Safe RV heating – use diesel or LP gas

by | Jul 4, 2020 | Articles, CBRV, CMB, Cooling and Heating, Health & Safety

by Collyn Rivers

Safe RV heating

This article is about safely heating caravans and motorhomes using diesel or LP gas. It explains how it works. It lists what is available. And moreover, how you can safely install it. To ensure safe RV heating correct installing is essential. Apart from carbon monoxide, there is furthermore a risk of oxygen deprivation. Furthermore, for a technical and medically-referenced explanation see Gas Risk in Caravans.

Safe RV heating

Diesel or LP gas-powered heaters draw fresh outside air into a tiny sealed furnace. The fuel burns in this furnace. Air is blown across the furnace’s hot outer skin. Flexible hose directs the heated air as required.

For safe heating, you must air-seal the furnace unit from the living area. This is essential. Fumes from burning fuel are expelled outside.

RV Heating

The Webasto diesel space and water heater installed in a TVan.

Several manufacturers make RV heating products. These include Eberspacher (‘Dometic’ in Australia), Webasto, Truma and Diesel Heating Australia. All are available as space heaters. Moreover, some are space plus water heaters. The smallest produce ample heat for medium-sized RVs. The next size up heats a cabin, or a large RV.
webasto-airtop-2000-diesel-heater

Webasto space heater. The Dometic unit is virtually identical. Truma’s is similar but taller. Pic: Webasto.

Space heater

The units are about the size of a brick. They mount with intake and exhaust outlets downward. A 12-volt pump draws from a typically 10-litre tank. Alternatively, you can tap into your vehicle’s tank. Some may have a larger separate water tank or radiator. Furthermore, most have a control panel that you locate where convenient.

diesel water GENesis II-SCHEMATIC

The Genesis II combines space heating and water heating. Pic: Diesel Heating Australia.

I used a Webasto diesel unit in outback Australia. There, after sun-down, temperatures drop quickly. Often to below freezing. On its lowest heat setting, the heater kept the interior at 24º C. It used a litre per five hours.

The unit was slightly noisy. You can, however, reduce by adding an inlet silencer. Reports indicate all brands are much the same.
trumatic_gas web e_2400e_detail_xl

The Truma LP gas space heater. Pic: Dometic Australia.

Space/water heaters

Combined space/water heaters initially heat glycol. The hot glycol flows through an exchange unit. That unit heats water to a scalding 80º C. A tempering valve is legally required. It mixes cold and hot water. This limits the water to 50º C. Water heating water takes about five minutes.
webasto-1

The Webasto space/water heater. Pic: Webasto Australia

See also Gas Risk in Caravans on the Articles section of this website.

Further information

 RV heating is covered in The Camper Trailer Book, Caravan & Motorhome Electrics and Caravan & Motorhome BookOur other books are Solar That Really Works (for cabins and RVs). Furthermore, Solar Success is for home and properties.

These books help tens of thousands to make the right decisions. Moreover, any saves you many times its cost.

For information about the author: Click on Bio.

 

Collyn Rivers is a semi-retired automobile research engineer.  He is the author of seven books, five of which are about making RVs and solar work optimally.

Caravan and Motorhome Electrics

The essential handbook for anyone with an RV of any kind.  Everything you need to know to make the electrics in your rig work for you.

Cover of Caravan and Motorhome Books by Collyn Rivers

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Caravan & Motorhome Electrics.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-8-5

Solar Success

Whether you’re building a new home or adding solar to an existing structure, this is the one book you can’t afford to be without.

eBook versions

Paperback version

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar Success.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6487945-4-7

Why Caravans Roll Over
and how to prevent it

Explains in detail every aspect of tow vehicle and caravan stability. This is what you need to know to be safe on or off the road.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Why Caravans Roll Over.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-6-1

Solar That Really Works!

Solar that Really Works! covers the design, installation and use of solar in cabins, camper trailers, caravans, fifth wheelers, campervans and motor homes.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar That Really Works!  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-3-0

The Caravan & Motorhome Book

The Caravan & Motorhome Book covers every conceivable aspect of campervan and motorhome usage. If you own a camper van or motor home, you'll want this book.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of The Caravan & Motorhome Book. Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-5-4.

Caravan and Motorhome Electrics

The essential handbook for anyone with an RV of any kind.  Everything you need to know to make the electrics in your rig work for you.

Cover of Caravan and Motorhome Books by Collyn Rivers

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Caravan & Motorhome Electrics.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-8-5

Solar Success

Whether you’re building a new home or adding solar to an existing structure, this is the one book you can’t afford to be without.

eBook versions

Paperback version

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar Success.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6487945-4-7

The Caravan & Motorhome Book

The Caravan & Motorhome Book covers every conceivable aspect of campervan and motorhome usage. If you own a camper van or motor home, you'll want this book.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of The Caravan & Motorhome Book. Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-5-4.

Solar That Really Works!

Solar that Really Works! covers the design, installation and use of solar in cabins, camper trailers, caravans, fifth wheelers, campervans and motor homes.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Solar That Really Works!  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-3-0

Why Caravans Roll Over
and how to prevent it

Explains in detail every aspect of tow vehicle and caravan stability. This is what you need to know to be safe on or off the road.

eBook versions

Paperback version

The book retailers set their own prices which can vary substantially. We'll aim to keep a selection of the better prices above.

Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Why Caravans Roll Over.  Just ask.
ISBN: 978-0-6483190-6-1