I know you’re probably looking for a reliable diesel air heater.
And, in this guide, I will help you by sharing some basics about diesel air heaters.
By the end of it, I hope you will be an expert on diesel air heaters.
Thus, able to make an informed decision when buying one for yourself.
So let’s get down to it.
You may not know how to choose best diesel heater, you can read the article:
How to Choose the Best Diesel Heater?
When you read the article carefully, you will become a professional in choosing the best diesel heater.
Chapter 1: What is a Diesel Air Heater?
A diesel air heater is a device designed to help provide consistent heat to the interior of a vehicle or marine vessel.
This type of heater works by heating the air within the interior.
It draws in the air from the surrounding environment, mixes it with fuel where it is ignited to warm up the temperatures within.
A diesel air heater, uses diesel as its primary source of fuel.
VVKB diesel heater
It is thus suitable for use with vessels that operate on diesel.
This way, it is easy to connect the unit to the existing fuel system making installation even easier.
Why should you buy a diesel air heater?
Chapter 2: Why You Need Diesel Air Heater
Many buyers tend to be confused about why they should buy a diesel air heater.
I’ll try to clarify the reasons why in this section.
Firstly, when you’re extremely cold, as in your body is freezing, there is only one solution to it-get warmth.
Getting warm during freezing temperatures is quite difficult for the cold is often at its peak.
Freezing in car
Moving from one position or place to another may also be a problem as cold temperatures, especially during winter, make you numb.
The good news?
You don’t have to bear the pain if you can do something.
Staying warm is vitally needed by your body, so this time, you must not create an alibi.
Instead, get yourself a diesel air heater as it has proven to be quite an efficient and savvy gadget for providing warmth in cold situations.
Apart from being efficient and savvy at maintaining a warm temperature, diesel air heaters are also;
- Very easy to use. Compared to another type of heaters, these are pretty easy to work with as the fuel-diesel is very readily available and easy to come by.
- Safer to use. Diesel is known to be highly combustible. It can create an explosion at any moment. However, air heaters usually confine the diesel in a furnace section with no way out for dangerous fumes or burning diesel.
Still on safety, with a diesel air heater, you never have to worry about the risk of damage from overheating.
These gadgets are designed to automatically shut down whenever the temperature exceeds the design specifications.
- Cost efficient. Yes! Diesel air heaters are low fuel and power consumers. Even so, they will provide you with superior heating performance even in the worst cold
- Operate quietly. With a diesel air heater, you don’t have to worry about operational noise and vibration.
Most of these units today are designed with modern technology that allows them to operate quite stealthily.
- Save time. Scrapping ice off your windscreen and windows and cold starting your engine severally before it finally starts wastes too much time.
A diesel heater helps save you from all these allowing you to get to work on time-without scummy fingers and shivering cold feet.
These are the main reasons why you shouldn’t dilly dally on getting an air heater for you.
Not only will the heater keep your space warm and safe, but will also help you save a lot on fuel and power.
So are they any different from diesel water heaters?
Well, they are but just a little bit.
Allow me to explain how in the next chapter.
Chapter 3: Diesel Air Heater vs. Diesel Water Heater: An Ultimate Comparison
As I’ve said, the diesel air heater and the diesel water heater are subtly different.
Nonetheless, it is essential to know what makes them different and what features they share similarly.
This, I believe, will help get rid of the confusion you have on what kind of heater to buy between these two options.
Air heater
Water heater
How does Diesel Air Heater vs. Diesel Water Heater Work?
A diesel air heater works by drawing in air from the external environment and mixes it with fuel (diesel).
The mixture is then ignited to generate heat which then dissipates from the heater to the external environment.
A diesel water heater, on the other hand, heats water from the vehicles reservoir to provide hot water/steam.
The steam then flows to the heat exchanger where it dissipates heat that is then distributed to the exterior environment.
The hot water also flows to the engine and heats it to prevent instances of cold starting.
