The FIRST Campervan Heating System That Does It ALL!, by aBuckLife on YouTube. 46 min 43 s.
- Video length
- 46 min 43 s
- Time to do it
- 2 to 3 days
- Difficulty
- Takes practice
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Plan where the Baltica unit, water tank and pump will sit, then build a cabinet to house them. Leave room for the coolant pipes and blower box.
Fit the water tank, level sensor and breather pipe. Run the filler and breather hoses so they slope upward and cannot trap water.
Plumb the cold side with 12mm push-fit pipe. Fit the pump, filter and accumulator between the tank outlet and the heater, and push each pipe fully into its fitting.
Install the shower and the drain-down valve, then run the hot water pipework back to the Baltica. Keep runs short and clip the pipe so it cannot rub.
Bolt the mounting bracket under the van and drill through the floor for the exhaust, combustion air intake and fuel line. Deburr every hole and seal it afterwards.
Fit the Autoterm Flow 5D heater to the bracket, connect the fuel line and tap into the van fuel tank using the supplied standpipe.
Run the coolant hoses between the Baltica, diesel heater and blower box, then wire the heater, pump and blower with crimped connectors and insulated joints.
Fill the system with water and coolant, run the pump and check every joint for leaks before you refit any panels.
Start the diesel heater and let it run a full cycle. Confirm you get hot air from the blower and hot water at the tap.
Tips and common mistakes
Route the exhaust outlet away from windows, doors and awning space, and fit a carbon monoxide alarm inside the van.
Wrap a dry paper towel around each push-fit joint during the leak test so a slow weep shows up straight away.
Bleed air from the coolant circuit before the first start or the heater will cut out on overheat.
Use a sharp hole saw with a pilot bit and drill slowly through the van floor to avoid snagging the bit.
Questions
Can I run the heater and hot water at the same time?
Yes. The Baltica shares one coolant circuit, so the same burner heats the air blower, the water calorifier and any radiators. Expect the burner to work harder when everything is on.
Do I need a separate diesel tank for the heater?
No. The Flow 5D heater draws from the van's own fuel tank through a standpipe, so you only fill up in one place.
How do I stop the water system freezing in winter?
Fit a drain-down valve at the lowest point and empty the tank and pipework when the van will sit unused in freezing weather.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
