Diesel heater as an option?

[Cap]

Looks like my original round Smiths heater has got holes in the core. Replacement core - around $600 AUD!!!!

I suspect (although I havent verified) that having a new core made by a rad specialist cost run into the $400 + range.

So, I was thinking of putting in a diesel heater (can get ones now at $250). The design would be to remove the centre seat (useless anyway) and put in a tray in place of the seat box lid. This tray would house the heater and have the exit for the exhaust. Being near the diesel fuel tank, I can possibly make use of this tank.

Then ill have a cubby box above that, which would have vents pointing to heat the cabin area. No vents would be available for the windscreen unfortunately.

Pros:

can have the hearter warm the cab before getting in (much like the newer Range Rovers that run diesel heaters)
Independent of the cooling system and therefore engine
Easy to install as its all self contained
Would be more that adequate heat cabin area even in the cold Tassie climates
I can remove from the vehicle and use in the caravan once I set up a similar docking station


Cons:

Not original for vehicle
Fabrication work for the base and cubby box (although would be fun to do)
May require secondary battery to operate independently of the crank battery
Windscreen and feet not in direct heat - although may be able to sort the feet out by vents
...No doubt more that I cant think of


Has anyone done something like this?

[Homestar]

I think that would work well. You wouldn't need a very big one though. I doubt you'd need a second battery unless you wanted to run it all day off the cranking battery without running the vehicle. They draw about 8 amps on startup for about 2 minutes or so until combustion is self sustaining then drop back to what the fan draws - around an amp on mine going about half speed. I've been thinking of sticking one in my 101 when I do the camping fitout. I run a 5KW one in my caravan which is awesome, but overkill. For a small cabin like yours, a 1.5 to 2KW would more than do I think, but bigger units will just run the fan and diesel flow slower once the cabin is warm.

Go for it I say. [smilebigeye]

[goingbush]

I was wondering why you would even need a heater that works , then I saw you live in Tassie .

I have 4x 12v ceramic elements (like a hair dryer) inside the Smiths heater box on my EV Landy , But only used once to pass the Engineers report / RWC ADR requirement for a working demister.

May not be good enough for Hobart .

12v ceramic element | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=12v+ceramic+element&_sacat=0)

[Cap]

Well, doing a google search and looks like this is now more comon place given these heaters are cheap (under $200)

An example here of someone that has put one in (https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/cheap-chinese-diesel-heater.337749/).

Looks like I will go this way :)

Edit - checked out a few vids on the operation of these units and i can say that they put out some noise. Now this noise, on top of the series noise will perhaps be too much? Also, it looks to me that once started its meant to be run for some time, so having the fan on lowest setting enables that but is that a flexible enough solution... i guess one can open a window slightly to adjust temps but again not sure. So ill investigate further...

[p38arover]

One might be good in the L322 (petrol engine) as the stock heater is almost worthless. (:

[Homestar]

Well, doing a google search and looks like this is now more comon place given these heaters are cheap (under $200)

An example here of someone that has put one in (https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/cheap-chinese-diesel-heater.337749/).

Looks like I will go this way :)

Edit - checked out a few vids on the operation of these units and i can say that they put out some noise. Now this noise, on top of the series noise will perhaps be too much? Also, it looks to me that once started its meant to be run for some time, so having the fan on lowest setting enables that but is that a flexible enough solution... i guess one can open a window slightly to adjust temps but again not sure. So ill investigate further...

Mine is very quiet. The exhaust makes a low rumble, but you can’t hear it inside the caravan and there’s no engine running there. I might not want to be in a tent right next to one with it going full bore, but it’s not loud, and certainly couldn’t be overheard above the engine running. The fan makes no more noise than any HVAC fan, and probably less when running on lower settings. Temp can be adjusted down low, but if it is still too hot, it shuts off in a around a minute or so - it turns the fuel off straight away but the fan runs for around 2 minutes to cool the unit down. It isn’t as flexible as a normal heater, but I don’t think you’ll have any issues regulating the temp in a series to be honest.

[Chops]

You could always just go with a basic 12v water heater.12V 4 Ports Car Universal Under dash Heater Heat Defroster Demister W/ Switch 6954189828662 | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-4-Ports-Car-Universal-Under-dash-Heater-Heat-Defroster-Demister-W-Switch-/312235074698)

[JDNSW]

I was wondering why you would even need a heater that works , then I saw you live in Tassie .