Diesel Air Heater vs. Diesel Water Heater Similarities
Although the two heaters are different, they share some similarities.
Diesel air heater
- They both provide the advantage of low fuel and power consumption
- Both run on diesel
- For both, you get multiple control options. This means that whether you’re buying air or water heater, you’ll be able to set it off using a smartphone, remote control or a preset timer.
- Their design built is often similar, only that the latter replaces air with water
- They both can be used in cars, buses, trucks, RVs, sailboats, yachts, etc.
- They’re both easy to operate and install
Diesel Air Heater vs. Diesel Water Heater Differences
Honestly, the difference between the diesel air heater and the diesel water heater is subtle.
Their method of heat generation and transfer is what differentiates them.
In the diesel air heater, fuel mixes with air from the interior of the vehicle to generate heat.
Hot air then flows into the heat exchanger where it is transferred to the external environment by way of the blower fan.
Part of heat exchanger system
A diesel water heater generates heat when air and water mix and the mixture is ignited by way of the ignition plug.
Once combustion occurs, the now hot water/steam flows into the heat exchanger.
Heat from the hot water is extracted and blown into the external environment by way of the blower fan.
This water will also flow to the vehicle/vessels engine to heat it thus bypassing chances of cold starting.
From this we can derive another difference:
While the diesel air heater only heats the vehicle’s interior environment, the water heater heats both the interior as well as the engine of the vehicle.
Another difference between these two kinds of diesel heaters is their method of installation.
With the diesel air heater, you can install it in the cabin or chassis of the vehicle/marine vessel.
This is because all it needs is the air from the external environment to support combustion.
For a diesel water heater on the hand, you will need to install it in the engine compartment of your vehicle’s/vessel.
It is because the heater will need to use the vehicle’s water circuit system during heat generation.
Last but not least, a diesel water heater has dual functionalities.
Unlike the air heater that’s only useful during the cold.
With the water heater, you can use both during the cold to raise the temperature in your vehicle and to warm up your engine.
And, during the summer to help aerate the vehicle’s interior.
Basically, this is everything you need to know about the diesel air heater and the diesel water heater.
My advice?
Weigh the pros and cons of these two kinds of heaters and choose the one that you feel best suits your personal requirements.
Chapter 4: Diesel Air Heater vs. Petrol Air Heater: What’s the Difference &Similarities?
Another confusion when choosing a parking heater often comes in on the type of fuel heater to go with.
So which one should you choose between the diesel air heater and the petrol air heater?
Well, there’s is only one way to find out: compare the differences and similarities between the two.
A diesel air heater is a heating device that uses diesel as its primary fuel source.
It is this diesel that mixes with air to produce heat that is used to warm a vehicle’s external environment.
A standard diesel air heater will only use a small amount of fuel to heat the vehicle.
It is also pretty easy to install and use.
Gasoline Engine vs. Diesel Engine
A petrol air heater on the other hand also heats fuel and air to produce heat.
Only that this time, the fuel used is petrol instead of diesel.
This means that for this type of heater, you will need to use it in a petrol driven vehicle/marine vessel.
The method of heat generation and heat transfer is the same across the two kinds of heaters.
Air mixes with fuel to produce hot air that blows to the heat exchanger.
At the same time, heat exchanger then dissipates the hot air into the vehicle’s system with the aid of the blower fan.
Like the diesel operated units, petrol diesel air heaters are also easy to install and operate.
Both can use the fuel from the vehicles reservoir or can come with an independent fuel tank.
It will depend on the specific model you’re using.
Also, note that both the diesel and petrol air heaters are versatile systems that give great comfort during the cold winter months.
They are also both very energy efficient.
So if you need help deciding which heating system is best for you, I hope these two chapters (3/4) can of help to you.
Next, let’s discuss the parts of a diesel heater.
