CHINESE DIESEL HEATER MARKETING CLAIMS TESTED - Efficiency, Apps, Fan Mode and MORE!

Time to put this Chinese diesel heater to the test and fix the illegal power supply. Whilst it might be a budget-friendly option for staying warm during winter vanlife, tent camping, and off-grid living, if a company is going to claim improvements and being better than other versions, then it better perform. The Toolbox all-in-one portable heater is also available in the normal format as well. Diesel heaters have kept me warm during extreme overland winter adventures in my self-built camper. I’m reviewing the updated 2025 Kroak/Hcarloy Toolbox Heater Version 2. “All-in-one” portable diesel heaters can pose safety risks in small spaces like campervans and motorhomes, but the Toolbox style removes that.
The main goal is to test against Version 1.
Part 2 of 2.
Website:
kroak.store/pr...
ORDER one now:
uk.banggood.co...
Coupon Code: BGc9f1e1
#Chinesedieselheater #Campervanheating #Mispronouncedadventures
X-Sense SC07-WX
X-Sense Website: www.x-sense.co...
Amazon Link: amzn.to/3BMenE0
*This was meant to be a collaboration with X-Sense and I was given the units but I was unable to make contact to get the final confirmation for the final video from, them. But I fell CO and smoke detections are important so I have released it anyway.
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[@frizzlefry5904]

I have purchased one on the strength of the first vid.... fingers crossed. phew.... great presentation and yes bin the 3 pin plug, when I was in tool hire we would cut these off, they can sweat under current load n go pop ! thanks.

[@Rob.1340]

Happy new year, safe travels. All the best. 👍😎

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

And to you too!

[@MrMechaMatt]

I've also been looking at LF Bros, which other reviewers have said is better quality. But I won't believe it until I see an Alex review comparing it!

[@marcOSSNL]

Best wishes for the new year and again: Looking forward to the upcoming Arctic adventure!

[@asaandthemarchharepart2903]

Great one Alex. Brilliant review. All the very best wishes for the New Year, and look forward to watching another winter adventure. Safe Travels

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Thank you very much! Not long one now till I head off

[@onerka69]

I thought there are different fuel pumps that metered out different amounts per pulse. Like 22 mL is the standard (their ml rating, I’m not sure if that’s per minute or per pulse or what) and you can get 28 and even 35 mL pumps. Your hertz comparison is fine as long as the pumps are metering out the same per pulse. I was hoping you would check the actual volume usage of fuel. Nice comprehensive video.

[@andypugh2000]

Chinse? Now I know why your channel is named as such. Brilliant 😂

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Shhhhh! No one has to know about that!

[@andypugh2000]

@MispronouncedAdventures 😂😂

[@dutchglobetrotter6464]

Thanks for sharing!

[@davidb9150]

In less than 4 min. I see why he said things are dangers. Yes you are!

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

@@davidb9150 explain? I’m not sure what you are trying to say.

[@forlornfool221]

Ty 🙏 I bought TB2 and there is limited Intel on it.. plz make a detailed video on the controller if there is anything to note about cause also not much info.. Every little bit of information on it is useful 😎

[@petehudson3080]

This will be very interesting in light of my recent disappointment with my latest Kroak 5kw toolbox heater...😉

[@paulrobinson3528]

23:50 So an extra 4 fins, 20 instead of 16, they are also longer and thicker. It has got to make it more efficient.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

@@paulrobinson3528 yep, more fins, more surface area for heat exchange to happen. I would do the version 1 model has a lot fins than most heater

[@paulrobinson3528]

@@MispronouncedAdventures Are there more fins on the out side of the chamber to?

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Not that I remember seeing. The outside casing for the most part was the same

[@lanceboudreau3630]

I extended the controller plug so i could bring it in muly cabin tent and leave the heater outside. That way i have a thermostat

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Best way to do it. I mentioned that in my version one video review.

[@Armenian]

@@MispronouncedAdventures would you make a video on how to build this extension for the TB2’s thermostat?

[@Armenian]

I see you logged a CO ppm of 282 in level 1 of the TB2. Is this a fact or possibly a typo? Thats significantly higher than every other setting and all of the settings in the TB1. 🤔🤔

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

It’s is correct unfortunately but I’m not surprised by it. level 1 on TB1 is about 2.2hz, Level 1 on TB2 is 1.4hz. So lowest on TB2 is a lot lower. Lower burns generally are lot less clean because they’re borderline not sustainable due to not enough heat in the burn chamber. Then pretty clean when again when TB2 is in Level 2 which is 2.5hz

[@Armenian]

@ I see thank you for the response. Then it seems operating the TB2 on level 1 for extended periods to heat a small van interior would be detrimental to the health and reliability of the unit. I frequently see people brush this off and say, oh just run it at 10 before shutting the unit off and you’ll be fine.

[@wohnzimmeraquarium4174]

One important question seems to me: is the flue gas connection really so tight that there is no danger from carbon monoxide, even in small rooms like in a caravan? An external temperature sensor, so that the appliance can be operated outside, would give me great peace of mind.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

The type of heater should never be used inside in this type of portable format even if there exhaust pipe is run externally as the main exhaust connection from the unit would be inside. The temperature sensor is built into the controller. The controller wire could be extended.

