20' Series Diesel or gas heater?

[CrazyMOBB]

Help. Been given the go ahead to install a heater in the panda.
Now the 1st question is, diesel or gas?
I'm leaning towards gas cause as it's already on the van and don't want to introduce another fuel source.
2nd question is has anyone else installed one and where? I have an idea where I would like to put it but would appreciate any feedback.
Cheers

 

[Moto Mech]

From what Ive heard, they are pretty even in regards to performance.
I think most go for diesel as they can be home fitted where as gas has to be installed by a licensed gas fitter.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

I went through this same descision last Year and landed on diesel.

Reasoning was that I already run fridge, hot water, stove and weber on gas, so concerned about adding another load on the LPG supply.

The diesel heater was also cheaper (by almost half) to buy and I was able to install in myself without needing a gas fitter.

With my installation I put in a removable diesel tank so I only need to carry around the fuel in summer when not needed.

Using it over Easter we had it on for 5 mornings and hardly used any diesel at all.

Very happy with the choice to go diesel.

 

[ChrisFatboySydney]

Where did you install it? Do you have any photos?

 

[Smash]

I would go with gas as diesel can be a bit temperamental as specially as they get Older they also can have problems if you get any small amounts of water in the fuel. I have had to fixed 4 already this year and if you decide to go diesel go for the dometic as you can get parts.I have also found red dust has entered the exhaust pipe and the combustion chamber pipe causing heavy dust in unit causing problems with running.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Photos in this thread.

PM me if you want to pop over and have a look in the flesh

View attachment 44085 View attachment 44086 View attachment 44087 View attachment 44088 View attachment 44089 View attachment 44090 View attachment 44091
Finally sorted out the thermostat, ended up getting a 2nd temperature sensor, and fitting it as suggested - still nothing.

I went through all of the wiring diagrams and found a minor difference in the wiring, so I changed it and bingo, now all working.

 

[pauljygrant]

Haven't installed anything yet since usually have 240v but diesel is generally preferred due to being able to self Install.
I'm curious about fitting a heat exchanger to the water system and using that for very occasional winter fre camping. Several units on eBay but would like to hear directly from someone who has installed one.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Haven't installed anything yet since usually have 240v but diesel is generally preferred due to being able to self Install.
I'm curious about fitting a heat exchanger to the water system and using that for very occasional winter fre camping. Several units on eBay but would like to hear directly from someone who has installed one.

I considered swapping out my suburban hot water and replacing it with a 2 in one hot water and heater, but cost and finding somewhere to install it steered me away.

 

[Smash]

I considered swapping out my suburban hot water and replacing it with a 2 in one hot water and heater, but cost and finding somewhere to install it steered me away.

They are a good idea the only problem is if loose one part of it and stops working you loose both heating and hot water.

 

[Smash]

They are a good idea the only problem is if loose one part of it and stops working you loose both heating and hot water.

I would stick with your suburban hot water system system as they are very reliable and as along as you replace your anode regularly it shouldn't give you any problems.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Help. Been given the go ahead to install a heater in the panda.
Now the 1st question is, diesel or gas?
I'm leaning towards gas cause as it's already on the van and don't want to introduce another fuel source.
2nd question is has anyone else installed one and where? I have an idea where I would like to put it but would appreciate any feedback.
Cheers

Our 21.64 is very similar to your 20. We have a small cupboard under the fridge that was big enough, had nothing under the floor so I could run everything underneath and allowed access for a duct into both the front and rear compartments of the van so big would be heated even with the dividing door shut

 

[bigcol]

also, you could ask @Crusty181 I think he was looking into a diesel heater awhile ago, not too sure on the outcome of his research

same as @Bellbirdweb suggested, with so many things running on the LPG, you will need to fit a 3rd or 4th bottle so you dont run out

I would go with gas as diesel can be a bit temperamental as specially as they get Older they also can have problems if you get any small amounts of water in the fuel

how old is "getting older" - in caravan years or human years?
I have a mate who lives in his Van down south on his property, been there nearly 7yrs now, and he has not had a problem with his diesel heater - yet -
not sure of the make or type (I will ask him next time he's on faceache) but I know he contacts me asap when he has a problem with his diesel 4wd, but he's never said anything about the heater
just curious @Smash

 

[Smash]

also, you could ask @Crusty181 I think he was looking into a diesel heater awhile ago, not too sure on the outcome of his research

same as @Bellbirdweb suggested, with so many things running on the LPG, you will need to fit a 3rd or 4th bottle so you dont run out



how old is "getting older" - in caravan years or human years?
I have a mate who lives in his Van down south on his property, been there nearly 7yrs now, and he has not had a problem with his diesel heater - yet -
not sure of the make or type (I will ask him next time he's on faceache) but I know he contacts me asap when he has a problem with his diesel 4wd, but he's never said anything about the heater
just curious @Smash

I have seem them from just over 2 years old most of the ones I have seen are from offroad van which are used on dirt roads.eg Gibbs river road, great centre road.The only problems I have seen with the gas was water leaks in van and went on to main circuit board and internal pipe come off in gas outlet pipe exhaust.

