese Diesel Air Heaters" ... I highly recommend him... Stay warm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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