[@owenprice3232]

How weatherproof are the units? I had planned to fit an external molle panel to my sliding door of the van to have the option to run the hose either into my van or my rooftent, depending on needs.. Also, do you think some form of quick connector on a cable could be wired into my fusebox of my leisure battery instead of a plugged power lead, then just connected to the heater as and when it's set up? Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to give. Kind regards, Owen

[@paulrobinson3528]

I'm at the start and not watched yet. I've had a 5kw Maxpeedingrods diesel heater for a few years, which did heat my shed come mancave eventually. Their not 5kw but more like 4.6ish with other diesel heater video i've watched some being yours Alex. So i have swopped it out for a 8kw and the difference is amazing, wished i bought that originally. Does guzzle more diesel though for some reason 🤣🤣

[@samuelfox8126]

Are you sure the pump volume per tick is the same? Maybe run a full tank of diesel to make sure runs times match up.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Yeah, checked both of the pumps for the specs. Both using a .22 pump. But I do feel the longer run time is a slightly deceitful mentioned as a marketing improvement. mainly as the v1 can run a lot higher than v2

[@samuelfox8126]

@MispronouncedAdventures ah thanks man.

[@krimke881]

It's quite profound. That if they DO wanna make their burners better. They just need to STOP adding features, and just fix the core functionality. Because it feels like a 5-y-old has put it together. If they can't improve on anything else, because this is where you will add cost more than you want. It is why we for ex have the brand Lavaner, which is a chinese diesel heater, just quality checked and verified, tested, tested, tested, adjusted and THEN sold. a few bucks more than directly from china, but those ACTUALLY works more than a year =)

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

The adding features is one of the things I like about the Chinese market being a bit crazy for diesel heaters with so many different people. Because yes, lots of them are novelty, but occasionally they actually come out with something which is quite good and innovative, some Western brands would never come up with because they wouldn’t be releasing products with obscure features. But it’s also nice to see them upgrading the core of the unit. Lavaner I do make some of the best Chinese diesel heaters available and come with decent accessories.

[@Xircom10]

Brilliant Video, but I still like version 1 over the version 2. Version 1 is so much more a pack away System where you can but in hoses, muffler and muffler pibe insite the suitcase, where version 2 needs a bag or something for storage.....Version 1 is a pure winner.

[@juha1to6]

ocd level of details. but trusted and well presented

[@weekend_adventure_in_sweden]

Thanks för the review. Do you know if there is a ECU or something to buy with start/stop function? I´ve gott a "8Kwh" heater with termostat but i miss that function start/stop.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

I think Hcalory / Kroak listed there ECU + controller only there own for sale on there websites

[@andydawe6090]

Thanks for the video when are you planning to get to Sweden

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Less than 2 weeks times!

[@andydawe6090]

@ Great can’t wait really enjoyed last years winter season.Planning on spending a season in artic in a cot years time. Good luck

[@konkaw1737]

I have Version1 unfortunately. I wish I have bought V2. Do you guys think the controllers are interchangeable ? Or will the new app work with V1? Thermostat options in V2 are great. Vent mode= I'd love to have it .

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

You potentially could swap, but you’ll need to swap the controller and the ECU. Or you saw the whole heater in the case.

[@paulrobinson3528]

BTW, you going to fit a new battery to the van before you depart shortly for the north?

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Definitely! Putting one in next week!

[@paulrobinson3528]

@@MispronouncedAdventures A nice 115 Yuasa, Exide or Varta will do nicely with 800CCA

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

@ The Yuasa 115 was my plan

[@seanmercer9292]

Great content. Do a lf bros n2 please 😊

[@jim4556]

Version 2 having almost 300 ppm of CO is a big red flag. It's not burning well and will soot up. Alot of people use these things on their lowest setting while camping. That's my big gripe with these non adjustable controllers. That's an easy fix but now the heater can't be used reliably for a alot of people.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

The high ppm is only on lowest of setting which is pretty common on most of the larger “5kw” heaters. This pretty much 0 for any power setting above it. Personal heating in my van is still a high ppm on the lowest and clean higher up and that’s got 5500 run hours on it now. This one does allow a much lower hz on low than my other heaters. So it just might be too cold on the lowest for a really clean burn

[@jim4556]

@MispronouncedAdventures the last one being around 50ppm on its lowest seems reasonable. I wouldn't exspext issues. 300 seems unreasonable. The rest of the power points seems very well tuned for the new one if not ever so slightly too lean.

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

I think the main issue on this version is they allow far lower low setting than the low on the version one. That would definitely be an interesting video setting a diesel heater up to Burn specifically at different PPM amounts and then run them for the exact same time on the same heater and compare visually what the burn chamber look like afterwards. It will be interesting to see the effects on Ppm on soot for a direct comparison

[@forlornfool221]

I get at max on max 5-15 ppm mostly it's a solid 0 ppm thank God

[@jim4556]

@forlornfool221 5-30 are good numbers. 0 can indicates you are pumping in too much combustion air. If you had a NOX meter it would probably go higher at that point indicating too much oxygen. As far as efficancy is concerned, you would be loosing some heat by pumping un-used air through the burn chamber. As far as reliability goes. Yeah 0 ppm of CO, you're definitely not going to have a soot problem

[@DamianGrinman]

Oh great another sponsored commercial, thanks you for this fascinating content 🙄

[@MispronouncedAdventures]

Hardly a commercial, I pull it a part and test its claims. Diesel heater videos are always popular between trips and sort of content which helps fund all the free content I film for the Arctic