Chinese Diesel Heater Overview in Chrysler Pacifica Minivan no holes drilled. Winter Van Life!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.พ. 2023
- If you want to see everything I use in my van, click here: www.minivancampergal.com
Survive winter van life by installing a Chinese Diesel Heater! No vehicle modifications are necessary, and you won't need to drill holes in the camper van floor. Heat your van in the winter, or just enjoy winter camping in a van! This diesel heater even works with a car camping, or minivan camping.
Here's a heater that is like mine: amzn.to/41w1dDe
SAE Connector: amzn.to/3HUYOsL
Offset screw driver: amzn.to/3Xt6aJL
JB Weld Hi Temp Silicone: amzn.to/3Yo7cYI
I may earn commissions for purchases made through the Amazon links above.
About My Channel:
Welcome to Minivan Camper Gal! I'm Kelly and I camp and travel in a Chrysler Pacifica Minivan, doing part-time van life. Here you will find van build videos, tips on the digital nomad lifestyle, general travel vlog videos, and more. I'm into minimalism, and I eat a mostly plant-based vegan diet. I'm still learning how to do vegan vanlife well! I have some great vegan camping recipes to share with you, but would love some suggestions, too! Sometimes I stealth camp in the city, but mostly I like to boondock. Join me and my camper van as we embark on all the car camping adventures!
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To see everything I use in my van, go to www.minivancampergal.com!
What did you use for the window mount?
if the heater is too hot, just switch on the air conditioner :) greetings from germany
I’m watching your video from inside my van 900 miles from home. Great info ,thank you.
You are one brilliant engineer of our day. Scotty from Star Trek would be proud of you.
Ooh, thank you!
I have been using the exact same heater for about 6 months now and I love it. I travel part time too. When I travel I either sleep in the camper shell on my Tacoma or a 10 by 10 Kodiak canvas tent. At home I live in a tiny shack on a creek in the forest in the Sierra Nevada foothills. This heater keeps all my spaces warm. It's a pretty simple and uncomplicated piece of equipment and inexpensive too. I really like your presentation and will now be following your adventures.
Hey Richard! Glad you have found a diesel heater too! Your shack sounds amazing. I spend a lot of time in the eastern sierras. Thanks for watching and saying hello!
What brand is the heater?
@@nicopuig1900 cheap chinese heater
Hey just found your channel love it so far! Shared you out on my community tab!❤
Hey Gina! Awesome, thank you!
Nice setup with a heater being outside of the box ;) Thank you for the idea!
Thank you! I hope it works for you if you try it!
I can't say I learned anything. But you gave the the confidence to try a similar design on my subaru. So thank you so much for validating the concept and giving me the courage to experiment.
Hey Allan, good luck with your experiment! I hope it works out.
I loved the video, K…and your dedication. I would never get out of my cozy van to shoot a video :-) Everyone has different needs and circumstances, and while I don’t think a heater is worth the hassle, some might. I prefer an electric mattress pad and a good sleeping bag at night. For those hellish nights below zero, I pulled a fleece throw over my head. But I appreciate the luxury of your system. Please spend the $28 for a CO detector, and carry on. Your ideas are thoughtful and intelligent!
Thank you! Haha, yeah, I'm a weeny when it comes to cold. I'm ok sleeping in the cold, but hanging out and working- I need it to be warm. Thanks for watching!
Good job! I'm sure you'll make some modifications after reading some ideas from your comments. Then you can do a follow-up video. 😁
Yes, definitely! Thanks for watching!
I would have considered, chaining it to the front Wheel, going thru the wheel splash guard and attaching it to your heater duck or any available .
Ooh, interesting! I'll have to think about that!🤔
Nice review and test, thanks. Also love the rain cover idea! The link to the heater, though, goes to an extension cable, whoops.
Thanks for watching, and thanks for catching the link problem! I fixed it now.
So to combine my thoughts and prior comments---
Less duct outside, duct to floor inside,. Elevation. By raising unit nearer the window you can shorten the exposure of the duct. Introduce a warm air return for cleaner operation. Both hoses should extend to floor level. If built-in fan isn't up to that length, for about 5 watts you can ad a computer cooling fan to the cold air return. For elevation someone mentioned the roof. This is doable with roof racks, magnetic holds, or suction holds. Before worrying about how, test for noise through the roof. I will try a free stand table stabilized by guys to ground. I will run safety lines to the rain gutter (Chevy Express) but those will be slack unless the wind blows the table over.
