SOLO WINTER CAMPING! | Are Diesel Heaters Worth It?

[@TalonSei]

It's definitely not spring yet however... HUGE Early Spring Cleaning Sale going on now over on the website! 🚨 www.seiproductions.com/store $35 Hoodies $20 Graphic Tees $15 Beanies and a lot more! 🏴

[@Pyhantaakka]

Hello, thanks for the great video. Have you tested if this heater works better on winter/arctic diesel? I live on cold area so it would be a waste to get one if it doesn't really work in winter... I have slept in a tent with a type of diesel furnace when it was -37C(34F) and it wasn't all that great.

[@gotkickz13]

Possible the heater flooded if there was unburnt diesel. I’ve ran these down to -25F (actual temp not real feel) without a gel issue. Try pointing the exhaust pipe down or angling down so any unburnt flood can drain from the exhaust. Also helps to run them on high for 20-30 minutes every once in a while so they burn hot. This will help with carbon build up.

[@williamirelan9332]

These heaters also run on kerosene which won't gel until -40 f you can thin out the diesel with kerosene and lower the temperature at which it gels. They also have a reputation for building carbon on low settings and so a smaller unit cranked up to full power may be better and run cleaner.

[@MrHugemoth]

The issues I see with the diesel heater are 1 it needs anti gell, 2 it needs to be turned for high altitude, 3 the exhaust needs to not have a low spot where water will build up and restrict the flow. I also see a potential problem with a long undersized power cord.

[@marcericdavis]

@Talon One thing to keep in mind is the Chinese heaters do not like to run for a long time on the very lowest setting. The safety that shuts the heater down if the flame goes out gets tripped. You have to run them a little harder to keep the heater combustion chamber hot enough. That would be extra true at those low temps.

[@highrevS2k]

Diesel anti-gel for sure. One thing you could also do is get a longer hose and maybe wrap it or run it along side the heater near the tank. Put a emergency blanket around it and the heat from the hose could keep the fuel warm enough to where it won’t gel up. Got the idea from one of the other KZbinrs that use that method to keep their water tank from freezing.

[@Burnafatty420]

Or just spend $3 and buy a bottle of HEET which is fuel line Anti-freeze add accordingly to the tank which is what I do. Never had any issues.

[@BlueBloodCstm]

Run the heater off your truck battery, put a trickle charger on the battery and route the wires to your truck bed. Use the power bank to trickle charge the truck battery. Uses less power, keeps your power bank out of the weather, etc

[@mikethomas5412]

I think I'd tested my first night in the driveway 🤣

[@williamlholliday3507]

Sure you're right

[@anthonysears871]

Oh come on. Hike up your skirt! Lol. 😂

[@reddirtndiesel1]

Great adventure ,alpine diesel additive required definitely, from experience these heaters stop when the exhaust is pointed upwards, can cause them to stop and throw codes, the 5kw model doesn't like being on low settings, this is why the 2kw is actually more popular for smaller spaces.. keep on trucking!

[@psyamok3735]

adjust the heater exhaust so that you can use the heat exhaust of the diesel heater to keep the diesel warm. The exhaust can point down. It is not necessary to point upward.

[@killahjeep]

I have tested my diesel heater for an hour in my driveway, and then took it on a trip, twmps were around 17*F. the day before with windchill into -45 F.. the diesel heater worked great all night with the 1.5gallon tank I burned a bit over 2/3.. I was having trouble with the thermostat.. basically it would either burn me out of the tent, or it wouldn't put out enough heat into the tent.. found out that placement of the thermostat control was critical. When not using ht to control the pump speed. I definitly recommend not using the thermostat function.. use the htz control for the pump, and bump it up and down as you need to. I plan to get an ARB awning room and be able to heat that with the diesel heater as well.. it will get you out of the wind, and give you a place to cook, or hang out. Vs trying to cook with frozen fingers.

[@daviddover4563]

Your heater can run on kerosene too. The gel point on kero is -40 F. Or you could do a 50/50 mix. Diesel gel point is around 15 to 16 F.

