Hi @MsNomer, how is your Velit furnace install going? I'm about to start shopping for a gas heater and would love to get a review. Thanks.
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Velit heater
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I did measure 4 times! But making it a bit shorter was not scary.
It's a big job, make no mistake. It was my first vehicle install but I had the advantage of building a suitcase diesel heater for fun two years ago. There is a lot of good advice on this forum. My .02: a stainless steel turret plate mount is great. That and a 5" hole saw and some patience and a bit of sweat and the floor hole is sorted and very easy to seal properly. I filed, sanded, and painted the cut hole (2 coats of paint) and then coated it in red RTV when I put the turret plate in place, using more RTV once it was bolted down.
For the fuel pickup, the image that @MsNomer shared above is very helpful. I used a specific tool to break the retainer clip loose and would recommend that you make that small investment. The angle is rough for using a brass bar and the tank is plastic so it does not reward mis-strikes. I used a ½ drive socket wrench with a roughly 2' piece of box aluminum as an extender. I also put both silicone and WD-40 on the ring which may have helped? Didn't hurt. When it broke loose, so did my bowels as it sounded like the end of the world and a big expensive problem all at the same time. Be prepared for that.
I did forgo the fuel filter as it seems like many have problems with it and one poster here on this thread made the point that fuel is filtered on it's way into your tank, the pickup is above the bottom, and those two things outweigh the supposed benefit of a cheap-**** filter and the problems it seems to cause. Time will tell, and a replacement pump is not that hard to put in!
Remember that if you definitely know you don't need high altitude operation, you can just use the enclosed fuel pickup adaptor and you don't even need to break that ring loose. I'm sure you will do fine in any case!
I realize I forgot the link to the fuel pickup: Amazon.com: SMOHOOL Heater Fuel Tank Sender Standpipe Pick Up Clip Hose Kit Compatible with Webasto Eberspacher Parking Heater : Automotive
Here's the tool: Amazon.com: 6599 Fuel Tank Lock Ring Tool Fuel Pump Senders Removal Install Tools for Chrsyler Dodge Ford GM Nissan Hyundai Sante Fe Jeep Wrangler : Automotive
It's a big job, make no mistake. It was my first vehicle install but I had the advantage of building a suitcase diesel heater for fun two years ago. There is a lot of good advice on this forum. My .02: a stainless steel turret plate mount is great. That and a 5" hole saw and some patience and a bit of sweat and the floor hole is sorted and very easy to seal properly. I filed, sanded, and painted the cut hole (2 coats of paint) and then coated it in red RTV when I put the turret plate in place, using more RTV once it was bolted down.
For the fuel pickup, the image that @MsNomer shared above is very helpful. I used a specific tool to break the retainer clip loose and would recommend that you make that small investment. The angle is rough for using a brass bar and the tank is plastic so it does not reward mis-strikes. I used a ½ drive socket wrench with a roughly 2' piece of box aluminum as an extender. I also put both silicone and WD-40 on the ring which may have helped? Didn't hurt. When it broke loose, so did my bowels as it sounded like the end of the world and a big expensive problem all at the same time. Be prepared for that.
I did forgo the fuel filter as it seems like many have problems with it and one poster here on this thread made the point that fuel is filtered on it's way into your tank, the pickup is above the bottom, and those two things outweigh the supposed benefit of a cheap-**** filter and the problems it seems to cause. Time will tell, and a replacement pump is not that hard to put in!
Remember that if you definitely know you don't need high altitude operation, you can just use the enclosed fuel pickup adaptor and you don't even need to break that ring loose. I'm sure you will do fine in any case!
I realize I forgot the link to the fuel pickup: Amazon.com: SMOHOOL Heater Fuel Tank Sender Standpipe Pick Up Clip Hose Kit Compatible with Webasto Eberspacher Parking Heater : Automotive
Here's the tool: Amazon.com: 6599 Fuel Tank Lock Ring Tool Fuel Pump Senders Removal Install Tools for Chrsyler Dodge Ford GM Nissan Hyundai Sante Fe Jeep Wrangler : Automotive
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148 Posts
Where do you buy the turret plate?I did measure 4 times! But making it a bit shorter was not scary.
It's a big job, make no mistake. It was my first vehicle install but I had the advantage of building a suitcase diesel heater for fun two years ago. There is a lot of good advice on this forum. My .02: a stainless steel turret plate mount is great. That and a 5" hole saw and some patience and a bit of sweat and the floor hole is sorted and very easy to seal properly. I filed, sanded, and painted the cut hole (2 coats of paint) and then coated it in red RTV when I put the turret plate in place, using more RTV once it was bolted down.
For the fuel pickup, the image that @MsNomer shared above is very helpful. I used a specific tool to break the retainer clip loose and would recommend that you make that small investment. The angle is rough for using a brass bar and the tank is plastic so it does not reward mis-strikes. I used a ½ drive socket wrench with a roughly 2' piece of box aluminum as an extender. I also put both silicone and WD-40 on the ring which may have helped? Didn't hurt. When it broke loose, so did my bowels as it sounded like the end of the world and a big expensive problem all at the same time. Be prepared for that.