Chapter 5: Parts of Diesel Heater
A complete diesel air heater unit is an assembly of many parts and components.
Knowledge of these parts and components is vital.
It will often come in handy when assembling, disassembling and troubleshooting the heater.
Parts of diesel air heater
So here are what make up a diesel air heater unit
· Heater case
This is the outer shell of the heater.
It protects the internal parts and components from damage due to impact or entry of foreign material such as ice, water, and dust.
Because of its protective attribute, heater cases are usually made of very strong material that is heat, impact and corrosion resistant.
In most cases, aluminum 380 and nylon 66 are used to make diesel air heater casings.
· Air inlet and outlet pipes
As we already know, air is a critical element in the operation of a diesel air heater.
Combustion in this heater can only take place when air mixes with diesel and the mixture are ignited.
It is what makes the air inlet and outlet pipes critical components of the heater.
They help ensure the flow of air in and out of the heater.
Also, the inlet pipe brings in air from the vehicles/vessel to the heater.
While the outlet conveys hot air from the heater to the vehicle/vessel.
· Combustion chamber
The combustion chamber is where combustion of air/fuel mix and burn to generate heat.
It is actually the most important part of a diesel air heater.
Air that keeps your vehicle/vessel warm comes from here.
Because they have to be heat resistant and durable, most combustion chambers in diesel air heaters are made using die-cast aluminum.
This material is known to have excellent durability and thermal resistance.
· Heat exchanger
Heat exchanger is found on the rear of the combustion chamber.
It comprises of small radiating fins that aid in the transfer of heat from the combustion chamber to the external environment.
· Fuel tank, pump, and filter
Fuel tank, in this case, stores the diesel used by the heater.
While the fuel filter sieves impurities from the fuel while passing it to the heater for combustion.
On the other hand, the pump ensures sufficient amounts of fuel is drawn from the tank to the heater.
· Exhaust system
Exhaust system comprises of a metal pipe whose role is to convey harmful fumes from the heater and out of the vehicle/vessel.
These are fumes produced during the combustion of air/fuel mixture.
Moreover, the system comprises of exhaust silencer.
It helps to reduce the noise produced by the heater during operation.
Other parts of the exhaust system are joints and clamps whose functions are to support the system tubing.
· Sealing gaskets
As their name suggests, the sealing gaskets are used to seal parts in the diesel air heater exhaust system.
It limits vibration and noise as well as seal adjoining parts of the exhaust system to prevent leakages.
· Blower fan
In a diesel air parking heater, the blower fan plays a very integral role.
It is the fan that sucks air from the external environment and pushes it through the system.
Remember, the working principle revolves around cold air entering the system and hot air leaving it simultaneously.
Well, it is the blower fan that aids in the circulation of air in and out of the diesel air heater system.
· Control unit
It is responsible for controlling, monitoring and implementing all heating parameters of a diesel air heater.
The system will automatically adjust the working cycle of the heater to meet the specific heating requirements of your vehicle/vessel.
Other parts of a diesel air heater include;
- The heater power source. It could be a battery or electric power source
- the self-drilling screws for securing parts
- protective cushion
- oil suction pipes
- fuse
- washer and nuts
- connecting cables and wires
- reducing T and pipe joints
Now that you know the parts that make up a diesel air heater, the next question would be how does the unit work?
Well, let’s find out in the next chapter.
Chapter 6: How a Diesel Heater Works
We’ve already established that diesel air heaters have very many useful attributes.
Among them, the capacity of maintaining a comfortable temperature within the interior of a vehicle/marine vessel.
This reduces the tendency for your windows to ice up/fog during the cold winter seasons.
It will help you save time and money.
So how does it work?
Well, the working principle of a diesel air heater is quite simple.
Actually, it works the same way other parking heaters work.
Only that this one uses air and diesel generate to heat.
Let’s have a closer look at how this works.
Working of Diesel Air Heater
Diesel heater
Step 1: Activation
Firstly, the diesel air heater is activated when you start it.
