Best Chinese Diesel Heaters with Links - 2023

[Chotu]

Already looking forward to the winter. Not really. But have to plan in advance.

After lots of thinking about gasoline/diesel I’m just going KISS. 5kw Chinese diesel heater in each hull. Some ductwork to get it to various spots. Natural heat rise to do the salon. 5 gallon day tank for the heater.

There is a bewildering array of Chinese diesel heaters on the market.

What are your current favorite Chinese diesel heaters? Ones that you have run for a long time and you find them reliable?
Any of them come complete and ready to install without hunting down a lot of new parts? Ive seen a lot online about leaking exhaust and things

[bgallinger]

I haven't used one, but I would buy 2 for spare parts.

[Mountainsailing]

I have a vevor, it worked well last winter. About 1gallon/day to heat the boat, and less than $100 to my door. I second buying another one for spares, but replacement parts are available.

[Chotu]

Good idea about having a spare on hand just for parts.

So I would probably buy three of them.

Thank you also for the consumption information on the Vevor.

Like most things from China, that aren’t rebranded to known brands, only direct experience can really tell if it’s going to be any good.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Mountainsailing

I have a vevor, it worked well last winter. About 1gallon/day to heat the boat, and less than $100 to my door. I second buying another one for spares, but replacement parts are available.

I see also that you have a 35 foot catamaran. I’m curious about how you installed the single diesel heater. Did you use a lot of ductwork to heat both hulls?

[CaptainRivet]

Just look that they are the copy of the eberspächer D4L or webasto. they will come all from the same factory then anyhow.
And no you don‘t Need a spare, it’s simple technic that Chinese producing since decades...most likely original parts as patent expired.
That design: https://www.ebay.de/itm/5KW-12V-Dies...edirect=mobile

Original webasto mounting parts fit. You get them in all colors and different brands like vevor...just chose 5 or 6kw Version and the Remote you like.
I have one too in red 6kw, works like a charm. Had the webasto in the cat before and former owner ripped it out as it was defect and never replaced it.
I only heat owner hull and salon. If 2nd hull I would just get and install a 2nd one, cheaper in the end and less effort.
I mix my old engine oils with 50% diesel and burn that, 20l +20l=40l, that’s what I mostly need in one season heating.

[ABJ87]

Most are similar with some minor differences in the controls. I have 800hrs on just a standard $100 one from eBay.

Recently this brand showed up as a premium. Apparently it has thicker castings, conformal coating on the boards and other little improvements. No personal experience.

https://lavaner.com/pd.jsp?id=22

[CaptTom]

The spare isn't because you can't order parts. It's there to make it a quick fix when it fails. Just replace the whole thing. You can then work on repairing the old one at your leisure (and in the warmth of the cabin.) It's no fun waiting in the cold for days before parts arrive.

It's also an inexpensive way to get all the spare parts you'll need in one easy-to-store package.

[RaymondR]

Any safety issues with these cheap knock-offs?

[ABJ87]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

Any safety issues with these cheap knock-offs?

Most issues are a result of improper installation.

Design is pretty solid, a copy of the Espar D2/D4.

[CaptainRivet]

Originally Posted by ABJ87

Most issues are a result of improper installation.

Design is pretty solid, a copy of the Espar D2/D4.

Exactly and webasto spare parts from Orginal fit. I used the original webasto exhaust with the Chinese heater as that was the only part that looked doggy and I didn‘t wanna have a monoxide accident and it’s not getting as hot as copy.Also the mounting plate was already installed and the Chinese fitted directly. The heater itself is rocksolid. Sure if you have space for a complete 2nd as spare part...it’s not that small.
I have the heater for occasional backup and my girlfriend is a freeze....
If I would be in colder climate with serious winter or cold I would definitely go for the Russian improved version which costs the same then a webasto original.

[Chotu]

I also will have a pair of 5 kW heaters anyway. So in an emergency I can just sit in one of the hulls. The one with the working heater.

I had bought an electric blanket and Sherpa blankets and have massive solar heating too.

So I think even if one breaks down it’s not that big of a deal. I can just run the other one and fix the first

[Franziska]

Chotu, have a Vevor 8kw on our 35ft cat.

https://amzn.eu/d/dJctihn

Very happy with it, even though it puts out perhaps a little less then 8kw in reality.

Plus side:
Cheap
Built in extremely high numbers, many many trucks on the planet use them
Super easy to install
Very easy servicing (detach fuel, power and exhaust and put the complete unit on the bench).
Remote control, we just switch it on when it's cold and off once it's reasonably warm, it does have more settings but we do not use those.

Modifications we did:
Put the controls on top of the housing
Put a longer fuel line which can now access our old 60L petrol tank which is now used for heating diesel instead.

Minus side:
You need to make adapter plates for the small nozzles if you want to use standart size ductwork. Its easily done though.

All in all very impressed for its price. Got us good through the few cold nights in winter.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Chotu, have a Vevor 8kw on our 35ft cat.

https://amzn.eu/d/dJctihn

Very happy with it, even though it puts out perhaps a little less then 8kw in reality.

Plus side:
Cheap
Built in extremely high numbers, many many trucks on the planet use them
Super easy to install
Very easy servicing (detach fuel, power and exhaust and put the complete unit on the bench).
Remote control, we just switch it on when it's cold and off once it's reasonably warm, it does have more settings but we do not use those.

Modifications we did:
Put the controls on top of the housing
Put a longer fuel line which can now access our old 60L petrol tank which is now used for heating diesel instead.

Minus side:
You need to make adapter plates for the small nozzles if you want to use standart size ductwork. Its easily done though.

All in all very impressed for its price. Got us good through the few cold nights in winter.

Thank you!

That’s 2 votes for the Vevor from people who have them. Sounds like the way to go.

One big one would be better, but I think two smaller ones probably makes more sense on my boat.

[Franziska]

Your welcome.

Get one or several of those premounted in the box if you have the space.
Easier mounting & servicing than lots of different parts in different spaces.

Btw. they have a built tank, we just hooked up our to the 60l tank out of convenience. You can buy suitable PTFE hose online.