Diesel heater recommendations for a van

Looking at options for a diesel heater in my converted van and figured I'd tap into the collective wisdom here before dropping £2k+ on something.

Current setup: 200Ah LiFePO4 with a 3kW inverter, Victron MPPT controller, and I'm running a 2.5L diesel tank separate from the main engine. The van's insulated reasonably well—rockwool batts in the walls and ceiling—but winter nights in the Scottish Highlands mean I need reliable heating without hammering the battery.

I've been eyeing the Webasto Air Top 2000 and the cheaper Fogstar alternatives, but honestly I'm struggling to find decent real-world feedback on efficiency and noise levels. Most YouTube reviews are either paid promotions or blokes testing in summer with the van doors open.

Key concerns:

• Power draw: How much is the glow plug and circulation pump actually pulling from batteries when it cycles? I need something that won't tank my voltage at 3am.
• Noise: Living part-time in the van, I can't have something that sounds like a lawnmower starting every 20 minutes. How loud is the actual combustion versus the fan?
• Diesel consumption: Roughly how many litres per hour on medium setting? And does it actually modulate, or does it just run flat-out?
• Installation complexity: I've done basic electrical work but never fitted one of these. Am I looking at a weekend job or professional fitter territory?

Anyone running diesel heaters in vans with lithium setups? How's it treating you through winter? Regrets? Worth the outlay versus just running a quality diesel cooker + thermal mass?

Been down this road with my shepherd's hut — those diesel heaters are brilliant for off-grid, but the real trick is matching it to your power budget, not just the upfront cost.

Your 200Ah LiFePO4 should handle a 2-3kW unit fine during running cycles, but the glow plug startup draws about 10A for a few seconds. More importantly, the fuel consumption is the hidden expense — a 4kW heater at full blast will guzzle through diesel quickly in winter.

I'd honestly lean toward a Webasto or Eberspächer if you can stretch the budget — better efficiency than budget Chinese units, and the spares network in the UK is actually decent. Victron's monitoring will help you track draw anyway.

One thing nobody mentions: diesel heaters need proper ventilation ducting or you'll get condensation issues in a van. That's where the real costs creep in.

What's your current heat source, if anything?

The inverter's your limiting factor here, not the batteries. Most diesel heaters pull 8-15A on the glow plug startup — that's fine. But your 3kW Victron will struggle if you're running other loads simultaneously. I'd isolate the heater on a dedicated circuit from the battery rather than through the inverter if possible.

Worth knowing: fuel consumption scales with ambient temperature and setpoint. In my setup, a Planar heater uses roughly 0.3L/day at 18°C in the caravan, but double that below freezing. Budget accordingly if you're off-grid for extended periods.

The other consideration — exhaust routing in a van is tighter than a static setup. Make sure you've got proper clearance to combustibles and plan for condensation management. Insulation around the exhaust helps prevent heat loss and reduces exterior surface temps.

What's your typical winter usage pattern? That'll determine whether you need thermostat control or can manage manual operation.

Had a similar dilemma when I first set up my shepherd's hut setup. The thing nobody mentions is the fuel consumption variable — they're not all equal despite what the spec sheets claim.

I went with a Webasto after initially eyeing cheaper Chinese units. Yes, it cost more, but the efficiency difference became obvious come January when I wasn't draining my diesel tank weekly. The glow plug startup draw @PennineVanLifer mentioned is real, but honestly with your 3kW inverter you're fine there.

What matters more is whether you're running it intermittently or constantly. In a van you'll likely cycle it on and off, which means you're stress-testing the combustion chamber repeatedly. Cheaper models can get temperamental with that pattern.

Budget-wise, a mid-range Webasto or Truma unit will serve you better long-term than pushing toward that £2k mark on a no-name brand. Just my experience, mind.

Running one in my narrowboat, so I've got some thoughts. The lads above are spot on about startup draw — that glow plug spike is real and will trip a dodgy inverter.

What I'd add: fuel consumption varies wildly depending on your thermostat and ambient temps. Mine draws about 0.3L/hour on low, closer to 0.6L on full blast. Over a winter that adds up quick if you're not careful.

With your 3kW inverter you're fine for the actual heater draw (usually 50-100W running), but @PennineVanLifer's right — it's that startup that bites. Make sure your inverter can handle the inrush without shutting down. Victron's typically bulletproof for this, but worth checking your specific model's startup tolerance.

Also consider: are you planning to run it off your leisure batteries continuously? Because if you're not plugged into mains regularly, even 0.3L/day adds up. Some people run them off a separate smaller fuel tank to protect their main tank from condensation — worth thinking about for a van.