[@adamagent2002]

Has that same exact heater and the same problem in very cold weather. After getting out of the tent twice during the night, I set the temperature up higher and it ran perfect from then on. I believe when you turn those down to low, they gel up and go out.

[@qtchiki23]

We slept in the van with our Chinese diesel heater a few weeks ago. Got down to 6°F and as long as the diesel had anti-gel treatment the diesel heater and the van had no trouble starting up. Our heater worked like a charm for four days straight

[@hunter_pauley]

Check the p or hz for the elevation. If you are over fueling, it will shut off or soot up. With that similar diesel heater, I could only get 10-12hrs of run time due to the size of the tank.

[@moreypc]

Last US Bag makes the best stuff. The Hideout is seriously the best thing ever. You don't know how great it is until you do then you're blown away. Made local here in the PNW for the win.

[@mikeykincaid8270]

I just did 4f (-10f windchill) at Mission Ridge near Wenatchee, Washington. I didn’t have a diesel heater and while I might build one before the next trip it was doable. I like to layer my sleeping system with a good foam pad underneath, a down sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner (sea to summit), and a lofty blanket over the top. I think you should have enough layers to survive even when your heater dies on you. Using kerosene instead or anti-gel additives should help with the diesel gelling up.

[@812Taco]

I ran into the same battery bank limitations. So after doing a rear seat delete I just built my own. 200ah/2560wh battery, with solar and 120v charging. Besides the usbs and 12v I added in the back seat. I added a 12v plugin to the back of the decked to run the diesel heater. Answer to all my power needs for sure and cheaper than buying any of the power banks that have equal watt hrs. Love the vids Talon! Great content

[@Jan-pw4po]

I have a WIPPRO CDH and carry a fully charged deep cycle marine battery, i also use short and upgraded power leads. I typically run mine at 2.4 Hertz, on a full tank of fuel it will continuously run for 13 hours no problem, point the exhast down

[@BrilloDan]

Prior to me getting my Anker C1000 I was using a Bluetti AC50S. My diesel heater worked flawlessly with it and would run for a little over 10 hours on the highest setting. I then upgraded to the Anker and had issues with it tripping the 12v outlet until I updated the firmware. Also, during startup I will bump the heater down to its lowest setting until the glow plug gets warmed up. My heater kept my Kodiak 12x12 canvas tent at 63 degrees with an external of 39 degrees. Obviously my temperature situation and tent space is vastly different. Just sharing my experience.

[@big_sky_yota]

So I’m full time overland in my homemade truck camper in north Idaho, and I had the same problem when it got down to -33 and I didn’t have antigel in my diesel tank. I won’t do that twice. Antigel always. Other than that I’ve had no problems with my $130 Chinese diesel heater, going on month 5 full time. It’s often very cold, no problems. Once you figure out their quirks, and treat them accordingly, they work great.

[@TalonSei]

Anti-Gel definitely would have worked in this situation... the weather turned unfortunately, it was never supposed to get that cold haha

[@danswanson7399]

I’ve run diesels for many years and never added antigel as I trusted winter fuel. But now my diesel VW is sitting at the DIA parking lot with gelled fuel. Took the expensive shuttle home and will go down to retrieve the car when it gets above freezing. No more. Antigel from now on.

[@josepheaves4437]

With that little bit of fuel, you should definitely be treating it anything below freezing and you can get treatment for it at Napa and a truckstop. I recommend diesel 911 for anti-gel and they also have a treatment for after it gels. I use it in my semi when I’m running below zero temps.

[@havethnopatience]

Deisel anti gel is definitely needed for winter use. Deisel gels very fast in cold weather. You should also kick up the heater off low even if you need to vent the tent to regulate the heat!

[@galfridusarturus6403]

Hey brother, this is most certainly one of your best, most professionally produced and edited vid uploads (And, I've been watching for a long time). Excellent work on this!

