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Oct 13, 202217 min read

TRIED AND TESTED DIESEL HEATERS 3.0 2022/2023

Updated: Sep 29, 2023





Hi everybody, we're back with an updated version of our tried and tested diesel heater post...


Since our last tried and tested diesel heater post a LOT has changed with the market so we thought it was time to revamp it again for the 2022/2023 season so our info is as up to date as possible.


We have some huge changes this time with some of our past favourites not making it to the list at all and some newcomers making it to the list for the first time ever. There are also a few familiar names that you might recognise from our previous lists and some new technology for the tech-heads. So without any further delay here is our...



TRIED AND TESTED DIESEL HEATERS 3.0 POST 2022/2023



You might have noticed that the title of the post has not changed much since our last post tried and tested diesel heaters 2.1 and this is because it is essentially exactly the same post as before but version 3.0 (version 3) with a new amazing photo and loads of updates for the 2022/2023 season, so if it looks familiar to you thats because it is.


As we said above a lot has changed since our last post some things we are really happy about but there are also a few bits we were not too happy about. We will try our best to talk you through the changes as we go wether they are good or bad and have found solutions/better options for anything that has changed for the worse.



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WHAT SIZE DO YOU NEED... 2KW OR 5KW?



5KW Heaters are very powerful and kick out a lot of heat, if you install one of these heaters in a MWB (medium wheel base) you will get too hot very quickly. For anything MWB or below we suggest installing a 2KW heater.


That being said if you have a very well insulated LWB (long wheel base) van with a 5KW it will get hot quickly too and if you have a uninsulated WMB van with lots of windows a 2KW might struggle to keep your van warm or take ages to get to a decent temp.


So basically it all depends on your specific circumstance, what you want to use it to heat, how you will be using it and a bit of personal preference.


If you have a very small vehicle from a car up to MWB van then a 5kw heater will be far too hot and the best option for you is 100% a 2kw unit. You will also need to crack some windows and vents to stop it from getting too hot too quick. This isn't a bad thing though as they work via combustion and produce carbon monoxide so it is always a good idea to let some fresh air in just incase you get a leak somewhere. The heaters also produce a very dry heat that is very good for the inside of your van and stops them getting damp from your breath as you breathe however the dry heat isn't great for your skin, lips, hair, throat etc so this is another good reason to let some fresh air in whilst the heater is on.


If you have a larger van like a LWB or XLWB (extra long wheel base) then you have a choice as the 2kw heater will be powerful enough to heat the whole van if you turn the power right up however doing this will make the heater use more battery power, more fuel and make a lot of noise as it is working flat out to achieve the desired temp.


On the other hand a 5kw heater won't have to work very hard at all to heat the space so will use a lot less battery and fuel and make a lot less noise, normally they are easier to find and cheaper to buy than the 2kw units (for some strange reason) and usually come with much better controllers and remotes.


The downside of a 5kw heater in a van is they don't like being run on the lowest power all of the time and they can get carbon deposits built up on the inside from unburnt fuel. This is easily solved though by just giving it a blast on full power for 20 mins a couple of times a week to burn any deposits away. What I personally do is whack it on full power every morning when I take the dog for a walk, this burns off the deposits and heats the van quickly (all the wood and furniture is no longer cold to the touch either). When I get back to the van I open the vents, a couple of windows and then turn the heater down to about 1.8 or 2.0 hz for the rest of the day. I am nice and toasty with fresh clean air to breathe.





STAND ALONE OR ALL IN ONE?


These heaters come in 2 different types, the stand alone type or the all in one type and it is very important that you choose the right type. We have made a video on this that goes into all the details about it that you can watch below but the long and the short of it is the ALL IN ONE TYPES ARE DANGEROUS TO INSTALL IN VEHICLES because of the way they are built. If you want one for your van PLEASE ONLY INSTALL THE STAND ALONE TYPE.


If you want to heat a building, tent, shed ect then the all in one heaters are good for you.


For more info about this please watch our short video...