I did forgo the fuel filter as it seems like many have problems with it and one poster here on this thread made the point that fuel is filtered on it's way into your tank, the pickup is above the bottom, and those two things outweigh the supposed benefit of a cheap-**** filter and the problems it seems to cause. Time will tell, and a replacement pump is not that hard to put in!
Remember that if you definitely know you don't need high altitude operation, you can just use the enclosed fuel pickup adaptor and you don't even need to break that ring loose. I'm sure you will do fine in any case!
I realize I forgot the link to the fuel pickup: Amazon.com: SMOHOOL Heater Fuel Tank Sender Standpipe Pick Up Clip Hose Kit Compatible with Webasto Eberspacher Parking Heater : Automotive
Here's the tool: Amazon.com: 6599 Fuel Tank Lock Ring Tool Fuel Pump Senders Removal Install Tools for Chrsyler Dodge Ford GM Nissan Hyundai Sante Fe Jeep Wrangler : Automotive
eBay. I can't say that the one I wound up with was great but it was good enough. Look for one that is stainless steel. You may need to modify it slightly as @MsNomer advises above to make room for the fuel pump cable but that's a simple matter. Even a rattail file would work to make that extra space.
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Today is the day. Fingers and toes crossed.
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Good luck! I hope it goes smoothly. I’m almost ready to buy one, but I’m waiting for a good video of the install.
For what it's worth all these heaters, independent of manufacturer, install the exact same way. Some tend to be Webasto clones whereas others are Espar clones (the generic Chinese units are mostly Espar-like but the Bison for instance is a close copy of a Webasto) but that does not impact mounting, it has more to do with internal layout and maintenance. Other than small dimensional differences (the 4 KW units being a bit larger than the 2 KW ones, and having larger heat ducting), the mounting plate, pump, fuel pickup, wiring, controller etc. are all connected and mounted in the same manner. Pick any video you like, picture the unit as being orange, and you'll be OK
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148 Posts
What I really want to see someone install the standpipe. That kind of freaks me out for some reason. Where are you mounting yours?For what it's worth all these heaters, independent of manufacturer, install the exact same way. Some tend to be Webasto clones whereas others are Espar clones (the generic Chinese units are mostly Espar-like but the Bison for instance is a close copy of a Webasto) but that does not impact mounting, it has more to do with internal layout and maintenance. Other than small dimensional differences (the 4 KW units being a bit larger than the 2 KW ones, and having larger heat ducting), the mounting plate, pump, fuel pickup, wiring, controller etc. are all connected and mounted in the same manner. Pick any video you like, picture the unit as being orange, and you'll be OK
Personally I used the factory fuel tap. I figure if at any point we want to switch to a stanpipe all it cost us is 50 dollars for the fittings and all I have to do is put the cap back on.
As far as I know very few people put standpipes on promasters although if you look it seems quite common on ducatos which should be quite similar...
As far as I know very few people put standpipes on promasters although if you look it seems quite common on ducatos which should be quite similar...
...plus I understand that Velit does not state that the auxiliary tap will not work; only that it may hinder high-altitude start-up. I'm a stong advocate of the stepwise approach to install and I would probably test with the tap prior to throwing the standpipe in the mix, at least to validate the rest of the install.
...pus for what it's worth the fuel pump is a critical (and fairly expensive) component and I'm not keen on drilling holes into it if I don't have to, on the odd chance that the manufacturer would not cover it under warranty if it fails (by itself or as a result of my intervention). For us high altitude travel is not in the short term plans anyway; but if you want to do it right now it seems quite straightforward (certainly less nerve-wracking than drilling holes for windows ). I would get a real tool to remove the lockring.
). I would get a real tool to remove the lockring.
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It took a CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT of force to crack that open even with the tool (that I’ll never use again). I was super nervous. Was given the tip to do this on a low tank. I was just under 1/2, wish it was more like 1/4.
I had to trim about 4” off the bottom of the standpipe. Did it once with cable cutters, but that ended up sealing the cut end. I used my angle grinder to snip it a 2nd time successfully.
I have giant hands which weren’t helpful.
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Thanks for the tips man.
I was convinced that I had broken the ring/tank/all the parts when my ring gave loose. It was shocking that all was well. Hope the heater works great!
FWIW
videos from David Mcluckie
He may even run diesel through it, because that's what he does.
Of note, it uses the exact same pump as the diesel versions, so maybe the pump doesn't need diesel lubricating properties after all.
No elevation testing, fyi.
Velit heater test and review
Velit heater tear down
videos from David Mcluckie
He may even run diesel through it, because that's what he does.
Of note, it uses the exact same pump as the diesel versions, so maybe the pump doesn't need diesel lubricating properties after all.
No elevation testing, fyi.
Velit heater test and review
Velit heater tear down
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91 Posts
No- to fix the hoses to the van’s frame.
Our bison kit had some steel straps about 1" wide and 4" long that you can wrap around the hoses and bolt to the frame. If your kit did not come with any, in a pinch all-round would work. The exhaust pipe is quite stiff so I used multiple straps to hold it where I wanted.
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