Kerosene in a diesel heater?

All fuels are subject to static electric charge build up during movement / passing through pipes etc. Its why the tanker when delivering fuel to your home should (I know many are too lazy and don't) connect a grounding cable .... you'll see it on a reel on the truck ...
Its same with Tanker ships - they connect a grounding cable when alongside.

The lighter the petroleum - the bigger the problem.

We actually supply Anti-Static additive for injecting into middle distillate fuels to reduce it.

Kero is similar to gasoline in that it has a vapour phase that sits on top of the liquid. This can ignite if static discharges and sufficient oxygen is present.
 
The Autoterm (planar) factory only recommended diesel to the specs of normal pump diesel in the UK. They temperatures of burning are different on the different fuels so safeties etc. Will not be to the correct temperature. While they may work on kerosene they were designed to run correctly on diesel only. We have seen problems with damaged burners from using fuel third party additives for example however any sold at pumps are to a known spec and are fine.
 
NormanS said:
The diesel that I use is still high sulfur, because my supplier also supplies many of CalMac West Coast ferries. Although good for the engine, I found that my Eberspacher hated this fuel. The burner pot became totally clogged up with a hard deposit, which was almost impossible to remove. I changed to white diesel for a while, before finding a source of kerosene. I've now been using exclusively kerosene for about three years, at the rate of about 100 litres per year. Absolutely no problems, and it's half the price. ?
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I found exactly the same. On high sulphur red, I was stripping and decoking my Eber Hydronic 5 about twice a year. Since running on white road diesel (3 years or so), not had to do it once. Needed a replacement combustion blower motor a little while ago and when stripped for this I found it all very clean :)
 
Andy Todd said:
I seem to remember someone saying that occassionally running a diesel heater on kerosene will clean it out. Any thoughts? Yes or no?
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This went on a few years ago! Reply from Eberspacher UK re regular monthly use, decoking with paraffin, etc

When I saw this I laughed my socks off!

Eberspaecher fined 68 million euros over parking-heater cartel

They weren’t nice to anyone who dared to stand up to them! I love Planar and the Chinese versions, true market forces working well!
 
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Has anyone ever tried using Klean Heat Pure Kerosene Alternative in their diesel heater? My understanding is that is a essentially a purified form of mineral spirits which burns cleaner than kerosene. The packaging says it meets or exceeded all K-1 Kerosene specifications. Seems like it would be good for cleaning out carbon build up but I can't find any report of anyone actually using it in a diesel heater.
 
Overall people who have used kerosene say that the internals stay soot free. A badly sooted up heater if ran on kero for some hrs ends up decoked .
It's good stuff, just a little hard to get and pricey if you buy it in very small quantities.
Its 55p per litre as heating oil !
 
Rappey said:
Overall people who have used kerosene say that the internals stay soot free. A badly sooted up heater if ran on kero for some hrs ends up decoked .
It's good stuff, just a little hard to get and pricey if you buy it in very small quantities.
Its 55p per litre as heating oil !
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I used 28 sec heating oil in mine, cleans and keeps clean. Ran it for a winter when I was in Holyhead. Guide to Heating Oil).
Less than 70p a ltr.
I did an article years ago for PBO, stripped one to show carbon, put it back together, ran it on heating oil, stripped it and showed how clean it was afterwards. A guy from Eberspacher UK got arsy about it, said Eber never recommended doing this. I then produced the technical note from Espar USA were they actually had recommended it.
 
Beneteau381 said:
I used 28 sec heating oil in mine, cleans and keeps clean. Ran it for a winter when I was in Holyhead. Guide to Heating Oil).
Less than 70p a ltr.
I did an article years ago for PBO, stripped one to show carbon, put it back together, ran it on heating oil, stripped it and showed how clean it was afterwards. A guy from Eberspacher UK got arsy about it, said Eber never recommended doing this. I then produced the technical note from Espar USA were they actually had recommended it.
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Oops an old thread which I replied to years ago with links
 
I've been running Chinaspachers for ~ 5 years and only on Kerosene. - on my last 3 boats and also in my workshop where it has been on for 4 hours today.

Never had any coke up and always start first time, and the exhaust is clean clear and no smoke. but unless you have a fuel distributor nearby who sells it by the litre, Kero is a bit pricey, e.g. if bought on Ebay. ~ £0.65 / litre as 28 second fuel oil, about £36 for 20 litres from Ebay (£1.80 / litre)

My nearest is a 30 mile round trip so not worth the trip for around 15 - 20 litres consumption p.a.
 
superheat6k said:
I've been running Chinaspachers for ~ 5 years and only on Kerosene. - on my last 3 boats and also in my workshop where it has been on for 4 hours today.

Never had any coke up and always start first time, and the exhaust is clean clear and no smoke. but unless you have a fuel distributor nearby who sells it by the litre, Kero is a bit pricey, e.g. if bought on Ebay. ~ £0.65 / litre as 28 second fuel oil, about £36 for 20 litres from Ebay (£1.80 / litre)

My nearest is a 30 mile round trip so not worth the trip for around 15 - 20 litres consumption p.a.
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I’m lucky, a garage on the A5 near me sells 28sec from a pump and red also!
 
Rappey said:
Its not untrue.. I have read it for myself .. I Just cant remember which recommended kerosene over diesel.
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Rappey said:
Prove its untrue instead of just repeatedly posting your opinion?
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I don't wish to appear picky, but as you are repeatedly quoting from a source which you've 'read, but can't remember where' it would seem that you too are only posting an opinion.
I've read several articles that claimed Elvis Presley is still alive, but even without someone providing category evidence to the contrary, I'm still prepared to consider the possibility that what I've read (can't remember where) or thought I read, may be untrue.
 
My Eber, which has given faithful service for many years now, has developed an intermittent fault in its control. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it plays dead. I threatened it with a new controller, but at about £150, it just laughed at me. I sneaked up on it and replaced it with a Chinaspacher. I bought two for £150, so now have a complete spare. So far, it has only been run on test, but it seems fine. I'm going to love its "Remote", which'll allow me to switch it on before I get out of my bunk in the morning. Oh bliss!
The Eber ran all the time on Kerosene, and I'll continue the same with this one. The oil depot, which is happy to supply any quantity of Kero is just five miles along the road from the boat. I use about 100 litres per year.
 
I would not expect any problem with using Kero instead of Diesel ... they are in the same Distillation Group .... but its possible that consumption may increase ... while fuel control to vary temperature may not be as per diesel ...

I have a Vevor heater for installation and I will be happy enough using Kero in the colder months while diesel in the less cold if needed.
 
BobnLesley said:
I don't wish to appear picky, but as you are repeatedly quoting from a source which you've 'read, but can't remember where' it would seem that you too are only posting an opinion.
I've read several articles that claimed Elvis Presley is still alive, but even without someone providing category evidence to the contrary, I'm still prepared to consider the possibility that what I've read (can't remember where) or thought I read, may be untrue.
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The Webasto instruction manual clearly states that heating oil can be used instead of diesel in its Air top heaters.IMG_20250923_084437.jpg
 
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