... I like this , good price , lets hope it stays reliable , I'll keep my Buddy as a backup , like the Dry heat aspect ... I can't bring myself to ever leave a heating unit on while sleeping - lost some guys on a ski trip due to faulty heater - plus I always crack a window but enough air gets through the tailgate area ... nice report ... safe travels ...
That's pretty slick that it has an automatic altitude adjustment built into the controller. If you run it on low for a long time (overnight) I would recommend to run it on high for 15-20 min before you turn it off. That will help keep the burn chamber clean and free of soot.
I finally broke down and got one this year. I absolutely love it! So glad I got it! Also make sure and point your exhaust downward… it does create some condensation and it will build up in the exhaust pipe
I had diesel bunk heaters in my big trucks for years...they were awesome because you didn't have to idle the truck all night. I chuckled a little right before you checked to see how warm it was. They can run you out if not regulated. Thnx for the video!
Thanks Donald. I bought the Sunster about two months ago and had the same issues and thoughts that you mentioned. Mine arrived without the 3 inch delivery hose, and I had a E03 code on the first start. I replaced the glow plug (thought it was easier to spend $15 than chase down the vague customer support), and am very happy with it now. I also purchased a 3 inch home AC duct which solves the short delivery flange nuisance. I've been thinking about using a tire table like yours to position the heater, but not sure I want to carry that around.
Great review Donald. I’ve looked at diesel heaters for several years and not bought one yet. I camp in a cargo trailer and am getting ready to install a small wood stove. This is making me reevaluate my plans. I too like the “plug and play “ aspect of this one. Appreciate your work
Welcome to the dark side. I bought a diesel heater for my foamie, but found it put out way too much heat for it. Now it heats my 18'x18'x13' shop, running right now in fact. I think you will need to integrate it into your cabinets somehow to be totally happy with it. Just drill a hole for the heat outlet and run the exhaust outside. I found that 3/4" conduit works great with the flex hose the heater comes with if you need to extend the exhaust pipe. I didn't like the controller that came with my unit, similar to yours, just too much things to try and figure out. I'll send you a option that I love that should just plug in, although you will loose the remote portion of the setup. But, if you integrate it into you cabinets might be just the ticket. Nice heater! Thanks for the review, George.
I was in the same boat for a long time, but after burning through several "buddy heaters" and having them fail when getting dust on the ceramic I bought a diesel heater this summer on sale. I found mounting mine to a folding firepit cooking stand got it up off the ground enough for exhaust and inlet, but kept it to "one thing" by just folding the legs up under it. Routing it into the camper is the hard part, but converting to a 4" hose gives access to dryer vent hose/tube and all kinds of interesting fittings.
My installation was very smooth and easy and my 1st test in the mountains went well, I am looking forward to when it gets down to -20 to -30 here in a few eeks. I think you will love it. I do highly suggest you get a quality CO monitor for inside the tent.
Enjoy the videos, run it all night you will love it, if you need more fuel could carry some in Gatorade bottle, run mine on low for 12 hours at a time no problem, keep up the good work!!
I love my Propex propane heater. Super simple setup, dry air thanks to the heat exchanger, fully weather proof (meant to be installed externally), and no weird smells, pump noise, etc. well worth the money. And the money from my purchase did not go to a country that is an oppressive dictatorship bent on taking over the world.
As a suggestion for your duct problem, perhaps you could drill a small pilot hole through both side of the outlet on the heater and matching ones in the end of the duct. Then you could slide some kind of cotter pin through (like the setup for holding a trailer hitch in place). That lip looks pretty small, so maybe a piece of coat hanger would work. Just a thought. All the best to you and your family.
I"m still resisting the will of the diesel heater mafia. Out of all the heating systems I've seen, the only one that really attracts me is the Propex HS-2000. Now, if only the price were to come down by about 50% it might check all the boxes. But...if I did come across a real bargain, I might be persuaded to try a diesel heater just for research purposes.
Thank you Donald for sharing your experience with the heater. It’s tough call balancing the convenience of a Buddy heater vs dry heating of the diesel heater . Hey you mentioned that you weren’t using the tire table anymore & I couldn’t find a video explaining why . Just wondering? Thanks again. Bob
Nice setup. If heavy rain were to put on top of the unit, could it fill the controller compartment and short out or is that small compartment sealed against the weather? Can’t wait to see how you work this into your setup. Thanks for sharing.
