Van Furnace Options - Discussion Thread

[brp]

The Dickinson Newport heater is a nice option. It takes up space but is very nice looking and the visible flame gives a nice warmth/ambiance. It’s available in propane, diesel or wood fired.

[saline]

I have gone back an forth for months regarding heat/hot water in my build. I tried to work a way to get a Truma Combi to no avail. So in the end I went with the old standby that I had in my 04 SMB. Suburban furnace and separate water heater. I never once had an issue with either of them in spending almost 200 nights in it. Those stays ranged from sea level to 13,000 ft.
It's old technology but I still went with the Suburban 16,000 btu furnace because I couldn't come up with a water heater option. I figured I'm going propane to get hot water I might as well do a propane furnace...

[Glider]

[QUOTE=86Scotty;216614]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

Glider will weigh in soon on her satisfaction with her Wallas, which I like the idea of too.

For me, the Wallas Nordic DT is the best of all worlds. It is quiet, it keeps the van toasty, and provides a very nice cooktop in addition to being a heater. The flame is fully enclosed, so it is extremely safe, it sips fuel, uses milliamps, and it runs beautifully. Plus it de-humidifies the van's interior. I'm hooked. There's no going back now.

[cthayn]

This is a great topic. I am struggling on the best option for cabin heat and hot water.

My goal is a single fuel (gasoline) unit that can provide a lot of heat for the cabin, to keep my wife happy, and on-demand hot water, to keep my wife happy. It would make me happy if it was a compact, easy to install and had efficient, reliable operation. Good pricing and a US location to buy from would be a plus.

I am not asking for too much, right?

So far, the best option I have found is a Wesbasto DualTop Evo. I don't see an option for gasoline, so I would have to install an auxiliary diesel tank (5-8 gal) to fuel the heater. I don't want the aux tank in the van, so I need to mount it somewhere with access to fill the tank.

Does anyone have ideas that would meet my idea setup?

Also, any input about setting up a diesel heater system in a gas van.

Thanks everyone.

[MountainBikeRoamer]

cthayn -- I like your thinking.

On the auxiliary diesel tank end of things --- this looked like a possible good source for what appears to be quality-constructed, custom-sized fuel tanks. They're indicated as universal fuel tanks (diesel or gas.)

Come in a variety of sizes....1-gallon, 3-gallon, 4-gallon, 5-gallon, 8-gallon, 11-gallon...

FuelTankParts.com / Boyd Welding, LLC
Universal Aluminum Gas and Diesel Fuel Tanks

[Bbasso]

How about the Espar B4 (I think that is the gas model) then a eccotemp L5 for hot water. Yes I know it's propane but runs on any size tank, even the 1lb so ease of use is worth it.

[Glider]

Originally Posted by cthayn

Also, any input about setting up a diesel heater system in a gas van.

Thanks everyone.

I set up a diesel stove/heater combination in my gas van. My solution was to install a RotoPax 2.5 gallon tank on my right rear bulkhead. (There's room for two or three more, if I ever need more capacity.)

The thin line in the photo is the fuel line, which disappears into the wall, and routes over to the stove/heater. The larger line is the vent tube, which exits through the floor. There was a manufacturer's hole in the floor in exactly the right location. I just penetrated the rubber grommet, and was done.



For my purposes, this was a simple and convenient solution.

I believe that 86Scotty recently did an installation with a portable diesel tank located under the floor. To fill, I believe he intended to set it up so he could just drop it to the ground and fill.

Michael at MG Metalworks/Expovans built a die that allows him to install filler necks through the exterior sheet metal of the van.

John at Quadvan has a stainless steel diesel tank kicking around that was designed to be mounted against the frame rails of an E-van. It was somewhere in the 5-7 gallon range, if I remember correctly. It isn't cheap, but it was for sale last time I saw it. You'd need MG's filler neck solution (or something similar) to make that one work.

[joefromsf]

Intrigued by the rotopax solution to support diesel furnace in gas fueled van. Anybody have thoughts on impact to diesel when stored like that and not used very often.

[Glider]

Originally Posted by joefromsf

Intrigued by the rotopax solution to support diesel furnace in gas fueled van. Anybody have thoughts on impact to diesel when stored like that and not used very often.

I think there are a few different ways to handle this:
1. Filling the RotoPax is easy; just put in as much as you anticipate using for the next three months, and never worry about it.
2. Fill'er to the top, and add fuel stabilizer.
3. Use your van more often; never worry about old fuel; and smile more.

[cthayn]

Glider,

The Rotopax idea looks like a cheaper and easy way. I was thinking of putting a fitting in the bottom of the tank, but it looks like you just put a fuel pickup through the cap. That is a good idea.

Do you have any problems with fuel smell with the tank inside the van? I think you could mount something on the rear bumper.




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