Hcalory portable diesel heater on wheels HC-A04

Good heater if let down a bit by quality control.
And a horrendous electrical connection.
Also accidentally filmed in HDR.
Bluetooth app - davidmcluckie....
Gas Analyser - www.tpieurope....

[@josecafe8463]

Can't believe Hcalory came out with a unit with the flaws that this one does. The first cased version that I have from Hcalory works flawlessly . They must have thrown this one together on a Friday.

[@paulrowntree2800]

That's a total death trap. A fried ECU is the least of your worries when the two binding posts on the rear become live at 230v. It's almost certainly aluminium wire instead of copper. You should send the PSU to Big Clive, see how safe it is.

[@phillsmith1901]

I have a PSU very similar at home but it's terminated with a cigarette lighter socket. Would be super interested to know if it's a death trap. Big Clive will know.

[@Happy3dprinting]

I just bought one of these from Banggood for £36 and super glad I watched this video, great job. I am going to keep the iec socket but wire it to a power supply that I’ll mount inside the case. I can’t believe I got this unit so cheap even with the issues raised.

[@DavidMcLuckie]

I saw Banggood were practically giving them away recently.

[@Guns_N_Gears]

Great job China!!! Mains voltage on a DC circuit, and raw fuel allowed to just dump in the bottom. 👍👍👍👍 Thank you David for showing this hot mess!

[@JackmanFlicks]

"I'm giving it all she's got, captain! " would sound REALLY cool when ever you crank up anything....just saying. Thanks for all the great videos ! Always good stuff!

[@larrydickman6016]

"That Scotsman (Vulcan) won't be satisfied till these panels are a puddle of lead!"

[@phillsmith1901]

Is the fuel pump mounted horizontal? Thought they were supposed to be upright or at an angle. Something to do with the cavitation which is why there are always bubbles in the fuel pipe after the pump. That air can gather in the pump and reduce lubrication.

[@timrek53]

Not upright, horizontal to 45 degrees.

[@stevenlarratt3638]

David, in your opinion what is the best 'cheapest' diesel heater, so much information out there on it all... your opinion would be most welcome.

[@DavidMcLuckie]

Difficult to answer. The cheapest ones tend to be thrown together from whatever parts were cheapest at the time. If you were to buy two at the same time there is a good chance they'll have different internals and electronics. The more budget friendly 'brands' such as Vevor, Hcalory, Maxpeedingrods, etc tend to have a more consistent build quality. Even if it's low, it's consistent.

[@haulngrassracing]

Not sure I like that power brick dripping to about 11v during start up. Probably be better to connect a battery and use that power brick to keep the battery charged.

[@DruFishing]

It seems to be 50/50 whether your unit ships with the powerbrick adapter having IEC on the DC out or eyelets. Funny thing is the adapter plug has a T shapped female bit that might help prevent mains error, but they went with cheap IEC on the heater side.. probably so they can ship whichever brick they can get at the time.

[@fredcarpenter1027]

Thank you for this review, unbelievable what you discovered when you opened it up . Smh

[@undergroundexplorers]

That vice... I have the same one here in California. No idea where I got it. It's been bolted to my workbench for decades. Made in Sheffield England.

[@MrHugemoth]

The sharp 90° bend in the exhaust looks like it would be restrictive.

[@DavidMcLuckie]

It is a hard 90, but the gas analyser didn't show it was making it run rich.

[@CRIZZZLPT]

not with that little required flow. if it were a diesel generator then absolutely.

[@christophermelo7889]

No Combustion air screen either... The toolbox version without wheels has one. Though neither has a way to take the controller into the heated space. Does not look like that controller would be happy left out in the rain.

[@jankrijnen7374]

Your exhaust is upside down i believe. It has a small vent to expel extra moisture from condensation.

[@psholmes717]

Is this heater the 4kw (3.42kw) version? Is the toolbox version also 4kw as well?

[@markyates3947]

Do you think they never put a fused plug on because of the internal 20amp yellow fuse ?

