Find me a van then...

[Taipan]

https://www.diycampervan.co.uk/electric ... an-heater/

the #1 rated one does terribly in reviews lol

i'll be running it off a 1200w gennie by the way for any relevance.

Typical. Well as I say my F-i-L really rates the halogen one. For me there is a slight concern about fire. I do imagine the oil fired rad would take a while to achieve the same warmth though which may be a thing when you're ina nd out of the van where as in a camper you just leave it on?

[Count Steer]

Probably spot on as you'll be primarily interested in heating yourself* rather taking the chill off the whole of the van area (which the oil filled type would do).

* or parts thereof, like hands!

[weeksy]

Would it make more sense to just sit in the cab and fire the van up for 10 mins every now and again.

I wonder what would be more effective in terms of both fuel use and actual warmth, a 1200w gennie or a van engine.

[cheb]

It takes a long time to warm the cab using the engine, and if it's cold the cab cools down very quickly. With a small genny I'd go for the halogen heater, most of the oil filled rads I've seen have been about 2KW.

[weeksy]

It takes a long time to warm the cab using the engine, and if it's cold the cab cools down very quickly. With a small genny I'd go for the halogen heater, most of the oil filled rads I've seen have been about 2KW.

Then do it in the front cab or the back cabin ?

I don't much mind where i sit, both will have a seating area thing going on

[Rockburner]

Would it make more sense to just sit in the cab and fire the van up for 10 mins every now and again.

I wonder what would be more effective in terms of both fuel use and actual warmth, a 1200w gennie or a van engine.

My gut says the gennie and heater will be better.

The van engine will be powering a few other things as well, unnecessarily.

[Yorick]

so then.... it's going to be bloody cold this weekend.

Sat we're out at an uplift all day, but i'm not riding so likely to be somewhat chilly.



thoughts ?

They are rubbish. There's no real heat, just radiation.
When you turn then off, all the heat goes.
Hot fan much better as they heat the air.

[Mussels]

It takes a long time to warm the cab using the engine, and if it's cold the cab cools down very quickly. With a small genny I'd go for the halogen heater, most of the oil filled rads I've seen have been about 2KW.

Then do it in the front cab or the back cabin ?

I don't much mind where i sit, both will have a seating area thing going on

The cabin will be more comfy, better insulated and a smaller place to heat.
As for the type of heater, I'd get a fan heater as the exterior doesn't get as hot, if you knock it off the seat you won't burn yourself trying to pick it up before it sets fire to whatever fell off with it.

[Pirahna]

What's wrong with doing a proper job and fitting a diesel heater?

[weeksy]

What's wrong with doing a proper job and fitting a diesel heater?

Dunno really... not given it that much thought yet. I know nothing about that side of things.

[Taipan]

Chinese Eberspacher copies are a damn good bang for yer buck. Very popular with motorhome people.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374465230308 ... R_yjjvW3YQ

[636mick]

I’ve got a Dyson heat and cool which warms the caravan very fast, it’s great when it’s hot to cool it too. Not that cheap but mine is about 9 years old and never missed a beat.
My campervan had a log burner installed, never used it but it’s a thought.
Mick

[weeksy]

but it’s a thought.
Mick

It's really not

[636mick]

134CE254-36C6-4F43-BB7C-6C24081BCAA7.jpeg (654.15 KiB) Viewed 284 times

That’ll fit!!

[weeksy]

LOL it's a Transit not a log-cabin !

[dern]

I have a slightly different heater of this type and it'll heat a small space very quickly...



...but as soon as you open the door you'll lose all of the heat.

I heat the office at home which is I guess about a van and a half in size but it's very well insulated. with a combination of one of these and an oil filled radiator. I use the fan heater to bring it up from freezing to about 18 and then maintain about 20 with the oil filled radiator. They're both controlled by a raspberry pi.

In short... get the diesel heater as it'll warm up the van for sleeping in but also insulate the van.

Alternatively just get warm clothes from Decathalon.

[demographic]

Chinese diesel heater, masses of info about them on Youtube.

[Felix]

If yo do get a diesel heater you are probably better paying the extra for an all in one. It will take more knocks than the little cylinder one what has a plastic cover. You dont need to plumb in the tank and diesel pump with associated hoses. Either option means you need holes in the floor though

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234190220580 ... R_7upJC4YQ

[weeksy]

I bought one of these lights.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155077277327 ... 5253380488



It's actually pretty decent. Also magnetic so i can stick it up on the van side/roof/door/wherever needed.

I've just bought a 2nd one actually.

It'll last 4-6 hours between charging, which is plenty in truth. But plugs into a USB charger to charge up which is fine too.

[cheb]

Would it make more sense to just sit in the cab and fire the van up for 10 mins every now and again.

I wonder what would be more effective in terms of both fuel use and actual warmth, a 1200w gennie or a van engine.

I did this this morning waiting for the ferry. Granted it was about two degrees and the the drive from the hotel to the ferry terminal was about 200 metres, but it took about 30 minutes before the cab was up to even vaguely warm.