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Subject Topic: Heating in a Campervan Post Reply Post New Topic
17/10/2015 at 4:46pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: Homemade Van
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Hi there im trying to look for some good heating to go in to a campervan but i was going to make it a gas heater but i heard somewhere that they can be bad in enclosed places and can even kill is this true? and if so is there any really efficent electric heaters i can use and i am trying to look for one that uses as little power as possible because i hope to use it withe solar collected energy

Thanks
Phil


17/10/2015 at 5:26pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Various tents
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Quote: Originally posted by phillipontheroad on 17/10/2015
...I was going to make it a gas heater but I heard somewhere that they can be bad in enclosed places and can even kill is this true?
Phil



Yes

And as regards electric, any heater would flatten a battery very quickly, if it worked at all.

If you need electricity for heating, or any other high wattage equipment, you really need a site with Electric Hook-Up, using either a proper hook-up lead like these, with MCBs and RCD protection, or have the van wired like a caravan with its own protected consumer unit.



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17/10/2015 at 6:02pm
 Location: Staithes
 Outfit: Vantage Neo
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I think you will find that almost all motorhomes have some form of gas heating.
Truma and whale are two of the most common


17/10/2015 at 6:30pm
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If you want to park overnight with no mains electric hookup you will need to spend several £100s. You need either gas or diesel powered blown air heater properly installed in van. These both have fan that run off leisure battery & burners running off gas or diesel.

Google, Propex gas heater & Eberspatcher diesel heater to find prices & what is involved in installtion. Properly installed these are safe to use because they have .exterior flue & exhaust.

To do it cheaper you could install a secondhand Truma gas caravan heater but must be properly flued to outside.

Post last edited on 17/10/2015 18:37:23


17/10/2015 at 6:46pm
 Location: WEST DORSET
 Outfit: Nissan NV200
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It isn't just the fact that gas is combustible it is also a "wet" heat, that leaves a considerable amount of condensation; not a good idea in motor vehicles. Diesel, on the other hand, is a "dry" heat which leaves virtually no condensation. Either Eberspatcher or a Wallas XC duo; the latter provides both cooking a heating facilities.

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go for it


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17/10/2015 at 6:49pm
 Location: Norwich
 Outfit: Citroen Relay Campervan
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Gas heating is perfectly safe if you follow the instructions - allow adequate ventilation and ideally, fit a carbon monoxide detector.
However, don't bother with one like this The cartridges are usually butane and don't work when it's cold enough to need the heater

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Cheers
John


17/10/2015 at 6:55pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: Homemade Van
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thanks for the information guys. much appreciated

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if you wanna see my self build van project just head to my profile and go to my homepage to see my progress


17/10/2015 at 9:45pm
 Location: roche cornwall
 Outfit: lynton 5th wheel
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/motorcaravan-caravan-minicat-catalyti
c-gas-heaters-/271997239575
i use a larger version of these . mine was made in spain by thermex . great heaters . just crack a window open for ventilation they are a good heat and do have sensors so you shouldnt die over night.
been using them for over 30 years .

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vwalan


18/10/2015 at 9:40am
 Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
 Outfit: Romahome R30 Dimens
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I find the Eberspatcher diesel heater in my van is a bit noisy - but it is very good. Previous vans have had gas heaters, but since these were all of the sealed type ( air came in from a vent in floor and exhaust through a 'chimney' on the roof)there was no chance of fumes in the van. Since these were effectively a radiator, the heating was not 'wet' and added no moisture to the van.

Electric heating is only practical if you have EHU.

-------------
Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.


18/10/2015 at 10:57am
 Location: Rushden Northants
 Outfit: Mercedes 614D Conversion
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We have a Propex 1600 in the trailer and a 2000 going in the Mercedes.

Both are externally fed with combustion air and exhaust exits outside as well. The air to be heated is recirculated.

Fairly simple to retrofit, get help with the gas supply if you don't feel competent to do it yourself.







You need to cut holes in the floor for the intake and exhaust pipes and provide 12V for the control gear. It takes about 4A with it on full power.

The air intake for heating is to the left of the big black flexible hose.

Peter


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18/10/2015 at 12:02pm
 Location: WEST DORSET
 Outfit: Nissan NV200
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Of course, the other advantage of using diesel heating against gas is cost; cheaper to run. Also no extra weight of gas bottles etc (usually more than one). Space saving. Ready supply of fuel , provided your tank is topped up ! Also, no need for habitation annual certificate. No chance of "naked flame" problems. Safer to use. All in all, I think diesel wins hands down. Isn't it good to air our thoughts in public. Get a more balanced viewpoint !!!!!!

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go for it



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