12 volt heater thoughts?

[trailscape]

I've had the DC Thermal heater lying around for years, but never really got around to trying it out much. They are built to last forever though. I think mine uses the quartz tubes.

Also have this one.
https://www.amazon.com/Back-Seat-Heat-Truck-Heater/dp/B0002D6JW8

I don't think either will work well if you're turning them on in sub zero temps and expecting it to keep you warm though. I was originally thinking of using them while driving to warm the topper on my truck a while before stopping for a night.

Those 200 watt PTC heaters are going to be rather inefficient.

This is basically the same thing ready to go. I use it at my desk in the winter and love it.
https://www.amazon.com/Lasko-100-MyHeat-Personal-Ceramic/dp/B003XDTWN2

 

[SameGuy]

Yeah, I'm not holding out much hope for the PTC heaters but I though it might be interesting to see what they can do strapped to a computer case fan. 400 watts worth of heat isn't going to do much but If it works at all I may build a second one. Getting into 800 watts of power draw should be doable with the engine running without killing my house battery. AS mentioned above having a furnace type heater running all night, while not a necessity is certainly luxurious. Sleeping in teh back of the truck is still in in the experimental faze, not quite ready to drop the $ on another propex or Webasto yet but that would be the ultimate setup in my mind.

 

[trailscape]

I hear you on that. I've been trying to figure out something that might work myself. I think I'll eventually go the Propex route, but it's not in the budget presently.

 

[SameGuy]

have you tried the DC Thermal at all? On paper it sounds like a pretty simple turn key method of warming things up with the engine running. I'm having a hard time coming up with what kind of BTU numbers I would need to warm up the topper to a comfortable temp, seeing how it is not really insulated other than the honeycomb portion in the roof and carpeted everywhere else, single pane glass, etc.

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

We love the Propex heater in our Teardrop. I was planning on adding one to the truck as I'm familiar with the operation and installation but thought I would pursue some alternatives before I took the plunge into spending that kind of cash. When I put one in the TT I was thinking it was a little over the top, but the luxury of sleeping under a sheet when its 30-40 degrees outside quickly made up for that. I didn't know that Webasto made a gasoline model. I have heard great things about them and it appears they take up even less space than a propex. Running it off gasoline would be wonderful, I was not looking forward to dragging a big propane tank around for the propex if I went that direction. I'll be looking into the Webasto if my make shift electrical options don't pan out.

Completely understandable! I know it wasn't what you're looking for, but to give an alternative option that would at least give the desired result. I could of sworn I posted this as well, I guess I'm wrong, but have you looked at maybe making your Propex more portable, so you can switch between the two?
https://youtu.be/izEKeACJglY

 

[SoCal Tom]

400w of electric heat isn't much heat. 1400 BTU. But it's almost 1/3 the output of a 100a alternator...

100a x 14v = 1400w


If you don't need much, and the Buddy is too big, I'd just get a smaller propane heater.

There is a 3800 BTU Little Buddy. I don't think Coleman makes the 1500 BTU SportCat anymore, but someone probably still has a few in stock.

I have a small 350/750 electric heater. on low it only uses 350 watts ( 120V). It does a good job of keeping the inside of my 5x8 teardrop warm on cold nights. A 100 amp battery has about 600 watts of usable power ( without degrading the battery) so you could only run this setup for about an hour. A better idea might be the 12v electric blankets they sell truckers. Many of the Tear Drop folks use them. You can pre-heat your bed, and it makes a world of difference I'm told
Tom

 

[dwh]

Yea. Now that I've got way too much solar (300w) and way too much battery (400ah) in the camper van, I've been looking for ways to use power (didn't really need the solar or the batteries...but they were cheap so what the hell).

A 12v fridge is on the list, and I'll definately be getting one of those electric mattress pads before winter hits. I never use the Suburban 12k BTU furnace in the camper, it's a power and propane pig.

Someone makes or used to make a Propex in a toolbox. Adventure Trailers?

 

[bbaker22]

Someone makes or used to make a Propex in a toolbox. Adventure Trailers?

I've been lusting after one for years, but haven't really been able to justify the expense. For me, it would be great for my tiny cabin, truck topper, or Kodiak tent...

http://store.adventuretrailers.com/categories/HEATER/

 

[SameGuy]

Adventure Trailers does build one that is portable, however they charge a pretty penny for it. I'm sure anyone could build one for about $50 more than the cost of the heater itself. Installation is very simple, nothing more complicated than hooking up some wires and plumbing the propane. On my instal I went to my local CoOp and had them build the hose and regulator to my specs for about $30, took all of 5 minutes. Propane is very easy to deal with as far as plumbing goes, thanks to the very low pressure at which it operates. I hadn't thought of using mine that way and I'm not sure I want to uninstall the one in my teardrop. I do like the idea of having a unit like that being so flexible tho.

 

[SoCal Tom]

Here is an idea that might work for you. Heating using the hot water tank.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh.../tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=62327&share_type=t
Basically you hook up a heat exchanger & water pump to a water heater. Much cheaper than a proper, good for a small space.
Tom


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[trailscape]

I tried out the DC Thermal a bit yesterday, but without really installing it and driving it around I'm not sure it's telling me much. With the vehicle parked and running and the heater connected to my auxiliary battery linked to the alternator, the battery still seemed be draining. There's two fan settings for low & high. The box itself seems to remain cool, while the elements seem to heat well over 400*f. This model doesn't seem to be around anymore. It's the 12-2500.



I also tried the Back Seat Heat out. Results were mostly similar. However, I kind of like this one better. The fan seems to push the warmer air a bit further though the elements seem to only heat around 250*f. It has a nice wire harness that includes a remote switch to activate the heater. Fan speed is dial controlled.



It's getting colder out so I'll try these out more and report back. From what I tried here, these don't seem to throw heat more than maybe 12-16" inches and that range cools quickly.

have you tried the DC Thermal at all? On paper it sounds like a pretty simple turn key method of warming things up with the engine running. I'm having a hard time coming up with what kind of BTU numbers I would need to warm up the topper to a comfortable temp, seeing how it is not really insulated other than the honeycomb portion in the roof and carpeted everywhere else, single pane glass, etc.

 

[chet6.7]

trailscape,I am looking forward to your tests.
I would like to crawl into a warmer shell after a long interstate run,an electric heater could,maybe,work.

 

[jacobconroy]

I bought a Propex last winter with the intention of permanently installing it my off-road trailer. but, a forum member bought the new "updated" Adventure Trailers toolbox for his Propex, and sold his older, original-design box to me at a very good price. A couple of trips to the hardware store later...and I have a "Propex toolbox" for about $850 all in.

I just got done configuring the Propex to run when I have the Jeep and RTT (no trailer). Point is that I'm really happy I kept the Propex mobile instead of permanently installing it somewhere. If you pull out your Propex and buy a toolbox that's big enough you will have options sir! Use the same heater for both rigs. You will need to lug a propane bottle around too, but it works.

I'd be happy to take some detailed pictures and measurements for you if you'd like to start researching parts. When I started this, finding detailed info for the Propex or AT heater box was really tough.

 

[shnez]

I picked up a propex HS2800 brand new for $500 a little while ago. I was thinking if of putting it in a pelican case to make a portable unint. Does anyone know the operating temperature of the case of the propex and if the pelican case would handle that temp.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Does anyone know the operating temperature of the case of the propex and if the pelican case would handle that temp.

Dont know the working temps, but the propex itself does not get that hot, if hot at all....
What will be the issue is be the exhaust pipe... if you have a way to isolate it from the pelican you should be good ......