Really like the suitcase model. I might build my own for lower output and smaller weather shell. We have maintained the no holes standard so far by anchoring the camper to the OE seat mounts.
You can tap the combustion intake from the air return duct. Don't worry about cabin pressure issues. Your OE vent system will balance things. In fact if you aim into the wind you get fresh air flow even when you close the windows.
Thanks Bruce! Ohh, great suggestion! So you're saying cut a little hole in the hot air tube, and stick the intake tube into that, right? Cool! That sounds like a great plan. Hm, I might have to find a metal tube though for the intake- the intake tube is a sort of cardboard with a plastic-ish coating on the outside. I wonder if it would get too hot? Also, thanks for the tip about air flow!
Agree except the supply and return air duct at the floor level. Heat supply at floor with return hose higher up, preferably close to roof. Both at floor level will just short circuit your heat from supply to return
Never knew something like this existed, thanks for sharing!
I like it, the idea 💡 it's original. Not sure if suitable for me, but very warm to the idea of doing something similar.
Hope you are enjoying your travels. Stay blessed. Solo female part-time car camper 🇬🇧
I’ve been looking into this heater option. Thanks for the info
Hope it works out for you!
I've made in the same way in my mini van. Minus 11 at night 2kw heater hanged on the front wheel comfortably condition.
Diesel heaters like warm air coning into the combustion chamber otherwise it will gum up and you will have to clean out the combustion chamber way more often as its not running efficiently. The best way to solve this is to run another hose so its getting warmish air from the van, Also run the unit on high for a few minutes before you turn it off to burn off some soot/gunk.
Ahh, thanks for the tips. I'll look into getting a long hose. I also need to see about putting a fuel filter on.
No that's not true. I have used it for a year. I don't have to do anything except turn it on and when I turn it off it goes through a shutoff cycle. I don't know where you got these ideas.
Absolutely not true. I've had diesel trucks with webasto heaters and they do not need warm air to work properly.
@@tazzthedoodle7861well, you’re right but not 100%, we know how diesels work and when they’re idling 24/7 what happens? Soot buildup, same thing applies here, you can’t just turn the heater on and keep it on low and expect great results, just like any diesel you do actually at some point have to get these things hot, even the higher end manufacturers recommend on startup getting it on high and getting heat in it, then tone it down, I personally recommend doing that right before shutdown too
Just came across this video, and I'm doing something similar for a weekend camping/fishing trip in my truck and seen some Comme and not sure if you updated your design but if you run a vent for the cold side of the heater to draw back the warm air through the heater it'll run more efficiently by recirculating, there's the positive side to that but the other positive side to your setup is less efficient but! Positively pressures the vehicle cabin pushing cold air out where ever it can kind of a catch 22 but with my 2 current setups in othe4 applications I found recirculating the air was best in my applications. Side note since I'm running off a acid filled battery I'm also running a coleman 2x4 foot solar panel to take some load off the battery during the day in the fishing hut
Wow. Proud of you. You dive into a problem and figure things out ... very inspirational!
Thank you!
Get more hose so it comes all the way in onto the floor. The floor will always be cold if not insulated and no skirt around the bottom to stop cold air whipping around underneath. Hot air rises.
Ooh, good idea, thank you!
We are considering putting a diesel heater in our class A and removing the propane or at least not using the propane. Good video, I wish you the best on TH-cam remember its a marathon not a sprint.
Thank you! Your journey on your channel looks really interesting! I'll have to check it out. Good luck!
i like how your rain/snow cover doubles as a tote to carry all the heater parts. i would have another hose inside so you can get the heat down low. maybe even a 90 pointed down would help
Thanks! Yes, I'm definitely thinking about adding some extra tubing inside!
Cool video - I was worried before, but I think I will get one now!
That's a great idea. Thanks for sharing. 😊
Thanks for watching!
Very informative,and helpful video.❤️
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
very nice solution! i got one of these recently but weren't sure how to make it rainproof. your idea is the key. thanx for that
Finally, a no-nonsense not self-promoting influencer style show off but down to earth channel on the subject of mini campers. Even though I'm ownig a 24.5ft rv I Iove to be on the road with my small mini van. Now i'm about to convert a small van into a dual use vehiclel. Inspired by the cargo to passenger quick change aircrafts I'm converting it to be either a dog transporter for seven rather bigs dogs or a mini camper for two persons. I'm sure I'll get some valuable inputs from all your other videos as well. Thanks!
