RV Heater Install! A Dickinson P-9000 for My Little Camper
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ม.ค. 2023
- In Part 2 of my new heater videos, I install and test a new Dickinson P-9000 Direct Vent Propane Heater in my little fiberglass camper. Although built for boats, I managed to make it fit my trailer and found the perfect spot for it too. I also find a new use for spaghetti!
Note: All products featured in this video were purchased at my own cost with no sponsorship. My views are expressly my own.
DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a professional install, so please view for entertainment purposes only. I am not responsible for personal injury or damage to property by anyone who attempts to duplicate this and does not have the proper skills or knowledge.
Products mentioned in this video:
Dickinson P9000 Heater (Non-Affiliate Link- Price in CANADIAN $): dickinsonmarine.com/product/ne...
Fiberglass Camper Cover (Amazon Affiliate Link*): amzn.to/3vEOJue
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The use of the spaghetti to measure the curvature was something I’ve never seen before. Unbelievable.
Yup, he is very crafty!👍👍👍
It's modeled after a tool that's been around for decades. You can buy it at Home Depot.
@@alaska-bornfloridaman ya but probably a tool he use once or twice and this is great and can eat it after lol
It was an interesting alternative to tracing the curve with a compass.
@Alaska-born Florida Man yes, contour gauge/profile gauge. More accurate but less tasty than spagetti
NOTE FROM SLIM: Silly Me! I forgot to mention one important detail: The heater door has a glass panel in it. That's why you can see the flame, but the combustion chamber is sealed from the cabin air. That means it does NOT rob the cabin of oxygen, does NOT add Carbon Dioxide, and most importantly, does NOT add moisture either! SP
I figured that when you had to tighten a knob to shut the door
That window is one of the major attractions of the stove. It’s like having a little fireplace and just looking at it makes me feel warmer :-)
Perhaps another little heads up for some that I came across while looking into it, the performance is for sea level application, no surprise being a marine product 🙂 A reviewer was impressed by it until it went out after a few minutes. Turns out the orifice is too small for altitude (they were using it in a mountain cabin at about 5800 feet elevation). But Dickenson got them sorted pdq with a new orifice. Probably won't affect you Slim but good to know the solution is out there and Dickenson will help.
Just in case, you might want to put some silicone sealant on your roof around the cap...
I have a question. I'm in need of a small heater. I am currently using a "Buddy propane heater" , BUT , because of the condensation, EVERYTHING stays wet. I can't see out of the windows and my blnakets, even though wool, feel soggy and Cold. I think, but not sure, that your stove being vented outside, wouldn't make me feel like I am in a rainforest. Mostly, though, doe's it HAVE to have the electric fan to work ?? I dont have electric. I don't want it , and I can't tolerate any fan, even a small quiet one.....ok. i guess actually two questions. Make it 3. About what price range will I be looking at ?.. thank you for the install video. Seems completely doable to me. 👍🙂
Been watching this guy for years trying to find the perfect heater.
18th time's the charm. 🤞
After all this time... He found a Canadian gem!
Costly but SWEET. I have checked these out before
Well done, sir! For a guy with "limited experience" with this kind of stuff, you sure did a very professional job!
He is one of the best at rigging solutions to fit any encumbrances.
The install looks great. I have had your heater's big brother (P12,000) for many years on my boat and it works flawlessly. As you noted it isn't a fast response heater, but given time it does the job. The psychological effect of the flame on a cold night is worth at least 5C. One suggestion, if it is a cold night, hang a curtain/blanket to block off part of the camper and the heater will do a better job of heating the sleeping area. Your feet won't get burned if they touch the heater as long as they don't touch the glass. The glass is the only part of my heater that gets too hot to touch.
I've always loved the Dickinson heaters, they are beautiful.
Don't know if they still make it but there is another model that burns diesel (with no electricity), and it was the heater that introduced me to them.
I really can't say how beautiful they are, they fit right in with a boats design and that makes them fit campers wonderfully also.
Replies like yours is the reason I read & enjoy them almost as much as watching the video.
Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada.
@@volvo09 Dickinson still makes their diesel and wood burning heaters. They also make very high end propane cook stoves.