2KW STAND ALONE UNITS




When it comes to 2KW HEATERS there are not that many choices on the market to be honest with you and the ones that are out there are pretty much always the same and come with the same three button control panel. The three button controller isn't the worst option on the market but it is very basic and far from the best option when it comes to functions and ease of use. That being said they are compatible with and normally come with the 4 button silver remotes.


Because of the motherboard and wiring loom it isn't possible to upgrade the controllers on these heaters easily. It's not impossible but you would need to change the controller, motherboard wiring loom and settings in the new controller.


BUDGET UNIT WITH BASIC ACCESSORIES


This first heater is exactly this and what most people expect to get when they order a 2KW heater, they are the correct dimensions, have 60mm ducting and what people will refer to as a genuine 2KW diesel heater.


They are very easy to use once you get the hang of the controller and the features and are literally as imaginative as a genuine 2KW heater gets.


One bad point thing about these heaters is they are supplied with the wrong fuel line, this is one of the things that has changed in a bad way. Last year it was possible to find them supplied with the correct rigid type but now it has become impossible to find them. If you are going to buy one of these heaters we strongly suggest upgrading the fuel line to save yourself a lot of future stress. For more info about this please see our error codes video







DREAMIZER 2KW Air Diesel Heater






BUY FROM ALIEXPRESS






Adifare Diesel Heater Fuel Line for Webasto/Eberspacher Heater Durable Parking Heater Standpipe Fuel Kit with Fuel Hose Stand Pipe Connectors Clamps Fuel Filter









BASIC UNIT WITH UPGRADED AND ADDED ACCESSORIES


Another genuine 2kw sized heater that we are always happy to recommend is the Maxpeedingrods one. It comes with a different very basic controller as the Vevor above and again because of the motherboard and wiring loom it isn't possible to upgrade the controllers on these heaters easily. It's not impossible but you would need to change the controller, motherboard wiring loom and settings in the new controller.


Maxpeedingrods have really stepped up their game recently with some of their newer larger models so they are making an effort to make them better unlike other brands out there so who knows maybe sometime soon they will have a bluetooth 2kw model like their 5kw and all in one bluetooth units below.


What they have done is upgrade the accessory kit on their 2kw unit to the standards of their newer units so this means you get more stuff in the kit with this heater and a few better quality accessories too.


The one thing we will say is they are also supplied with the awful green fuel line and we recommend changing this before installing it. For the correct fuel line please scroll back up to find a link.


They have added...


A fuel stand pipe (to go through the top of fuel tanks to prevent leaks)

Exhaust wrap (so you don't burn yourself or anything)

Rubber Gloves (to keep your hands clean)

Ducting T - piece

1 x Extra vent (X2 in total)

1 x Extra piece of ducting (X2 in total)


They have upgraded...


The fuel pump

The fuel filter

The exhaust pipe


The really are worth the small amount of extra that they cost with all the upgraded and extra parts and with the added bonus of no huge shipping or import fees!






They also have excellent customer service and all of their heaters ship from the UK so turn up nice and quickly.


You can also get 10% off when you buy direct from their website if you use the coupon code VANLIFEUK at the checkout.



12V 2KW Diesel Air Heater Tank Vent MotorHomes for Car Caravan Trucks LCD Warm


BUY DIRECT FROM MAXPEEDINGRODS

10% (£15) OFF WITH VOUCHER CODE

VANLIFEUK











The Lavaner pro


These heaters really are top quality and a lot of work has gone into making them so much better than any of their competitors. The have upgraded pretty much every accessory in the fitting kit, they are built better, they come with a decent controller, they are less noisy... the list goes on. I'm not going to take the time typing out all of the bits are better about this heater as there are so many and it would take me ages. we have already made a video about it where we cover it in a lot of detail. Please see video at the bottom of the post.


These heaters can only be purchased from Aliexpress, please find a message from Lavaner below and a link to where you can buy it below that...


"Please make sure you download the APP "AliExpress" when trying to place the order with your mobile.


