[[GQC] Tim]

Are there any nice off the shelf cowl solutions at the moment?

For the last 10 years or so (might of been longer, I had the first Fogwash) I've used a powder coated mushroom vent of a narrow boat but haven't seen anything close that would look neat on a van without a ladder rack.

Do any suppliers sell a cowl for these heaters?

I mean mine works well enough but could do for a fancier solution come new van time. Did a search but couldn't find anything.

I appreciate the industry heavily favours Diesel heaters, but I prefer a LPG heater over a Diesel one, fraction of the price, easy to set up (if you discount cutting a hole in the roof!) reliable and zero maintenance. I can't think of any advantages of Diesel over LPG, except maybe for ease of use filling, but I've got an LPG filling port anyway.

[NWH]

The advantages over you’re heater are only a small matter of safety that’s all nothing major really 🤣🤣.

[[GQC] Tim]

The advantages over you’re heater are only a small matter of safety that’s all nothing major really 🤣🤣.

For the general public that doesn't understand much, I 100% agree with you.

However, done properly by someone who knows what they're doing, it's very safe. Otherwise what's that big boiler thing in my kitchen doing and what is that big range cooker doing in my house. It's gas, it's not going to explode in my face because it's built, installed and serviced by people who know what they're doing. I also don't see millions of RVs going up in big explosions all over the world.

Any of those three points can be called to question, rightfully so, but I've never had any issues as I know what I'm doing.

Anyway, back to topic. I'm sure I'm not the only one that still uses an LPG heater. 

[NWH]

I’ve had 3 of those heaters in the past I used 1 and sold the other 2 in the boxes,they produce hot water very hot in fact but they are not designed to be used all day for window cleaning.
This has been discussed many times on here I’m not knocking you but they are nothing but toys in build quality,I sold the other 2 of them to a house I clean she has a few horses she washes them off in the winter after she comes back from a ride.
They produce hot water but I would never compare a Chinese toy like product with another product with the build quality of Webasto heater,Ford Focus sat next to a modern M BMW.

[[GQC] Tim]

I’ve had 3 of those heaters in the past I used 1 and sold the other 2 in the boxes,they produce hot water very hot in fact but they are not designed to be used all day for window cleaning.
This has been discussed many times on here I’m not knocking you but they are nothing but toys in build quality,I sold the other 2 of them to a house I clean she has a few horses she washes them off in the winter after she comes back from a ride.
They produce hot water but I would never compare a Chinese toy like product with another product with the build quality of Webasto heater,Ford Focus sat next to a modern M BMW.

Obviously, I'd never compare them in built quality. I don't disagree with you. In fact you're right. Build quality is not even comparable. I've used the same heater 8 years every day window cleaning so I do somewhat disagree with you in terms of life span. Original one had close to a million litres of water gone through it. It only broke because on a frosty spring night I forgot to have a heater in the van. User error. New one so far 2 or 3 years in, no issues, probably more like 250,000 litres through. So they're fairly reliable from my own experience. There are always going to be lemons. But then again, plenty of modern BMWs have build issues!

I've got major dejavu here because I'm sure back in 2009 we were having this exact discussion. You were partially right then, partially right now. Like I said, I don't disagree with you on everything.

But you get again full marks for derailing a topic mate. 

[NWH]

Just be careful with them like I say all the pipes and fittings on them are like toys,I showed mine when I had them to a couple of plumbers I know and they both said the same you must be mad.
In winter the gas pipes inside the unit can crack like raw spaghetti.

[[GQC] Tim]

Yeah those pipes are super flimsy and break at the smallest bit of frost. Gas mechanism/burner is a bit better built.

Thank you for your concern, I'll take your thoughts on board and I'll genuinely explore the Diesel option again for my next van.

Have a good rest of your evening.

[Spruce]

Something rings deep in the lower brain cell of mine that Rinnai used to make one. I haven't seen one for years though. Most tankless units installed inside require a proper exhaust head that a purpose designed flu can be secured to and vented through the wall or roof.

The Ecotemp ones are designed for outdoor use so don't need a vent.

I believe the regulations banned the use of these cowls because  their design they could allow dangerous carbon monoxide gases to blow back into the residence where for example, gusts of wind outside could 'restrict' or hamper outside exhausting.
 

[[GQC] Tim]

Good memory! Yes I seem to recall that as well, might also not be the nicest thing sticking out of the van, hmm. I'll think about any other option. Might have to go with what I've already got....

