Diesel tent heater install

And imagine how much more comfortable youd be with a heater.

 

Most excellent!

 

Definitely interesting. There is something cool about not just “surviving” or “tolerating” sleeping in the woods, but rather being truly comfortable.

That said, at some point you are going to be getting close to that dividing line between having an awesome roof top tent versus having a crappy camper.

 

Thats hilarious, "crappy camper."

Im all for adding a little extra comfort. Ill still cook over an open fire when its possible though.

 

i think i'd just prefer a camper to sleep in. and a fire to cook by

 

Yes it will. These are a very 'crude' system compared to a high pressure injector in a diesel. Just a low pressure pump that pumps into a flame holder inside the combustion chamber. I think the only issue youd ever run into would be total gelling under seriously cold temps, but Im not sure where that temp would be. Ive had mine down into the -10 -- -5*F range before.

Awesome build man, very clean! A few tips / ideas for you.

The main issue people seem to have with these units is overheating errors. I doubt you will, but if you do try taking the cone filter off the intake. Really let the air flow. Thats the way I built mine. Yours is under the RTT, so virtually no chance of any precip. getting in while in use. I just got some cheap 3" I.D. plastic caps and a hose clamp for use during transport (also got two smaller caps for the intake/exhaust ports). I also run my power and control cables through that cold air port, but I see you already got a dedicated pass through for that.

For the output duct I use this. 3" I.D. so theres no need for any adapters. While its not insulated, it is at least double walled with plastic on the outside, so it makes me feel like Im not loosing too much heat and packs up much smaller than true insulated duct.

Hon&Guan 4" 16 FT Long Air Ducting, Heavy-Duty Three-Layer Protection Dryer Vent Hose for Heating Cooling Ventilation and Exhaust, Grey

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PTY8J4R?ie=UTF8&th=1

These things pump some serious heat. I think youll be pleasantly surprised and probably only have to run it on medium / med-low all night. That being said I dont have an annex Im trying to heat.

 

Very cool thread. I can see doing this some day while hunting out west.

 

Crappy camper, I’m good with that!

 

Zach @SR-71A ,

Thanks for the pointers! It’s definitely a learning curve. Part of the reason it’s mounted under the tent is to be out of the weather. I’ll definitely see how it works with and without the air filter. Going to look that hose up also. Really appreciate the help.

 

Deals were too good today, ordered the Jackery 500 system with the 100W panel to run it off. Just didn’t have a warm and fuzzy about running it off the primary battery…

 

Got it going last night! Had to run it through its cycle 4 times to get the fuel primed, but man this thing is so easy. Putting out good temps also. It’ll run on a set time of up to 720 minutes with a setting of up to 100 degrees. Currently 22 degrees out and it’s turning that air in to good heat. Guarantee that if I pulled the warmer air from the annex it would be a lot more efficient. Jackery 500 will be here sometime today, so in the meantime I started it up at 7am, hooked to the vehicle battery, to see how much power and fuel it will go through on a full 720 min run. I took a voltage reading from the battery before the run and I’ll take one after 12 hours. Just to see if I can run it off the vehicle battery if I absolutely needed to.

I think I’m going to cut down the combustion intake tube to about 2-3” just so I can keep the debris cap on it. It doesn’t need the tube being mounted under the tent. The exhaust gets hot obviously, but an inch or two away, I can’t feel any real heat so I’m not worried about the fuel. In the self contained units the fuel tank is only a couple inches away from the heating unit anyways so I’m more than good with my set up. Used one of the Leitner light mounts for the muffler bracket. If I want to take the entire exhaust off, it’s just two quick release bolts on the bracket and the clamp on the hose. This rack makes so many things easy.

Exhaust pipe on the end of the muffler will come off during travel, everything else will stay right where it is. Plenty of slack to open the box also. And… there’s enough room in the box for the hoses

So far everything is working awesome!

 

Air hose hangers done

 

And because I don’t want to waste heat… The shop gets a little boost

 

I like what you have going on. The only thing I might suggest is planning an extension for the exhaust to get it farther away from your sleeping area.

 

I was looking to do this but I found this on sale at Lowes (got it for a lower price)

DEWALT Forced Air LP 68000-BTU Outdoor Portable Forced Air Propane Heater https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-DEW...Portable-Forced-Air-Propane-Heater/1001045892

figured I’d try it out since I carry one of their electric chain saws already for wood cutting and I have to carry propane for stove. Might have to up my propane tank size but that’s not a huge issue.

will need to install my annex for use. But that’s not terrible. Unless it can be used with a insulated hose. (Haven’t researched or tried yet)

 

Thanks. I’ve been thinking about ordering another full section to come off the muffler. Get it up higher. I was thinking about curving it down but depending on the wind it would just blow it towards the annex…

 

5 1/2 hours in, battery has gone from 12.33 to 11.93. Here’s the fuel level, it was just under the sipped area below the handle. It’s also on a slight angle. Not bad so far

 

That would definitely give off plenty of heat!

 

Not allowing me to post a video…

 

Man, this thing is pretty cool. On super cold trips I would just preheat my tent with my propane heater..but man, all night heat would be awesome.