You need to have an AliExpress account and sign it before trying to purchase. This makes a huge difference on how the platform works.


ALSO if the browser you use has Ad blockers, this messes up the AliExpress server and it will do silly shit. Google Chrome without blockers works best.


When you are placing the order to us on AliExpress Lavaner Online Store, please make sure you write the County name and the city/town name related to your Post Code, without this information, we can not deliver to you successfully because it can not go through our shipping system"


The price does jump up quite sharply at checkout to about £220 so be aware of that.




LAVANER Pro Water-Resistant Diesel 12V 2KW Air Parking Heater LCD Remote Monitor Controller for Trucks RV's Campers and Trailers







5KW STAND ALONE UNITS


Recently we have heard a lot of people recommending the Vevor 5kw unit as they are decent units and cheap if you buy direct from them. And although we do recommend their 2kw units their 5kw units did not make it onto our list because they are supplied with very uncommon controllers that don't have many youtube tutorials or decent instructions supplied with them.


When it comes to 5KW we thought we were going to have a little bit of a nightmare as our favourite brand of heater seemed to be impossible to get hold of for a few weeks but luckily everything is back to normal again and now they are available.

So our favourite basic, cheap, reliable 5KW unit with quick delivery is one that we have been recommending to people since our first ever diesel heater post and that is the Triclicks below.


Over the past few of years we have fitted a lot of these heaters for people and not once have they ever let us down.



BUDGET UNIT WITH BASIC ACCESSORIES

First of all they come with a decent LCD controller and remote control that have lots of youtube videos on how to use them. This might not sound like a huge selling point but it really is as there is nothing worse than not knowing how to use your heater, use the functions or what the error codes mean if you get. problem. With this controller you can't go wrong as it is the most common with the most tutorials and instructions for them online

The components that are sent with the unit are always a decent quality, the fuel pumps always smell like diesel when they arrive meaning they have all been tested before packing, they come with the rigid white 2mm fuel line and there are always extra screws and bolts etc in the box so you don't run out.

The controller also comes with the decent motherboard that is compatible with all of the decent controllers and remotes should you ever wish to upgrade to an even better controller.

(THIS HEATER HAS CHANGED ITS CONTROLLER SINCE WRITING THIS POST, FOR THE CONTROLLER DESCRIBED IN THE INFO ABOVE PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO THE FIRST HCALORY HEATER)


Triclicks 12V 5KW Air Diesel Heater Parking Heater Diesel Night Heater with Silencer LCD Switch Remote Control 10L









Check out our quick guide to the controller supplied with the triclicks...





HCALORY BASIC 5KW UNITS


Another decent quality heater brand is HCALORY and as well as there new heaters with bluetooth and auto on off thermostat functions they also do decent basic units too that come with the universal motherboard and controllers.


They also some with the correct fuel line in the kit so you don't have to order it separately and they are usually a very reasonable price.


Because the motherboards are universal this means the company can offer a few different options for controllers you can choose from so you can easily pick the best one for you.









HCALORY 5KW-8KW 12V Diesel Air Heater











HCALORY 5KW-8KW 12V Diesel Air Heater Muffler Diesel Heater, Diesel Parking Heater with Upgraded Blue LCD Switch and Remote Control















BLUETOOTH UNIT WITH UPGRADED AND ADDED ACCESSORIES


The next option on our list is quite new to the market and has some new tech that most Chinese diesel heaters don't have and that is bluetooth. This is a huge plus point for a lot of people so they can turn their heater on from their bedrooms, set times, easily see settings etc so you can see why.


The bluetooth has a longer signal range than the remotes supplied with the heaters reaching up to 262ft and as you always have your phone on you there is no need to have the remote by your side at all times. The app and controller are quite new though so there are not very many videos etc on how to use them yet but it does come with a much more in depth user manual than most heaters and we will be making some videos on them very soon. With the controller, remote control and apps (available on both android and iOS) you have three different ways to control your heater.


