Diesel air heaters separate fuel tank outboard one ok?

[MarcJ]

Hi there,
Been thinking through how/where I'm going to install a 5Kw chinese heater in our 27ft long keel yacht.
I've read up on the various ways of tapping into the existing system, because of access and getting a pipe across I think I'd prefer a separate tank for the heater. I've read lots of the threads on here, but haven't noticed anyone mention using a standard outboard remote tank that has a valve and hose on. One like this:


Seems to me, it would be good as you can disconnect the tank easily for filling, there's also a priming bulb to get the diesel through, most importantly I've got 2 spare! Is there any reason you can't just attach the end of the hose, via some adapter to the heater pump?

Thanks in advance!

 

[superheat6k]

The current ones include a 10 lt tank. On my last boat I fitted an Eberspacher D4 which I ran on kerosene from a normal car petrol 5lt container. I drilled a small hole in the filler cap and just pushed the pickup tube in. We used the heater quite a lot and hardly ever had to refill it. 5lt was certainly plenty for a Winter weekend's boating. I kept a second 5lt with sealed cap for spare and refill purposes.

 

[Daverw]

This is exactly what we have and works well, we have a fuel line taken off it via a valve, with a rubber bulb pump that allows the main tank to be filled, allows the heating tank to be a reserve tank

 

[MarcJ]

This is exactly what we have and works well, we have a fuel line taken off it via a valve, with a rubber bulb pump that allows the main tank to be filled, allows the heating tank to be a reserve tank

Yes that was another reason I thought it would work well...thanks!

 

[aquaplane]

If you bought a proper Wallas Paraffin heater you would get a 10l tank to go with it. But pay quite a lot more: https://www.kurandamarine.co.uk/10ltr-fuel-tank-kmw2027-wallas

 

[snowbird30ds]

At least with a portable outboard tank you can use a bayonet fitting and refuel on land easy, I did it on an old river cruiser years ago as being outboard engined didn't have a diesel tank, run on parafin it smelt better too.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

I use a Halfords 10 litre diesel fuel jerrycan. They come with two caps; one for the spout and one for transport. An in-line fuel filter, also from Halfords, is a perfect fit in the pouring spout cap. Fit a dip tube from the filter inlet to the bottom of the jerrycan and take the heater supply from the top. It seems to self prime okay without any need for a bulb.

 

[snowbird30ds]

I would wonder if the bulb was up to diesel, especially modern diesel, the pipe is easily changed but the bulb is a potential trouble spot.

 

[Graham376]

I would wonder if the bulb was up to diesel, especially modern diesel, the pipe is easily changed but the bulb is a potential trouble spot.

Some are fitting them in the main engine fuel line to assist bleeding after filter change, haven't heard of any problems - so far.

 

[Daverw]

Bulbs seem to be better with diesel than petrol, with had no issues with ours, over 4 years old, the one on our tender tank for the outboard needed changing every year

 

[mickywillis]

If using an Outboard tank, ensure that the vent screw on the filler cap is open, otherwise you'll get a vacuum formed inside the tank and the small diesel supply pump for the heater wont be able to overcome it! Probably best to make up a vent hose from the filler cap or get a spare filler cap modified with a vent hose??

 

[Phildorset]

If using an Outboard tank, ensure that the vent screw on the filler cap is open, otherwise you'll get a vacuum formed inside the tank and the small diesel supply pump for the heater wont be able to overcome it! Probably best to make up a vent hose from the filler cap or get a spare filler cap modified with a vent hose??

Agreed, I did just this, used a std 10ltr plastic fuel can, and adapted the vent screw by adding a length of clear fuel hose such that it extends about 400mm up above the tank & closer to the deck level of the locker that it is in, I've made up a plug (on a short peice of thin line) so that I can seal the tank when not using the heater + it won't now spill when sailing should I forget to pop the plug in.