12V Heating? Heaters in general?

[raker]

Hey guys,

What are the popular methods of heating in a van then?! Retaining heat with thermo mats for a start?

I've seen loads of 12V goodies on the bay, but not sure what you guys are using?

'Gen me up right nice!!

Cheers!

[Ian Hulley]

Eberspachers and Propex are the winter warmers of choice .... although I'm lead to believe some people even drink !

Ian

[raker]

Heh heh heh!!! Fair one!!!

Not thinking of camping in the winter - just to take the chill off from now really?

Butane camping heaters?

[pocolow]

Heh heh heh!!! Fair one!!!

Not thinking of camping in the winter - just to take the chill off from now really?

Butane camping heaters?

Camping heaters are ok..BUT...bacause they give of carbon monoxide you need plenty of ventilation and certainly could not leave on overnight/unattended..However the Ebers/propex heaters are better/safer but very pricey.

[TEMPO]

hi
I bought 12v 200watt heater off fleabay, rubbish, think you have to spend to achieve in this case :+)
I do have a cheap 240v halogen heater I use when hooked up. Its brill as you can actually touch it without burning, and is about as safe as I could find.

[raker]

Thanks for that - certainly no intention of leaving anything on overnight - just chill in the mornings etc?

Aye - I saw some halogen heaters - did this make the van comfortable then mate?

[Ian Hulley]

Not thinking of camping in the winter

Why not ? Many of the best places are free in winter and also there's some crackin Club camping to be had

Save up and treat theesen to an Eber or Propex. You know it makes sense.

Ian

[TEMPO]

Hi Raker,
The Halogen lamp, I have left on setting 1 all night (easter,was cold) it has a cutoff, and placed standing just behind seats.
Was a delight, its a 400 watt light really,(upto 1200 watts) so placed my hand on it for couple of mins, just to prove it was ok, and knocked it over purposely , to test a few times.
Know its not the REAL DEAL, but the Brady bunch were snugg. I personally prefer it to any sort of gas system, but you do have to be hooked up.

[jpee]

I've heard, but not experienced, blackcat catalytic gas heaters are pretty efficient. Very low CO. Though still wouldn't leave on over night. About 4 hours to a canister. Think you can pick them up for a round £40. May do till you save up for Eber/Propex.

[ghost123uk]

All I can say is do not waste any money on 12V heaters = they just don't give out any heat worth mentioning (if they did, they would flatten your battery in 10 minutes !!)

As far as I can tell, for non hook up use, there is only one (safety concious) answer = LOADS OF MONEY

[hobajay]

Does anyone have any experience of using one of these?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12V-2in1-Portable ... 3:1|294:50

I've got a 2.0 litre Aircooled and the heating only kinda works, the demister is almost useless and the noise drives me mad! So I thought about getting one of these to clear the windscreen quickly and then spin it round to provide a bit more heat. But I'd rather save the money and spend it on wooly hat & gloves if it's useless?!

With regards to heating the van when parked up, we've used a plug in (240v) oil radiator but it wasn't that effective. Having said that, we used it with the pop top up so the heat probably all went up there! Might be better with the roof down.

Cheers,
Jo.

[ghost123uk]

Does anyone have any experience of using one of these?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12V-2in1-Portable ... 3:1|294:50
Cheers,
Jo.

And I repeat All I can say is do not waste any money on 12V heaters = they just don't give out any heat worth mentioning (if they did, they would flatten your battery in 10 minutes !!)

[hobajay]

And I repeat All I can say is do not waste any money on 12V heaters = they just don't give out any heat worth mentioning (if they did, they would flatten your battery in 10 minutes !!)

Hi ghost123uk,

Forgot to say in my previous post that I would only want to use it when driving, to clear the windscreen and give a bit of heat, therefore the battery issue doesn't really apply.

anyone else actually used one?

Cheers,
Jo.

[greenmandan]

Hey people.

I rarely have hook up or want to drain the battery just for some of those poor 12v heaters
I have been using a Portable Gas Heater similar to this

http://www.iosss.com/shopping/review.asp?prod=813

(sorry if link doesn't work properly!)

It works just fine late at night or first thing, while the kettle boils, and there are loads of different makes around. Gas lasts pretty well, and you can move the thing around while on too.

Hope this helps

Dan

[ghost123uk]

Hey people.

I rarely have hook up or want to drain the battery just for some of those poor 12v heaters
I have been using a Portable Gas Heater similar to this

http://www.iosss.com/shopping/review.asp?prod=813

(sorry if link doesn't work properly!)

It works just fine late at night or first thing, while the kettle boils, and there are loads of different makes around. Gas lasts pretty well, and you can move the thing around while on too.

Hope this helps

Dan

You need to be so careful with those though, flippin dangerous IMHO !!

A mate of mine had one and left the handle in the upright position.
When he went to get hold of it to move it, he burnt his hand on the very hot handle and dropped the whole thing.
Luckily that time no harm was done.

I am not a wimp, but I would not have one of them in my camper van.
Just my opinion and opinions can vary
Take care out there.