Vevor 5kw Diesel Heater Part 1

[Refueler]

My latest boat - Conqubin 38CR has an LPG water based heating system in the cabin .... long radiators behind facing teak boards :

The previous owner had a flooding incident and Insurance work - the yard as he told us - disconnected the system ...

I have looked into resurrecting the system ... but not too happy about the 'LPG unit' being in the hanging locker - yes it has a grill round it ... but still not so happy ...

The ID label is hard to read and I have no manual to know how to use it ...

I ummed and arrred for ages over solution ... then finally decided that a Diesel system would be better answer.

Looking at Webasto and Eberspacher pricing ... had me quaking in my boots !!! Youtube and various online sites showed Chinese heaters of same design / style ... at vastly lower prices. The good reports hugely outnumbered any bad.

So I decided on the Vevor 5KW unit ... from Czech Warehouse - so living in EU land - it was already duty paid etc.

Here is the unit :

[video]

My idea at present is to remove the LPG unit ... blank off the gas line T in transom locker ... remove the radiators - but put the teak facing boards back to avoid any unsightly look ... they have been there for many years .. But if the divan sides are ok - maybe leave them off.

Location of the heater ? Most likely in the huge transom locker - with a partition to keep ropes / fenders etc. away from the unit. This will then allow easy venting of exhaust ... and mounting of the fuel tank. I will not plumb into the main engine tank.

I am also seriously thinking about the 'box' style similar unit for use in my workshop ... I see many YT vids where people use these for 'room' heating ...

I am interested in any others info on their heaters .... what problems etc ... good and bad reports ... it all helps.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

The supplied exhaust is worse than rubbish, ditch it and fit a Planar one. It’s money, but you’ll still come up a third of the cost of Eber. And you’ll sleep better, and wake up in the morning. I have that exact unit, mine runs on the exhaust of the previously fitted unit, but it is now ageing, so I will fit a new exhaust before spring.
In use, they do like a decent power supply, and will cut with an error message if the voltage dips, the usual proceduresorts that. Start your engine, cycle the power to the heater and go again. It’s only while it’s starting up.

 

[onesea]

Liking odd projects:
Can you not set the wet central heating up from a clarifier off the engine?
Also if I recall the canal boat world likes wet heating, they might have other solutions.

 

[Refueler]

Liking odd projects:
Can you not set the wet central heating up from a clarifier off the engine?
Also if I recall the canal boat world likes wet heating, they might have other solutions.

Engine is raw water cooled ... it appears that when yard did the insurance work - the engine changed from having a calorifier to not ... it was left laying in the engine bay ..

Still trying to figure out how this could have been .. as engine is definitely a Raw Water only 2GM20 ...

The piping is all there as you can see in this photo (all to right of engine)...

I would still consider re-instating the LPG system - IF I could get a manual for it ... but so far no such luck ...

The Diesel heater could easily go to my other boat or workshop..

 

[Refueler]

The supplied exhaust is worse than rubbish, ditch it and fit a Planar one. It’s money, but you’ll still come up a third of the cost of Eber. And you’ll sleep better, and wake up in the morning. I have that exact unit, mine runs on the exhaust of the previously fitted unit, but it is now ageing, so I will fit a new exhaust before spring.
In use, they do like a decent power supply, and will cut with an error message if the voltage dips, the usual proceduresorts that. Start your engine, cycle the power to the heater and go again. It’s only while it’s starting up.

I am actually thinking to have a separate battery - I have 3 spare in the garage and a small solar panel that can keep it topped up ...

The transom locker is large - so not a problem to remove half the crap in there and sort heater / tank / battery into it.

I may actually look at wiring the fridge to it as well ... away from cabin bank.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

It sounds like a real cowboy yard.

 

[fredrussell]

I am actually thinking to have a separate battery - I have 3 spare in the garage and a small solar panel that can keep it topped up ...

In non-summer months will you get enough solar to keep battery happy? These heaters are very fussy about a decent 12v supply. I’d be running a good sized cable to the house battery bank.
Fit a smoke alarm in locker and a good quality CO alarm in cabin. And, as always with these cheap heaters, dump all the fuel pipe, hose clips,exhaust, exhaust hose etc that came with heater. It’s junk.

 

[Refueler]

In non-summer months will you get enough solar to keep battery happy? These heaters are very fussy about a decent 12v supply. I’d be running a good sized cable to the house battery bank.
Fit a smoke alarm in locker and a good quality CO alarm in cabin. And, as always with these cheap heaters, dump all the fuel pipe, hose clips,exhaust, exhaust hose etc that came with heater. It’s junk.

Not really bothered about the solar TBH - most time I moor to where I can get mains power ... and I may fit an option to charge from engine ... its all ideas at present ...

As to the bits and bobs ... I note that with most YT vids as well ...
I have plenty of time to order online / find here ... as installation will not start till weather is a bit warmer !!