So good to know. I want to put one where the chimney can't go up and wondering if it can go out the side....
@@todddunn945 I love my Dickinson stove!
Well Slim, you did it again. I must admit to some doubt about where and how to install the heater but once again you impressed the engineer in me. Bravo!
Can't wait to see the winter camping videos with the new heater. Looks like a quality product.
I thought maybe you went crazy a little with the spaghetti thing, until I saw how you used it. Brilliant!
I don’t throw around words like “genius” very often, but tonight I am using it and I stand by my assessment. You, sir, are a genius!! No matter what task you are presented with you come up with a genius solution. I guess that’s one of the reasons we all can’t get enough of your channel. I could watch you every day. Happy New Year and safe travels! -TN Nana❤
The spaghetti thing is brilliant! I’ll remember that one! I’ve used a Dickinson heater when I lived on a wooden sailboat in the PNW. With their stainless construction, they are really well-made, and perform quite excellent in the long term, at least in my experience. An absolutely excellent choice if you can afford one. One other thing, on several installations I’ve done of heaters I’ve used full-size commercial cookie sheets as the backing board. Really cheap and effective. Probably a little too big for your installation but others might find the idea useful. Thanks for the video. [edited to fix a few typo…]
I knew this was going to be a slick install as soon as i saw the carpet tapped back to epoxy in the brace. I'd love to see in a follow up video some temperature readings of the bedding, walls, pipes and any other things around it you'd find relevant. I'd love to see also an impression of how much light it produces in a completely dark camper.
Good stuff Slim!
Yes Slim, how's it look at bedtime? I imagine very sweet!
It’s like having a little fireplace in a little camper how cute 😊
That was hard to watch you drill the hole- I can't imagine how hard it was to make that initial plunge. Can't wait to see how well it performs in the "wild". Thanks for sharing!
That’s a great looking stove. It looks like it was designed with style and built with pride. Nice work on the install!
Hey Slim, as always your workmanship is impeccable. This is like an informational video for the company. Even though you bought this on your own I would think Dickinson might sent you a token of their appreciation. Great job of installing the unit. Alan
I agree and I think a lifetime supply of fuel for that stove is appropriate.💥
👍👍👍👍👍, You never do anything halfway, pretty nice setup and a perfect fit for your rig. 1LB of LP for 7-8 hrs of heat is amazing actually.
Captain Q would be proud of you using a marine heater in your camper. It looks like a nice heater. As for the expense you tend to get what you pay for and it looks to be made from stainless so it should not rust and look good for a long time. Well done. Keep the good stuff coming Slim.
Great install as always, Slim. Can't wait to see how this performs in some cold weather while you're out camping. The design perfectly suits your liking. Even though it's perhaps not powerful enough to keep the camper red hot, I can't imagine that would be an issue to you, as you don't prefer keeping the camper hot anyway. I will be excitedly waiting to see how it performs in the negatives (°F). Safe travels!
Slim, your spaghetti contour gauge was genius and hilarious. That was awesome 👍
That's your best install yet! Very well done. I can't wait to see your future winter rv camping videos.
I just wanted to say watching your videos always brings me joy.
Nice job on the install Slim. Looks like a perfect fit for your needs. Can’t wait for the first camp trip!
that install in the corner was just genius
I never had propane before this winter. I chose to spend more for a Martin propane heater just because it has a viewable flame. It does make a nice esthetic difference. FYI, my Martin uses no electricity (no fan) and heats my mini-cabin 120 sq. ft. room nicely in this Maine winter. It's 16,000 useable BTU. (PS Great video. You made the installation look easy!)
Thanks for the tip about the Martin...I have an off grid so no power needed is attractive. I have woodstove so just want for cool mornings when I don't want to light the stove....wondering if the 11,000 btu will be enough...mine is 188sq ft...thoughts? I assume you have the 20? BYW, I'm just up the coast from you in Nova Scotia.
For an amateur your ingenuity and thought process is amazing - well done!
The spaghetti is a great idea and something I'm surprised to have never seen before. I've seen tools and gadgets that work on the same principal but it's one of those things that most of us just don't have.