Spot on about the startup draw — that's the real gotcha. But worth checking: have you got split charging sorted? If your leisure battery's sitting at 12V and the glow plug fires up, your inverter's gonna take a hammering even before the heater kicks in proper.

The other thing — and this catches people out — is that most diesel heaters are dead efficient once running, but the exhaust routing in a van needs careful thought. You'll want decent insulation around the flue or you're losing heat like mad, plus condensation's a nightmare in confined spaces.

For your power budget, a smaller unit (2-4kW) makes more sense than maxing out. Stuff like the Webasto or Planar (Fogstar does a decent rebrand) are pricier but proven. Seen too many budget Chinese units clog up after a season.

Given your Vic setup, you're in decent shape — just make sure your DC-DC or split charger can keep pace with glow-plug draws when you're stationary. That's where the real expense often hides.

What's your charging solution looking like

Mate, your 3kW inverter will hate the startup surge on those glow plugs — you'll need at least 5kW to not watch your system throw a wobbler at 2am in January.

Skip the inverter route entirely if you can. Run it straight off 12V or 24V leisure battery with a proper relay setup. Webasto or Eberspacher are the gold standard but cost a fortune; Fosera clones do 80% of the job for 40% of the price if you're not fussed about the badge.

Real talk though — diesel heaters murder your fuel economy and require faff-free ventilation or you're slowly poisoning yourself. If your van's already got good insulation and you're not living in it full-time, a 2kW air-source heat pump off that Victron might be smarter long-term, especially with ev_charging cables already sorted for mains hookups.

What's your actual usage pattern — weekends or permanent?

Running a Webasto in my shepherd's hut off a similar setup — the startup surge is genuinely the killer. Your 3kW inverter will trip before you know it.

That said, if you're running it off diesel tank anyway (not inverter), you've dodged that bullet. The heater itself draws negligible power once it's running — maybe 200W for the fan and pump combined.

Worth considering: Chinese knockoffs (Eberspächer clones) are tempting at half the price, but spares and reliability are dodgy. I'd stretch for Webasto or Planar if you can swing it. The Fogstar units are decent middle ground.

Also check your van insulation before committing — proper thermal work might save you quid and complexity. If you're only using it winter weekends, a VW diesel heater (the newer Chinese ones that actually work) might do the job for £400-600 and zero electrical drama.

What's your actual usage pattern? That'd change my recommendation.

The startup surge is definitely the villain here, but honestly the real question is whether you're willing to go propane instead — diesel heaters are brilliant until they're not, and you'll be troubleshooting glow plug codes at 3am in a layby near Swindon.

If you're dead set on diesel, look at the Planar heaters rather than Webasto — slightly less dramatic inrush and you can often run them on a soft-start module to ease the load on your inverter. That said, you might get away with your 3kW if you're running a proper battery monitor and accepting a brief dip, but @SaltyMechanic's right that it's playing Russian roulette with your BMS.

Worth asking yourself: could a compact propane heater + a quality regulator do the job instead? They're more forgiving on 12V DC draw and your LiFePO4 will love you for it. Tiny houses and vans both benefit from the flexibility.

What's your actual power budget looking like over a winter night?

Honestly, the startup surge is a pain but not necessarily a dealbreaker if you're clever about it. I've got a Webasto in my cabin running off a similar-sized system and what works is splitting the load — kill everything else when you fire it up. Kettle, inverter loads, the lot. Takes 30 seconds max.

That said, @SaltyMechanic's got a point about the inverter stress. If you're running it regularly through winter, you'll be cycling hard every time. Worth considering whether propane makes more sense for your van setup anyway — cleaner, less maintenance headache.

What's your actual power draw like day-to-day? That might be the real question before you commit to either solution.

Right, everyone's obsessing over the startup surge like it's the final boss in a video game. Fair point—it genuinely is mental—but let's talk about what happens after the ignition theatre ends.

The real issue I've found with diesel heaters is fuel consumption variability. On my motorhome setup, I'm running a Planar 2D

The startup surge is real, but if you've got decent lithium like yours, a properly sized diesel heater won't tank your voltage. I ran a Planar 2D for two years on my narrowboat with a 200Ah setup—key is soft-start wiring and ensuring your battery management system doesn't get jumpy. What's your actual amperage capacity on that 3kW inverter? That'll determine whether you need a DC heater or can risk the 230V route.

What's your current battery management setup? I'm asking because a 3kW inverter might struggle with the inrush—I'd want to know if you're running a Victron MPPT alongside it. Also, how often are you actually running the van? Diesel heaters are brilliant for regular use but overkill if you're parked up occasionally. Have you considered a smaller unit like the Fogstar instead?