[@ditto6608]

Nice little video. Keep your truck window cracked just a tiny bit and no more frost on the inside. AVS vent visors work great for this

[@bradgroom6994]

Put diesel anti-gel fluid in the tank just like I do for my diesel trucks. You can also add de-icer to the tank.

[@richh9904]

Exhaust tube and muffler slop down to allow condensate from the combustion gasses to drain.

[@amorton94]

Sherpa! They seem like real cool people. Spoke with them at Expo. Doesn't hurt that they're in Berthoud and I love Berthoud. Such a cool little town.

[@biigloo]

Wow, this video was truly inspiring! We love how the Biigloo aerogel sleeping bag was able to keep you warm and save the day. Here's to more winter adventures - cheers! 🍻

[@OscarOverlanding]

Great video! Good info on the diesel heater. I am on the fence about getting one... Thank you!

[@V-Morte]

The fuel pickup is pretty high in the tank. Best to raise the front 2” to 3” to get that last bit of fuel. Not as efficient, but you can use a 120v to 12v 40amp converter. So you are not limited to a specific battery bank.

[@CanadianCampPurr]

seen one youtuber do this he used a 30amp converter. First time ive heard of diesel heaters freezing, i know nothing about them but will be purchasing one in 2024. Another youtuber puts it up just in front of his wedge camper on a rack to keep the heater off the ground.

[@fabienpics]

Thank you for all this info. About the noise from the pump, it is not too loud.... or ok....

[@stevenwood7131]

ive heard the longer the hose the heater safety will shut the heater off. that or the heater overheats and shuts down of you run a longer hose.

[@OldExodus]

So would you use an electric heating pad on the diesel heater to ensure the fuel doesn’t freeze up. Also you could add a fuel additive for another test. Keep them tests coming.

[@pjbarney9580]

I wonder if there is a way to maybe divert some of the exhaust warmth to the actual diesel fuel tank just to keep it over the threshold

[@stronglikemonkey]

Anti-gel may be the key to keep that diesel heater running. Works like a charm in truck engines. I recommend overtreating as the quantity given on the label is likely just an advertisement to you to buy their brand over the other.

[@postalshark]

Great video. I have an Aspen Light on my 2019 Rav4 and love it. Just ordered a diesel heater and plan to test it out this winter. I will be using kerosene though.

[@leemast967]

Love my diesel heater the Chinese ones need some tweaking but I haven’t had a issue

[@rkcross6809]

Great info. The ticking of that fuel pump would drive me insane though..

[@peterswanson3446]

Highly recommend always bringing a backup heat source like a little buddy heater. Yeah they are kinda sketchy... but better than losing fingers to frost bite. Lol

[@alexhebert7251]

Heater should work on the anker 757. You might need to up your wire size depending on how far the run is. Are you getting a E-01 code. Check a voltage drop calculator. I’m running 12awg wire on my heater.

[@TalonSei]

It draws over 120w on startup so none of the Anker batteries work properly

[@alexhebert7251]

@@TalonSei I had this same issue when I got my heater. I run mine on an EcoFlow 12v system and 10a max rating. The heater draws 10A at startup. Which is why I trying to see if you were getting a E-01 code for undervoltage. DC systems are very particular on voltage. Most of the heaters come with 16awg wire and usually around 15ft. While trying to pull 10A your voltage would drop to 10.8. At 12awg this same run would drop to 11.5, making the 12awg run 10ft would change the voltage drop to 11.7. A lot of these batteries also put out higher than 12v. 12.6v or 13.4v is not uncommon to see which also changes the voltage drop. Try the bestek 12.1ft 12awg cigarette cord extension from Amazon.

[@bobjohnston3735]

It seems that you would put anti-gel in the diesel fuel. I’m a trucker and when it gets below *20 I always put it in. Try it , it should help

[@williamolliges2622]

Crazy question, does the all in one heater have a control panel that allows pump adjustment for altitude? I had some bad data and had a couple of cold nights while I fought with incomplete burn, smoke, and insufficient heat. I finally adjusted for altitude correctly and was warm for the remainder of my trip. Also, a propane fire (in my experience) doesn’t really put out enough heat to stay warm, so in those conditions, a wood fire would be best. I’ve used my propane fire inside a screened in room on chilly summer mt nights to break the chill. Not sure if this would work in bitter cold winter weather.

