Club 80-90 Forums

We've got a Dimplex Eco Chico that we used when the kids were younger.

Fan heaters are cheap and warm quickly but are noisy and dry the air.
An Oil filled radiator is the way to go but it really needs to be a minimum 1500watts to be of any real use in the space of a camper at near zero temperatures.
We had a small 800 watt unit but it really couldn't cope with anything less than 5C
Go Too big 2K - 2.5K and you have a constant worry about tripping the 10amp (in some cases) feed...not to mention dealing with the bulk of the thing..
The one we have now is 1500watts and is a good compromise between heat output and size...something like: but shop around.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fine-Elements- ... d+radiator" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Warmlite-WL430 ... d+radiator" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Martin

Why not use a convector heater. They give out loads of heat and are a lot lighter than an oil filled rad. My 400w convector is more than enough to keep the van warm and is the same size of a fan heater

wuddub wrote:Why not use a convector heater. They give out loads of heat and are a lot lighter than an oil filled rad. My 400w convector is more than enough to keep the van warm and is the same size of a fan heater

IMHO they are not as safe, the heater element and venting result in very hot heat outlet at the top (greater chance of accidentally covering/danger from heat induced fires as a result)
Oil filled radiators are larger but are totally silent and don't give off the dry heat that other types of heaters often produce. They are much safer generally and damp cloths can be put over the main veins (not the end block though)
They all have (the ones I've seen) half power and incremental heat control so can be turned to low at night and left on a comfortable level for sleeping.

As for power...typically, coach builders (Westfalia/Leisuredrive) fitted blow night heaters in the 1600 - 2000 watt power range so a 400 watt convector is going to do nothing more than take the chill off! it might be OK for a chilly spring/autumn evening but won't cope with sub zero temps...depends on what you want of course.

Martin

Don't forget the part that insulating your van can play. Our Westy is double glazed and insulated and we've found an 800W heater to be sufficient when there's snow on the ground outside.

There are two more factors you might consider:

1) How often do you open the sliding door? It just dumps the heat outside, and you have to start again!
2) How warm do you normally have your central heating? We tend to be happy with < 20 deg but I know people who want to be walking around in shorts and tee shirts all year. It all depends on what you are used to.

clift_d wrote:Don't forget the part that insulating your van can play. Our Westy is double glazed and insulated and we've found an 800W heater to be sufficient when there's snow on the ground outside.

But the Eberspacher heater that came with your Club Joker was 1600 watts ... of course Poptops need more heat that hard tops and tin tops even less.

Martin

^^^
2.3Kw actually if it was a B2L/D2L, quite high really but there was some loss of heat via the ducting. The B1L/D1L ones were 1.8Kw. The early Propexes were 1.6Kw.

I stand corrected..even more powerful then.

Martin

I'm normally ok with the fridge left on as it just takes the nip out. But then it goes out some nights. Thank goodness for my winter warm duvet.


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Da dan wrote:I'm normally ok with the fridge left on as it just takes the nip out. But then it goes out some nights. Thank goodness for my winter warm duvet.


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Have you ever seen the flame produced on gas from a camper absorption fridge? its about the same or smaller than that of a T light candle.


Martin

Yes but I like to snuggle up and get warm!


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I'd give a vote too for the Dimplex Coldwatcher convection heater mentioned earlier.
It's quite rugged and has an encased element so a bit safer than a fan heater.
The wattage is about 500w but for spring or autumn then that's fine in a small
space, might struggle a bit in a cold winter. No worries about leaving it on
through the night, the thermostat keeps the temperature well regulated.

After giving up my fan heater to the OH in the awning, I've bought a new one for the van, it's a Kampa Diddy, two settings 750/1500 watt, is reasonably quiet and is indeed, very diddy. Perfect for the van.