The clicking. If it doesn’t click then you have convinced me to finally get one. I use a small switchable 75 - 185 watt mini electric heater but like you I have gotten pressure from my Overlanding peers to get one. Thanks for the honest experience and portrayal of succumbing to peer pressure.
What if you used your tire table to hold the heater and run the duct up to the tent window? As for the hose falling off ... if only there were some kind of extra wide, super sticky tape to seal ducts up with ...
We hate carrying excess gear, but that warm dry heat is worth it for us. We will usually run ours on high while we pack up camp. Its supposed to be good for burning off carbon inside of the heater and dries out our tent.
Nice! Try kerosene instead of diesel in your heater. Less smelly, burns cleaner, you can buy convenient 1gal k1 kerosene at Walmart in the camping section.
That would be a tough one to figure out a more permanent install. Propex like what Jason has makes a model designed to be mounted under the vehicle..... maybe through the rear truck cab slider and have it sitting on a shelf in back seat? Run exhaust out through floor of frontier or out one of the rear side windows? Looks like a cool little unit nonetheless! Happy Holidays!
Short length of silicone turbo hose to extend the flange. I would bring the heat in via the tent zip and then have an aluminium pipe to bring it back down to floor level. Don’t over complicate the weather proofing just have it on top of the box on the swing out then just rest the inverted tote you carry it in over the top. Add a bungee if windy - job done
The biggest negative for me would be the amount of electrical power it consumes. You would also be warming up your frig so it would be draining a battery more also.
I agree about exhaust pointing down or at a downward angle. Should be able to get an adaptor for heat tube at Jerry’s. Perhaps a small aluminum tire table or trailer hitch table. The big problem is how to get the heat into the truck without drilling a big hole in the tailgate. Buena Suerte
Some of the rubber or vinyl hoses can smell when they get hot. We have been running a couple of feet of the cardboard/foil hose at the heater side and that seems to help.
i like my diesel heater. ya, it can stink, ya, i've spilled fuel, yes that also stinks but... the heat, is great, the cost is very low, easy to use. so, its not for everyone but i like mine
I was missing your video adventures. Sorry to hear about your family issues Thank you for the review. I've been thinking about installing a diesel heater in my XJ and your experience was really helpful. I wonder if the is a temperature sensor in the remote as it already has connectivity with the main unit. Hopefully one of these days our paths will cross in Eugene.
All that exctra work you're fussing with you use the thing is a result of not just building it in. Glad you finally tried one and i hope the comfort of the dry heat turns you around enough to consider just doing the full installation and be done.
It didn't come with a muffler? You can get one pretty cheap but go with the upgraded one with baffles. Also I'd just put it under the truck to keep it out of the rain and run the ducting up. Maybe bring a small aluminum panel to keep it off the ground.
If you really want to get crazy, I know of people that have mounted their diesel heaters inside the rear quarter panel of the bed.. Tucked up out of the way.. You obviously have to use the individual components.. I think somebody actually makes a bracket for the setup.
That's what I have. ESPAR AS3 B2L tapped my fuel pump, and it's now integrated, so you don't even know it's there. Espar has high-end fuel pumps, which is crazy quiet.
There is a way to mount a diesel heater behind a rear wheel between the fender and bed wall for Tacoma’s using a mount by tiglifabrication. It looks like a fairly simple fabrication that could be retrofitted to other pickups.
I got the same one a few months ago. I love the way they attached the exhaust out the bottom, the app is decent, the only issue I have is mine has the outlet barely sticking out of the box so it’s hard to attach the duct. The one I built into my trailer is still working after the steel box for it has fallen apart. (VEVOR brand). Now I’ve got two, they both are running off a rotopax that I found on a trail. Added a quick disconnect fitting (dry break). I just hated the stock fuel tanks. So flimsy and I had the VEVOR one leak a lot
Your old tire table might be a good spot to place the unit, then run the exhaust down and away...how to get the heat into the truck bed is up to you, I'm unable to ponder that unless I'm looking at it.
perfect timing for this video, you read my mind. looking forward to your solutions. have you considered an amazon storefront where you list the items you use and earn a commission?
It seems like the heater could go on top of your cooker. As for venting it inside, that may be a bit more problematic. Modifying your side hatch with a slider and insert and plumbing seems excessive. Cutting your back hatch glass seems... enh. I wouldn't want to do that. Is there a way to pipe it thru the topper window? The other question, which i assume the answer is yes, is will it run on kerosene.
