100% Chuck. I've installed (and repaired) tons of these heaters, from the original German versions to the "no-name" Chinese varieties...and the Lavaner brands are my only recommendations now. Even the glow plug itself is a better name-brand component. The only way in which they're not better is in their purchase options - it's sometimes a bit of a challenge to find the Alpines on their store site...they could do better in that. But they are absolutely worth the extra search/hunt time and the extra cost.

I bought a Lavaner Pro 5kw and the fan seized up after 4 months, and when I took it apart to change out the fan, one of the bolts was cross-threaded and snapped inside the case rendering it useless. Yes, the parts overall are better build quality, but not perfect. If you tune your $100 heater to a clean burn and then get an afterburner, it'll be just as reliable and also has way more features including remote access, automatic altitude adjustment, linear hertz and auto on/off based on internal temperature. Also, parts are super cheap. I carry an extra pump, glow plug, temp sensor, and some gaskets just incase I need to replace something. I personally wouldn't go with the Alpine Pro specifically because they are not using the same connectors as the cheap heater so changing parts (which DO fail) is more difficult to do. But to each their own, Lavaner is the very good quality Chinese brand, just not my choice. Also, running on high to clear the burn chamber is a myth. It will turn the soot into hardened carbon making it near impossible to clean. Do not do this. Tune your heater and it'll never soot up.

Always putting out great videos. When I'm ready to do my build I'm going to be binge watching your channel.

Thanks, Chuck, for releasing these videos! I see you're recording from your old shop, but you're on the road. I hope to meet you on the road sometime! I'm somewhat stuck in Phoenix, since I need the job here.

i LOVE this video. thank you for making it and explaining everything so well. very informative!

Great info. Helps me a bunch. I was overwhelmed with which one to go with. I’m gonna take your expertise and advice. Simplifies my choice.

I use red diesel in my heater which is about a dollar less per gallon here in California. I don't have a diesel engine in my rig but would consider installing a separate tank to avoid burning my traveling fuel.

Nice video, looks like a good little unit. I currently have a Wallas 85 NDP diesel stove/heater that my brother gave me, at the time we didn’t know how much they cost 😁. But this thing works awesome, it’s a 2 burner ceramic cook stove with the “blower lid” up, and closing the lid engages the heater, with push button elevation control. Wallas is made in Finland, seen a lot of good reviews, but their prices are outrageous. They do have a nice oven that pairs with my setup 👀 , but at $3,000 I’ll think I’ll just take my free score and figure something else out for baking cookies 🤣

Wow, such a phenomenal breakdown of these heaters! I’ve installed a number of the lower cost (vevor) versions over the last two years and have had a host of issues. So good to see a comparison with a slightly higher cost unit. I’m definitely going to be using the lavaner for future builds! Thanks so much for taking the time to share this info.

👍🏻 love the recommend. As usual I’m doing things twice. I got & installed the Vevore. The first time I used it I had it set on high and it heated perfectly but made the space too hot. So the next time I fired it up I set the temperature low it worked fine for the hour I used it, but apparently it built up a lot of carbon because now I can’t get it to fire up at all. I keep getting an E-10 error (fuel) Which I have tried to correct by checking the pump, I moved the plastic tank closer to the heater location to shorten the fuel hose, and still nothing. My next option was to take it apart and clean out the combustion chamber which I have procrastinated on doing. All of this agro for $200 & 4 hours of operation. But thanks now to your recommendation I’m going to with the LaVaner and set the Vevore aside for my work shop. 👍🏻

My chinese diesel heater is on the start of its fifth season now. Installed it in my workshop and it just keeps on working and working… changed the fuel pump once after it failed due to diesel bug Getting in the diesel. During the summer last year. 7€ and a cleaning of the tank and we are good to go. No need to buy more expensive versions imo.

Dang, I just received my Vevor! Instructions do suck, so thanks for the help.

I run an ebersparcher 2kw from 1999. I bought it used for 100 euro 😁

As the man or woman said, ya gets what ya pay for. Keep the good stuff coming.

Oh Snaps! Breaking out the 2nd camera. My advice…get a slider. Ups your production value immensely. Love the show. Thanks Chuck

Happy Thanksgiving Chuck.

Great video. Was wondering what the max length ducting used if you split the heat exhaust?

I don’t think “patents (expiring)”has ever prevented the Chinese from copying shit ever lololol

Great videos. Any recommendations for gasoline vehicles? Would like to tap into onboard tank.

Should have mentioned that the CDH cheap muffler is not sealed. It has a drain hole on one side as well leaks from every corner. Many people have learned hard lessons installing them into boats.

Hey Chuck! Love the videos, but make sure you fix the spelling of Diesel!

Hey Chuck, the timing is absolutely hilarious on this video! I live in Alaska and just bought both of these heaters because only the vevor will ship to our place! We had to have the lavaner ship to the In-laws in Montana and we can't get it till we go visit for Christmas but we needed something to heat the bus sooner! Thanks again for a great video! -Adeline

Good morning while watching your roof raise on your bus I noticed you didn't use any sealant on the panel when installing them. I didn't see where you mentioned why you didn't. Just curious for a future raise for myself

Thanks for the video

Hey Chuck ? Cool Thanks for sharing..!! Marie from Denver..❤😎

Time will tell. I have an Espar block heater that I've been using for 17 years. It might not seem like a big deal...until it's below zero and then I flip the switch to pre-heat my semi-truck. That Espar has never,...not even once failed to operate. It brings my engine to 100 degrees within 30 minutes. Thats when you want the best .......when you need it the most.

