Night heaters?

[RMS]

Hi all,

I'm trying to negotiate with an overseas manufacturer to import a number of one or other of these two Diesel night heaters:

"Webasto" 2kW




Technical Specifications:
Heat Power: 2kW
Fuel: Diesel
Rated Voltage: 12V
Fuel Consumption: 0.12~0.24l per hour
Power Consumption: 14~29W
Working (Environment) Temperature: -40°C~+20°C
Dimensions: 323×120×121 (mm)
Weight: 2.6kg
CE Certified

Full kit including fuel pump, fuel tubing, exhaust pipe, inlet pipe, clips, wiring, control etc.



Automatic air heater with fuel tank




Technical Specifications:
Heat Power: 2.8kw to 4.6kW
Fuel: Diesel
Rated Voltage: 12V
Fuel Consumption: 0.3l to 0.6l/hr
Power consumption: 70W
Dimensions: 550x250x250(mm) (with tank)
Fuel tank: 480x75x200 (mm) 6.7litre
Weight: 16kg
CE Certified
Completely self contained with fuel tank so can be run on red Diesel.
Fuel tank can be removed and Diesel picked up from your vehicle tank.



Initial enquiries are hopeful, provided I can make an order of at least 10 otherwise shipping costs etc. is an issue!

I'm hoping the price of the first type (Webasto clone) will be less than£500 and the second type around £340.
The first is a clone of the Webasto Airtop 2000, (apparently made in the same factory though I can't confirm that!).
The second type is a much more simplified, and so less sophisticated, heater, hence the lower price.
Tuggy has just fitted the second type to his camper SEE HERE

They do come with 12 month warranty, though they will have to be returned to the manufacturer (in China!) if they fail!
I'm also hoping to negotiate a price for some of the common spare parts so hopefully if anything does go wrong, we can fix them here.
EDIT: I have now agreed to cover support and warranty issues here in the UK so no need to send them back to China unless it is totally fubar!

If it all goes to plan, I would set up a test bench here and run each one for an hour or so before sending them on, so I'll be taking on the risk of any which might arrive into the UK faulty

Note that I am not retailing these, I am just getting a bulk order together on others behalf, and so any warranty issues would have to be taken up with the manufacturer, though of course I will try to help.

If anyone is interested in one or other of these, please let me know.

Cheers,
Robin.

[RMS]

Just for comparison, these are available from a seller on ebay HERE and HERE

[RMS]

No interest?

Even if you think you might be interested in one, please let me know so I have got some idea of which is the more popular one.

Cheers,
Robin.

[Dormy]

Hi Robin,

Well done for coming up with the idea and the work you have already put into it. I would have considered one of these for Dormy or the Esterel had I not already picked up a couple of Riviera heaters due to not having a leisure battery (soon to be resolved as you know).

I guess being Scottish I would have edged toward the cheaper unit especially as it has its own diesel fuel tank and Dormy is petrol. Only concern is they are as yet relatively unproven (didn't a brand new one have to be returned ?).

Regards
Ian

[RMS]

Hi Ian,

There's the Scottish answer then - cheaper is better

I think the one Tuggy had to return was damaged in transit - see HERE

I'm intending to test run each one when they arrive, or at least before I send each one out, so should be able to weed out any problems.

I understand the cheaper one has been around for at least 2-3 years - they are apparently commonly used on tractors, diggers, etc., so should be well proven

Cheers,
Robin.

[RobW]

Looking at the two, the more expensive one might actually be cheaper if it's about £480 ish as no need to buy extra bits and ought to fit under the bed unit in the Carawagon. It's also significantly smaller, uses less fuel & much better on battery draw.

How easy would it be to run one from a separate fuel supply? Think I'd want it in the same space as the batteries and that's the other side from the fuel tank.

[RMS]

Rob, that's my conclusion as well, but I'll wait to see if anyone else comments before deciding which to try to import - it could be I could do a deal for 5 of each

The more expensive one does come with fuel pipe etc. It's very easy to run that to the tank.
I've modified the brass Diesel return tank boss on mine and Patrick's - a 3mm hole drilled through, next to but not touching the existing return pipe, and a 3mm copper tube (I just happened to have) soldered into place. The tank end is cut an inch or so shorter than the Diesel pickup pipe so you can never run the tank dry.

There's nothing stopping you using a separate supply tank though; perhaps a plastic 5 litre petrol/Diesel can if you've got room (as you know, space is a premium!) - then it could be run on red Diesel and save 50p or so per litre

Mine is fitted under the bed, with the exhaust, intake and fuel connections below, straight through the floor.
Patrick's, being a SW version, is fitted under where the fridge would normally sit, with the connections going through the side of the wheel well - plenty of room there to connect everything up.

Cheers,
Robin.

[RobW]

Thanks. I'd probably be interested in the pricier of the two. But am not going to be buying more bits until she's nearer being on the road.

[jerryd]

Still not sure why you need a heater but thought I'd look on our ebay to see what's available . Certainly not cheap to buy here. Although I'd say the chinese ones should be okay to use.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Eberspacher- ... 3f3157eb66

[romanyrose]

G'day Robin, i must say it sounds good being able to buy a new one and i would probably have to go with the cheaper one but would prefer the dearer one hoping quality might be better .

My problem is i have just found another 12volt one in the garage and have a 24volt on from a boat down the shed which will probably need a good service as does the one in my 109 but as you know that to can be costly especially as they are not new and might not work as they should when done .

Having only just seen this post giving a straight answer as to what to say i don't know but it is a very good idea so i am going to give it some heavy thought and thanks for coming up with the suggestion but it might be better than trying to make something from nothing to work wonders and keep me warm so i can go out and play more or just be at ease with nature with mans best friend and a .

Catch you later. R-Rose .