[@bootsish]

I bit the bullet (and it was a big bullet) and bought a 4K Planar diesel heater. I needed a safe and reliable heater chugging away right below my tent all night. The quality is beyond superior to any Chinese heater I’ve seen. I had the same power issue you did with the initial glow plug draw. Ended up using an Amazon AC to DC converter plugged into the AC of my Jackery battery. A splash of diesel stabilizer to keep it from gelling and I was toasty warm all night long. I used around 300 watts and 1.5 gallons of diesel with the thermostat at 50-60% for 11 hours. I used it to blow hot air on me while I made breakfast as well. No need to embrace the suck.

[@Tacoexplorer]

How’s the heater holding up??

[@Itsjrob_]

Bro I bought the same one from Amazon and could not get that thing going what so ever …… I’d love a video on how you set it up ! I’m also excited because EcoFlow has the new wave 2 coming out and it’s going to be an air condition and space heater mix with a battery pack so I’m hopping that will save me year round if I can get my hands one it 🤙🏾

[@jttribe7683]

When the diesel gets about a quarter from empty, it shuts off consistently. Happe ed to me as well this past weekend.

[@justinjames8414]

You really need to look into a propex heater. I scrapped the diesel heater years ago

[@giordysalazar6772]

What was that thing you used to heat up the water for your ramen?

[@WildEpic_KL]

Nice. Can I ask what make/model is that water boiling thing you got?? I’ll be living outa my Cherokee in CO this winter, and that could come in handy. Thanks! 🤙🏼

[@liesejunh]

Did you insulate the plb40? If you just left it out then most likely it got below its discharge temperature and shut off. I believe most lifepo4 have a recommended discharge at 30f. It looks like it got much below that. I would maybe throw a blanket or jacket over the battery next time and see if it would run all night.

[@TalonSei]

It was in the tent with the heat. It has an operating temp of down to 0°F. The issue was the diesel in the lines gelled.

[@jkuoverland8507]

Great video, went to buy a Last US Bag for trash like yours but they don’t have an option with the orange. Really like that for visibility reasons. Hopefully they will release that color someday, then zinwill buy. Love your rig!

[@granthoward3296]

A little type two fun every now and again ain't too bad!

[@Smallbore2wheels]

Type 2 fun! Hopefully the diesel heater keeps working in the future so it can be less suck and more fun

[@TalonSei]

Thawed out the lines and it fired right up! Pretty sure this trip found the limit for fuel gelling haha

[@Smallbore2wheels]

@@TalonSei awesome. Glad you had the right gear to survive that cold night 🤙🏼

[@nightwolf1963]

I saw one of these units hooked up inside. Is that possible as long as the exhaust is outside

[@charlesperry1051]

You need to add an antigel additive or run kerosene in those temps.

[@wt5178]

Kerosene starts to freeze at negative 40

[@escapetherace1943]

diesel has antigel in it straight from the pump in winter man, up north at least

[@matthewchristopher8612]

Man with all the great gear that you have gloves.. great video keep it up.

[@CampingRuss]

Great video thanks for doing it. The diesel heater that I plan on getting is called a PLANAR heater a lot more expensive but I have a feeling that it’s gonna be one kick ass thing for me to do some winter camping with my newer Jeep and my truck one question I want will that tent fit on my wrangler 2004 jeep size wise I do they have a smaller one I like how it just on buckles and folds up versus my Tupi tent? Anyway, I like what you’re carrying in the truck great to go set up OK I hope to see you in Flagstaff for the expo. Ok 👌🏼🔥🤠🔥Camping Russ out

[@pepelapiu2004]

Hey. Haven't finished watch the video yet. Maybe you address my concern later on. What about power? Can you plug it to your truck battery? Won't it kill your battery over night?

