Bed Heater

[AndrewL]

The GFC heater concept they are working on looks amazing. Rumors on here have it priced around $3500. Not sure if that is true but a bit high for my liking. I challenged Claude to replicate the install and below are the product specs and shopping list.

This isn’t my skill set so looking for you all to review and poke holes in this design. Take a look and let me know where this might be off.

Claude Recommendation:

PRIMARY COMPONENTS

1. Autoterm / Planar 2D-12 High Altitude Heater
   Comes with controller, basic installation kit, and operations manual. Designed for high altitude operation up to 8,500 ft with a 2-year parts and labor warranty.
   • Best US source: Expedition Upfitter
   • [Autoterm/Planar] Diesel Air Heater 2D-12 High Altitude w/ Camper Inst — Expedition Upfitter
   • Price: ~$575
2. Planar 7L Aluminum Fuel Tank
   Holds 1.85 US gallons. Compatible with Planar and other diesel air heaters. Vented cap — do not overfill. This is the exact cylindrical silver tank in the GFC video, mounted horizontally inside your box.
   • Best US source: Expedition Upfitter
   • [Autoterm/Planar] Diesel Heater Fuel Tanks — Expedition Upfitter
   • Price: ~$70

BOX ENCLOSURE FABRICATION
3. Custom Metal Box Enclosure — 3 Options (pick one)
SendCutSend offers custom laser cut and bent sheet metal parts with production times typically 2–4 business days before shipping. This is your best option for a clean, accurate box without needing a local welder.

FRAME MOUNTING HARDWARE
4. M6 T-Slot Nuts — 20-pack (for GFC extrusion)
Slide into GFC’s existing T-track channels. No drilling into the frame.
• Amazon.com : M6 T slot nuts 2020 extrusion
• Price: ~$10–12
5. M6 x 20mm Stainless Button Head Bolts — 10-pack
• Amazon.com : M6 x 20mm stainless button head bolts
• Price: ~$8–10
6. 2” Stainless Hose Clamps — 2-pack (fuel tank straps)
• Amazon.com : 2 inch stainless hose clamps
• Price: ~$8–10
7. Rubber Vibration Isolator Mounts — 4-pack (M5, for heater)
• https://www.amazon.com/s?k=M5+rubber+vibration+isolator+mount
• Price: ~$10–12

EXHAUST & INTAKE HARDWARE
8. 25mm Stainless Exhaust Pipe + Elbow Kit
Includes stainless steel exhaust elbow connectors and secure clamps compatible with Webasto/Eberspacher style diesel heaters including the Autoterm.
• Amazon.com : 25mm stainless diesel heater exhaust pipe elbow
• Price: ~$12–15
9. Stainless Exhaust Bulkhead / Wall Pass-Through Fitting — 25mm
For the panel door penetration — weatherproof with heat shield.
• Amazon.com : diesel heater wall pass through 25mm
• Price: ~$12–18
10. 20mm Combustion Air Intake Fitting
• Amazon.com : 20mm diesel heater intake bulkhead fitting
• Price: ~$8–12
11. High-Temp RTV Silicone Sealant
For sealing both bulkhead fittings against water ingress.
• Amazon.com : high temp RTV silicone sealant red
• Price: ~$8–10
12. Step Drill Bit Set
For clean holes in the GFC aluminum composite panel door.
• Amazon.com : step drill bit set 3/8 to 1 1/4
• Price: ~$15–20

EXHAUST & INTAKE HARDWARE
8. 25mm Stainless Exhaust Pipe + Elbow Kit
Includes stainless steel exhaust elbow connectors and secure clamps compatible with Webasto/Eberspacher style diesel heaters including the Autoterm.
• Amazon.com : 25mm stainless diesel heater exhaust pipe elbow
• Price: ~$12–15
9. Stainless Exhaust Bulkhead / Wall Pass-Through Fitting — 25mm
For the panel door penetration — weatherproof with heat shield.
• https://www.amazon.com/s?k=diesel+heater+wall+pass+through+25mm
• Price: ~$12–18
10. 20mm Combustion Air Intake Fitting
• Amazon.com : 20mm diesel heater intake bulkhead fitting
• Price: ~$8–12
11. High-Temp RTV Silicone Sealant
For sealing both bulkhead fittings against water ingress.
• Amazon.com : high temp RTV silicone sealant red
• Price: ~$8–10
12. Step Drill Bit Set
For clean holes in the GFC aluminum composite panel door.
• Amazon.com : step drill bit set 3/8 to 1 1/4
• Price: ~$15–20

ELECTRICAL
13. 10 AWG Fused Power Cable — 10ft with Inline 20A Fuse Holder
• Amazon.com : 10 AWG inline fuse holder 20A power cable
• Price: ~$12–15

SAFETY — NON-NEGOTIABLE
14. RV 12V CO + Propane Detector (hardwired, 12V DC)
The R503 detector uses two independent sensors designed for RVs, detects both CO and propane, runs on 12V DC, and mounts flush to the wall. Wires directly into your BLUETTI’s 12V output — always on when you’re sleeping.
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFCMYLW7
• Price: ~$35–40

The CO detector added ~$38 and the box fabrication replaces the flat stainless plate, pushing the total to ~$913 — still less than 26% of the GFC $3,500 price.

[fskrc1]

I’m in agreement on the price. I get they are doing the R&D to create a plug and play heater system that stands up to everything but, the premium is just not worth it. I’ve also done a lot of research on heaters, I think a reasonable price and one that will sell better puts the price right around $2000 maybe max $2500.

[AndrewL]

Which set up did you land on for a heater system? What I like about their set up is it takes up very little space. I agree if they get the price point down to $2K it becomes a much more viable option.

[Gregclimbs]

FWIW, I would double check your results… I didn’t follow all of the links, but for ex the listed AL tank actually links to a plastic one. AI hallucinating and all that…

[Dogandajeep]

$750 total for parts. It’s not nearly as clean as the GFC version but it’s a fraction of the cost and it works. It’s been over two years of heavy use without any major issues.

[fskrc1]

I haven’t installed a heater system yet. I’m waiting to see what they come in at on price. For now I use the heated Ignik pads. A sleeping bag is enough for me, I’m from Alaska so I like the cold but my wife is the one that needs the heater, the pads worked the couple of times we used them but just not the same as having heated space.