I see people put 40w ... 50w panels to keep battery up for these heaters ... but of course I'm at 57N ... so non-summer months are limiting .. I would consider a 100w as better.

 

[onesea]

I am actually thinking to have a separate battery - I have 3 spare in the garage and a small solar panel that can keep it topped up ...

The transom locker is large - so not a problem to remove half the crap in there and sort heater / tank / battery into it.

I may actually look at wiring the fridge to it as well ... away from cabin bank.

I have considered doing similar,.
Presently run to battery set up:
Consumers:
Battery 2 engine (on original 1 2 or both switch).

I took domestics (all consumer power) through separate breaker and battery monitor to battery 1 Only.

Charging:
Engine charging to 1, 2 or both switch (so ineffect always battery 2),
Added Solar charging to Battery 1,
I fitted VCR between batteries 1 and 2 so when either is full they charge the other.

Now considering a VCR/ Battery manager so I can run non essential consumers through a 3rd battery when not on board.
EG Fridge, USB charging, hand held vhf etc
If they cut out it’s not the end of the world.

 

[Refueler]

Question :

If I use the supplied plastic 10l tank with the bottom feed .....
Does the tank need to be lower than the heater unit to avoid fuel flowing by itself or is it cured by just having pump higher than the heater ?

 

[Refueler]

It sounds like a real cowboy yard.

Seller actually said that !!

 

[Refueler]

Thinking to swap out silencer as well ..... to this :

Question would that need to be mounted via stand-offs to avoid heat damage to surrounding ?

 

[ProDave]

Fred drift perhaps, but my Chinesium diesel heater that came with the boat, and I re installed it, correcting all the shoddy mistakes the previous installer made, does not have an exhaust silencer at all. A Stainless steel exhaust hose connects from the heater to a stainless through hull fitting with no silencer and no joins.

I have seen discussion of poor silencers supplied with the Chinese heaters but it seems mine either did not have one or the original installer decided it was too rubbish to fit.

With no silencer it works well and I would not say it is noisy and needs one.

Is it in any way dangerous without a silencer?

 

[Rappey]

Is it in any way dangerous without a silencer?

The silencer is purely to reduce noise output so its not dangerous to operate without.

 

[Rappey]

I have seen discussion of poor silencers supplied with the Chinese heaters but it seems mine either did not have one or the original installer decided it was too rubbish to fit.

The chinese exhaust is fit for purpose as supplied, ie mounted outside underneath a vehicle .It even has a condensation drain hole.
The whole kit is not designed for a boat, hence having to change parts for more suitable.

 

[Refueler]

The chinese exhaust is fit for purpose as supplied, ie mounted outside underneath a vehicle .It even has a condensation drain hole.
The whole kit is not designed for a boat, hence having to change parts for more suitable.

I would think that underneath a vehicle could be near as environmentally bad for it as on a boat ? On the boat - the installation would normally be more sheltered surely ... albeit salty all year round instead of just during winter ?

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I would think that underneath a vehicle could be near as environmentally bad for it as on a boat ? On the boat - the installation would normally be more sheltered surely ... albeit salty all year round instead of just during winter ?

I think its more to do with how hot that silencer might get.

 

[Refueler]

Maybe ...

I plan to create a an open top boxed affair - to hold the heater ... the question then is the exhaust tubing / silencer.
Intention to lag the pipe and find a way to protect gear from the silncer.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Maybe ...

I plan to create a an open top boxed affair - to hold the heater ... the question then is the exhaust tubing / silencer.
Intention to lag the pipe and find a way to protect gear from the silncer.

The supplied silencer is only suitable for vehicles, because it isn't fully welded and has a condensation drain hole, which will let CO into the boat if fitted internally.

As for heat, get some Eber/Webasto/Planar exhaust tube and insulate it with the Eber/Webasto woven insulation. Not a fan of the black Planar insulation. You can wrap the silencer (Eber/Webasto/Planar, fully welded) with the same insulation or something for domestic heating flue pipes should also work. I have two 4kw heaters onboard, a Planar and a Webasto, and neither of them have silencers, both are very quiet.

 

[Refueler]

The supplied silencer is only suitable for vehicles, because it isn't fully welded and has a condensation drain hole, which will let CO into the boat if fitted internally.

As for heat, get some Eber/Webasto/Planar exhaust tube and insulate it with the Eber/Webasto woven insulation. Not a fan of the black Planar insulation. You can wrap the silencer (Eber/Webasto/Planar, fully welded) with the same insulation or something for domestic heating flue pipes should also work. I have two 4kw heaters onboard, a Planar and a Webasto, and neither of them have silencers, both are very quiet.

Post 12 shows what I see others on YT fit instead of the supplied version.

The transom locker is intended mounting area ... not sure about how well sealed off from aft under cockpit bunk area ....

Looks reasonably closed off ....

Same other side.