[@johnreeceaj1378]

The tent is awesome. Definitely plan on getting one once they drop. Unfortunately I'm on the east coast so I can't go to the FSR meet. Although I am curious about the roam cases. Are they worth the money?

[@TalonSei]

Pre-orders on the tent start early on the 21st! You should definitely be able to snag one before they sell out. The cases are great for organization, decently pricey but I use them all the time.

[@johnreeceaj1378]

@TalonSei hey thanks!

[@jeffreybischof315]

Looks fun. Did winter camping this weekend. Up around silver ton, co

[@snipershot71]

Great vid dude...What kind of induction water boiler is that...will you send me the link please..?

[@keithcroshaw]

Ecoflow River Max (not too expensive compared to Jackery and Bluetti) runs my fridge and Vevor 5kw out of the cigarette outlet no problem.

[@mcintoshkalen95]

how do you deal with condensation at those temperatures? is your tent wet inside/outside when you pack it up?

[@Tacoexplorer]

That’s for the video! What area is this? I’m in the market for a diesel heater not sure if I should go Planar route or the cheaper router.

[@pepelapiu2004]

So, how long can the heater run off of that Jackery battery without needing to be charged?

[@betweenthepines4000]

I carry a bottle of diesel 911 for my diesel heater. Keeps it from possibly gelling. Curious if that was in fact the issue

[@jasperqualls6872]

They make diesel gel for cold Temps like that to prevent it from gelling up. I bet if you add that to it. It would work fine in cold Temps.

[@markroper9269]

Cool video....LOL At those temps, there is only so much you can do.....any thought to putting more insulation in the tent walls? Maybe a blow up air gap? Just a thought.....glad you survived!!!

[@TalonSei]

The tent is insulated standard but no amount of insulation will help in that weather haha

[@AtlanticIII]

Hard core man! Love the videos! Keep ‘em coming.

[@Cyclingdropout]

I kinda feel like diesel heaters are for Arkansas/Tennessee overlanders where they are fighting wet cold 20s degrees at sea level. Vs mountain dry cold Single digits Colorado

[@chaddamron3877]

Camping this Sat-- should be 27 - can't imagine-10 - great vid man

[@timfrancis6774]

talon, also have a access cab but a 2nd gen my question is will the roof rack fit with aftermarket sunroof cause i could use more storage even though just me. thank for you time

[@TalonSei]

I believe they make them for the 2nd gen as well. sherpaequipmentco.com/ Code "talonsei" will save ya some money as well 👍🏼

[@nightwolf1963]

Was going to use a diesel heater as a second source for backup heat but i keep hearing bad things about these heaters😢

[@zackbutler950]

Overall how do the toyo mt’s do in the snow? Icy roads?

[@annaandjean]

Very cool video! Absolutely love winter camping.

[@willd5354]

I would run it in alpine mode with the exhaust running under it so that the exhaust pipe heat warms your fuel tank up a bit.

[@roblaskowski1030]

Can you run winter diesel in those heaters?

[@GearRelated]

What’s your thoughts on the new Gen 4 tacoma?

[@IneedAHero83]

My bluetti handles my diesel heater no problem. Never tripped.

[@vinib72]

What ducting is everyone using? I got some amazon stuff and it stinks like burnt rubber. Not sure I can even use it. Its bad.

[@TracksideNW]

Is that constant knocking/hammering noise the diesel heater? If so is that typical for these heaters?

[@jameslowmanjr6141]

I first started watching because of the diesel heater but then I heard your designing a rooftop tent. And I see that it’s a hard box shell. You’re talking about running that pipe around the inside. Why don’t you since it’s a hard box make the mold where it inquires a hollow tubing Around the inside of your hard box. And then have it where you can connect a short hose right to the out side of the box and then you would have little vents that you can open and close inside the box and then put your mattress sleeping bags in the center of it.