[@thecockneykayaker2239]

Recently bought one of these plugged it in and it works fine . I’ve had no issues at all. Now watching this video I’m concerned 😟

[@DavidMcLuckie]

As long as you check the fuel line isn't going to melt and don't try to plug the mains in you should be fine.

[@MothKeeper]

If it's cheap I'd buy one and modify it to make it safe... The vast, vast minority of people, that are interested or know what one of these are or do should do their research and we all know what goods from China are like... Guess what? Pay £1000 plus for one or get a cheap one you can make safe... Yep report then and stop the access to cheap diesel heaters... Because don't forget none of the Chinese heaters conform to UK regs... I'd rather pay very little and modify than the £1000 that other manufacturers want... I liken it to people that say Amazon should pay more tax, and then the prices double and forget next day delivery unless you want to pay a fortune for it... Careful what you wish for.

[@roseclan6664]

Hi David can I only download the Hcalory heater app if I'm a patron?

[@DavidMcLuckie]

Nope, on my website for all - davidmcluckie.com/download/hcalory-heater-app/

[@helenmurch5260]

Wasn't the 240 connection a transformer to 12 volt?

[@TOMLAD0]

hello david could you tell me what type of battery the remote control takes as there was no battery inside mine thanks a lot

[@twocvbloke]

Just seeing that mains plug, ugh, I remember working at the comptuer shop where we got a load of PSUs and they all came with IEC cables with those plugs, I offered to go through them to fit proper plugs, and the first one I lopped off, the conductors inside were coloured Brown, Brown and Brown, they all went in the bin... :S

[@phillsmith1901]

How did customs let that in the country? They block items far less dangerous than that. Any sign of a CE mark?

[@CB-dy2pc]

I just bought this from Amazon, silly question probably but I've never used a diesel heater before, if I use this in a bedroom do I need to run the exhaust pipe outside or can I just run it with no pipe attached in the middle of my room with the windows on ventilation?

[@imagesolutions4223]

Step 1. Make sure the exhaust vents outside. Step 2. Get a small carbon monoxide monitor with an alarm.

[@darrenh2858]

i tried what you did with the bluetooth app and scan closes the app tap the picture of the heater and it scans

[@firemarshalbill3626]

how do u turn on the high altitude setting on this model i cant figure it out lol

[@daltonsband]

same question

[@thomas1112002]

Can you use the Silicone Fibreglass Fire Sleeve Cable Protective Sleeving on the exhaust pipe as it's coming out the heater just so u don't burn yourself

[@DavidMcLuckie]

Yes. I'm using it to insulate the exhaust as it runs down the wall before it goes outside.

[@janvilladsen2730]

Thanks now its working you are the best

[@Deveak]

Figures. Saw terrible reviews online for this brand. I have seen DIY kits for homemade portable heaters. Higher quality and you can use better molded cases. I’ve seen people use dc to dc converters to power them with power tool batteries. Interesting technology that’s getting very cheap. I’m curious if they could be modified for biodiesel or even ethanol.

[@Bothy666]

I can see that going bang ❗️ if someone doesn’t know about electrics !

[@BerlietGBC]

Can I ask what gas analyser are you using , thanks

[@DavidMcLuckie]

www.tpieurope.com/flue-gas-analysers/dc710-flue-gas-analyzer/

[@raymondj8768]

Im sure the A/C charger has n internal fuse dont you think so ?? its just like a computer charger

[@DavidMcLuckie]

Probably will have. But in the UK appliances must be fused at the point they plug in with appropriate sized fuse as well.

[@christopherguy1217]

I don't understand why they didn't hardwire the AC power supply in the case.

[@DavidMcLuckie]

Like the other 230/12V heaters I have. 12V on the terminals, 230 mains in the IEC into the switching power supply, then the 12V output of the power supply onto the inside of the 12V terminals. Easy to do, all in one box.

