We are considering changing to an Autosleeper Sandhurst, and it has a diesel-fired heater. I've tried without success to find any threads about diesel heater pro's and con's, but I think I read somewhere that they give off fumes that can be unpleasant to folk outside on nearby pitches. And that they are noisy. However, I may be getting muddled up with various threads about diesel generators. The salesman was convinced they were by far the best heaters, can anyone confirm that? Many thanks.
We used to have a trigano tribute with diesel heating. It could seem a little noisy on start up but whenever we checked outside it seemed ok. It was very efficient and heated up the van very quickly. I prefered it to the gas/electric heating we have now. Certainly didn't get any fumes from it.
No fumes or smell inside & very good heaters but the exhaust pipe which comes out under van somewhere is slightly noisy & obviously emits fumes.
The heater itself does make some noise but how intrusive this is inside the van depends on the installation so I suggest you get the heater started up. Listen inside, listen outside & then decide. Used in trucks as well. You won't be disappointed with the heat.
The Eberspacher heater in my van is really noisy outside. It works fine and no fumes - but I wouldn't want to be too near it! Best kept for wild camping miles from anyone else.
I'd prefer a gas powered heater if I didn't have EHU and an electric one if I did.
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We have a Chausson 514, and the diesel heater is really great, especially as you can use it whilst travelling, too. Down side is, when first starting the heater, it uses more battery power when parked up, but hand book says to put heater on before you turn engine off, which saves using too much battery power.
We did experience some fumes, but this was due to the fuel line being in the wrong angle, giving the element too much fuel or something, a remedy that was soon fixed by the dealer.
We don't usually have windows open when the heater is on, but would be careful to notice where the exhaust for the heater is, and if windows are nearby, to not use them, or place windbreaks etc next to them, which will keep fumes close to the van.
Overall, it's the best heater we have had, in a total of 15 vans.
I have a Wallas XC Duo which as implied is a cooker (ceramic hob) and a heater - powered by diesel. Bit noisy when first fired up (minute or two) then quite quiet when settled down. Have checked outside when running, and virtually no noise. Certainly no smells either
Many thanks, everyone. We've decided not to go for the Sandhurst, not because of the heating (some interesting points for "next time"), but because the amount of space taken up by the rear bathroom / wardrobe area (or "dressing room" as the salesman called it).
Seems that some (not all) diesel heaters are a bit noisy, some (not all) a bit smelly - so the best way to find out is to get a demonstration.
End of thread, and thanks again for all the good advice.
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Topic: Diesel heating - smelly or noisy?
