Diesel Heater Guide

Here you'll find everything you'll need to buy, to fit a diesel heater to your vehicle to make your caravan, campervan or motorhome nice and cosy.

5kw Heater

For a small to medium (Up to 7m long) Caravan, Van, Motorhome and Campervan a 5kw heater should be enough to heat the living area. We would recommend to purchase the one below

Right now (21/03/24) this one is under £70 pounds, an absolute steal

5kw heater

8kw Heater

This is the more powerful unit to the 5kw and it's bluetooth compatible. If you've a larger area to warm up you may be better off getting this larger heater, but Keep in mind that it will use more power and fuel when it is running.

Right now (21/03/24) this one is under £80 pounds, another bargain

8kw heater

Power Cable

You're going to want to run a cable form your battery to your diesel heater. 9m/30ft of each red and black cable should be enough for most setups, depending on battery and controller placement.

These cables will run from your panels to your controller and then to your leisure battery

Red & Black Cable

You may not even need that much, so you could save a bit of money by doing a measure up first, estimate how far your cable will need to run between components.

Terminal Spades

You’ll only need 2 terminal spades to connect it all up, but there is very little difference in price for a set.

Buying a set will allow you to connect other electrics up at a later date.

Connectors

Inline Fuses

Part of the fitting process of any 12v appliance is to fit a fuse on the live lead drectly between it and your battery. If you don't and the wire overheats it could cause a fire. If you don't want that, then for the sake of a few pounds and an extra 10 minutes fitting get some. Do check what fuse you need prior to fitting it.

This pack of inline fuse holders are great and they come with assorted fuses, to make certain you have the right fuse for the job.

Fuses

Auto Fire Off

These brilliant little fire balls automatically go off when temperatures reach fire point, they explode dry powder all over the flames and put them out. It's good to have one or two fitted next to your diesel and dotted around other potential fire hazards in your set up.

Peace of mind for not very much money, a no brainer to protect your investment.

Fire Protection

Heat Shield

This guard is essential when installing the heater directly onto any timber, plywood or composite floor.

It ensures the heat from the exhaust, does not make contact with the flammable surface and will make sure that when at it's hottest, your van floor doesn't catch alight. Money well spent.

Fire Protection

Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Essential if you are running any sort of fuel burning heater inside an enclosed space, you should 100% have one of these.

If there is a carbon monoxide leak, it will go off and you will wake up, you probably won't if you don't

Alarm

External Switch

These diesel heaters come with a remote control for turning on/off and controlling your heater. The controls are very generic and there are very few different frequencies that they work on, someone you are camped next to could well be switching their heater on and it could turn yours on too. For pennies this builds in an extra safeguard switch, to keep your heater off.until you want it on

You get 11 of them here for pennies, so great for other future projects

Switches

Cable Ties

The pumps are very noisy, these are to suspend the pump from under your vehicle and prevent it from vibrating on your chassis

Ties

Sound Deadening Foam

Wrap this around the pump tightly, this would quieten it down nicely, give it an extra barrier from moisture and stop it from getting too hot if mounted near to an exhaust system

Sound Foam

Fibre Tape

If you want to get that foam wrapped around tightly and not end up with a mess, then you'll need a good strong duct tape to seal the job.

Duct Tape

"Hope this helps"

Lots of time went into this guide, we do hope it helps you decide what you need.

"Still Struggling?"

If you're still struggling to get your head around things, join our Chat Group, our lovely members are always happy to give advice and lend a hand.

Check out our leisure battery guide

Check out our solar panel guide

Cosy is good