WHAT no wood stove? 🤦♂😂 Comfort is key to staying out longer in the winter. I live in NH out of my Alu-Cab Cabin and the Dickenson Fireplace does well but being able to place heat lower keeping your feet warm is a plus. I'm sure you'll figure out a convenient setup after trial and era.
Interesting… I thought that you couldn’t power these diesel heaters with power stations like your Jackery…. But yours seemed to handle it without any issues…. Thanks for the review!
Exhaust is hot and will rise. Pointing it down seems particularly counter productive and may allow the exhaust more room to blow into somewhere it doesn't belong, like under the bed and up into the sleeping quarters.
@@thewiredfox2691why do you think most car exhaust tailpipes point down? It’s to avoid condensation pooling inside the pipe. Some heaters will even shut off automatically when this happens. The pipe should be pointing down.
Take a closer look at the Sunster diesel heater:
amzn.to/3OUT4TJ
... I like this , good price , lets hope it stays reliable , I'll keep my Buddy as a backup , like the Dry heat aspect ... I can't bring myself to ever leave a heating unit on while sleeping - lost some guys on a ski trip due to faulty heater - plus I always crack a window but enough air gets through the tailgate area ... nice report ... safe travels ...
I'm watching this, in 4 low crawling thru a creek. After camping with a diesel heater for the first time 😆
Game changer!
That's pretty slick that it has an automatic altitude adjustment built into the controller. If you run it on low for a long time (overnight) I would recommend to run it on high for 15-20 min before you turn it off. That will help keep the burn chamber clean and free of soot.
I finally broke down and got one this year. I absolutely love it! So glad I got it! Also make sure and point your exhaust downward… it does create some condensation and it will build up in the exhaust pipe
Perhaps re-using your old tire table and turning it into a heater table
I had diesel bunk heaters in my big trucks for years...they were awesome because you didn't have to idle the truck all night. I chuckled a little right before you checked to see how warm it was. They can run you out if not regulated. Thnx for the video!
Thanks Donald. I bought the Sunster about two months ago and had the same issues and thoughts that you mentioned. Mine arrived without the 3 inch delivery hose, and I had a E03 code on the first start. I replaced the glow plug (thought it was easier to spend $15 than chase down the vague customer support), and am very happy with it now. I also purchased a 3 inch home AC duct which solves the short delivery flange nuisance. I've been thinking about using a tire table like yours to position the heater, but not sure I want to carry that around.
Great review Donald. I’ve looked at diesel heaters for several years and not bought one yet. I camp in a cargo trailer and am getting ready to install a small wood stove. This is making me reevaluate my plans. I too like the “plug and play “ aspect of this one. Appreciate your work
i had a vent hose similar to yours and it made a horrible plastic smell. got rid of it used a different style and it solved the problem
Excellent first look review video, Donald! Looking forward to the future comprehensive review!
Welcome to the dark side. I bought a diesel heater for my foamie, but found it put out way too much heat for it. Now it heats my 18'x18'x13' shop, running right now in fact.
I think you will need to integrate it into your cabinets somehow to be totally happy with it. Just drill a hole for the heat outlet and run the exhaust outside. I found that 3/4" conduit works great with the flex hose the heater comes with if you need to extend the exhaust pipe.
I didn't like the controller that came with my unit, similar to yours, just too much things to try and figure out. I'll send you a option that I love that should just plug in, although you will loose the remote portion of the setup. But, if you integrate it into you cabinets might be just the ticket.
Nice heater! Thanks for the review, George.
I was in the same boat for a long time, but after burning through several "buddy heaters" and having them fail when getting dust on the ceramic I bought a diesel heater this summer on sale.
I found mounting mine to a folding firepit cooking stand got it up off the ground enough for exhaust and inlet, but kept it to "one thing" by just folding the legs up under it. Routing it into the camper is the hard part, but converting to a 4" hose gives access to dryer vent hose/tube and all kinds of interesting fittings.
My installation was very smooth and easy and my 1st test in the mountains went well, I am looking forward to when it gets down to -20 to -30 here in a few eeks. I think you will love it. I do highly suggest you get a quality CO monitor for inside the tent.
Enjoy the videos, run it all night you will love it, if you need more fuel could carry some in Gatorade bottle, run mine on low for 12 hours at a time no problem, keep up the good work!!