Excellent idea. I just use a small plugin to my jackery to take the edge off when it gets too cold and I’m inside my 10 degree bag so I’m good but this is a sweet setup.
You might try some heating duct insulation on the pipe running into your window. It will cut down on heat loss but might work too well by allowing more heat into the van. Be sure to water proof the electrical cord. Good luck with your new youtube adventure.
Thanks Randy! Yeah, in really cold weather it could stand to be a bit warmer (but I also have it running on low.) I think it would probably be too hot in my normal 40-60 degree "cold" weather if I insulate it.
If anyone is thinking of doing this in below 25 degrees you have GOT to pull out ALL the stops if you want your space to be warm. I tried this method and you will survive but its going to be freezing cold!!
God bless you well done! Be encouraged and carry on 🕊 😊
Thank you for the kind words!
Great video! Thanks for all of the details
Thank you!
Love your setup I'm going to give it a shot
Awesome! Best of luck to you!
I can't imagine a van build without a diesel heater ... thanks!
It's such a game changer! Now I can take off anytime of year with no worries. Complete comfort!
Nice presentation and nice setup good luck to you and thank you for the video.
Thanks for watching!
Very nice. I was aware of the heaters but didn't know they made an all-in-one unit. Slick!
Thanks!
If you just get the normal one you can install it under your hood and have the vent tap into your existing heat vents.
Woah, what a cool idea! Thanks!
@@minivancampergal1554 just make sure your exhaust clears the bonnet or hood whatever you want to call it lol. That diesel exhaust will hang out in there and get worked into the cab.
I love it! Seems to work as intended.
Very nice. Stay safe!
Thanks Luis!
Great video keep up the good work!
Thanks Paige!
This great and helpful. For a more even heating you could run a longer exhaust pipe straight through the window and to the vans interior floor
Can't talk now. I'm busy binging all of your videos!😁
What a great idea. New sub here. 👍. All the best.
Thanks Priscilla, welcome!
Thank you for the video, it's a good elegant solution to heating your van. And trying to help you out I subscribed
Thank you!
I am a Canadian snowbird with 2 methods to keep warm. Drive like mad towards south and remote car starter and hot water bottles.
Haha, yes! Driving to warmer weather is totally a good solution.
Great video, thank you.
Thanks for checking it out!
Too cool in your town!😮😮😮
This is good thank you
Nice job. I'm going to install one of these in my Dodge van
Thanks, I hope yours turns out great!
Good video
Put it on a stand / table closer to the window. Less heat loss, roof box may work better. Goodies tho
Ooh, thanks! That’s a great idea, I’ll give it a shot. Thanks for watching!
This totally seems doable!!!❤
Wrong link to the heater on Amazon. Great vid. Love the engineering.
Thank you! I just fixed it today. Thanks for watching!
Great info….thx
Great idea.
Thanks!
I love your rain cover. I use a Buddy heater for my minivan. It works good, but I have to turn it off and on through out the night, because it gets too hot inside. I wish I can find the prefect size heater. I really want to try that Korean butane heater, but I hardly travel in the cold. It has to get below 50f outside before I even break out my heater.
You should add a hose vent inside the van and have at the floor of the van so it heats the van starting at the floor. No need for the fan then.
Very creative hack, love it! new sub#159 here...safe travels to ya, Lisa
Thanks for watching and subbing Lisa!
Perfect.
I have been considering something a bit similar but in some regards bulkier. Like you, I'm thinking of using the window as the method of piping the heat inside my car.
But my idea is a bit more building and drilling, as the concept is to install the heater into a roof top cargo box, so all it would need to deploy it is to run the heater and cold air return hoses to the cargo box, and the combustion intake and exhaust through the rear of the cargo box.
Ooh, interesting. If you get one of the separated models (not the all-in-one,) I could see that working. I wonder if the fuel tank would be better stored in the cargo, or in the van? I wonder if it would be loud on top on the roof? Let me know how it goes, I’m interested!
@@minivancampergal1554 Yes, the idea is to get the bare heater system. The fuel tank would be installed on the same level as the heater inside the box. I suppose some frame work to keep the fuel tank from shifting, but removable for easier refuelling.
