Diesel heater/power source

[NDHUNTER24]

Im looking at getting a diesel heater for camping/hunting this year. Most of my hunting is later into October and November. Whats everyone's favorite source of power to run the diesel heater? I keep reading about power stations or a LiFePO4 batteries. The batteries seem like the cheaper option and may last longer but I was just curious what you guys think. If you guys have any favorite brands you like that would be appreciated.

 

[Mountain_Life]

Milwaukee/DeWalt battery. Easy to charge, easy to check battery level. If you can't charge for a while, just bring a pile of them. This is assuming you already own some of them. Still might be the answer even if you have to buy them new.

 

[NDHUNTER24]

I do have some milwaukee batteries @Mountain_Life do you know how long the battery will last?

 

[Mountain_Life]

Depends on battery size and how hard the heater is running. For some reason it also seems to vary by heater. A decent sized battery can easily last you through the night. Buy a converter to your battery brand and experiment.

 

[dieselchessy]

I use the Jackery 300 power packs, have 2 of them. One will run my diesel heater on 5 or 6 setting all night. The diesel heater draws around 20 watts at mid level settings.
The battery pack will charge up off a generator or rig in a few hours. Unless its cold. If its too cold, 30 or below, it will charge real slow or not at all, internal controls.

A bigger Jackery and a solar panel could be better.

Some folks build their own battery packs buying a lithium battery and some type of charger setup and putting it in a plastic case.

Make sure to have spare glow plugs, screens, fuel filter, maybe a pump. We also bring a buddy heater. Them diesel heaters can have breakdowns. Parts are cheap and easy to replace.

 

[KyleR1985]

I use my 12v lithium trolling motor battery. It’s also my camping battery I think it’s 200AH or there about. Anytime I’m using the heater, I’m near my truck. So packing it isn’t an issue. I’ve run the heater for at least 30-40 hours maybe more just never paid attention.

Pro tip, build a whip long enough to keep the battery in the shelter with you and warm.

 

[Titan]

Power stations can be great. But know that most won't power via the 12v port since it pulls too much at startup and shutdown. So you lose quite a bit of power from conversion losses - 12v to 110v to 12v

You will get more AH for $ with a lifepo4 battery. You will have a few more things to think about though - charging and charging temps. The "smart" versions usually have a temp sensor to avoid damaging battery.

It will come down to convenience and how you can recharge. Biggest thing is making sure you have enough capacity to avoid losing power while running. Very high chance you ruin the heater if that happens.

 

[Skerhunter]

A standard 80AH-100AH deep cycle battery will run it for multiple nights (close to a week). That paired with solar (30w) and it shouldn’t run out with heavy use.

You can spend more and get a power station, better batteries, etc if you are going to use it a lot throughout the year.

 

[BuckSmasher]

I have been using a deep cycle lithium iron battery. I think it is a 100 ah? I have inverter that I charge it with if I turn on the truck and drive anywhere. Love the diesel heater.

 

[dieselchessy]

Power stations can be great. But know that most won't power via the 12v port since it pulls too much at startup and shutdown. So you lose quite a bit of power from conversion losses - 12v to 110v to 12v

My two jackery’s run both my heaters just fine off the 12v ports. Ive not tried others.

 

[7mm-08]

Research and contemplate a Camco Olympian Wave catalytic gas heater before you pull the trigger on a diesel or gasoline heater. I researched the crap out of this subject and ultimately decided that the Camco was best for my needs, which is heating the canopy of my truck during the winter for wolf hunting excursions. There are three different sizes of heaters that Camco produces (Wave 3, Wave 6 and Wave 8) for different (size) applications. I bought the Wave 3. A friend of mine got to experience my Camco heater and he bought one to heat his utility trailer, which he converted to a camping trailer, and his wall tent. He, too, is very happy with his purchase. One of my main reasons for going this direction was to eliminate that power source requirement of diesel/gasoline heaters and the potential for eternal slumber associated with non-catalytic gas heaters (think the Mr. Buddy Little Heater) that put carbon monoxide into the heated space. Good luck with your decision.

Edit: When I said "gas," I should have more accurately said "propane." Sorry about any confusion I created.

 

[OkayestHNTR]

JFI:

Thread 'Diesel heater suggestion'

Sep 7, 2025

I’m looking for a backup heating solution for my 10x15 wall tent. I usually use a wood stove, but with the fire ban likely lasting deep into October this year, I need an alternative.


I recently purchased a cheap Vevor 8kW diesel heater, and so far, I’m not impressed. The exhaust smokes heavily, and I’ve already had to replace the low-quality fuel lines.


