Looking to get an oil filled radiator for extending camping weeks.
I'm looking at an 0.4 kW and a 1kw....obviously the 0.4 takes up less room but does anyone think that would be enough to heat a 4 man tunnel tent? as we'd like to be able to feel safer that if it's left ticking over through the night rather than a fan heater. Wouldn't feel as safe leaving a fan on at night.
I couldn't comment on the size as I think my sister uses the bigger one, but my experience of it is that it takes a long time for the heat to build up. But when it does, it's very cosy and of course safe.
I do use a fan heater, mine is faster heat up time than my sisters but it is noisy. I put mine on a table, turn the thermostat down and leave it on all night.
We use a fan heater because its much quicker to heat up the tent. If you have the room, you could take a fan heater to do the inital heating, then use the oil filled radiator to maintain the heat.
However, plenty of people use fan heaters and if placed on a mat or small table you should be fine.
Ours is a 2kW and we have it on full blast (6) when we initially turn it on and then put it onto 2.5 /3 on the dial to keep it ticking over.
Hi
I have a fan assisted convector heater which I bought in Aldi. Can switch the fan off so don't have the noise overnight even though it is very quiet, also has thermostat and timer so gives great flexibility
I use the large thermostat controlled oil filled radiator (it does take up a lot of car space) and it is lovely - queit so can be left on a low heat all night and toasty warm. I did try using the smaller one but found it did nothing to keep the tent warm. Fan heaters are just too noisy for me but I do seem to be in the minority.
------------- Sue
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Just got back after 8 nights, and used a radiator at night for the 1st time. Ours is a large tent without sleeping inners, so I don't think it made much difference. Then again I wasn't cold in the night so who knows. Next time though, if space is tight in the car, it will probably be the 1st thing I leave behind. Geoff
We use an 'oil free' oil filled heater, it has the benefit of silent running, and heats up a lot quicker than a traditional oil rad, We have the 1.5kw version, only uses a max of 7 amps, so should work on any site with ehu.
DH forgot to mention we only had ours on half setting as we only had 10 amp hook up..on full it does get much hotter..but didnt want to chance it on full incase we tripped the leccky and upset the neighbours. We used a ceramic fan heater in the evening..but dont like leaving those on all night.
------------- Camping Tip #26: In an emergency, a drawstring from a parka hood can be used to strangle a snoring tent friend...or husband!!
Hi, we used a 1kw oil fillted radiator in a mojave 5 tent, really really good, excellent heat output, left on all night and all day some days, kept this size of tent toasty. We also took a fan heater but didnt use it as the oil radiator was enough.
I think the trick is, to put the heater on before the temperature drops too much. That way it has chance to heat it all. At least they are silent and safe to leave on. Just make sure it has a thermostat.
------------- Enjoy life while you can, none of us know what's round the corner!