Sunster 8KW Diesel Heater 5L Toolbox 12V 24V Portable App Control for Garage RV

How big is the heater and can I carry it easily?

It is built into a toolbox-style case with a metal buckle sealed lid and a built-in carry handle. The package measures 46 x 38.6 x 32 cm and weighs 9.97kg. That is heavy enough that you will feel it, but one person can lift it with the handle.

The 5-litre fuel tank sits inside the case. Everything travels as one unit. One reviewer said they can quickly disconnect the hose and exhaust and take it in their camper.

How quickly does it heat up and how much fuel does it use?

The listing says you should feel heat within 3-5 minutes. One reviewer said it took about 10 minutes to reach the temperature they wanted. Both are worth knowing.

Fuel use is quoted as 0.16-0.45 litres per hour in the bullet points. The product description gives 0.11-0.48 litres per hour. The figures differ slightly because the heater burns less on low settings and more on high.

The maker says 6 litres of diesel gives up to 20 hours of heating in a room of 20-25 square metres. The built-in tank holds 5 litres. At the lowest quoted rate that is roughly 31 hours. At the highest it is about 11 hours.

Can I run it from the mains as well as a vehicle battery?

Yes. It has two power inputs. One is 12V DC for a vehicle or leisure battery. The other is a 110-240V AC transformer that comes in the box for a normal household socket. The heater switches between the two automatically.

The title mentions 12V and 24V. The product description only lists DC12V as the working voltage. Check this before you connect it to a 24V lorry system. Power draw is only 40W. A reviewer who ran it from a mains plug in a log cabin called that very handy.

How do I control it and which app do I need?

You get an LCD control panel and a remote switch. The remote works up to 30 m away. You can also use the Sunster Neo app. Search for it in the App Store on an iPhone. On Android scan the QR code in the user manual.

The app controls temperature, timers, power levels, altitude mode, constant temperature and ventilation mode. The temperature range is 8-35°C.

Does it use WiFi? Reviewers say no. The panel shows a WiFi symbol but the connection is Bluetooth. So you cannot switch it on from the house when you are out of range. Reports on the app are mixed. One person lost connection a few times but reconnected with a swipe. Another could not get it to pair at all and used the remote instead.

Can I mount the control panel indoors?

The listing says a 4 metre extension cable is included so you can fit the LCD panel indoors. Be careful here. One reviewer said their model had no extension cable and the controller stayed in the lid of the box. Check what arrives in yours.

With the panel in the room the heater senses the actual indoor temperature. It then cycles on and off and adjusts its operating mode to hold that temperature.

How loud is it and does the fuel pump tick?

The air duct outlet is the main noise source at 35 dB. That is about the level of normal conversation. Diesel heaters usually have a ticking fuel pump. The listing says the upgraded pump removes that ticking.

Reviews are split. One person called it a near silent pump. Another said the pump ticked and the fan on its lowest setting was loud enough that they would not want it in a van. A third said you can talk normally over it with no need to shout. Expect a low hum rather than silence.

Is it safe to use indoors and what about the smell?

The exhaust must vent outside. Reviewers fitted it through a wall or in a static caravan with the exhaust outside. One wrapped the exhaust in heat protection tape where it passed through a wooden cabin wall. Use gloves when you handle it.

Fit a carbon monoxide alarm and a smoke alarm in the same space. A reviewer who used it in a caravan did exactly that.

New heaters smell when first run. One reviewer reported a pungent plastic smell that eased with use. Another said there was no smell after the initial burn off. Two reviewers reported smoke or fumes. One of them had white smoke and found a carbon-clogged burner. If you see heavy smoke stop using it and contact the seller.

How well does it last and where can I use it?

Durability is the weak point in the reviews. The rating is 4.1 out of 5 from 84 ratings and 65% are five stars. 13% are one star. Six reviewers mentioned durability and all were negative. Some said it failed after 1 to 4 months. One said the connections corroded after five outdoor uses. Another reviewer has used theirs for a year with no problems.

The Sunster 8KW diesel heater suits cars, RVs, trucks, tractors, garages, cabins and camping. Reviewers used it in a static caravan, a caravan awning, a houseboat, a log cabin and a fishing bivy. It works from -40°C to 80°C. The brand says its products hold CE, WEE, FCC, EAC and UKCA certification. The return window is 30 days for many products. One reviewer found a fault after that window closed, so test it soon after it arrives.