The hoses, window interface, could be stored up there as well. Maybe even a power station too. For that matter, even an AC to DC power converter for locations that I can plug into for power.
The alternate use cases could be to heat the garage, or ice fishing tent
@@lemonherb1 that sounds awesome!
I have not seen anyone use construction insulated duct pipe yet it’s basically the same pipe wrapped in insulation it might work I know I’m going to try it when I buy one.
Nice Job! ...fixing the things that aren't perfect, to fit your situation perfectly. You go girl.
Thank you! 😊
Since you gotta run the pipes anyways, might as well keep the unit inside where it works more efficiently and uses less fuel to heat the van.
I definitely thought about that! But the exhaust pipe gets pretty hot. And if I didn't seal it absolutely perfectly, then I'd be dealing with exhaust inside. I don't trust my handy skills enough to put my life in the balance 😅
@@minivancampergal1554 But it's a much smaller pipe to deal with at only 1 inch diameter. You can wrap it up in heat shield tape so that it's not dangerous. The window plate will have to be heat resistant, but at least it's a lot smaller. Someone probably has a pre-made window mount for the pipes.
@@minivancampergal1554 This person even managed to extract warm water by running water over the exaust pipe. That not only heats the water, but it also cools the pipe. You can still use insulation tape to make the pipe safe to handle and so that it doesn't burn the wood mount.
th-cam.com/video/SwHF9a07gJ0/w-d-xo.html
Great ideas. Thank you. What did you make the window insert out of for the hose?
No holes getting cut into the van just don't seem right. Your intake air should be keep inside the van so as to recirculate air to gets hotter as it recirculates. I got one of those Chinese suitcase heaters and they do put out some really hot clean dry air. Plug it into your jackery 1000 and you are good for the night. Looked really cold outside though.
Thanks for the tips!
I wanted a pacifica until I saw the sticker😮
When you go outside to check on things are you ever afraid you might lock yourself out?
Great idea and video. Question - does the remote for the heater work from inside the car?
With the exhaust pipe on the ground it could get covered, I'd be careful with that
Yes, you're right - thanks for the tip!
What did you make the window insert out of? Good job.
Thank you for the video! I have a question: what type of hose you used? It seems sturdy and it also seems to stay put when you stretch it. Thanks in advance!
Ever thought about using the holes from the spare wheel compartment?
The portable diesel heater is a good idea. With the way you have it setup, wouldn’t it work better to bring the vent down to the floor? Have you tried that?
I have an SUV that I have fully insulated (huge pain), but the results have been worth it. I use a bulletshaker on my butane stove for heat. I have a CO2 monitor and a tiny exhaust fan. Works well.
Hi Hope! Yeah, a hose to the bottom would be good, I haven’t tried that yet. I’ll have to look up bullet shaker. Thanks!
I think the idea of not effect your car by instalation and fear from exhaust exhalation are logical reasons for to put it outside, but the safety with open window and safety to let it steal outside without proper metal or wood box with locks, alarm, move sensors for lights is a risky. I have idea for corolla verso van to mount out rear lamp, for income pipe, when it stays outside, the best solution to put it into engine space aswell without drilling houses, longer houses and fan on outcome and split heat into two or for direction because in light freeze, its oki how do you have it, but by minus 15 or 20 its not enough, i guess, good luck to enjoy warm car ,-)
Great work! Any issues so far at higher elevations? Installing one this week in my mini
Thanks! Seems to work great at higher elevations, but I've only tried it at about 8000 ft.
Hey how long does your battery last powering the heater?
Another question in the rain in snow sleet whatever the wires from model to the 12v battery are they safe with water hitting them and could you do anything to make them water proof thanks
Hi Jonny! I put a tub over it for rain and snow. It's worked well so far!
a few nice hot farts in a sleeping bag gets things nice and toasty.
🤣
This is exactly what I was thinking of doing, but really didn't seem to be many videos online about this sort of "portable" setup. I was going to be renting a campervan for a few weeks in winter, and it only come with a very small electric heater which I can't run unless connected to power at a campsite. My only concern with this sort of setup is, does the diesel start gelling up in the freezing temps? How much power does it draw per hour?
It draws quite a bit of power on startup, but once it’s running it hardly uses any power at all. If you buy the diesel in the winter, then I believe it will be a winter mix which won’t gel.
