By: Jonny Graham | Updated January 2026 | 5 min read time.
Plus The 10 Amp Problem Solved
Let’s start with why these heaters are so popular for van conversions.
For around £100, a Chinese Diesel Heater, such as the Vevor 2 kW diesel heater, can warm a cold van and make it comfortable in just 20 minutes.
Now that you know why they’re appealing, let’s look at the main challenge. If you use a portable power station (such as a Jackery, Bluetti, or EcoFlow), you might have encountered a frustrating problem.
You plug the heater in. It starts up. The fan spins. Then you hear a click.
Suddenly, your power station shuts down, shows an “Overload” error, and you’re left in the cold.
Why does this happen? The specs say the heater draws only 10-20 W, (like a phone charger) so why does it drain a 500 Wh power station instantly?
The Reality: The “Glow Plug Spike”
| Phase | Power Draw | Current Draw | Duration |
| Startup | 120 – 150 W | 10 – 12 A | 90 -120 Seconds |
| Running (High) | 40 – 50 W | 3 – 4 A | Continuous |
| Running (Low) | 8 -15 W | 0.7 – 1.2 A | Continuous |
To ignite the diesel fuel, the heater uses a Glow Plug. This small metal part heats quickly and becomes red-hot, initiating fuel combustion.
During the first 90 seconds to 2 minutes of startup, both the glow plug and the fuel pump operate simultaneously.
* Running Amps: 1 Amp (once hot).
* Startup Amps: 10 Amps to 12 Amps.
This is where the problem occurs. That 2-minute spike is what shuts down your power station.
The ”Cigarette Lighter” Trap
Most portable power stations have a 12V “Car Socket,” also called a Cigarette Lighter socket, which is common in vehicles for powering accessories such as the diesel heater.
If you check the small print on your power station, you’ll see that socket is almost always limited to 10 Amps maximum.
The Heater Pulls: 11 or 12 Amps during the start up phase.
The Socket Limits: 10 Amps.
The Result: The power station senses a problem and instantly cuts the power to protect itself.
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST
Never run a Diesel Heater without a fresh air intake.
Get a Carbon monoxide alarm = Its Essential (£15)
The Solution: How to Power It Safely
If you already have a power station, don’t worry. You probably don’t need to buy a new one to power a diesel heater. Here is the best way to get around the “10 Amp Wall.”
The ”AC Adapter” Fix (For Small Units)
If your power station (like a Jackery 500) only has a 10A car socket, you can’t plug the diesel heater straight into the 12V socket.
Instead, plug in a 240V-to-12V power supply (like a laptop charger, but for 12V) into the 3-pin plug socket on your power station.
The Good Part: It works on almost any unit.
The Drawback: It’s less efficient. You lose some power converting from DC to AC and back to DC.
The Essential Adapter: Weishuo 12V 15A Power Brick.
If you are using a smaller power station (such as a Jackery 500), this adapter will power the heater via the 3-pin plug socket.
Why this one? It delivers 15 Amps (180W), giving you plenty of safety margin above the 12A spike.
Price: Approx £19.99
Weishuo 220V to 12V Adapter
15A 180W – UK 3-Pin Plug. AC to DC. Cigarette Lighter Socket
How Long Will A Power Station Run A Diesel Heater?
| Power Station Size | Diesel Heater Low Setting (10W) | Diesel Heater High Setting (40W) | Realistic (Mixed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500Wh | 50 hours | 12 hours | 18-24 hours |
| 1000Wh | 100 hours | 25 hours | 36-48 hours |
| 2000Wh | 200 hours | 50 hours | 4-5 days |
Assumes a 2-min startup spike plus realistic mixed use. Add 10% buffer for efficiency losses.
Real UK Costs (@ £1.50/L diesel)
- 10W low: 15p/hour (0.1L/h)
- 40W high: 25p/hour (0.25L/h)
Cheaper than an electric blanket + campsite hook-up
We have tested the following combination. If you are starting from scratch and looking for a Power Station and a Diesel Heater, these products are well matched.
1. The Heater: Vevor 2kW Diesel Heater
We recommend the 2kW version for most UK vans (like a VW Transporter).
The 5kW version is usually too powerful and can build up soot because you have to run it on Low all the time.
Why Vevor? They are among the most reliable budget Chinese brands, and their spare parts are readily available in the UK.
Price: Approx £90 – £110.
Vevor 2kW Heater
10L Tank, Parking Heater
With Remote Control, LCD Monitor.
2. The Power Station: Bluetti AC200L
This is the Best Option For 12V Power In Most UK Vans
Why it wins: Standard power stations deliver only 10 A. This gives 30 Amps. It can easily handle the diesel heaters’ startup spike, while running additional components simultaneously.
Capacity: 2,048Wh (Runs a heater for 4-5 days continuously).
Verdict: The best “No Stress” option for winter van life.
Price: Approx £1199
Bluetti AC200L
2,048Wh Capacity
LiFePO4 Battery
With 3,500+ Life Cycles to 80%
FAQ: Keeping Warm
Q: Can I leave the diesel heater on all night?
A: Yes, as long as you have a carbon monoxide alarm. These heaters are designed to run continuously and operate more efficiently when left on for long periods, rather than being turned on and off.
Q: How much diesel does it use?
A: A 2kW heater will run for about 10-12 hours on just 1 litre of diesel. It’s extremely cheap to use.
Q: Why is my heater smoking white smoke?
A: This usually means a “Failed Start.” The glow plug may not have gotten hot enough (maybe the battery is low), or there could be air in the fuel line. Turn it off, let it clear, and try again.
Q: Is it loud?
A: The ticking sound from the fuel pump can be annoying. Pro tip: Mount the pump on a rubber suspension or wrap it in foam insulation to reduce noise.
Once you’ve sorted your heating, the next essential van upgrade is keeping food cold without draining your power.
Check out our guide to the Best 12V Compressor Fridges. They draw so little power that you can run one alongside your diesel heater all winter long.
