FULL CAMPER CONVERSION - Installing a AUTOTERM 2K Planar Diesel Heater under a seat | Step by Step

[@SH-vb5ph]

You’ll get exhaust gases collecting under the van with the exhaust like that, when you’re parked it’ll stink when they permeate back inside. Move the exhaust silencer so that the tip just pokes down and rearwards from under one of sills ever so slightly. Also some of your exhaust run rises - it’s recommended to have a slight fall on the whole run, otherwise the rising sections will trap and collect condensation (because it can’t drain out). A downside to seat pedestal installation is noise (metal box / difficult acoustically). With a bit of thought you can get a heater almost silent by putting it somewhere else (wooden enclosure / cabinet etc.). .

[@richard_builds_it]

Thanks for the comment! I have actually relocated the exhaust since the video for that reason! pokes out the side now super easy. I’ll see how the noise is when I use it properly the first time - but not sure I have many places to put it if it is too noisy! hopefully it’s not too loud as it is 🤣🤣🤣

[@h200389beerjackd]

Class 👌

[@richard_builds_it]

Cheers bro!

[@davidbarber9892]

Just watching your videos as I’ve just bought a 2015 vivaro to replace my 2003. Thanks for sharing what you have done. In my 2003 I used the return pipe from the common rail to feed the diesel heater, is it not possible to do that on the newer models?

[@richard_builds_it]

I sure if you tap any fuel line as long as its not pressuriesed too much you will be okay. I wish i had just used a T Section now as dropped the fuel tank and getting the fuel follower out was an absolute MISSION.

[@davidbarber9892]

Thanks for the reply, yeah I used a T connector on the old van. I’m sure I’ve seen the same under the bonnet of the new one, I was getting a bit worried if I had to start dropping the tank.

[@richard_builds_it]

Yeah i guess i had only seen videos of people putting the fuel line into the fuel follower - now that you mention it - by far so much easier is to just use a t connector on a return line or any non HP fuel line. Next van build ill be doing that! Way less effort - also i didnt help myself as my fuel tank was half full aswell!!

[@flapper111uk]

Daft question but why not use the one already fitted in The dash Renault heaters are awesome and would take much to plumb in an air outlet

[@richard_builds_it]

not a dumb question! but the heaters on the dash need the engine on to run hot and at times we may want the heater on for the first few hours when going to sleep so it’s warm in the cab. also could set the heater to come on in the morning at 0700 let’s say so I wouldn’t need to get out of bed to start the engine and also the heater will come right on. also running the whole engine just to heat the van is crazy inefficient. also my new heater uses 0.2L fuel an hour compared to te engine which is probs way waaaaay more haha

[@matteoschiatti8691]

Hi, I just mounted the Autoterm 2D on my VW T6 van, it seems to work perfectly! One thing I've noticed is that I can hear when the drop of fuel goes in into the combustion chamber when I run it at low speed, with that I mean the noise of the combustion chamber is not linear anymore but it goes up (when it gest the drop) and down, I've been trying to listen to all videos the noise in background but I couldn't figure it out 😄, can you tell me?

[@richard_builds_it]

really? that sounds super weird. I know the fuel pumps are quite loud! although mine is mounted (as I’m sure your is) under the van aswell so I can barley hear it! I use the ‘power mode’ on the low setting most the time when I want to just hear myself think and then the max power mode or temp mode when I’ve just turned it on. I can’t say I’ve heard the fuel actually being put into the chamber - but perhaps I’m not listening close enough! try playing with the power mode settings - see if you can find one that works for you.

[@daviddring8692]

I've got Renault trafic 2019 lwb premier edition & wanting to fit diesel heater. Didn't think there was room under seat. But obviously there is. But I think I heard you say you'd have to raise the seat. But you haven't shown that. Am I right. Did you have to raise the seat.

[@richard_builds_it]

yeah I did raise the seat and initially it’s really tight. so I used those M10/M12 square spaces under the seat spaces and also ontop of the seat base. And now I’ve actually used two extra bits of 40mm box section to raise the seat a bit further using the correct 10.9 bolts and fixings etc. I wasn’t going to do a video on it - but I’m just finishing the ‘heater box’ now to tidy up the atheistic. If if helps you I’ll do a video on the heater box and show you the clearances and spacers for the seat and heater? probably midweek as it’s almost finished to be fair.

[@daviddring8692]

Yes please

[@richard_builds_it]

New video out at 1500hrs on Saturday. If you go to 10:27 in the video i explain how and why i raised the seat and hopefully that helps. Watch the whole video thou ;-) I also show the clearance.