I have 4x 12v ceramic elements (like a hair dryer) inside the Smiths heater box on my EV Landy , But only used once to pass the Engineers report / RWC ADR requirement for a working demister.

May not be good enough for Hobart .

12v ceramic element | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=12v+ceramic+element&_sacat=0)

The heater demister requirement came in some time in the seventies. If it had a round heater originally it is not an RWC requirement. Round heaters were a factory option only up to chassis suffix 'E' on Series 2a, when they were replaced by a rectangular heater, although aftermarket round heaters were often fitted to vehicles sold originally without a heater later than that - but these would have only been sold without a heater before RWCs required this.

And unless I am mistaken the RWC requirement is for demisters, not a heater!

[JDNSW]

Another option would be to build a rectangular heater like those fitted to Series 2a after the round heaters, using a readily available square core. This would require about the same amount of fabrication as the proposed diesel heater installation.

[gromit]

When you start looking there are a number of alternatives.
Not sure about an all electric heater but that would depend on your alternator output.

Not quite as neat as the Smiths heater
4 Ports Car Truck Under Dash Copper Heater Warmer Window Defroster Demister 12V | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-Ports-Car-Truck-Under-Dash-Copper-Heater-Warmer-Window-Defroster-Demister-12V/303121367894?hash=item4693710356:g:tooAAOSw9hlcrG0 I&frcectupt=true)
24V 4 Holes Ports Iron Compact Under dash Heater Heat Heating Defroster Demister 7264786670113 | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/24V-4-Holes-Ports-Iron-Compact-Under-dash-Heater-Heat-Heating-Defroster-Demister/332894601248?epid=21026196688&hash=item4d82108020:g:1tQAAOSwsupb9Pui&frcectupt=true)

You could make something from a small heater matrix & a fan, the one on my Series I seems to be home made 1956 Series 1 with PTO welder (home made) (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/series-i-land-rover-enthusiasts-section/159944-1956-series-1-pto-welder-home-made-post2372073.html#post2372073)

Fingers crossed that my Smiths heater for the Dormobile is OK, I must get round to testing it !


Colin

[goingbush]

The heater demister requirement came in some time in the seventies. If it had a round heater originally it is not an RWC requirement. Round heaters were a factory option only up to chassis suffix 'E' on Series 2a, when they were replaced by a rectangular heater, although aftermarket round heaters were often fitted to vehicles sold originally without a heater later than that - but these would have only been sold without a heater before RWCs required this.

And unless I am mistaken the RWC requirement is for demisters, not a heater!

Correct on all points !

[Cap]

Thanks all for the input - more to think about then! Yes an option would be to purchase a generic core and fabricate something from it. The 88" didnt come with a heater - still had the blanking plugs on. The heater was from the 109 parts vehicle. However with regards to rego, I intend to keep it simple (no heater at all) for rego and then ill fab something up. Ill look at the core options too.

Benefit of the diesel heater is that you can warm to cab up without the engine running and I can also use it (if I design a transportable case) for the caravan.

Ill keep you posted :)

[goingbush]

Thanks all for the input - more to think about then! Yes an option would be to purchase a generic core and fabricate something from it. The 88" didnt come with a heater - still had the blanking plugs on. The heater was from the 109 parts vehicle. However with regards to rego, I intend to keep it simple (no heater at all) for rego and then ill fab something up. Ill look at the core options too.

Benefit of the diesel heater is that you can warm to cab up without the engine running and I can also use it (if I design a transportable case) for the caravan.

Ill keep you posted :)

Ahh yes, Warm cab , on cold morning . I see where your coming from.

If I plug my Leccy Landy in to charge early in the morn, the heat from the charger makes the cabin nice and toasty warm afore I start off on my errands.

Bottom side of battery charger is in the cab with cooler fan to expel waste heat . I don't think you want to go to such lengths to get the car warm though :)


http://goingbush.com/AULRO/charge.jpg



http://goingbush.com/AULRO/charger2.jpg

[Cap]

Well, funny you mention it, I have been thinking that an electric engine would be an option in the future. Would love to know more about what you have done (if you havent got a thread on it already).

On the note John had, has anyone got detailed pics of the Series 2a square heater unit? Just wanting to know the design in case I go that way to replicate it. Of course if anyone also has a spare one to sell, let me know!

Sometimes, too many options isnt a good thing [tonguewink]