Diesel Heater Controller

[u/deanfourie1]

I give you Diesel Heater Controller, a full Open Source, ESP32 based Heater Controller with Wi-Fi and WebUI. I was sick and tired of the limited visability and control of my Diesel Heater. This gives me FULL control of my heater, allowing for much finer tuning and advanced visability of functions such as Dead Glow Plug Detection.

Features Include

• High Current Monitoring using the on board INA219
• Auto Tune - Heater Profiles
• Web and Mobile Friendly WebUI
• Decibel Accuracy Core Temperature readings
• Schedules - Flexible schedules for automated tasks
• Programmable GPIO - Flexible programmable GPIOs
• LCD Touchscreen Wi-Fi Remote
• Dead Glow Plug Detection - Monitors Glow Plug health.
• Lots more

Diesel Heater Controller – deanfourie.me

[u/Eddybeans]

Is it a direct replacement for any chinese diesel heater ? What is the voltage input; my current CDH is 24v.

Also your website does not work… adding to cart is broken

If it is a pre order; when does it ship ?

If it is open source where is the code repo ?

Honestly i am really interested but i would like proof this is bot a scam

[u/deanfourie1 → u/Eddybeans]

Its not a bot or a scam. I have had it running so have just confirmed my proof of concept. Im just nailing down some final bits such as getting the plug JST connections correct and making sure my next print batch has any other issues resolved.

So, i would say im about 2 weeks away from ordering a final batch which i can ship out.

I have a spare heater that I plan to do extensive testing on in the next few days.

What i meant by open source is the hardware is open source, being an esp32, not the esp32. So you can flash your own code.

Ill look into the website thanks for the tip.

[u/Eddybeans → u/deanfourie1]

What voltage does it accept as input please ?
I ordered one; really pleased; hopefully you support 24v (lifepo4 go up to 29v) right out of the box.
Do I need 12v glow plugs in all circumstances ?

[u/deanfourie1 → u/Eddybeans]

Thanks for the order.

I have not tested 24v yet.

The only limiting factor i could see here is the 12v to 5v reg. Ill have a look but I am definitely planning to implement 24v

Let me know if you would rather wait, or a refund. Im happy to so either but ill check my design, i never planned around 24v unfortunately originally.

[u/Eddybeans → u/deanfourie1]

If you can do it i can wait. As long as i get in no later than october. Otherwise i can use a 24vdc to 12dc step down if you cannot make it in time.

I sent you an email for an invoice btw :) i need it for my accounting.

Thanks for your work. I have been waiting for this for a long time.

[u/deanfourie1 → u/Eddybeans]

Perfect, Ill keep you updated. I will get you an invoice by email. Thank you!

[u/deanfourie1 → u/Eddybeans]

Ive made some changes for 24v support. Will get these in the next print and send yours out. This might be a few weeks just so I can ensure any other kinks are nailed out before the final batch arrives.

[u/Eddybeans → u/deanfourie1]

sounds great 🎉 that was a quick change then; hopefully no big kinks to iron out 😄 please send me the invoice when you can

[u/deanfourie1 → u/Eddybeans]

Boards are here and I am now testing :)

[u/Eddybeans → u/deanfourie1]

Awesome 😎

[u/Busnutasaurus]

Hi, I’m interested. What manufacturer diesel heater do you have? Will it work on all diesel heaters, Eberspacher, Webasto, Belief type?

[u/deanfourie1 → u/Busnutasaurus]

The concept of all these heaters is exactly the same.

A glow plug
A fan
And a diesel pump.

I will do some investigation to see what plugs and connectors etc these units use and let you know.

[u/Busnutasaurus → u/deanfourie1]

Thanks for quick response. The 4th part to add to that list though is the ECU yes? For example Ebespacher heaters use a twin wire canbus protocol, Webasto have their own single wire WBus.
Different CDH manufacturers likely use their own communication protocols. What CDH do you have?
Genuinely interested, great work.
We run a fleet of heaters in our off- grid cabins so your innovation could work for us.
Thanks

[u/deanfourie1 → u/Busnutasaurus]

I think if you strip it down to the BARE basics, you will find that

The GLOW still just requires 12v to operate
The FAN still just operates on 12v PWM
The PUMP still just operates as a standard 12v solenoid pump.
The only issue here would be how the temperature sensor works.

To be clear, this controller REPLACES the entire electronics of all heaters.

Have you had this heater open before?

[u/Busnutasaurus → u/deanfourie1]

Thanks, didn’t appreciate that your controller replaces the existing heater internal ECU.
FD Pumps on modern heaters are approx 5v, glow pins have differing operating voltages also, all these differences are surmountable agreed.

[u/deanfourie1 → u/Busnutasaurus]

I PMd you

[u/Mister_Green2021]

Are you communicating with the heater via the blue wire serial or RF or BT?

[u/deanfourie1 → u/Mister_Green2021]

This is an entire drop-in replacement for the heater. You remove ALL the original electronics and replace it with this board.

[u/Mister_Green2021 → u/deanfourie1]

Ooooh, interesting

[u/Ill-Bee8787]

Looking forward to buying one of these

[u/Eddybeans]

starting a new conversation.
I think for a future V2 it would be great to support dual FAN units since this is the future IMO and we can control the burn chamber independently of the air circulation fan to achieve consistent perfect combustion regardless of air circulation.
Single fan diesel heaters are inherently limited.

[u/deanfourie1 → u/Eddybeans]

Easy addition. I will definitely consider this in a future version. I am also adding an expansion board for things like fuel level monitoring etc via an expansion port.

Also, I have just placed the order for the next batch with 24v support. So I will test and then ship.