Interior Diesel Heater options

Macca_75

Well-Known Member
Aug 3, 2016
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SE Suburbs, Vic.
Hey guys,

I have a 20.64.1 and we want to put a diesel heater in for our trip to Tassie later in the year.

There seems to be a massive price difference in whats available. Are the expensive units superior in terms of build quality/safety/effectiveness/robustness/operation, etc?

On ebay kits for the same spec go from anywhere from $300 to $2000. Whilst I will be steering clear of the cheapest possible unit, what is a good unit worth?

Also, anyone live around the SE Suburbs that would be willing to give me a hand to fit it? I have some general DIY skills and am not afraid of getting my hands dirty, however having someone there that has done it before would sure make the process a lot quicker. Failing that I have had quotes of around 1 days labour - does that seem reasonable?
 

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
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Having had my fingers burnt with a cheapie I can honestly and without favour recommend Pinnacle Wholesale on Ebay or online, they sell good units, answer the phone for any queries as well as email, speak english and run a store in Wendourie, Victoria...............mine set me back about $900. It's not all that hard to fit just fiddly in some parts, need a hole saw or jig saw, drill, some odd brackets and of course zip ties, depending on the situation it could take all day to fit, I ran my fuel line thru clear plastic tube to add another layer of protection and any external wiring got shielded, fitted some metal stone guards from purling to protect the fuel pump and bottom of heater from any flying rocks.
There are about 4 brands of heaters which the chinese knock off a copy of each of them, sorting out which is better is difficult.........there are some threads on the subject with heaps of info somewhere.
 
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Glen Bundesen

Active Member
Jan 12, 2014
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Perth WA
We put a pinnacle supplied unit in about 3 years ago and it has never missed a beat. I had the inside air intake near the door. Just check the under floor area when locating the unit and before cutting the hole. I put the tank upright onto the back bumper, with a cover over it to protect it from rain/moisture.
 
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Capt. Gadget

Obsessive & Compulsive Gadget Man
Dec 1, 2011
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I see Pinnacle sell a few different Brands, which one did you get? Im in the market for one and was gonna fork out for a Webasto but would be happier if I spent a lot le$$.
 

Drover

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Nov 7, 2013
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I ended up with a 3kw Belief, works well and is lot quieter than the webasco copy I had before.
 

Glen Bundesen

Active Member
Jan 12, 2014
336
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Perth WA
I can't remember the brand, but paid ~$800 which included the tank and a muffler! The only aspect of the kit was the switch/controller. I would advise to check it out - maybe it was because I purchased the basic model.
 

JT76

Well-Known Member
Jan 24, 2016
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Central Coast
I fitted a eberspacher d2. I think I spent around 6 hours fitting it but I was triple checking everything and as it was the first one ive fitted so it took longer. A days labour is not crazy but I would assume after you have fitted a few you could probably do it in half the time I did.

Our unit has been faultless and would recomend the d2. We ordered ours from Heatso.com at the time is was landed at just under $1000 (18months ago) They have gone up a little since then so maybe shop around.
 

Capt. Gadget

Obsessive & Compulsive Gadget Man
Dec 1, 2011
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Well I bit the bullet and forked out for a Webasto ST 2000 at the Perth Caravan show $1800 including programmable controller and 12 litre tank, now let the installation fun begin, first quick look shows best spot is in front box, nice and clear underneath, will start a new thread when I get into it with a blow by blow description
 

Drover

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Nov 7, 2013
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Supposed to be 3 deg on Tuesday in Yass, the new Belief will surely get a good run.
 
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Brad77

Member
Feb 9, 2016
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Sydney
I ended up with a 3kw Belief, works well and is lot quieter than the webasco copy I had before.
Hi mate. I am about to buy one of these. 3kw from pinnacle. Are you happy with the noise? Also how does the 3kw going? Im hoping it will not be to big for my 18 ft expanda.
Cheers
 

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
12,723
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Mines working nicely, quieter than an electric fan heater and as I type away in chilly Yass this morning my feet are getting nice and warm near the vent outlet.
Draws less power on start up than the previous heap of junk...............my stove fan makes more noise actually.
 
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Crusty181

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2010
6,854
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Mentone, VIC
Hey guys,

I have a 20.64.1 and we want to put a diesel heater in for our trip to Tassie later in the year.

There seems to be a massive price difference in whats available. Are the expensive units superior in terms of build quality/safety/effectiveness/robustness/operation, etc?

On ebay kits for the same spec go from anywhere from $300 to $2000. Whilst I will be steering clear of the cheapest possible unit, what is a good unit worth?

Also, anyone live around the SE Suburbs that would be willing to give me a hand to fit it? I have some general DIY skills and am not afraid of getting my hands dirty, however having someone there that has done it before would sure make the process a lot quicker. Failing that I have had quotes of around 1 days labour - does that seem reasonable?
How'd you go with the heater install Macca. Sorry, I didnt see your thread. My 20.63.1 is in the factory in Dandenong, and your welcome to have a look at my install if you havent sorted it yet.
 

Macca_75

Well-Known Member
Aug 3, 2016
680
596
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SE Suburbs, Vic.
How'd you go with the heater install Macca. Sorry, I didnt see your thread. My 20.63.1 is in the factory in Dandenong, and your welcome to have a look at my install if you havent sorted it yet.
Thanks - might take you up on that offer. We haven't bought a heater as yet (but I still want to). Mrs has booked a cruise for her birthday next year for all of us so we are saving towards that - and I also had a bit of a squiz at a Journey as a possible upgrade at the recent show so we are undecided as to whether we will keep the Expand or not - I suspect we will for a few years and then move to something as the kids start not coming away with us.

Do you have after hours access to it (is it your factory or a storage facility)?

Cheers
 

Crusty181

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2010
6,854
13,971
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Mentone, VIC
Thanks - might take you up on that offer. We haven't bought a heater as yet (but I still want to). Mrs has booked a cruise for her birthday next year for all of us so we are saving towards that - and I also had a bit of a squiz at a Journey as a possible upgrade at the recent show so we are undecided as to whether we will keep the Expand or not - I suspect we will for a few years and then move to something as the kids start not coming away with us.

Do you have after hours access to it (is it your factory or a storage facility)?

Cheers
My factory. I work tradie hours .... errr, long and hard. cough cough ... so in other words not late. Ill be there Fri morning. Good timing because I have the whole van pulled apart doing some buggering around, so the heater area is accessible at present
 
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