[@Rottweilerdsq]

My comment - YAK lol, gj on fixing it all and maybe it's ok after all 😁

[@equalizingforce2581]

Such a shame it's a brilliant concept. I just bought the version with tank on the side (briefcase design) as an emergency backup but it's a big unit to store. This would have been ideal.

[@RayRay-pg3fx]

It this weatherproof?

[@DavidMcLuckie]

I'd say splashproof.

[@oojimmyflip]

The fuel tank cap has a small hole in it, so what happens if you activate trolley mode with fuel in the tank, does it leak out? HCalory should hang their head in shame with this one, it certainly looks unfit for safe use off the bat, good job most of us have good diy knowledge and respect saftey when running these heaters, I couldnt believe that their was no lagging around the exhaust pipe either with it being enclosed in a box and no cooling fan to push exhaust heat out of the box or fresh air into the box.

[@DavidMcLuckie]

I'll need to tip it up, but if I remember correctly it's the slightly better vented cap that isn't just a hole. With a little more effort this could have been a really good design.

[@SimonCoates]

Why are the Chinese starting to use IEC connectors for 12V? I got a petrol engine remote control lawn mower this year that had an IEC socket for the charging circuit which is wired directly across a 12V sealed lead acid battery⚡

[@DavidMcLuckie]

I don't know. XT Connectors exist and aren't expensive. That's why the portable power stations are using them now.

[@phillsmith1901]

I have also seen USB C power supplies with fixed 12v rather than negotiated. That would wreck most products such as phones that can't handle that. It's it really bad news when people start using standard connectors for the wrong purpose. Even in an electronics lab where its 'unlikely' another person would come close this is just stupid.

[@krimke881]

David, Are you sure there isn't a mini-led-driver inside the box? I mean, switching from 220v AC to 12v DC doesn't require electronics bigger than your thumb. Although, with out any sense of quality. However, I do not aprove of the build of that heater, it's still possible they'd put in a chip to do the job they thought of.

[@DavidMcLuckie]

A 15 amp power supply would not fit in that ECU, it would be the same size as the one supplied with the heater. It would also leave the two 12V terminals live at mains voltages if you were to plug it in with the IEC socket.

[@Albert_206]

My goodness indeed to be really flabbergasted!!

[@LukeZak]

Will a hot air duct fit in the box for storage and travelling?

[@DavidMcLuckie]

Not a lot of space in there. The heater and fuel tank pretty much fill it.

[@LukeZak]

@@DavidMcLuckie that's a bummer, this is a dealbreaker to me. The older version of Hcalory heater ("toolbox") is much better imo.

[@manicminer8813]

Can we have a link to the app on your website that works for this heater, please

[@DavidMcLuckie]

I've added it to the description. davidmcluckie.com/download/hcalory-heater-app/

[@manicminer8813]

@@DavidMcLuckie Thank you

[@krisjackson1254]

Link for app doesn't work?

[@manicminer8813]

@@krisjackson1254 do you have one that works?

[@patrickshaw9376]

If it had better build quality it would be ideal for a tent. Would be quite easy to modify the exhaust with extra ducting.

[@Tom-xp7dl]

Some things we buy say "some assembly required", this unit should say "MUCH assembly required".

[@jasonpotts6490]

Hells, what a disaster! How could anyone involved in the entire product life cycle not have the slightest understanding of why they can't combine the AC and DC etc etc...? How it made its way through design, assembly, and QA (obviously non-existent) without someone noticing a problem is beyond imagination! I hope nobody ends up with a fire or worse as a result of this utter incompetence.

[@Rob-tl9md]

Mine came with a 120v- 12v power supply and it works perfect.

[@bluesteelworx]

Chinese make some really innovative products. Their QC could use some work. I have bought a few electronic products that didnt have connectors plugged together.