You can do this from your smartphone, using a remote control or by setting a timer.
It all depends on what control option you choose for your heater.
So when you start the unit, it automatically triggers activation, and the heater begins running.
Step 2: Start up process begins
Once activated, the diesel air heater’s blower fan will blow air into the combustion chamber.
Extreme end with a fan
Some of this air is routed into a secondary chamber.
This chamber is pre-heated by a glow element.
As this happens, the supply of fuel from the heater’s fuel tank/source is also ongoing.
It only starts once the chamber realizes a certain temperature.
Remember that diesel air heaters can use fuel from their tank, or the vehicles reservoir.
If your unit comes with an independent fuel tank, you will need to ensure that it always has enough fuel to run it.
Also, if it’s supplied with fuel conveyed from the vehicle’s tank, you still have to ensure that your vehicle always has enough diesel.
Step 3: Fuel/air mixture is ignited
The air from the vehicle’s compartments and the diesel fuel mix.
Combustion chamber
The mixture is then ignited by way of the glow element, and the resultant flame enters the combustion chamber.
Once the flames stabilize, the glow element switches off.
Step 4: Hot air is let out
At this stage, the now hot air from the chamber flows on to the heat exchanger.
A circulation pump keeps the air calculating while the diesel air heater is in operation.
The hot air then disseminates towards the inner section of the vehicle/vessel aided by the blower fan.
When this happens, the temperature within your vehicle/vessel starts rising as the heater keeps running.
Step 5: Heater shuts off
Once the desired temperature (according to your set parameters) has been reached, the heater will shut off.
The circulation pump will, however, continue to run to keep heating the vehicle/vessel.
Remember, this is to help save on fuel until you switch off the heater entirely.
And as I said to you earlier, diesel air heaters have several set-off options.
The ease of use.
For instance, you can use remote control.
Control system
For instance,
For instance, a remote control will need to be on hand every time you want to set off the heater.
A present timer on the other can work several times a day without you having to set it off every time.
The good thing?
You can activate the heater using any of these options from anywhere as long as it is within a 1000-meter range.
Chapter 7: Installing a Diesel Air Heater
No doubt, diesel air heaters are the best choice if you consider heating areas in your vehicle/vessel that are not adequately insulated.
There are two types of diesel air heaters:
- Built-in diesel air heaters
- Portable air heaters
Also, the latter doesn’t require lots of installation procedures.
Just a few plug-ins here and there and you’re done.
Portable parking heater
This section, therefore, will teach you how to install an inbuilt diesel air heater.
If you don’t get any of the steps or need better illustration, please consult your installation manual included with the heater.
What you’ll need
To install a diesel air heater in your vehicle/vessel, you’ll just need the heater kit and a garage toolbox.
That’s all and maybe a few nylon ties and dielectric grease too.
The process
Carefully follow these steps for installation.
Step 1: Verify the contents of your diesel heater kit
Trust me:
You need to verify whether you have all components or not.
It is because all the parts, however small, are vital for the proper operation of the heater.
So you do not want a situation where you can’t find even one connecting screw.
For this reason, it is vital that you check the contents of your package to ensure that all the parts and components are there.
You can take out the user guide.
Use it to identify and sort the contents of your diesel air heater kit.
By doing this, you should be able to identify all the parts as outlined in chapter 5 of this guide (refer above).
Diesel air heater
Just to mention a few of them, you should be able to find
- The heater unit
- Screws and nuts
- Fuse
- Fuel pump, filter, pipe joints, and clips
- The air intake and its filter
- Gaskets
- Exhaust pipe
- Suction pipes
- Control panel and switch
- Wiring harness
- T-connectors
- clamps
Please note; while these are some of the main parts of a diesel air heater, the actual parts will vary depending on the heater model.
Diesel air heater parts
This is why I insist you do this verification with the aid of the user guide.
