Water heater

[Anthony Hillstead]

 I’m new to posting here, but I’m not new to carpet cleaning… My question is what’s better propane heater or diesel heater thinking of doing some mods on my blue line 5M the early model without a blower heat exchanger are your thoughts? I looked at the eL Diablo heaters, but can’t find any information or name or what size they are. As far as propane, I have that readily available where I live there’s several places here in town.

 

[Living The Dream]

 I’m new to posting here, but I’m not new to carpet cleaning… My question is what’s better propane heater or diesel heater thinking of doing some mods on my blue line 5M the early model without a blower heat exchanger are your thoughts? I looked at the eL Diablo heaters, but can’t find any information or name or what size they are. As far as propane, I have that readily available where I live there’s several places here in town.

Hey Anthony,

I have zero experience with either, but from my days of research on these forums I think that each have their risks.

If I were to add a secondary heat source it would be a Little Giant propane heater. They are common in the carpet cleaning world and there's lots of info on them.

I think with any fuel source in a enclosed space that preventive maintenance is key.

 

[BIG WOOD]

Didn't judson pull the heat exchangers oof of a 5m and install propane heat exchangers? There's some YouTube videos on it

My main question is, what's wrong with the current heat exchanger setup on the 5m?

 

[Islandguy]

I used propane for 40 years with out incident , had a little Giant for the last 12. Never less I never did feel great about hauling propane around . I got a used Prochem last summer . Heats up nearly as quickly as propane and is extremely hot . I just feel better about it .

 

[Kenny Hayes]

I think propane is much cleaner. I don’t have experience with diesel, but know the diesel systems get really hot. Probably hotter than propane, maybe. If you have easy accessibly to propane, that would definitely be the way I’d go if those were the options. When you see a nice El Diablo on
Marketplace that’s really really reasonable, it’s always a diesel They seem complicated.

 

[BIG WOOD]

Diesel wouldn’t be my first choice as well

 

[Anthony Hillstead]

Didn't judson pull the heat exchangers oof of a 5m and install propane heat exchangers? There's some YouTube videos on it

My main question is, what's wrong with the current heat exchanger setup on the 5m?

It only has the two heating exchangers and I run a bigger blower it lacks when I’m doing tile and grout and long runs. I am used to a Powerclean genesis unit that had amazing heat.

 

[Anthony Hillstead]

Didn't judson pull the heat exchangers oof of a 5m and install propane heat exchangers? There's some YouTube videos on it

My main question is, what's wrong with the current heat exchanger setup on the 5m?

Yes, I seen the video that they did… Maintenance is key for sure. Just didn’t know if there was a benefit to one versus the other.

 

[Anthony Hillstead]

I think propane is much cleaner. I don’t have experience with diesel, but know the diesel systems get really hot. Probably hotter than propane, maybe. If you have easy accessibly to propane, that would definitely be the way I’d go if those were the options. When you see a nice El Diablo on
Marketplace that’s really really reasonable, it’s always a diesel They seem complicated.

That’s what I keep on thinking. I know it burns cleaner. I am putting it in a box truck so I have space to put it where it needs to be. I modded my 5M I have a bigger blower deleted all the crap that doesn’t need to be on there rerouted the exhaust so it all goes into one spot Down through the floor. Not saying that I need the heat all the time, but sometimes you get some relief, nasty spots, and you really want extra heat to cut through it.

 

[BIG WOOD]

Is there a possibility that your machine might need descaling? I know that heat exchange system very well. It has a good track record with the older prochem lineup. If it’s never been descaled, the calcium buildup might be the cause

 

[Cleanworks]

 I’m new to posting here, but I’m not new to carpet cleaning… My question is what’s better propane heater or diesel heater thinking of doing some mods on my blue line 5M the early model without a blower heat exchanger are your thoughts? I looked at the eL Diablo heaters, but can’t find any information or name or what size they are. As far as propane, I have that readily available where I live there’s several places here in town.

Propane is easier to deal with. Pretty well plug and play. Diesel heaters need an electric source to fire the burner. Either 12v or 120 v. The 120 volt systems seem to be more reliable but requires either an inverter or plug in to a home or business. Diesel is smelly. A 3 or 4 ht little giant heater will give you all the heat you need. Just make sure you hook up the pressure relief valve. The best systems will use a belly tank installed under the van. You can operate with a BBQ style propane tank but not really legal in many areas. Not a big deal for an owner/operator but you don't want employees using it like that. For safety sake, keep the propane tank turned off when the heater is not in use. Turn it on, light the heater, then turn off heater and turn off propane tank when the job is done.