[@janvilladsen2730]

Can make the app work and cant find it on your site

[@DavidMcLuckie]

davidmcluckie.com/download/hcalory-heater-app/

[@jasonwitt8161]

they sent you a bomb

[@allsortsabouteverything]

Just Tried to down load the heater app from the link in the description but it won't let me open it. Only options are to:- Share Rename Delete. 🤕☹️🤔Guess which one I chose!?👍🤣👍

[@ourworldonwheels]

Is it April fools day??😮 WTAF! This is serious man! If thats on sale the designer, manufacturer and retailers need locking up! That’s probably the worst thing I’ve ever seen you test and we’ve definitely seen janky😉 It actually makes me sad we produce 💩like this now and call it a product!😞

[@DavidMcLuckie]

Attaching a mains connector to DC terminals are so far the most dangerous thing I think we've had. It's a shame as the rest of it isn't terrible.

[@jamie-hb8gy]

The bend in the exhaust is atrocious.

[@robormiston2841]

The 12 volt inverter is inside the 120 plug that's what that big box is on the electrical plug in. That's how it converts it to 12 volts It's a 12 volt system not 120 volt so they need to convert it and they used the plug. I don't see an issue.

[@DavidMcLuckie]

Plug an IEC in from the mains into the heater and you'll soon find the issue.

[@imagesolutions4223]

You take it somewhere some day, forget the converter brick, you go off doing something else. somebody looks at the socket and says "oh that's a three pin plug the same as my printer/kettle, let's get the heat going I have one of those leads over here." Boom, bye bye heater. Products are designed with standards for just those scenarios.

[@michaeltaylor351]

Watch the video a few times and if you don't get it try Google 😮

[@psholmes717]

@@imagesolutions4223This makes complete sense. So it’s this potential scenario that makes the plug they used “potentially dangerous”. So using an XT connector or some other connector is safe because 99.9% of people don’t have XT power cords laying around nor use XT power cords to power 120/240 volt appliances.

[@frederick6008]

Only you would have taken it apart and discovered that.

[@tonyanddeb1012]

You moan about the lack of a fuse in the moulded plug as being a death trap, yet here in France none of our appliances are fused. Same in many other EU countries too.

[@twocvbloke]

Okay, story time aside, a mains socket for 12v-input, that's major dumb, that is REALLY bad, given there are people out there (known as "humans") who aren't smart enough to actually check things are safe to use before plugging them in, that's a serious fault, which had the thing gone through proper import channels would have resulted in it being destroyed on arrival & banned from sale... :S

[@misilen24]

That looks illegal

[@DavidMcLuckie]

It most likely is.

[@frederick6008]

HClownry

[@reubenk7331]

Just a couple of horrible things.....

[@skippercaship]

This is outragous this heater should be banned if someone had this heater they could cause damage to life and property

[@fredflintstone1]

No fuse and a sleeved earth pin great China crap

[@BS-ql5nl]

Very disappointed in Hcalory would produce such a mess for the GB market no quality control at all. It looks like a copy of a copy that needs to go in the bin.

[@cozzy206]

Great review....thanks

[@fenceup07944931177]

Looks like a nice design. Then gave it to the manufacturer, and said make this a cheep as you can.

[@DavidMcLuckie]

Their heaters are nice. But it must be a whole different department who thought this design was ok.

[@fenceup07944931177]

The video would have been better if you had taken it out of the box, filled it with fuel and plugged a standard kettle lead in it. Then measure the heat and fumes, that come from the pile of burning fuel and melting plastic.

[@fenceup07944931177]

If anything you purchase from a UK supplier, comes with an un-feused non compliant plug. I would return it, and report the supplier to trading standards.

[@oojimmyflip]

Then they would all likely be banned from sale in the UK and we wouldnt have a reliable cheap source of heating in our mobile homes and houses in the winter time after we modifiy them because we know better from watching people like David.

[@fenceup07944931177]

@@oojimmyflip or they could start selling safe units. An un fused appliance, not just diesel heater, could burn your home down. If they have saved a few pennies on the plug, how safe is the power supply. Thankfully there isn't a link to this item in the description.