Step 2: Find the right placement
After verifying your package and before you start the installation, you have to identify a mounting location.
The location has to be safe and convenient for the diesel heater installation.
It also has to be spacious enough to accommodate the heater unit and its components.
The space should allow for easy access to components such as the fuel tank, and control unit.
And, it should not put the air intake and exhaust pipe close to any barriers.
Once you identify the right location, move on to the next step.
Step 3: Begin the installation process by marking and drilling mounting holes
When you’ve identified the right placement for your heater, go ahead and mark it out.
To do this, take out the mounting template that comes with the heater kit.
Place the template on the mounting location and mark out the holes as they are on the plate.
These are the holes for air and fuel inlet, the heater exhaust, wiring harness, and fasteners.
Once you finish marking the holes, drill them out a size bigger than you’d marked to allow enough space for fittings.
Step 4: Install the mounting plate and seal the exhaust pipe
Finish drilling the holes and when you’re done, install the sealing gasket to prevent exhaust leakages.
Then, install the mounting plate and secure them into position using the provided nuts.
Step 5: Install the fuel pipe
As you’ve seen in step 3, you have three holes.
One for the fuel pipe, another for the air intake pipe and the last one for the exhaust.
To proceed with the installation, start by installing the fuel pipe.
The process for mounting the fuel pipe often varies with the design of the heater.
Also, this means at this point, you’ll need to refer to your user manual for the correct installation procedure.
However, you have to ensure all the fuel connecting pipes are correctly affixed and secured with clamps.
So, whichever way you install the pipe, by the end of it you should have a well-secured pipe.
It will convey fuel to the heater.
Step 6: Install the exhaust and air intake pipe
With the fuel pipe in place, the next step is to fix the exhaust and air inlet pipes.
So start by inserting the exhaust pipe in the section that it is marked for on the heater.
Secure the pipe using the provided clamps.
Next, fix the air inlet pipe too and secure it correctly.
Step 7: Install the diesel air heater unit
You have the fuel pipe, the exhaust pipe, and the air inlet in place.
Next, install the entire unit on the mounting location you chose in step 2.
Horizontally, mount the unit there ensuring that all the three pipes (fuel, exhaust and inlet pipes) pass through the holes you’d drilled.
Now, secure the unit in place using the bolts and nuts that came with the kit.
Once you’re done, move on to the next step.
Step 8: Adjust the air intake and exhaust pipe
When installing your diesel air heater unit, you have to ensure the air inlet and exhaust pipe are correctly affixed.
In this case, the pipes should bend outwards and downwards from the heater to avoid chances of exhaust reentering the system.
And/or, foreign materials passing through the intake pipe.
So if you’d not ensured this in step 7 above, this is the right time to bend the pipes.
As you do this, ensure the pipe only bends at an angle not exceeding 270°.
The pipes should also be positioned to face the opposite direction from where the vehicle is moving.
Also, direct the exhaust pipe further away from any flammable objects and materials.
It must also be properly fixed and clamped to avoid any vibration when the vehicle is moving.
When you’ve taken care of all these, you can now install the air filter and secure it in place.
Oh! Before that, ensure that the air intake pipe is fixed facing an area with free-flowing air.
Step 9: Install the diesel tank
When installing the fuel tank, it is a good idea you install it in a position not too low than that of the diesel air heater unit.
So go ahead and connect the fuel pump to the heater.
Making sure that it sits above the exhaust pipe.
It shouldn’t be too close as this could lead to an explosion.
Once you finish with this, connect the fuel pipe to the tank.
For this, simply drill a hole on top of the tank and drop the pipe in the tank.
The pipe should be set up far enough from the bottom of the tank to prevent it from emptying all the fuel from the tank.
Once this is set, you can now connect one of the pipes on the pump to the rear end of the heater.
And the other pipe, connect it to the fuel extractor on the tank.
Refer to your technical manual to know which pipe goes where.