[@gr0uch02a]

Another idea is to chop the cigarette lighter plug and wire Anderson Power Poles. If you don't want to buy a RigRunner to plug it in, just get a Blue Sea Fuse block, wire the heater to that with APP on the other side and connect the heater when you want to use it. Combining kerosene with the diesel will help with gelling and also burns cleaner. And no matter how comfy the tent is, it always sucks to have to go outside and pack things up.

[@raczyk]

can you run the heater on its side with the fuel or does it only run vertically?

[@willwright3396]

Does that diesel heater make that banging sound the whole time it runs? I guess it’s better warm and noisy than cold and quiet. 😂

[@adrianlecuyer]

I've run my bluetti solar generators with my diesel heater I have the ac50s EB55 and the eb3a

[@livinthelife6056]

Texas guy here ! Not into the winter camping but great video !

[@thriceguys]

How loid was the heater? From the video when syarting the clickong was pretty lpid but lnce started it seems to be a lot quieter also cant hear it at all inside the tent. Is that acurate?

[@beezyota]

Props 😂 That looked rough

[@TsiRoadkill]

Both my bluettis work with my cdh.

[@tomassanesson902]

Awesome video 🤘🤘🤘

[@bobde4705]

Great video. I have a 5KW diesel heater, all in one. (Looks like you have a 8KW). What setting did you keep it at?. I'm using a Jackery 500 and no problem with voltage. Good info on the fuel. Take care.

[@florihae]

I think your mistake was the exhaust pipe! Did you actually run it like you show in the beginning? With the exhaust pointing upwards like that? You should never do that, especially not in this cold! Always have a downward slope, especially with your amazing setup, there seemed to be a lot of space to go downwards. You probably drowned your heater 😢

[@monteclyne2490]

You could have taped or secured the fuel hose to the air hose and it would have kept the fuel from jelling up.

[@jamestreanor182]

does that ticking sound go on forever?

[@superior54]

You need to hook up a tent stove. Just in case of an emergency

[@That_Guy_Outside]

Great video. Definitely type 2 fun. I Think these little one-nighters are the best way to iron out the kinks of any new system so good that it happened one a short trip! Do you think the wind passing under the tent through the truck bed contributes to colder temps? I use ground tents, never used a rooftop tent. I know that sleeping pad is at least as important as the sleeping bag - at least in the ground. Hammocks usually require an under-quilt, even in milder temps.

[@TalonSei]

I don't think so. The EPE foam is a great base layer and then I have the mattress and bag on top so there is plenty of insulation and its all weather sealed. When it gets into the negative and you are in a tent, there isn't much more you can do to stay warm no matter what tent you are in haha.

[@Globetrotter-1]

@@TalonSei I live full-time in my SUV all through winter (or sometimes weeks at a time in a tent) and never light a fire or use any type of heating. I would certainly not use a heater while sleeping no matter how low the temperature is! 🌡️An expedition down sleeping bag, combined with a good insulated mattress or down mat, will keep you warm throughout winter ❄️ nights. It is daytime and long dark evenings that are vital to keep warm... when you are fairly static inside and around the vehicle, or maybe outside a tent on mountains during winter storms (while the core body temperature is not being stoked by excursion). But with the right clothing (in my case, expedition rated goose down clothing) there is never any reason to be cold during winter, and even with no heater I remain toasty warm.

[@monteclyne2490]

I forgot to say you can buy a little bigger hose and run all the lines through that. Basically make a tent for the heater is the idea.

[@Jan-pw4po]

Nice Acexx Cab

[@christiantorres5055]

Men that moment when you said “OH YEAH ” when the sun hit your face I laughed because i know that at that temperature the sun barely warm up Anything😂 but you should Try the diesel anti-gel treatment on your diesel heater because me as a truck driver with huge diesel tanks have to treat my fuel when i know i’m gonna be facing that kind of weather i cant imagine what could happens to that little diesel tank on the heater not an expert just a truck diver that enjoy your content but I don’t see why not to treat the diesel In that heater