Everything in our built environment is typically squared off and a few crude sketches will usually suffice but to accomplish the results you needed for your design had a lot of parameters to meet plus most of the ready-made gadgets simply aren't big enough to get you where you needed to get to.
I will NEVER forget about "the old spaghetti trick"!
And overall you've produced a great video. Thank you.
I love it Slim ! I too enjoy a flame from a fireplace, its magical imo. So engaging, relaxing, therapeutic for me ❤
So glad you’ve been able to find what you wanted 😊
Carpenter tool made of spaghetti.
Ingenious, I am gonna use noddles as a measure tape from now.
Spoons as chisels.
Keep making videos we love it.
The spaghetti curve is something I’ve heard about but never seen done. It’s awsome!
The exhaust air preheats the air intake. That makes the heater even more efficient.
You did a darn fine job of installing that, and it will work just fine for years.
You are so very handy. It is always fun to watch your solutions. Congratulations on your new heater.
Always a pleasure to see a genius at work.
@21:12 what a gorgeous shot!
Beautiful install! You always blow my mind with how good a job you do! That'll take the bumps and bruises of road travel without issue!
I know you will love it!
.... and it’s like having a fireplace ! Love the visible flame. I agree completely Slim!
Perfect timing Slim for viewing this video.
Have yet to install a heater for vanlife. Thx4sharing.
Yes I really enjoyed this video, I think that your heater looks awesome. I could just watch the flickering flame and be very happy and warm! Thank you Slim!
Nice installation Slim. I have a dickinson in my boat runs with cerosine. But when I bought my little camper, a T@b 320 it came with a propane heater, a Truma S 2200. Very silent without a fan and it warms up quite fast. And I live in Norway, so that is very important. But mostly we use it in summer. Nice ro follow your videos. Thank you for your many ideas.
I had one of these in my old cabin cruiser and have been seriously considering one for my Cargo Trailer Conversion that I am currently building instead of a diesel heater. It's such a quality product. Thanks for the video.
Slim, you did a terrific job of installing the heater. I also like the fact that the heater is simple and therefore will be reliable on those cold nights camping in the outback. When I get a camper like your’s I will do a similar install.
Outstanding! Great choice Slim, and a great job installing.
Very well thought out install. Well done. Great job on the actual placement and securing to the fiberglass. Look forward to updates Slim
HEY! Good morning Slim! I have been looking forward to this video, thanks for taking us along ! 👍
It’s design is beautiful and well thought out. Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication.
I think the simple design makes it easier to handle and less parts to break. It looks so good. Im looking forward to see it in use on your trips in the future.
Good morning Slim! I love the little stove and it's tiny little window to watch the flames. It just seems so cozy!
Thank you for the update! It definitely hurt to drill through fiberglass, but for this it’s worth it. I am also deciding a heating option for my tiny house, and I am liking this little heater so far!
Thankyou for this! Also you are by far the most talented speaker I have heard on TH-cam! My daughter loves her heater.
Well, it seems you missed your calling, Slim. You were born to be a Dickinson heater install tech! Got to learn about Robertson (Scrulox) fasteners today. I was kinda concerned about those curtains being so close to it, but I guess it’ll be ok with the 2 inch recommended clearance. Great job and looks really nice with the flame 🔥
Me, too. I think Slim should hold the curtains away from the heater with velcro or some two-sided tape. Makes me nervous. 😊
Yes! I’m panicked about the curtains near the heater!
Slim, please keep safe, we don’t want to lose you!
Excited to see the end result of your heater hunt. I have been looking at campers for my truck lately and the two I'm most interested in have this heater and it just seems really great both functionally and aesthetically. Can't wait to see how you like it once you go on your first trip with it.
The heater videos are my favorite, and this unit's probably the neatest yet.
it is amazing to me to see that Furnace fit so good, as if the Dickinson people designed it for that camper especially. which makes it very cozy and warm indeed Thanks Slim
Thanks Slim. Because of your videos, I learned that Dickinson makes a solid fuel stove for those who do not want to use propane. Interesting install.
