Heater and Aux Diesel Tank Question

[2horsegarage]

I am thinking I want to bite the bullet and move away from my buddy heater and add an Espar (or similar) heater.My van is gas, and I could not find one which runs on gas, although I've heard they exist - but was thinking about adding an auxiliary diesel tank to run the heater. As I was thinking about the complexity of adding a tank under the van, I started to wonder if I could plumb in and use a bumper mounted Jerry can? I don't anything about this, so the question might be ridiculous. If I add the under body, I have to figure out a way to fill it. Thoughts?

[mikracer]

I've been thinking about these heaters as well and thought about how I would overcome the diesel issue since I have a gas van. I haven't measured anything yet since I don't have my van with me at the moment, but I was thinking you could find a 1 gallon fuel cell and mount it where the engine battery is. You can relocate the engine battery to the frame rail pretty easily and if the fuel cell can fit where the battery was, it would be easy to fill.

[Herbie]

There are several users on the Samba (VW site) that have mounted 1 gallon fuel cells for running their Espar heaters. Mostly go-cart or Jr. Dragster fuel tanks, I think.

The Espars sip fuel pretty lightly, so a 1-gallon tank will last many many hours. Also some of the guys are running straight kerosene, I think it's supposed to burn a bit cleaner.

[1der]

Is consideration of the Espar gasoline fired heater out of the running?

[2horsegarage]

I'm not at all against the gas version of the espar - I just couldn't find anyone that has it - even espar wasn't showing it in their site.

[PeteM]

The gas versions cost a bit more than diesel but presumably would be simpler and cleaner installation. EsparParts.com has the 2kW Airtronic B1LC:

Espar Airtronic B1LCEspar Heaters and Parts

And the 4kW Airtronic B4:

Espar Airtronic B4Espar Heaters and Parts

I know Van Specialties in Oregon installs the equivalent Webasto gas fired Air Top units and you might check with Barry at Vanworks in Fort Collins to see if he installs the petrol B series Espars.

[1der]

I think Greg at Lubrication Specialist.com can get the gas versions within a week or so. He has great pricing on his diesel units, hopefully he can give great pricing on the gas version, too.

[2horsegarage]

Thanks all. Your recommendations were far more fruitful than my searching the interwebs. Many thanks.