We've just returned from an idylic 10 days in Cornwall and the van was an absolute dream from start to finish - 980 trouble free miles and everything worked a treat. However we did find that it got seriously cold on an evening and it has led to us wanting a heater.
Im aware of the gas options Eberspacher, Prospex etc but they are a little pricey. There is also the option of a portable mains electric heater - although Im a little worried that these might trip the mains hook up and get us in trouble?... just wondered what the consensus is on here and what all you guys do for central heating once hooked up on a site?
jamesandtheopenroad wrote:Nah, mains is fine. We've got a 2kw blow heater - works a treat but is a little noisy at night. I hear mini oil filled rads are good.
ah cool ok, so how warm does the 2kw keep the van? Ive seen a couple of 1500w and 1000w halogen efforts for £20 or so. Ive also come across an oil filed electric rad as you say for £30... oh decisions, decision, decisions!
Best to keep away from halogen type heaters in a small space they can get the furnishings seriously hot. Stick with a fan heater or oil filled radiator although oil filled radiators are heavier things to cart around. I prefer fan heaters as they are more instant heat and can be directed at your feet when sitting down. I have a little 1.5kw one which kept me comfortable in -12 temperatures.
1982 Camper 1970 1500 Beetle Various Skoda's, Ariel Arrow
We use a 2kw fan heater and on the odd occasions that we accidentally switch on the Electric Kettle and as well as using the fridge on 240v and other items we have found that the vans trip switch goes before the campsites trip.
We also have a cheap 1kw electric Asda toaster and an Asda sandwich toaster, these are great for quick snacks when using electric hook up. The toaster is especially wonderful first thing in the morning and so much quicker than the gas grill.
Interesting stuff, so I'm thinking a little electric blow heater is the way forward then, I'll stay clear of halogen!
We run the fridge on 240v once hooked up & have a 240v toaster too & yes it's so much easier than the grill!
Kettle is gas so fingers crossed it shouldn't trip anything hopefully
So anyone got the gas setup then ur. Eberspacher or Propex? If I was gonna go down that road was hoping to fit it under the buddy seat if poss. Personally I think I prefer the electric option purely down to cost, still interested to know how good the gas heaters are though!
Propex are very good although the gas running cost on Camping Gaz cylinders can be expensive (it's over half as cheap to run if you use Calor gas), but they are very handy when you are not connected to the mains and especially good for heating the van on the odd day trip out.
1982 Camper 1970 1500 Beetle Various Skoda's, Ariel Arrow
this post has got me thinking for us new to vw motorhomes and camping how a bout a check list of things u can use on your electric hook up i was asking andrew questions about this when he droped of the awing for me last week and was very helpful there are quite a few new to camping onn here just thuoght it a good idea like taking a toster and sandwich maker
No problem, we just got back from 11 days in Cornwall at two different sites, Pennycrocker and Henry's Campsites - I can highly recommend both 1000%.
Once hooked up we run the fridge to the mains, we then used all these items via the mains regularly...
Small table Lamp
Toaster
Freeview Box
Amplified TV Aerial
iPod Portable Speaker
Chargers for iPhones
* Going to add a 2KW Heater to this list
Our cooking/Kettle is on gas
The only thing that runs from the leisure battery are the TV/DVD player & Stereo, plus any other odd lights in the van when we need them, at night though we only used the table lamp.
We went the blow heater option at first but they are noisy and dry the air out..you can't practically leave them switched on whilst sleeping TOO NOISY!
We have now swapped to a 1600watt oil filled radiator, silent and powerful enough to heat the van down to minus 10C.
The only negative being size.
