Diesel heater..ideas, thoughts and so on

[upnover]

Just to move it along, let's skip past the heater it's self, and go to upgrades. Now, I've been o You Tube University, and watched a bunch of videos on upgrades, mainly to the exhaust.
So, this is basically a furnace, burn pot and all. So with this type of heat, there has to be an exhaust. What I have seen is different ways to capture heat off the exhaust, so as not to loose all that heat that is expelled. They seem legit as far has shooting the temp into the exhaust heat capturing apparatus, and out of it. I've seen where one guy used an old water radiator that used to be a standard heat source from a remote water boiler. Another used one of those oil filled electric radiant heaters. Not shown, but was mentioned in one guys comments, he used a inter-cooler.
I like the old radiator idea, but sourcing one has been the issue. I don't like the electric idea simply because of what all is required to adapt it. My thoughts are leaning a lil different direction. I am thinking a cheap radiator off FB market place run the exhaust in at the top, and out the bottom. The top would have to be hard plumbed fitting to adapt it into the radiator, the bottom, from what I have seen, would be cool enough to simply use rubber hoses as with all the tests I have seen, temps are way below any temps that would melt or otherwise damage the hose. My thinking is to not use it so much as just using it as radiant heat, but more so to direct the heat. I'm thinking some type of lower speed fan, blowing through the fins(just like on a vehicle, just slower(power usage and with lower heat and not pressurized), Directing the heat out, instead of up into the ceiling of my 12 walled, 16' peak, un-insulated building. Doing this has me with one concern, it was mentioned once, just not addressed, is "back pressure" My thinking(And this might be stinkin' thinkin',Is air is thinner that water, so if liquids can run though all the cooling tubes i a radiator, exhaust should be able to also. From what I have seen mentioned by some is water condensate from the exhaust, from what gathered, it's not an issue, but if there was, it'd go to the bottom, and the petcock would be able to be utilized to get it out.

So.... that's my thoughts and ideas. Any thoughts and or ideas welcomed.

 

[WARRIORWELDING]

Why can't it just be a long chimney pipe before it exits the building?
I'm wondering if folks could just plumb these into a old wood stove pipe. Leave both and run one as emergency backup.

Since you have done well more research, how much square feet will they heat? I was considering waste oil. Now that I've watched two large unit make great heat but go through large totes like pouring water down a drain I'm not so sure

 

[Noel]

Why can't it just be a long chimney pipe before it exits the building?
I'm wondering if folks could just plumb these into a old wood stove pipe. Leave both and run one as emergency backup.

Since you have done well more research, how much square feet will they heat? I was considering waste oil. Now that I've watched two large unit make great heat but go through large totes like pouring water down a drain I'm not so sure

Yea I have looked into the oil drip as I can get unlimited used oil. But don’t have the space for a stove. So it’s easier to use at the man for some propane unfortunately. Wish they made a torch heater to burn oil haha

 

[WARRIORWELDING]

Yea I have looked into the oil drip as I can get unlimited used oil. But don’t have the space for a stove. So it’s easier to use at the man for some propane unfortunately. Wish they made a torch heater to burn oil haha

The oil burner i was referring to is a high pressure injector furnace just for waste oil.

On the same line........why are these diesel heaters much different then a miniature heating oil furnace.

Oil is slightly cooler BTU wise but they operate the same. Heating oil is slightly cooler per gallon purchased at the right time.

Only observable difference i see is the compact size of the diesel units.

 

[VortecJeep]

A lot of people on FB that have converted cargo trailers use diesel heaters. check out some of the cargo trailer conversion pages.

 

[Noel]

The oil burner i was referring to is a high pressure injector furnace just for waste oil.

On the same line........why are these diesel heaters much different then a miniature heating oil furnace.

Oil is slightly cooler BTU wise but they operate the same. Heating oil is slightly cooler per gallon purchased at the right time.

Only observable difference i see is the compact size of the diesel units.

Yea I know several that have went with the waste oil heaters and they are always a shit show. Nothing but problems. Always stopping up and etc. in a perfect world they would be just that. But they are only great for the sales pitch about like solar panels. “Will pay for itself”

 

[Caver Dave]

I like the old radiator idea, but sourcing one has been the issue. I don't like the electric idea simply because of what all is required to adapt it. My thoughts are leaning a lil different direction. I am thinking a cheap radiator off FB market place run the exhaust in at the top, and out the bottom. The top would have to be hard plumbed fitting to adapt it into the radiator, the bottom, from what I have seen, would be cool enough to simply use rubber hoses as with all the tests I have seen, temps are way below any temps that would melt or otherwise damage the hose. My thinking is to not use it so much as just using it as radiant heat, but more so to direct the heat. I'm thinking some type of lower speed fan, blowing through the fins(just like on a vehicle, just slower(power usage and with lower heat and not pressurized), Directing the heat out, instead of up into the ceiling of my 12 walled, 16' peak, un-insulated building. Doing this has me with one concern, it was mentioned once, just not addressed, is "back pressure" My thinking(And this might be stinkin' thinkin',Is air is thinner that water, so if liquids can run though all the cooling tubes i a radiator, exhaust should be able to also. From what I have seen mentioned by some is water condensate from the exhaust, from what gathered, it's not an issue, but if there was, it'd go to the bottom, and the petcock would be able to be utilized to get it out.

So.... that's my thoughts and ideas. Any thoughts and or ideas welcomed.

I'm following you... assuming you're talking about the current flow of cheap(er) Chineseum diesel heaters that run on 12VDC?

What temps are you seeing on the current piping?

Along the intercooler line, most diesel truck intercoolers have 2.5"-3" in/out (should eliminate any "back pressure", technically a restriction, concerns), are designed for "air" (vs. fluids), and though most are plastic capped, may very well live with exhaust temps?

 

[Caver Dave]

Yea I know several that have went with the waste oil heaters and they are always a shit show. Nothing but problems. Always stopping up and etc. in a perfect world they would be just that. But they are only great for the sales pitch about like solar panels. “Will pay for itself”

My shop of choice here in the Commonwealth is 100% waste oil heated and has very few issues.
Was chatting about it last month (during 4 vehicle inspections )... he said they've learned the "process"...
They "pre-filter" all the sludge/crap thru a pc. of window screen and various "rags" before it hit's the bulk tank.
Compressed shop air (with the advent of battery tools and a full complement of "red", is now only used for tires & heat) drive both the supply pump (bulk storage) and the "burner".
Keeps it about 70* regardless of outside temps/how many times the big doors are opened to shuttle vehicles in & out... and they claim the fuel supply is both endless & free