 

[Dobbie]

The @Crusty181 man has written the manual on diesel heaters ....some time ago.
It may be out of print by now.....

Just curious but do Jayco ever offer a heater (gas or diesel) as on option on purchase of the van? I certainly don't remember that it was available as an option but that was a few years ago so wondered if they now do it. (I know some manufacturers include them as standard now)

They're certainly gaining in popularity .....do those who have them still use the aircon on reverse cycle? On 240 power, obviously.

Or is the heater mainly for free camping? I'm assuming that is the case.

Personally, when free camping in the cold, we either head for a caravan park and use the aircon on heat or head for somewhere where we can have a fire....and / or go to bed early! But we've never experienced the luxury of a dedicated heater.....so maybe that'll be a future add on if travelling in cold climes.

 

[Smash]

The @Crusty181 man has written the manual on diesel heaters ....some time ago.
It may be out of print by now.....

Just curious but do Jayco ever offer a heater (gas or diesel) as on option on purchase of the van? I certainly don't remember that it was available as an option but that was a few years ago so wondered if they now do it. (I know some manufacturers include them as standard now)

They're certainly gaining in popularity .....do those who have them still use the aircon on reverse cycle? On 240 power, obviously.

Or is the heater mainly for free camping? I'm assuming that is the case.

Personally, when free camping in the cold, we either head for a caravan park and use the aircon on heat or head for somewhere where we can have a fire....and / or go to bed early! But we've never experienced the luxury of a dedicated heater.....so maybe that'll be a future add on if travelling in cold climes.

Jayco have started using the gas heater as standard but only on their full new offroad models.

 

[Drover]

The HWS will draw 10j/hr and the 3 way fridge will draw around 1.5j/hr, an 8.5kg bottle holds holds around 400Kj so adding a heater to the equation which you would run for about 6hrs a night at least, a gas bottle wouldn't last very long on a long stay free camp in the cold times, not forgetting a few j's for the stove..

Unless I was living in the thing long term I couldn't see any justification for dumping the HWS for a combined unit, just a waste of money for the usual van use.

 

[Smash]

The HWS will draw 10j/hr and the 3 way fridge will draw around 1.5j/hr, an 8.5kg bottle holds holds around 400Kj so adding a heater to the equation which you would run for about 6hrs a night at least, a gas bottle wouldn't last very long on a long stay free camp in the cold times, not forgetting a few j's for the stove..

Unless I was living in the thing long term I couldn't see any justification for dumping the HWS for a combined unit, just a waste of money for the usual van use.

Don't forget the gas heaters are on a thermostat and they so good at heating up once you got the van to a sleeping temperature they just cut in and out not running constantly on.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Don't forget the gas heaters are on a thermostat and they so good at heating up once you got the van to a sleeping temperature they just cut in and out not running constantly on.

As do the diesel ones

 

[Bellbirdweb]

The @Crusty181 man has written the manual on diesel heaters ....some time ago.
It may be out of print by now.....

Just curious but do Jayco ever offer a heater (gas or diesel) as on option on purchase of the van? I certainly don't remember that it was available as an option but that was a few years ago so wondered if they now do it. (I know some manufacturers include them as standard now)

They're certainly gaining in popularity .....do those who have them still use the aircon on reverse cycle? On 240 power, obviously.

Or is the heater mainly for free camping? I'm assuming that is the case.

Personally, when free camping in the cold, we either head for a caravan park and use the aircon on heat or head for somewhere where we can have a fire....and / or go to bed early! But we've never experienced the luxury of a dedicated heater.....so maybe that'll be a future add on if travelling in cold climes.

We no longer use the A/C for heating. It's too noisy and doesn't heat anywhere as well as the diesel.

Use it on powered or unpowered sites

 

[Smash]

As do the diesel ones

But you get that lovely smell of diesel when it fires up.