Why don’t companies put Diesel Heaters in permanent Icehouses / Iceshacks?

Nodakk wrote:

Do you have any issues with the air intake and exhaust so close together?

Keep in mind the entire combustion loop is totally sealed on these units so the air from the intake never enters the living space, it’s pulled directly into the combustion chamber and then expelled out the exhaust. It’s not like a home furnace where the unit is using air from inside the home/living space for combustion.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

I’m thinking and correct me if ‘m wrong but would this work good at heating a small garage or most importantly heating me 10 x 16 boat house?

That’s what I’m looking at it for. I already have the power source in the shed, so to me it looks like a great option as far as low operating cost.

These units aren’t new, they have been used in trucking and marine applications for decades. Overseas they are called cab heaters because in many places in Europe, semis are not allowed to engine idle to keep the truck cab warm due to exhaust and noise restrictions, so these heaters have been used there for a long time before the van camper people started getting turned on to them over here.

I’m learning a lot here, thanks everyone.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

OK!
You have grabbed my attention.

Couple questions –
1) Model #’s? I googled “airtronic” not very clear there.
2) What is the vessel used for the tank?

I’m thinking and correct me if ‘m wrong but would this work good at heating a small garage or most importantly heating me 10 x 16 boat house?

There’s dozens of knockoffs, but the one I got was recommended from a guy online who loved his.

The fuel tank came with it, it’s holds 15 liters (roughly 4 gallons) and is meant to be fastened to a vertical surface (like I have it).

There’s a ton of guys using these in workshops, small garages, greenhouses, etc. My only hesitation with that would be these are not designed/marketed for “permanent” heating of permanent buildings. They are meant for vehicles, campers, semi’s, etc.

If a structure were to ever burn down for any reason and your insurance company found out you were using a heater against it’s intended purpose….????

Also, the biggest thing I love about my heater is being able to fill it at a pump in 30 seconds. If you have it mounted in a permanent location, now you have to bring the fuel to it.

If constantly heating a building, you’d want a much larger tank so you weren’t filling it every other day. The only way I would ever deal with that is if I had a fuel cell in my truck, or have it delivered (like if you’re already burning fuel oil). Going to the store every week filling 5 gallon cans of diesel would be a huge PITA.

If you were only heating something part time it wouldn’t be a big deal though.

Here’s a link to the exact one I bought, but as mentioned it’s really a 5kw heater, not an 8kw. For anyone shopping, I’d go on Amazon or eBay and look for anything with good reviews and lots of sales. https://www.amazon.com/Fiberfly-Muffler-Parking-Thermostat-Motor-home/dp/B08GHM583V/ref=sxts_rp_s1_0?crid=2166H0AOZ19XH&cv_ct_cx=fiberfly+diesel+heater+8kw&keywords=fiberfly+diesel+heater+8kw&pd_rd_i=B08GHM583V&pd_rd_r=bd1b3f60-3bdc-483b-bb06-574b9f8f7096&pd_rd_w=iW4MI&pd_rd_wg=WbSDx&pf_rd_p=815fd5a0-8d0e-46df-87a6-accdfd519bf9&pf_rd_r=BJ77SQJ38NFCWZA89TBB&psc=1&qid=1643909775&sprefix=fiberfly+diesel+heater+%2Caps%2C90&sr=1-1-d480d1aa-b7ef-43f7-ad0c-ebf27320e4d0

This guy has hours and hours of information on diesel heaters. I’ve learned a lot from him since getting my first heater. The only downside is that everything he talks about is measured with the metric system.

His bench test starts without the muffler (loud), but he adds a muffler later in the video and does decibel tests.

Also worth noting is inside your shack all you hear is the blower (which is quieter than your propane furnace), and not the muffled exhaust outside. The fuel pump makes a ticking sound, but if mounted properly it is minimal and drowned out completely if you have the radio or TV on.

Bringing this back up. Getting ready to install mine, anyone else install one yet? any tips?

Still loving mine and have used it a few times already this year on those chilly mornings

Just make sure you use it through out the summer a few times. Just fire it up and run it to keep its fuel system primed. Mine is ran directly off my fuel tank in my big truck for the box heater and I forget all summer its a pain in the butt the re prime

How many hours of heat do you get off the 4 gallon tank? Can you make it through a cold weekend on one tank?

Timmy wrote:

How many hours of heat do you get off the 4 gallon tank? Can you make it through a cold weekend on one tank?

Yes, check the last post on the first page.

I go through 1.5-1.75 gallons on average in 24 hours heating my 8X27′ shack while on the ice.

Heating my one man portable on one pounders is far more expensive than heating my Ice Castle with diesel

I’ve been pondering installing one in my tool trailer. How’s the smell with them? Will there be a diesel exhaust stench in the neighborhood while it’s running?

munchy wrote:

I’ve been pondering installing one in my tool trailer. How’s the smell with them? Will there be a diesel exhaust stench in the neighborhood while it’s running?

They smell a little on start up and shut down, but nothing overwhelming.

When running there is virtually no smell.