Secure all these pipes properly and install the fuel filter following the specific instructions provided on the user manual.
After this:
Step 10: connect the hot air outlet
Having successfully gone through steps 1-9, you’re coming close to the end of the installation process.
You just need to go through a few more steps, and you’ll be done.
So as this point, the next stage is to connect the hot air outlet pipe.
The part that conveys hot air from the heater to the vehicle/vessel.
To do this, just insert the duct system to the hot air outlet section of the heater.
Then clamp it.
Make sure you direct the outlet to the specific areas that you want to heat.
We’re almost done just one more step.
Step 11: mount the electrical system
Honestly, this is the easiest part of this entire procedure.
All you need to do is take similar cables and fix them together.
In case of any long cables, you can cut them to size or simply roll them up nicely.
After you finish with this part, fix the controller plug and connect the fuel pump.
Then, connect the heater to the main power source paying attention to color coding.
Know where the negative and positives go.
As you do this, ensure firm connection for the cables to prevent sparks and low voltage issues.
And we’re done!
You can now fire up your heater and test how it works.
If it starts properly, go ahead and input your preferred parameters on the control panel and wait to see how the heater responds.
If it fails to start properly, you might want to consider troubleshooting it following any of the options that I am going to outline below.
Chapter 8: How to Troubleshoot a Diesel Air Heater
It is pretty common for diesel air heaters to refuse to start or to malfunction during operation.
Some of these problems can be shown on the control panel as an error code.
For these, all you need to do is refer to the technical manual of your unit and fix the problem as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Other faults occur but may not show on the control panel.
Most of these are problems that you can identify visually and fix them on your own or get a technician to do it.
And, some problems occur as a result of a faulty element.
In this case, you’ll need to repair or replace the faulty part for the heater to continue working correctly.
Whatever the case, basic troubleshooting knowledge is helpful when you own a diesel parking heater.
Here are some diesel heater problems and how you can troubleshoot them.
1. Overheating
Overheating of the heater usually can be due to an overheating heat exchanger.
You can detect this if your heater keeps shutting down unexpectedly.
To troubleshoot this problem, you might want to check the air inlet and outlet pipes.
Barriers on these pipes may obstruct the free flow of air in and out of the heater.
Proper circulation of air is necessary for the proper functioning of the heater.
So remove any obstruction from the intake and outlets of the heater if there are any.
Another option that you can explore is to check the blower fan. Is it is working properly?
What about the temperature sensor?
If any of these two are not in proper working order, it could be the reason for your heater overheating. So repair or replace as necessary.
As I said earlier, mostly, overheating usually occurs due to the heat exchanger overheating.
So you might want to inspect the exchanger itself.
Remove any carbon deposits from inside of the exchanger and generally clean the combustion chamber.
2. Short-circuiting
A short circuit may occur if your temperature sensor is faulty.
So check the sensor in the control unit for any faults.
If there are, you might want to replace the entire control unit because unfortunately, most sensors are irreparable as they are in the control unit.
Short-circuiting can also occur due to a faulty glow plug.
The latter can also cause an open circuit and sometimes cause a faulty control unit.
In any of these cases, just check the glow plug for faults and replace it if necessary.
If the issue extends to the control unit, you might have to replace the unit as well.
3. Blower not rotating at the necessary speed
This could be due to a faulty motor which you’ll have to replace if indeed it is defective.
Or sometimes, it could be the impeller that has a problem.
Usually, you can fix it by adjusting the gap to allow for a freer and smooth rotation.
In extreme cases, you may have to replace the blower.
So just verify to confirm if the fault is repairable or not.
4. Voltage issues
Overvoltage and low voltages can lead to the heater just shutting down unnecessarily.
In this case, there could be a problem with the battery/power source or the heaters voltage regulator.
Either way, you should charge the battery or replace it/the power source if necessary.