I love my Propex propane heater. Super simple setup, dry air thanks to the heat exchanger, fully weather proof (meant to be installed externally), and no weird smells, pump noise, etc. well worth the money. And the money from my purchase did not go to a country that is an oppressive dictatorship bent on taking over the world.
As a suggestion for your duct problem, perhaps you could drill a small pilot hole through both side of the outlet on the heater and matching ones in the end of the duct. Then you could slide some kind of cotter pin through (like the setup for holding a trailer hitch in place). That lip looks pretty small, so maybe a piece of coat hanger would work. Just a thought.
All the best to you and your family.
I'd try using the wheel table to hold up the heater and route the hose in through the side somehow
I"m still resisting the will of the diesel heater mafia. Out of all the heating systems I've seen, the only one that really attracts me is the Propex HS-2000. Now, if only the price were to come down by about 50% it might check all the boxes. But...if I did come across a real bargain, I might be persuaded to try a diesel heater just for research purposes.
Thank you Donald for sharing your experience with the heater. It’s tough call balancing the convenience of a Buddy heater vs dry heating of the diesel heater .
Hey you mentioned that you weren’t using the tire table anymore & I couldn’t find a video explaining why . Just wondering?
Thanks again.
Bob
Nice setup. If heavy rain were to put on top of the unit, could it fill the controller compartment and short out or is that small compartment sealed against the weather? Can’t wait to see how you work this into your setup. Thanks for sharing.
The clicking. If it doesn’t click then you have convinced me to finally get one. I use a small switchable 75 - 185 watt mini electric heater but like you I have gotten pressure from my Overlanding peers to get one. Thanks for the honest experience and portrayal of succumbing to peer pressure.
Good choice. I just installed one in my fifthwheel and I love it.
If you have a trailer hitch maybe try to make a little platform that connects to it
What if you used your tire table to hold the heater and run the duct up to the tent window? As for the hose falling off ... if only there were some kind of extra wide, super sticky tape to seal ducts up with ...
Neat design at least, I have a vevor I am about to figure out how I want to install in a cargo trailer.
We hate carrying excess gear, but that warm dry heat is worth it for us. We will usually run ours on high while we pack up camp. Its supposed to be good for burning off carbon inside of the heater and dries out our tent.
Nice!
Try kerosene instead of diesel in your heater.
Less smelly, burns cleaner, you can buy convenient 1gal k1 kerosene at Walmart in the camping section.
The 59° is what it's set at
That would be a tough one to figure out a more permanent install. Propex like what Jason has makes a model designed to be mounted under the vehicle..... maybe through the rear truck cab slider and have it sitting on a shelf in back seat? Run exhaust out through floor of frontier or out one of the rear side windows? Looks like a cool little unit nonetheless! Happy Holidays!
I have been watching videos (from a year ago) about diesel heaters... I am almost convinced I need one for not just camping but my garage and shed. 😂
Nothing beats a diesel heater when it comes to condensation
Short length of silicone turbo hose to extend the flange. I would bring the heat in via the tent zip and then have an aluminium pipe to bring it back down to floor level. Don’t over complicate the weather proofing just have it on top of the box on the swing out then just rest the inverted tote you carry it in over the top. Add a bungee if windy - job done
The biggest negative for me would be the amount of electrical power it consumes. You would also be warming up your frig so it would be draining a battery more also.
I agree about exhaust pointing down or at a downward angle. Should be able to get an adaptor for heat tube at Jerry’s. Perhaps a small aluminum tire table or trailer hitch table. The big problem is how to get the heat into the truck without drilling a big hole in the tailgate. Buena Suerte
Some of the rubber or vinyl hoses can smell when they get hot. We have been running a couple of feet of the cardboard/foil hose at the heater side and that seems to help.
Haha. Nice. It was only a matter of time. I would aim your exhaust down or just straight out so you don't get any buildup. Looks good!
Drill a few small holes in the heat ducting and use screws to hold the tubing on
i like my diesel heater. ya, it can stink, ya, i've spilled fuel, yes that also stinks but... the heat, is great, the cost is very low, easy to use. so, its not for everyone but i like mine
I was missing your video adventures. Sorry to hear about your family issues
Thank you for the review. I've been thinking about installing a diesel heater in my XJ and your experience was really helpful.
I wonder if the is a temperature sensor in the remote as it already has connectivity with the main unit.
Hopefully one of these days our paths will cross in Eugene.
