Horizontal Diesel Heater Installation

Planning the Installation

A clean installation begins before any tools touch the vehicle. Mark the heater position, the fuel pick-up point, the exhaust exit, the warm-air duct route, and the control switch location. Check that the chosen cavity offers clearance for airflow and service access, and confirm that no fuel, brake, or electrical lines run through the proposed drill holes.

Mounting the Unit

Bolt the horizontal heater to a rigid, heat-resistant bracket using the supplied rubber mounts to limit vibration. Keep the unit level within the manufacturer's tolerance so the fuel pump pulses correctly. Leave enough room above the casing to remove the cover for future servicing. The mounting surface must not be combustible.

Fuel Line Installation

Fit the fuel pick-up to the tank above the bottom so water and sediment cannot be drawn in. Route the fuel line with a gentle downward slope toward the heater pump and avoid sharp kinks. Mount the dosing pump on a flexible mount away from the cabin, and prime the line before first start to remove air locks.

Exhaust and Intake Routing

The combustion air intake and exhaust pipe must both exit outside the vehicle. Run the exhaust with a small downward loop to prevent water entering, and fit a silencer to reduce noise. Never route the exhaust near air intakes, fresh water tanks, or living areas. Seal every penetration with the supplied rubber grommets.

Electrical Connections

Connect the heater to a dedicated fused supply directly from the battery using cable thick enough for the current draw. Fit an in-line fuse close to the battery. Run the control switch wires to a convenient dashboard or wall location and keep them clear of the exhaust pipe. A properly sized relay protects the control circuit.

First Test Run

Before closing everything up, start the heater on the bench or in place and observe the ignition sequence. Listen for a steady flame, check for exhaust leaks with soapy water, and feel that warm air reaches the outlet. Let the unit run through a full heating and cooling cycle before final assembly.

References

Miklnek, L., & Gotfrd, O. (2014). Study of exhaust emissions reduction of a diesel fuel operated heater during transient mode of operation. Czech Technical University in Prague.

Zietsman, J., Johnson, J., Ramani, T., Farzaneh, R., Rodgers, M., Samoylov, A., Xu, Y., & Moore, A. (2015). Effectiveness of idle reduction technologies in reducing driver exposure to diesel emissions. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board.

Karjalainen, P., Nikka, M., Olin, M., Martikainen, S., Rostedt, A., Arffman, A., & Mikkonen, S. (2021). Fuel-operated auxiliary heaters are a major additional source of vehicular particulate emissions in cold regions. Atmosphere, 12, 1105.