5. Heater refusing to start
This could be due to a number of reasons:
· Insufficient fuel
Have you checked the fuel tank? Does it have enough fuel?
A diesel air heater with little to no fuel will just not start.
You need to ensure that there is enough fuel in the tank to run the heater.
What if you have adequate fuel to run the heater, but it still won’t start?
Then probably the fuel grade does not match the operating conditions of the heater.
Either, it is not meant for use in low temperatures or something of the sort.
In this case, just replace the fuel to a grade that’s recommended for the current operating conditions.
· Insufficient supply of fuel
If this is the case, then probably there is a blockage on the fuel line which you’ll have to clear.
· Faulty fuel pump
In other cases, the fuel pump could be faulty, in which case a replacement is necessary.
· Clogged air intake or exhaust pipe
Clogged air intake or exhaust pipe can also cause the heater not to start even after two automatic starts.
So check the air intake and exhaust for possible clogging.
· No communication between the control unit and the controller
For this, you’ll need to check the connectors and the wiring harness and remove any oxidation if there are.
You can also check the controller for any faults and replace it if necessary.
But if the controller is operational, then a replacement for the control unit might be necessary.
· Insufficient pre-heating of the glow plug
In this case, replace the glow plug if necessary or the control unit if it supplies low power voltages.
· High temperatures
Where the heater does not heat as required or is emitting very hot air, it could be due to a faulty fuel pump or indicator.
Sometimes, it could be due to the presence of air bubbles in the fuel system.
In this case, check the fuel line for leaks or clogging and tighten the fuel line hose clamps.
Blocked heater control may also cause these problems.
If this is the case, you’ll need to unblock it as illustrated in your heater’s technical manual.
VVKB parking heater
Apart from these, high temperatures can result from wrong the assembly of the temperature sensors.
If any of the sensors are installed in the wrong location, please uninstall it and install it properly.
You may also want to inspect the combustion chamber as a malfunction of its stabilizer can lead to issues of high temperatures.
A faulty flame indicator might also cause this problem.
So check if it’s in proper working condition. If not, replace it.
Generally, there is a wide range of problems that occur in diesel air heaters.
And as you can see from this chapter, these range from high temperature, start failures, voltage issues, to sensor faults, etc.
As such, it is of great importance that you not only be equipped with the basic troubleshooting skills but that you also have your detailed technician manual.
With these, it’ll be easier for you to solve most of these problems when they occur.
And if you can’t seem to diagnose the problem with your heater or solve it, call in an expert technician.
Chapter 9: Considerations when Buying a Diesel Air Heater
Choosing a diesel air heater is basically a matter of going through a wide variety of models in the market.
There are so many designs and models, power ratings, and sizes to consider that it can take some time to get the right one.
If you want to make the buying process more manageable, here are a few tips on what to look for;
· Heat output
Diesel air heaters are often measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units).
The BTU generally determines the overall output of your heater per square meter of space.
So to know how many BTUs you’ll require for your vehicle or vessel.
Calculate the volume of the area to be heated by multiplying square footage by height.
Then, multiply the result by 4 if you have poor insulation (especially if using it in an RV).
If the insulation is average, multiply the number by 3 and by 2 if you’ve good insulation.
Whatever answer you get is the benchmark for how many BTUs you’ll need in a suitable diesel air heater.
· Fuel consumption
Generally, diesel air heaters are designed to consume less fuel.
Nonetheless, it is still essential to know how much fuel your unit may consume when operating at specific ranges.
Thus, when buying a diesel air heater, check the fuel consumption rate.
This will help you know if the unit can help you maintain fuel efficiency or not.
· Power consumption
When buying a diesel air heater, it is imperative that you check its power consumption rate.
The power rating (watts) will dictate its running costs.
So the more the wattage, the more power it will consume and the higher the cost of running it.
To maintain energy efficiency, just go for moderate power-not too high and not too low.
Just enough for the heater to function optimally.