They have also followed in the footsteps of Lavaner and upgraded a lot of the parts that come with them heater for some much better quality parts. the have upgraded the exhaust pipe, wiring loom, exhaust silencer/muffler, instructions manual, fuel filter to the type with a water trap and the motherboard has been weatherproofed.


They have also changed the fuel tank so there is a fuel tap location at the bottom of the tank although we can't see why as they have included a stand pipe in the kit to go through the top of the tank.


The pump seems to be an upgrade too and is meant to be quieter but we have found it a little louder than the original type.


They have also added a few added extras that you don't get in any other kit like a glow plug removal tool, a glow plug mesh removal pick, exhaust wrap and a pair or Maxpeedingrods branded rubber gloves.


Because of the bluetooth and upgraded parts supplied with the heater it is a little bit more expensive but not that much and definitely cheaper than buying a basic heater and upgrading all of the rubbish bits supplied with the basic heaters.


One downside to these heaters are they are supplied with the wrong type of fuel line and we recommend upgrading it to the rigid nylon type before installing it. We also recommend upgrading the exhaust jubilee clips to some proper exhaust clamps if you are willing to spend a little bit extra and make your heater as safe as it can be.



maXpeedingrods 5KW 12V Diesel Heater with Bluetooth APP Remote Control for Trucks, Campers, Caravans, Trailer

BUY DIRECT FROM MAXPEEDINGRODS

10% OFF WITH VOUCHER CODE vanlifeuk AT CHECKOUT







Adifare Diesel Heater Fuel Line for Webasto/Eberspacher Heater Durable Parking Heater Standpipe Fuel Kit with Fuel Hose Stand Pipe Connectors Clamps Fuel Filter





Just like with 2kw heaters If you are looking for a top quality heater and don't mind spending a little extra and waiting a little longer to get it then the best option for you is by far the best Chinese diesel heater on the market...




BLUETOOTH UNIT WITH AUTO ON/OFF THERMOSTAT



And finally another awesome heater with bluetooth is the newest version of the Hcalory heater, although it doesn't have loads of upgraded parts like the Maxpeedingrods bluetooth heater above it does have one amazing feature that no other Chinese diesel heater has and this could be the feature that sways you. These heaters have an auto on/off thermostat so when it reaches the temp you have set it to it actually turns completely off instead of just turning down to the lowest power. Making it a very strong contender for anybody with a big battery bank or heating anything other than a van.


We are not going to go into too much detail about these heaters as we have written a complete post about them that will we link to below the link to the heater.


They also come in a few all in one versions too if that is what you are looking for and we will link to them further down the post.


Hcalory 12V&24V 6-8.5KW Car Parking Diesel Air Heater 10L Tank LCD Screen bluetooth APP Remote Control Voice Broadcast


BUY FROM AMAZON


BUY FROM EBAY


BUY FROM ALIEXPRESS










IF YOU ARE LOOKIG FOR A 5KW HEATER WITH BLUETOOTH AND AUTOMATIC ON OFF THERMOSTATIC FUNCTION PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR BRAND NEW POST...






ALL IN ONE UNITS


If you are looking for an all in one type heater for heating something other than a vehicle there are loads of choices on the market with a verity of different controllers and remotes. In fact this is the category with the most choices when it comes to units and controllers to choose from on both Amazon and Ebay.


Some of the controllers are very new with literally no instructions or tutorials anywhere on line, some are really old with very basic controls and functions and some come with the best controllers on the market already attached with the best remotes too.


BUDGET UNIT WITH BASIC ACCESSORIES


So for the basic, cheap, standard and reliable we recommend another Triclicks unit. This is the same unit as the 5KW Triclicks above but in an all in one version.


They come with a decent LCD controller and remote control that have lots of youtube videos on how to use them. This might not sound like a huge selling point but it really is as there is nothing worse than not knowing how to use your heater, use the functions or what the error codes mean if you get. problem. With this controller you can't go wrong as it is the most common with the most tutorials and instructions for them online

The components that are sent with the unit are always a decent quality, the fuel pumps always smell like diesel when they arrive meaning they have all been tested before packing, they come with the rigid white 2mm fuel line and there are always extra screws and bolts etc in the box so you don't run out.

