The only Chinese diesel heater installation video you will ever need.

Summary

In this video, the host shares a comprehensive guide on installing and operating a diesel heater, ideal for extreme cold weather. They discuss the benefits of a self-contained unit for easy setup and tear down, and its ability to prevent fuel gelling in freezing temperatures. The importance of sufficient power supply is emphasized, with a demonstration of the heater's startup process and the use of a power brick to avoid electrical errors. The video also covers exhaust system installation, maintaining heat to prevent fuel gelling, and tips for noise reduction. The host concludes with a demonstration of the heater's operation and a reminder to shut down properly to prevent carbon buildup.

Takeaways

• 🔥 The video is an installation guide for a diesel heater purchased from Amazon, emphasizing practical setup rather than unboxing.
• ❄️ The heater is a self-contained unit, chosen for its suitability in extremely cold temperatures, like those experienced in South Central Montana.
• 🔧 The heater's advantages include easy setup and tear down, which is crucial for camping in harsh winter conditions.
• ⚙️ A side-by-side design was chosen to prevent tipping over, and the unit can be connected to a heat reever to prevent diesel from gelling in cold weather.
• 💡 The heater requires sufficient DC power to operate; a power brick providing 12 volts at 12 amps is included to ensure proper startup and shutdown.
• 🌧️ The video discusses plans for waterproofing the DC input for use in inclement weather, using an Anderson connection.
• ⚡️ The importance of using the correct wire gauge to avoid voltage or amp loss, especially over long distances, is highlighted.
• 🔩 Spare parts like glow plugs and temperature indicators are recommended for purchase to handle potential malfunctions in remote or cold settings.
• 🛠️ The video demonstrates a quick setup process, showing the ease of installation and use of the heater in a camping scenario.
• 🏔️ The heater's design helps maintain fuel quality by circulating warm air, preventing issues in extremely low temperatures.
• 🔇 A foam rubber mat is used to isolate the heater and reduce noise transfer into the camper, enhancing the user's experience.

Q & A

Why did the presenter choose a self-contained diesel heater?

The presenter chose a self-contained diesel heater because of the extremely cold temperatures in South Central Montana, where temperatures can drop as low as 40 below zero. Self-contained units are easier to set up and tear down, and they are less likely to tip over.

What is the advantage of having a large gap in the heater's design?

The large gap in the heater's design allows for fresh air to be brought in for the combustion chamber, which is beneficial in cold weather to prevent the diesel from gelling and to maintain the heater's functionality.

Why is it important to have sufficient DC power for the heater?

Having sufficient DC power is crucial because most problems with these heaters stem from insufficient power to the power input port. The heater requires 130 to 150 watts for the glow plug start-up and shutdown, and a cigarette lighter plug typically does not provide enough power, leading to error codes.

What is the purpose of the power brick that came with the heater?

The power brick that came with the heater is designed to provide 12 volts at 12 amps, ensuring that there is enough power to run the glow plug through the start-up and shutdown procedure, preventing error codes due to insufficient power.

What is the presenter's plan for dealing with inclement weather?

The presenter plans to replace the DC input with a waterproof Anderson connection and create a small cable to connect to a 12-volt, 12-amp circuit, which will be useful when it rains and during winter conditions.

Why is it recommended to use a heavier gauge wire for the power connection?

Using a heavier gauge wire, such as 10 or 12 gauge, is recommended to prevent voltage or amp loss over longer cable lengths, which can lead to the heater throwing error codes due to insufficient power.

What spare parts does the presenter suggest keeping for the heater?

The presenter suggests keeping spare glow plugs and temperature indicators (temperature elements) for the heater to quickly replace them if needed, especially in cold conditions where a failure could leave one without heat.

How does the presenter plan to reduce noise from the heater inside the camper?

The presenter uses a close cell foam knee pad to isolate the heater, which helps to eliminate mechanical noise from inside the camper.

What is the importance of following the proper shutdown sequence for the heater?

Following the proper shutdown sequence is important to stop adding fuel, engage the glow plug, and ramp up the fan to burn off any residual fuel in the burn box. This process helps to prevent carbon buildup inside the heater, which can be caused by operator error such as unplugging the heater abruptly.

Why did the presenter choose to go from a 3-inch to a 4-inch exhaust and then back to a 3-inch?

The presenter chose to go from a 3-inch to a 4-inch exhaust and then back to a 3-inch to reduce back pressure and prevent overheating codes. This configuration allows for better heat dissipation and avoids issues associated with long runs of 3-inch hose.