I have purchased one of these to see how good they are and have noted a potential reliability issue when you run one of these devices off a mains
supply like a generator ot a mains power supply. I have built a battery backed up supply to mitigate the issue and wish to share it with you.
These heaters are extremely compact and efficient and give out up to 8KW on maximum and heats large spaces easily as it has a high air flow. I guess
you get what you pay for but these are on Fleabay for £180. I have no idea how long they last but heating my workshop with energy prices as the are is
somewhat difficult.
I have put this video together to see if anyone else has been using these devices and noted the reliability issue.
Have a look at the video link and please feel free to comment.
Ah I love the fact that you're actually creating useful videos unlike 99% of youtube. Much appreciated.
Can you estimate the fuel usage and give details on your workshop size/type? This might be a useful option for me in the near future.
My workshop is approx 5m x 12m and 1.5 - 2 stories high to accommodate a 4 post car lift. It is completely uninsulated except for a small machine shop in the corner. The Chinese device raised the temperature recently from 0deg C to 15 degC in less than an hour. When the temperature is so low (1-3deg) I cannot function these days. The fuel consumption I have not measured but consider: It is the most efficient way of converting diesel fuel energy source to heat, you will not beat that with the SSEB or the gas company as the burner runs so efficiently and at a very high temperature such that it produces no soot or smoke. The three times I have used it for about 4 hours at a time and I have used about a litre. If I could get red diesel it would make the cost even cheaper. There are videos on YouTube that cover the cost of running efficiency etc and computed better than my estimate. I am no sales person for these heaters but they appear to be a good product despite being made in China. The thing that impressed me was the capability of the controller, if that were to go wrong then the whole thing will be toast. The only threat to reliability I can detect is the power supply must be reliable.
Would it run on heating oil rather than diesel? My mode of heating is a woolly coat and jacket plus thermals. Once I’m moving I tend to be ok.
quote:
Originally posted by quinnj3
Would it run on heating oil rather than diesel? My mode of heating is a woolly coat and jacket plus thermals. Once I’m moving I tend to be ok.
I am happy now it has a proper power supply, I even left it running while I went a small message away from the workshop.
quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
Ah I love the fact that you're actually creating useful videos unlike 99% of youtube. Much appreciated.
Can you estimate the fuel usage and give details on your workshop size/type? This might be a useful option for me in the near future.
I have had one of these heating my workshop for a couple of years and it has been generally reliable apart from the glowplug failing after about 6
months of use but was easily replaced.
I just keep it connected to an old but working car battery and a trickle charger when in use to allow it to shut down correctly.
I keep thinking of alternative fuels as diesel is now too expensive for my liking but cant buy heating oil or red diesel much cheaper in small
quantitys, i do have about 50 litres of used hydraulic and light gear oil that i could use but im not sure whether it would coke up the burner or how
well it would burn as its synthetic food grade lubricants mixed in 25 litre drums.
Paul.
[Edited on 28/1/23 by paulf]
quote:
Originally posted by keljon
quote:
Originally posted by quinnj3
Would it run on heating oil rather than diesel? My mode of heating is a woolly coat and jacket plus thermals. Once I’m moving I tend to be ok.
i have one and it runs on all sorts, i tend to use old engine oil and diesel but it will run perfectly on kerosene and heating oil too