What a great design with the fresh air being drawn from outside. 👍 a friendly flame to look at.
Another great Slim project 😊. Nice to see a thinking mind at work and the process you went through.
Congrats on the growth of this channel ! Been a subscriber for a long while now. Affordable, and DIY is what drew my here
Happy new year Slim, Just to let you know this last year has been tough, but your videos have brought me a lot of joy and more than a few chuckles... Thank you.
Well planned and implemented, just like a professional installer. Roll on the cold winter's night. Enjoy and have a safe safari. Cheers
Great choice for your heater! Another excellent video!
Very much enjoyed this video!! Can’t wait for an actual trial!
Good for you with the Robertson screws Slim and stainless too. I never use anything else but Robertson. You certainly are THE man with your methods of installation, an inspiration to us all
I've eyeballed this heater so I'm ap glad to see your installation and review. Its looks extremely clean lined and I agree that any equipment that hasn't created failure points with computer chips is a winner. Great job, looks sharp.
Congratulations, Slim! Love the spaghetti idea, (I almost bought that tool), a usual you found a perfect solution for $0. Looks so cozy. Be well & Happy New Year.
$0 if you cook it after. Otherwise it's whatever spaghetti costs in your region.
What a lovely heater setup! The visible flame is really soothing, almost like your wood stove. Happy new year Slim!
Thank you so much for the "Spaghetti Scribe" tutorial! I've never seen that done, but it's fantastic! This will help me SO MUCH in my van build.
I learned a thing or two watching this video.
I enjoy your work Slim!
From your first vlog about looking for a new heat source, I was hoping you would go with this solution. Even though I am in Florida, it does get cold where I am. I used Dickinson products on sailboats for years and have been very happy and warm. Happy Warm Camping!
Super nice install slim looks great I’m sure it will work well good job 👍
Just installed one of these in my cabin. This literally is the best video I’ve seen on the Dickinson 9000 install.
Ive been racking my brain on how to measure the corners of my 1971 Compact Jr. PURE GENIUS! Thanks for sharing that ... Keep up with the great videos!
Nice to see someone install this in a fiberglass trailer and give an honest review. I really wanted to get one for the flame but since you are saying it doesn’t get as hot as you like, I’ll stick with my stationary Chinese diesel heater. I have it installed under my front bench in my Boler. On its lowest setting it keeps my cabin super toasty in - temps
Happy New Year Slim! Love watching your posts.
My only worry would be your curtains. Maybe a window sticking cover to take their place (see out, not in). Hope it works well and does it's job with no leaks and no CO2 leakage. Another informative video.
No bubbles, no troubles.
thanks for all the new techniques you taught in this install and thanks for the introduction to the product. I think this might be a usable heater in my van.
stay warm Slim.
Hi! Slim, great video! You did a fantastic demonstration of your new Dickinson heater install. Thank you for sharing and nice to seeing you! 😊
Hi Slim! This is an awesome heater! One potential issue you might have is with the braided propane hose, depending on where you got it. I had an inexpensive propane hose from eBay going from my propane tank to my Coleman stove, and after a few camping trips I saw the performance of the stove decline substantially. The internal rubber of the hose was chemically reacting with the propane and an oily greasy substance appeared on the inside of it. That oily substance moved into my stove and gummed up the regulator on the stove and the burners. I picked up a better quality Mr. Buddy brand propane hose and have not had this problem since. I wouldn’t want your stove to get gummed up and not burn properly when you’re boondocking in subzero temperatures! You can avoid this issue with a high quality hose or by plumbing copper tubing instead.
Mr buddy makes a filter and they require it's use on any extension used with a 20lb tank. There is one mr buddy house that doesn't need the filter however the filter is still recommended.
hello Lauren!
Mr Buddy heaters have made mention of this as well. The reason is that in a high pressure system, it can leach plasticizers out of the hose used in the manufacturing process. 3 ways to protect your equipment is either a low pressure system, an oil trap-filter (sold by Mr Buddy), or a plasticizer-free hose. (or plumb copper tubing as you mentioned)
Very good advice. Thanks .
I love your Spaghetti measuring device! That is brilliant!