[Spruce]

Good memory! Yes I seem to recall that as well, might also not be the nicest thing sticking out of the van, hmm. I'll think about any other option. Might have to go with what I've already got....

There was a local windie who fitted one of these to the roof of his van. A Broan NuTone 636.  Its low profile meant it sat below the level of his roof racks on his Vivaro.

https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/c5f9137c-191e-4ee6-88df-2a42679f37ad/svn/broan-gable-louvered-vents-rvk1a-64_1000.jpg

He got it off Ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=broan+piped+roof+vent&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=piped+roof+vent

The piping was discarded as was an internal blow back flap. His gas pipe from his heater fitted into the adapter supplied. If memory serves me he cut the base plate smaller.

It had a low profile and never leaked water into the back of the van due to its design.

http://www.broan.ca/common/productDigitalAssethandler.ashx?id=660accaf-0031-4c62-b7a4-db8de9b694f7

He took his heater out when he had a major gas leak at the regulator and the back of the van filled with gas whist he was working. That scared him.

[NWH]

They are supposed to be used outside and they are not supposed to be used for prolonged periods of time like you would do cleaning windows with one,it’s tempting with something like the L5 because they are so easy to plumb into your system within minutes but it’s not worth the risk.

[Spruce]

They are supposed to be used outside and they are not supposed to be used for prolonged periods of time like you would do cleaning windows with one,it’s tempting with something like the L5 because they are so easy to plumb into your system within minutes but it’s not worth the risk.

I agree with you.  I was tempted to go gas in the early days when it was a windie's flavour of the month. I'm glad my insurance company said no when I asked them.

There is still one in use that I know of. Its in an old Renault LWB high roof with no roof vent. Its mounted on the side and venting is an open rear door.

The failure of my mates regulator not only scared him but scared me as well.
 

[dazmond]

you just cant beat a professionally fitted diesel heater esp if its plumbed into your vans diesel tank.....so easy to use,safe and very reliable....yes i know they are expensive but well worth it IMO.....

i wont go into the problems i had with gas heaters over the years...as most of you already know!

[P @ F]

Have your eyebrows grown back yet Daz 

[Spruce]

you just cant beat a professionally fitted diesel heater esp if its plumbed into your vans diesel tank.....so easy to use,safe and very reliable....yes i know they are expensive but well worth it IMO.....

i wont go into the problems i had with gas heaters over the years...as most of you already know!

Daz, here's a question for you. How do you separate the diesel used for your heater and the diesel you use to propel the van on your tax return.

I realise there are a few different ways you can claim vehicle expenses against tax. Personally I claim each individual expense on my van rather than a per mile business claim. (It used to be 45p a mile but that was a few years ago.)

I personally claim 90% of my van's annual running costs as business against tax and the remaining 10% is my private usage element.  I claim a full 100% of window cleaning expenses (brushes for example) against tax.

Now in my opinion with my van and my round I would probably use more diesel running the heater than my van.  For me I would see the diesel used in a diesel heater as a 100% claim against tax, not 90/10.

If I was filling a separate tank to supply the heater only then that's easy to split for my tax return.

[dazmond]

you just cant beat a professionally fitted diesel heater esp if its plumbed into your vans diesel tank.....so easy to use,safe and very reliable....yes i know they are expensive but well worth it IMO.....

i wont go into the problems i had with gas heaters over the years...as most of you already know!

Daz, here's a question for you. How do you separate the diesel used for your heater and the diesel you use to propel the van on your tax return.

I realise there are a few different ways you can claim vehicle expenses against tax. Personally I claim each individual expense on my van rather than a per mile business claim. (It used to be 45p a mile but that was a few years ago.)

I personally claim 90% of my van's annual running costs as business against tax and the remaining 10% is my private usage element.  I claim a full 100% of window cleaning expenses (brushes for example) against tax.

Now in my opinion with my van and my round I would probably use more diesel running the heater than my van.  For me I would see the diesel used in a diesel heater as a 100% claim against tax, not 90/10.

If I was filling a separate tank to supply the heater only then that's easy to split for my tax return.

its easy spruce....i just save all my diesel receipts every time i fill up......i put around £120-£130 in diesel every month.this covers driving about AND heating my water (6 hours a day 4 or 5 days a week)i dont separate the expenses!its just one van expense under the heading "motor expenses".......

as i have a separate car for leisure i claim for 100% of my motor/diesel expenses and have done for years.....