· Air flow rate
The air flow rate is merely the amount of air that flows in and out of the heater per unit time.
The air flow rate of your heater will determine how much heating it provides and at what rate.
It also ensures the proper circulation of air both inside the heater and the interior of your vehicle.
So depending on the size of the space you want to heat, go for a heater with the right amount of air flow.
· Rated voltage
The voltage rating of your diesel parking heater is critical.
It often depends on the size and model of the heater.
A highly rated voltage heater tends to generate more heat than a low voltage one.
Don’t take this to mean that you should buy a heater with a high voltage just because you want it to be generating more heat.
No!
You should choose a heater with the appropriate rated voltage for you.
Remember, using a low rated voltage heater with a high voltage power source could lead to overheating and possibly an explosion.
Thus, you have to consider your power source and how much voltage would be appropriate to use with it.
· Design
Different heater models feature different design elements.
It is therefore vital that you buy a unit that has features that are suitable for you.
For instance, if you’re concerned about the risk of combustion and inhalation;
Buy a heater that has a valve which prevents diesel from flowing into the burner if the flame goes out. Or if the heater is tipped.
Also, if you’re after user friendliness, get a heater that’s easy to assemble and install.
Generally, design varies with the model.
As the user, you should get a heater that is perfectly designed and with the features that you want.
· Dimensions
Another thing to look for when buying a diesel air heater is the size.
You need to make sure that your heater unit is large enough to heat the area that you need it for.
Trust me; you’re better off getting a slightly larger heater than you need, which you can run at lower temperatures or less time.
Buying one that is simply too small may not be able to provide adequate heat.
If you’re not sure how big the size of a heater you should buy, just ask your supplier to give you recommendations.
The recommendations, note, will depend on the area you intend to heat, insulation of the room and the environment.
· Quality and safety compliance
Diesel heaters are the most associated with risks and accidents, mostly because they are fuel operated.
And, because diesel is highly combustible.
Luckily, these products before they are released into the market undergo stringent guidelines and testing measures.
They have to meet the industry requirements on quality, safety, and performance.
So to be sure that you’re buying a secure unit, look out for RoHS, FCC, TUV, and CE compliant marks.
Also, you may want to employ additional safety measures by buying a warranty-protected unit.
This way, you can always return the unit or seek help from the manufacturer if the unit turns out defective.
Another way to ensure safety is to buy a heater with additional safety features.
For instance; an automatic shut-off switch will switch off when the heater overheats or when it tips off posing the risk of combustion.
Primarily, these are the things that you ought to look out for when purchasing a diesel air heater.
It is important that you try to match all these elements with what you personally require.
This way, you’re sure of buying a diesel air heater that is good quality, safe and reliable.
Most importantly, you’re buying a heater is best suited for you-VVKB can supply you with just the right heater that you require.
Chapter 10: VVKB Diesel Air Heater
VVKB diesel air heaters are an excellent way to heat up your vehicle and/or marine vessel.
VVKB
With our units, your comfort during the cold season is guaranteed-you can rest easy knowing that no matter the season or temperature outside, you’ll always stay cozy and warm.
This is because our heaters don’t rely on the engine to operate.
No!
VVKB heaters allow you to bring your vehicle or vessel to the desired temperature without having to start your engine.
The best part?
You don’t even need to be in or close to the vehicle to warm it up.
With remote control, timer or a smartphone, you can easily control when heating starts and when it stops.
So welcome to VVKB for cost-effective diesel air heaters with various control options.
We are based in the United States but can do deliveries worldwide.
Contact us today for a quote or for any inquiries you might have about VVKB diesel air heaters.
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s a lot to learn about diesel air heaters.
Luckily for you, all the information is at your fingertips now after reading this guide.
You, therefore, have no excuse for making an ignorant purchase decision.
So take the time and energy to identify what your exact heating needs are and then buy a heater that is suitable.