I am glad you went with the Dickinson. I have their solid fuel heater. I also have another direct vent heater that uses propane. Having the vent is key, of course, for keeping your right black mold free. Glad you resolved your heating issue.
I like watching his projects come together , hope the heater and the camper people are taking notes
Mr Slim, I have some advice for you. To increase your efficiency in heating and cooling and you're not in the market to switch your windows for dual pane windows, then get your windows on your trailer tinted with weather thick tint. It's an affordable option, and it will work VERY effectively. The next slice of advice is that you may want to invest in a tank heating mat for your propain. If it gets too cold, it will not work efficiently. My final advice is that you may want to invest in a 7p propain tank. The tank brackets are super affordable and light weight. Thank you, sir, in advance for your time.
Hey Slim. We had one on our boat, fantastic. Spend the bucks for a Caframo Sirroco fan. Super quiet and very low power draw. We set up the fan to blow past the stove top and chimney to keep the ceiling cooler and get the heat into every nook and cranny. Cheers.
Caframo, another Canadian company for the win!
You made the install "look" much easier than is was in actuality. Loved the spaghetti idea to measure the top/bottom curves.
Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada
Slim you are about the only one who could make something like this interesting lol. Looking forward to some Winter videos!
Slim,
Great install, notice the location close to curtains, I’d recommend buying camper shades on Amazon.
We installed them and LOVE the results, it would allow you to close/open them even while heater is on.
A friend of mine has the same heater in his 17’ trailer and he loves it. I realize your hurting for space but for very cold weather it would have been nice to get the heater down close to the floor. Very nice vid!
That heater looks impressive and it should serve you well. Being able to watch the flame at night will be very calming. You videos really show that DIY doesn't necessarily need to be a tough thing. Thanks for sharing Slim and Happy New Year😄
Excellent find. Clean spot-on install. Thanks SP. 👍
Outstanding job well done 🎉
An excellent choice and it looks so good there too :)
Another wonderfully ‘simple’ install Slim. Looking forward to our next trip🌈
Slim you always amaze me with your little tricks (spaghetti on a cutting board). You’re ingeniously talented. Thanks for the videos.
Well done Slim. Love the shout out to also contain Canadian made screws! Why would they not have??? Keep 'em coming. Stay safe
Always enjoy your videos. I love your level headed approach to everything you do. And the spaghetti, brilliant!
That was an excellent clever install. You faced challenges and found ways to work with them. Big plus, it really is aesthetically pleasing!
i installed a larger propane heater in my living room 3 years ago, i love it 's ambiance and the heat is plentiful. it is also propane.
Very ingenious work on the mounting to the side of the camper. Congratulations on the new heater. BTW, I’ve used Robertson screws for years.
Robertson screws are a must, and for those who are states-side, that is not a boast. The slot is square and doesn't strip.
It looks so nice ,I would like one but would need to save up for it, but looks like a great deal.
I like what I'm seeing with this stove. Thanks Slim.
I’ve got a 19 foot Heartland MPG 185 trailer and wish to snowbird boondock at retirement off grid either next year down south in Arizona (Yuma-Quarzsite etc..) or the year after! The winter nights I hear are quite cold but the days are good so I’ll still need heat for nights! Since you announced this I’ve researched it and it is the heater I wish to get! So happy about this heater! Thank you for finding this one!
Slick heater unit there. Pricey sure, but I think you'll get to enjoy that investment for years to come. Nice install btw, cheers!
Edit: I'd say the 60f range is about right for camping. might be freezing outside but you'll be toasty inside. Good sleeping temp.
That's a good install job you did. I was wondering where you were going to put it. I am planning on building my own camper, and I think I'm going to get one of these heaters as well. Happy camping! 🙂
Great install Slim! I have started to watch your videos since you made the pellet stove to find camping heating idea. Where I live(Eastern Europe) we are still using this kind of units (of course they are bigger, 4-6 kwh/room), nothing changed in the last 50 years. I also have in my weekend house. No fan, no noise, no electricity needed just the cosy radiant heat, like a wood stove, without smoke.
Quiet and warm is key. I think you have a keeper. Cheers,
Steve