Does anyone have recommendations for a mid-tier option? I’m not looking to spend $2,000 on a high-end unit since I might only use it occasionally. That said, if I find a unit that works well, I could see myself transitioning to a diesel...

• aaron600rr
• Replies: 110
• Forum: Trucks, Trailers and UTV's

 

[z987k]

Research and contemplate a Camco Olympian Wave catalytic gas heater before you pull the trigger on a diesel or gasoline heater. I researched the crap out of this subject and ultimately decided that the Camco was best for my needs, which is heating the canopy of my truck during the winter for wolf hunting excursions. There are three different sizes of heaters that Camco produces (Wave 3, Wave 6 and Wave 8) for different (size) applications. I bought the Wave 3. A friend of mine got to experience my Camco heater and he bought one to heat is utility trailer, which he converted to a camping trailer, and his wall tent. He, too, is very happy with his purchase. One of my main reasons for going this direction was to eliminate that power source requirement of diesel/gasoline heaters and the potential for eternal slumber associated with non-catalytic gas heaters (think the Mr. Buddy Little Heater) that put carbon monoxide into the heated space. Good luck with your decision.

I wouldnt use that in a tent. The amount of water you're putting in the air will make a rainforest inside.

 

[longrangelead]

I built out a trailer to hunt from. the diesel heater is awesome for this.
I have two deep cycle batteries and 2-100w solar panels on the roof. We often run a Honda 2k geny for fridge/freezer so I have a battery tender on the batteries for redundancy.

We got weather bound once and the geny died. we got 4 or 5 days out of the batteries using the heater as needed during the day and all night.

The power draw while running with the fan on low is minimal. you're better off running it than start-stop often due the high start up draw of the glow plug.

 

[7mm-08]

I wouldnt use that in a tent. The amount of water you're putting in the air will make a rainforest inside.

Sorry if this offends you, but this is where folks who have not researched or had experience with these types of heaters struggle with providing accurate information. I run my heater all night in single digit temperatures and have no moisture inside the canopy in the morning. This is a catalytic heater and NOT an element heater with exhaust, which would, in fact, result in the condition you described.

 

[z987k]

Sorry if this offends you, but this is where folks who have not researched or had experience with these types of heaters struggle with providing accurate information. I run my heater all night in single digit temperatures and have no moisture inside the canopy in the morning. This is a catalytic heater and NOT an element heater with exhaust, which would, in fact, result in the condition you described.

If anything a catalytic heater, by nature of being a lot more efficient that combustion, produces more water than combustion does. But make no mistake, the reaction is still C3H8 + 5O2 -> 3CO2 + 4H2O. Just with the Platinum catalyst in there. But it's still 4H2O coming out.
If you're not ending up with an overly humid environment, then you either have a very leaky tent/camper/whatever or some sort of exhaust setup like camper vans do. Would also help if you live in an area of low relative humidity to start with.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

I just grabbed the AGM group 24 battery out of my popup camper and threw a 50 watt solar panel on it. I've no idea how long it would run (indefinitely?) but it never dropped but a few volts by morning. The biggest draw on my diesel heater is the glow plug when it's starting up, after that it's only the fan no matter how how or what setting it's on it's still just the fan. I set it on low with a constant on, it has a thermostat setting but I don't want it going on and off because each time it has to run the glow plug and that's not ideal.

 

[longrangelead]

I just grabbed the AGM group 24 battery out of my popup camper and threw a 50 watt solar panel on it. I've no idea how long it would run (indefinitely?) but it never dropped but a few volts by morning. The biggest draw on my diesel heater is the glow plug when it's starting up, after that it's only the fan no matter how how or what setting it's on it's still just the fan. I set it on low with a constant on, it has a thermostat setting but I don't want it going on and off because each time it has to run the glow plug and that's not ideal.

do the new ones actually cycle on/off with a thermostat?

mine is 5 or 6 years old and only speeds up if the thermostat calls for heat. if the thermostat is not calling for heat, it just runs on low until you get cooked and shut it off.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

do the new ones actually cycle on/off with a thermostat?

mine is 5 or 6 years old and only speeds up if the thermostat calls for heat. if the thermostat is not calling for heat, it just runs on low until you get cooked and shut it off.

Couldn't tell you, I've only ever owned the one and there's a LOT of new ones on the market now. I know mine will turn off off according to what the manual said and has to go through the whole glow plug thing again. Seems really inefficient, has to cool down after turning the heat off and then warm all the way back up. It'd be going ape shit all night long I'm sure if using it in a tent like I do.