I wonder if you could put it on the roof, so you can drive away with it. Edit - maybe paint it black so it doesn't stick out ... Also can you lay it flat?,,,, Or, maybe you can make something to hang it off side or back.
The roof would be great, but it won’t lay flat. It only runs upright, and the fuel tank has a little hole for venting. Painting it black though: great suggestion! Combined with a black rain cover that would do a lot! Thanks for the suggestion!
It’s not an engine… it doesn’t convert fuel into mechanic energy.. It’s a heater
Exhausting a 12 volt battery to lower than 50% is a sure way to kill it fast. Hope you have that addressed with the right kind of battery.
Thanks for the tip - I have an 800wh battery, and the heater doesn't use much power once it gets going. I've used it for over 24 hours, and the battery didn't dip much. Definitely something to think about though!
I ran mine for 22 hours on my 12V 100ah Lithium batt and it still was able to hold 11.7-11.9 volts.
I just charged it completely and only put in 400wh into!!! for 20 hours of runtime!
Hello 👋
Hello 👋
Will the heat from the heater burn through your rain cover?
No, it doesn’t get hot anywhere the cover touches
wow. that is a pretty complicated solution versus just using a little buddy propane heater. Why this choice over the many other types of heating?
No chance of carbon monoxide poisoning with this kind of heater and a setup like this. Little buddy propane heaters need way too much ventilation in order to work safely.
Yes, you're right, it was pretty complicated! I've tried the buddy heater, and it's ok - but it gets my headliner really hot, and I don't feel safe sleeping with it on. There are probably some other options, but once I got this working, it's really fantastic.
Buddy heater also generates a ton of moisture. Not ideal for a small space - think mold.
I used a buddy heater and got rid of it in an hour. They create way to much moisture in the van.
Do you feel safe with co breathing in
Yes - there is no exhaust or smells at all in the van. Everything is vented outside.
How much diesel are you burning in the 8 hours thanks
Hey Anthony! It uses such a tiny amount of fuel, it’s crazy. I ran it for almost 24 hours straight, and the fuel went down maybe an inch- out of 6 inches. I run it on low.
Small generator bartenura gallon an hour
I burned 1 gallon in 22 hours. 11 hours per night between 1.7-2.1 htz most of the time.
@@robertberin4872 thank you a generator that will run a 1400 watt electric heater will burn about a gallon of gas an hour... that's some too know those diesel heaters are so efficent
@@anthonyheneghan3137 just keep in mind if you jerry rig install it through your window you are losing quite a bit of heat. I figured that out when trying to keep my pick up cab warm a few days ago at 15-20 degrees in Tahoe few days ago, but still far more efficient than running a gen.
👍Great video. 1st vid I have found with a diesel heater installed in regular car/van. I have been looking for inspiration and ideas on how to put 1 in my pick up so I can sleep in the cab. Only downside is the electronics are outside so theres no way for it turn off/on if gets to hot/cold.
EDIT: 1 month later I finally did a couple of nights of below 20 degree camping in the mountains using my diesel heater. 1st Friday night at the cheapest hotel (Hampton Inn was $375!!) th-cam.com/video/9gkZB9BZQUk/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for watching! This one has a remote, so I can turn it off from the inside, but it still will be drawing some power. So I put a wire connector inside that I can disconnect from the battery so it doesn't continually draw power. Also, it has a timer function so you can set it to turn off automatically. Hope you find something that works for you!
Brilliant, that's how I'm going to do mine, much safer
Longer duck put it on the floor warm the bottom level woo hoo ..
I won't do it just for the fact of theft.
You're sweet and very cute.
That doesn't look very practical or secure. Somebody could easily walk away with your heater.
You may be right. When it’s running the exhaust pipe is very hot though, so at least they’d get some serious burns, haha.
Just run the car heater
this heater would burn a fraction of the fuel.
@@dodgeplow but look what you have to do and Cary all the time
@@Mr2013skywalker you're going to pay somehow. Either in a little effort or in extra fuel and wear on the engine. The little heater is a better tradeoff imo
takes 10 minutes to set up....all the parts fit in the rain cover.....it has a remote.......it can run for days.....no car exhaust on fellow campers....and on and on
You could run the heater... but I usually run this for at least 24 hours - more if I'm boondocking in a cold spot.
You are so beautiful... And sweet....