The controller also comes with the decent motherboard that is compatible with all of the decent controllers and remotes should you ever wish to upgrade to an even better controller.


(THIS HEATER HAS CHANGED ITS CONTROLLER SINCE WRITING THIS POST, FOR THE CONTROLLER DESCRIBED IN THE INFO ABOVE PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO THE FIRST HCALORY HEATER)



Triclicks 5KW / 8KW 12V Diesel Air Heater, Parking Heater All in One Diesel Fuel Heater with LCD Display













Fuel Tank Standpipe Kit Replaceable Parking Heater Fuel Line Kit Heater Diesel Heater Standpipe Fuel Hose Clip Kit









HCALORY BASIC ALL IN ONE 5KW UNITS


Another decent quality heater brand is HCALORY and as well as there new heaters with bluetooth and auto on off thermostat functions they also do decent basic units too that come with the universal motherboard and controllers.


They also some with the correct fuel line in the kit so you don't have to order it separately and they are usually a very reasonable price.


Because the motherboards are universal this means the company can offer a few different options for controllers you can choose from so you can easily pick the best one for you...


They have a few styles to choose from

Hcalory® Car Portable Parking Diesel Air Heater 5KW 12V Motor Home RV Camping UK


BUY FROM AMAZON


BUY FROM EBAY




Hcalory All In One Car Heater 5-8KW 12V Air Diesels Parking Heater Car Heater For Trucks Motor-Homes Boats Bus LCD Switch


BUY FROM AMAZON


BUY FROM EBAY





HCALORY 12V 5KW-8KW Diesel Air Heater, Portable and Convenient Integrated Parking Heater













BLUETOOTH UNIT WITH UPGRADED AND ADDED ACCESSORIES



If you are looking for an all in one heater that has bluetooth and some decent upgraded parts Maxpeedingrods have made their 5kw heater (details above) into an all in one unit with all of the same benefits but in a handy all in one style so you can heat buildings, tents, sheds etc...




maXpeedingrods 5KW 12V Diesel Air Heater

BUY DIRECT FROM MAXPEEDINGRODS

10% (£20) OFF WITH VOUCHER CODE

VANLIFEUK








maXpeedingrods 12V 5KW Diesel Heater Bluetooth


BUY DIRECT FROM MAXPEEDINGRODS

10% (£20) OFF WITH VOUCHER CODE

VANLIFEUK











You can also get a 240v adapter for these heaters so you can literally just plug them into any 240v house socket instead of having to buy a transformer. Tis makes them very easy to use anywhere



12V compatible for AC DC Power Adapter for MaXpeedingrods All in one Diesel Heater MXR UK


BUY DIRECT FROM MAXPEEDINGRODS

10% (£3) OFF WITH VOUCHER CODE






BLUETOOTH UNIT WITH AUTO ON/OFF THERMOSTAT


And finally like we mentioned above Hcalory also do their new bluetooth version in a few all in one models too.


They have auto on/off thermostat function and a really good bluetooth app. We are not going to go into many details on these units as we have written a whole blog post about them. If you are heating a house or anything else with 240v these really are the best option for you. For more info on them please check out our blog post


for more info and more all in one styles please see the post below the link to the heater




Hcalory 12V 24V Universal 5-8KW All In One Air Heater LCD Screen APP




BUY FROM AMAZON


BUY FROM EBAY










Hcalory HC-A01 12V 5KW Diesel Parking Air Heater Portable Toolbox bluetooth Remote Control Power Temperature Adjustable


BUY FROM AMAZON


BUY FROM EBAY









And that's it for our recommendations, if you are thinking about fitting your own heater please click the photo below for step by step fitting instructions...



If you are looking for spares, upgrades, or mod's for your heater please take a look at this post...












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Sean W
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02 בינו׳ 2023

I can’t undestand why you stage Hcalory H ac01 but show a different hearer

this you state is only. Portable

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