❤@The Chuck. Question; How did you get the sound bite from This Old House...I❤that show. But other than that ur awesome I'm learning 👍🏿👍🏻

Nice video and comparison. I guess the old saying you get what you pay for comes to mind.

Chuck, that heater is no longer available. Any other suggestions for an equivalent heater?

I only see lavaner on aliexpress. Nothing on Amazon 🤔

I wish I had listened to your description of elevation factor a month ago -- I swear no one else on the Internet can articulate the issue as eloquently -- thank you. Consider making a video dedicated to the subject. A cheap model I bought two months ago had no manual fuel mix adjustment; it does have a plateau mode indicator, but there is no evidence the thing actually compensates for elevation. The larger issue is the Amz product description gives no indication, and most users are ignorant of elevation mix control or its importance -- turns out if the control displays feedback in blue you have no manual control; with red readout you're good and otherwise all bets are off. The new VEVOR has a Plateau Module option which sounds identical in function to the Lavaner 2kw Alpine, which sadly is on backorder; I'm cold and can't afford to wait. Do you know whether to two brands use identical ECU and altitude compensation components? PS please emphasize a Transit-scale van home accommodates 2kw heat; anything bigger will cook you and soot the chamber.

NOW --- a person ( female ) needs you to install it 🥰

Hey Chuck! Have you ever removed a floor with wheelchair tracks before? Any tips?

Hi Chuck ? Can you buy and swap the interface,and or the circuit board of the levaner to the knock off. Thanks in advance

Just a note... Constant Tension Hose Clamps compensate for temperature changes where as Worm Screw Clamps do not.

Excellent video, Chuck. I knew I wanted a CDH for my minivan build, but couldn't decide which one of the many brands out there. This video and some followup research convinced me that I want the Lavaver 2KW Max. One more plus to the Lavaner you didn't mention is that on their website, they have many repair/replacement parts available.

Chuck can you do a video on how to charge an power station, like Ecoflow via alternator. There is an issue where the input only accepts so many amps, so you need to up the volts some way to get faster charging? I can't find a video that clearly shows those of us who cant afford a Victron system just yet. Thank you!

The LaVaner 5k pro heater is no longer available anywhere. Would love to find one as I’m in the middle of fixing a crap diesel heater and would rather just toss it and go for a decent one. Any help locating would be appreciated. Ali says no longer avail.

My cheap diesel heater works great, but has no option to switch from metric to sae temp readout.

What would be the noise of this fuel pump 'tick'? Is it too much to be installed close to the sleeping areas?

I've never tapped a fuel tank before. How do you deal with metal shavings going inside the tank?

wonder how well these things would heat a small cabin? great video chuck.

any chance Lavender would sell the controller alone?

Chuck, super amazing video as always. Ready to buy the Lavaner PRO MAX 12V 5kW Alpine, yet absolutely impossible to find anywhere. Aliexpress (usa) it is not available, can't find anywhere. Do you have an alternative source before I go out and purchase an Eberspacher Espar Airtronic AS3 D2L, or do you have a suggestion to the Espar? I truly am wanting superior performance. Thanks so much for what you do!!!

Does anyone have a list of the error codes for the Lavaner? How about good instructions for using the controller?

Can any of them run biodiesel?

Great video, Made in China is often a viciously competitive market. I hope to see more responsible brands emerge.

Chuck, as always, expensive for me but well worth it :-). HELP..I can’t find your video on doing walls anymore. Specifically on using Baltic Birch. Can you check if it’s still posted??

Hi, Chuck. Say that you have your bus in Minnesota in the winter with temps below zero, is the small heater big enough to keep a bud with your level of build quality warm and comfortable , or would the bigger model be a better choice? I love you videos. I’ve learned a ton

The espar heater will burn you out its a good heater in the trucks 🙂

OK so do you sell these

Didn't you once say your from Louisiana. My question is why all off road channels. Overland channels talk about heaters and never about A/C units. It's hot down here. I can put on an extra pair of socks but I can't take enough off to get cool

What are your thoughts on pop outs in that bus?

I've been running my CDH for a year with the 10L tank inside my rig because I'm intimidated to drop my vehicle tank and tap it by myself. 😂

Pro Alpines have just been released for 2024

I THINK it's 'spelled': "Diesel" - Not "Deisel".

They inside snowcats too*

I'm gonna spend tens of thousands of dollars on my build but one hundred on my heater ! 🤓

No apparently its not 5kw ther 4kw the folks at vanlife uk explain this and give HLN credit for telling it like it is calling theirs a 4KW so folks go tot their video. And as the the Tee i cant agree i have had cheaper units that came with the notch in the T and it failed it could take the heat over a period of a year . It became very brittle and crumbled apart

There no doubt your good at the build and u have views but i cant watch your dragged out videos just too long getting to it

Vevo has chit customer srvice and if yoou have a problem they do everything hey can to avoid you, i bought. a second unit to travel with should th emain unit stops working, this was before Levanoir was available