Diesel heater help

[Iamjay]

I’m installing a diesel heater in my build. I know the exhaust must go outside but I wanna leave the intake inside. Is that possible? Any information would be appreciated. This is mainly just because I already drilled a hole for the water intake and I decided not to use it so if I could use that same hole on the side of my van using an exhaust thu hull skin that would be preferable. More so than drilling a large six inch hole.
Thanks

 

[ChromeDome]

You have two air intakes: One for the combustion (which comes out as exhaust after the burner) and one for the air that is heated.

Both can be taken from inside, however, the intake to be heated and sent into the cabin is affected differently:

If taken from inside you'll recirculate that air so get warmth quicker but you won't get fresh air blended in. If taking air from outside the cabin must be vented to allow 'used' air to escape, the benefit being that you get a much drier environment inside.

Manuals are available o download from e.g. Eberspacher Espar Webasto Vehicle and Marine Heaters | Butler Technik

 

[lustyd]

If you take air from the location of the heater then any exhaust leak will be sucked into the intake and blown into the cabin so either take it from inside the cabin or outside the boat, not in the locker.

 

[ChromeDome]

If you take air from the location of the heater then any exhaust leak will be sucked into the intake and blown into the cabin so either take it from inside the cabin or outside the boat, not in the locker.

Indeed. If using the common silencer it has a hole for condensation to run out,- this will also let exhaust fumes out.

This is why boat installations always should use a silencer designed for internal fitment (as opposed to cars where 'outside'=drip onto the road below)

 

[Raw]

Always follow the guidance set out by the manufacturers, there have been too many accidents with heaters in the last few years.
https://ydsa.co.uk/media/1769/deisel-heaters-heaters-tech-dec-bens.pdf