Diesel Heater Battery Use Calculator

Diesel heaters sip fuel but still use 12V power. See how much a night costs your battery.

A diesel heater draws a lot of power for a few minutes while the glow plug starts it, then much less while it runs. Check your heater's manual for its own figures. Everything is worked out in your browser. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

1. Start-up

Glow plug and fan. Check the manual.

2. Running

Fan and fuel pump. Higher on high heat.

3. Results

How it was worked out

    What this does and doesn't tell you

    • A low battery can make a diesel heater fail to start or shut down. Keep the battery well charged in cold weather.
    • Install heaters to the maker's instructions, with the exhaust outside and a carbon monoxide alarm inside.
    • Work on 240V AC wiring, including inverter outputs and mains inlets, must be done by a licensed electrician. For high-current DC gear, follow the maker's installation manual and have an auto electrician check your work if you're unsure.
    ↑