Installing a Chinese Diesel Heater

As our van isn’t huge (MWB, Medium Height) we decided to go with a 2kw Chinese Diesel Heater. We purchased the heater from Amazon and everything else we needed from Amazon, Ebay, Wickes, B&Q or Screwfix. We have added our shopping list, prices and links to some of the items further down this page! The cost of our diesel heater kit was £107. The total cost for this part of the van conversion including all materials and tools was £304.94 or approx £250 if you exclude tools. Why did it cost more than the cost of the kit? Because we chose to upgrade certain parts based on the research we’d done. Hopefully this gives you an idea of the cost of installing a diesel heater (more info below)

IMPORTANT: Get a Carbon Monoxide detector! (link below to the one we used)
Chinese Diesel Heaters can kill you if they are not installed correctly. Do your research, if you’re unsure – find somebody to fit it for you. 🙂

Huge thanks to the self build community and everybody who helped us get this far! Special thanks to: @vanlifesurvivorsguide, @alexfrood, @hughtubevlog and @mels_van_world on instagram and Youtube for their videos, top tips and advice! You guys rock!

Where to put your heater

Decide where you’re putting the heater, get under the van and see where there is space to fit it. It’s helpful to think about where your heater will get a good source of ventilation, how close it will be to your electrical connections, where your fuel tank will be and if your heater will be used to power other things such as water heaters etc.

Key steps

Cut the hole in the van floor for the turret mount
Fit diesel heater to the turret mount plate
Connecting the exhaust and air inlet to the diesel heater
Install and seal the diesel heater
Connecting the fuel line, pump and filter
Installing the control panel
Connecting the electrics
Prime the pump and test the heater

Tools & Materials you will need

A decent drill (we used a corded one which we already had)
127mm Hole Saw & Arbor (if you’re using a steel turret mounting plate)
60mm Hole Saw (for the duct vents)
1/4 inch ratchet, 6mm & 7mm socket or swan neck spanners
Cable/pipe cutters/craft knife
Heat resistant sealant – we used Trade Mate, Geocel plumbers flue
Holts exhaust paste (for a solid, leak free exhaust connection)
Fuel!

Recommended Upgrades

Before you install your heater, think about these upgrades.
Everything comes in the kit but don’t forget you’re paying approx £100 for a cheap heater so the items supplied with the kit are not going to be the best quality. You don’t have to upgrade anything but here are some recommended upgrades for smooth operation and longevity – hopefully! 🤞

15 ltr fuel tank (vented lid) the ones supplied in the kits are apparently prone to leaking although we haven’t experienced this!
Fuel Feed Pipe
Fuel Line & Filter (better filter, tougher, more hard wearing pipe will last longer)
Stainless Steel Jubilee Clips (last longer, rust less)
Wiring (reduce the effect of voltage drop, safer)
Additional ducting kit (if you want to send the heat in multiple directions)

Our diesel heater shopping list

Item	Cost	Supplier
Chinese diesel heater	£107.00	Amazon
Steel turret mount 127mm diameter (100mm deep) *various depths	£22.00	Ebay
Nylon fuel line and filter upgrade	£9.96	Ebay
15ltr vented fuel tank	£29.99	Ebay
490mm Fuel stand pipe	£10.00	Amazon
Stainless steel jubilee clips	£8.00	Amazon
Heat resistant sealant (Geocel Trade Mate Plumbers Flue)	£8.69	Screwfix
Holts Exhaust Paste	£4.00	Halfords
6mm Electrical Cable	£11.80	Ebay
Diesel Fuel	£15.00	n/a
127mm hole saw	£18.99	Amazon
60mm hole saw	£8.99	Amazon
Carbon Monoxide Detector	£15.90	Amazon
Additional Ducting 60mm	£14.58	Ebay