Sitting here watching you run heater as I run my diesel heater. My is a built-in with a 5-gallon tank
All that exctra work you're fussing with you use the thing is a result of not just building it in. Glad you finally tried one and i hope the comfort of the dry heat turns you around enough to consider just doing the full installation and be done.
They’re big and a PIA… But they work. Been a long time subscriber and I appreciate your low(er) cost solutions.
Put it on your tire table
It didn't come with a muffler? You can get one pretty cheap but go with the upgraded one with baffles. Also I'd just put it under the truck to keep it out of the rain and run the ducting up. Maybe bring a small aluminum panel to keep it off the ground.
If you really want to get crazy, I know of people that have mounted their diesel heaters inside the rear quarter panel of the bed.. Tucked up out of the way.. You obviously have to use the individual components.. I think somebody actually makes a bracket for the setup.
Nice review. Hope the family member gets well soon...
What about a gasoline heater like Rob from Revere is using? His taps into the fuel tank. I believe it’s an Espar, they aren’t cheap.
That's what I have. ESPAR AS3 B2L tapped my fuel pump, and it's now integrated, so you don't even know it's there. Espar has high-end fuel pumps, which is crazy quiet.
Terrible at altitude watch Venture4wd
Should have bought a Propex heater. More expensive but you will be glad you did!
There is a way to mount a diesel heater behind a rear wheel between the fender and bed wall for Tacoma’s using a mount by tiglifabrication. It looks like a fairly simple fabrication that could be retrofitted to other pickups.
Had to go look that up. Pretty slick mounting!
I got the same one a few months ago. I love the way they attached the exhaust out the bottom, the app is decent, the only issue I have is mine has the outlet barely sticking out of the box so it’s hard to attach the duct.
The one I built into my trailer is still working after the steel box for it has fallen apart. (VEVOR brand).
Now I’ve got two, they both are running off a rotopax that I found on a trail. Added a quick disconnect fitting (dry break). I just hated the stock fuel tanks. So flimsy and I had the VEVOR one leak a lot
Your old tire table might be a good spot to place the unit, then run the exhaust down and away...how to get the heat into the truck bed is up to you, I'm unable to ponder that unless I'm looking at it.
perfect timing for this video, you read my mind. looking forward to your solutions. have you considered an amazon storefront where you list the items you use and earn a commission?
Over to the warm dark side …good for you
The exhaust needs to be pointed down !
$1 worth of fuel to be dry and warm all night let it run
Hope its a dependable heater, time will tell.
I find you get less carbon build up when running on high. I have a splitter/valve and pump 75% to the truck cab cuz it does get hot fast.🥵
does the heater fit in the box on your swing out?
if it does.... does the remote work through the walls?
It seems like the heater could go on top of your cooker. As for venting it inside, that may be a bit more problematic. Modifying your side hatch with a slider and insert and plumbing seems excessive. Cutting your back hatch glass seems... enh. I wouldn't want to do that. Is there a way to pipe it thru the topper window?
The other question, which i assume the answer is yes, is will it run on kerosene.
WHAT no wood stove? 🤦♂😂 Comfort is key to staying out longer in the winter. I live in NH out of my Alu-Cab Cabin and the Dickenson Fireplace does well but being able to place heat lower keeping your feet warm is a plus. I'm sure you'll figure out a convenient setup after trial and era.
Interesting… I thought that you couldn’t power these diesel heaters with power stations like your Jackery…. But yours seemed to handle it without any issues…. Thanks for the review!
That's because he was using the AC adapter through the inverter on the Jackery
He ran it on mains voltage it’s the 12v outlets that struggle
Très intéressant. Merci!
Very nice
Is it possible that your body heat created the condensation? Maybe if you ran the heater all night, it could dry the air more
It's from breathing. You could always hold your breath.
I think it's a waste, keep it simple and what your doing, just saying 👍🍺safe travels my friend
Welcome to the dark side 💪🏼
Duct tape. will hold the ducting on well.
Point the exhaust down. ⤵
Exhaust is hot and will rise. Pointing it down seems particularly counter productive and may allow the exhaust more room to blow into somewhere it doesn't belong, like under the bed and up into the sleeping quarters.
@@thewiredfox2691why do you think most car exhaust tailpipes point down? It’s to avoid condensation pooling inside the pipe. Some heaters will even shut off automatically when this happens. The pipe should be pointing down.
@@thewiredfox2691wrong
lol
oh snap 😄 unsubscribed 😂