Interior Heaters???

[ujoint]

What are you guys using for interior heat? I've never been a big fan of winter camping, and when I have I just suck it up & freeze. I'm leaving for Yellowstone next week, and I'd like to have some heat options. I'll have an aux battery with a 1000W inverter, and may bring a small ceramic heater to help. But..... I haven't done the math to see if this is a good idea. Anything else?!?!

 

[tribeof5]

We used a Mr. Heater little buddy in our POP up camper. They run off of the 1 pound propane canister or can be hooked up to a larger tank. They work great. I have two of them if you wanna try it out. Let me know.

 

[Token]

Check elevations at Yellowstone.. I've got one of the Coleman catalytic heaters similar in design to the Buddy heaters.. They will no fire up above 8000ft.. Not enough oxygen... A side effect of this is that when carbon monoxide starts to build up and oxygen level start going down the heater will shut itself off.. However, I have no idea if the propane keeps on flowing when the heater goes out.. Kinda thinking that could be as bad, if not worse than a carbon monoxide overload..

 

[Hill Bill E.]

............ However, I have no idea if the propane keeps on flowing when the heater goes out....

Most heaters out today (the Mr Buddy ones for sure) have a thermo-couple. If the heater shuts down from lack of oxygen, the gas shuts off.

I use my 'Big Buddy' heater in my RTT and large ground tent. They are designed to heat 400 sq ft, and will!!

The smaller 'Mr Buddy' heat a smaller area.

 

[ujoint]

Thanks guys. I've heard of the buddy heater before, may go with that to warm up the van.

And good call on the elevation, I'll check into that!

 

[rockbender]

Any electric option won't be feasible off of the battery - without knowing your battery size or power requirements of the ceramic heater I can almost without a doubt guess that it won't last long before killing your battery.

The Buddy option sounds pretty good for your limited use. I'd also get a battery powered CO detector too - just because. You could always check CL and see if you can find a cheap(er) used Espar diesel furnace!

 

[RR1]

Since you have a diesel, and it is much safer than propane, nor have to worry about elevation.

Diesel is the way to go.

http://www.espar.com/

 

[Wood Kutter]

I will be cold in the morning Chris. As for a 1000w inverter, a hairdryer can be almost that.You will probably kill your batteries in no time with an electric heater. You should be plenty warm enough in the van. It is around 8000 feet elevation up there, 40's at night 70's during the day. Just start a fire in the morning to warm up.

 

[ujoint]

Since you have a diesel, and it is much safer than propane, nor have to worry about elevation.

Diesel is the way to go.

http://www.espar.com/

I'd love to have that, but not right now.

I will be cold in the morning Chris. As for a 1000w inverter, a hairdryer can be almost that.You will probably kill your batteries in no time with an electric heater. You should be plenty warm enough in the van. It is around 8000 feet elevation up there, 40's at night 70's during the day. Just start a fire in the morning to warm up.

Yea, the plug in heater option is a no go. Little buddy it is!

 

[ujoint]

I'd also get a battery powered CO detector too - just because.

Will do, thanks!

 

[Dgurley2000]

Isn't it still summer We've used down comforters and have been able to stay warm in freezing weather.

Here's a thread on 12V heated sleeping pads. I've been considering something like this:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/2855-Blankets-12-volt-heated-style

 

[RR1]

I'd love to have that, but not right now.

Might be able to pull one off a wrecked/salvage semi.

 

[Toolman]

Mr. Buddy is the easiest and quickest fix.. however you have to leave a window cracked for fresh air, seems counter productive but oxygen is necessary for life. I use in my RTT to warm up the bags and tint and then shut it off to save fuel.. then early before getting up I turn it on again to warm things up a bit.. January in Death Valley get's pretty cold and it seemed to make things better.

Have fun on your trip and oh ya .. shut off your phone for a couple of days and enjoy your girl and your van.

Thanks for your continued support on my build Chris. YOU ROCK !!!!!

 

[cwsqbm]

Since you have a diesel, and it is much safer than propane, nor have to worry about elevation.

Diesel is the way to go.

http://www.espar.com/

While that is my cost-no-object choice, there are issues with diesel heaters and elevation. There are work-arounds, but they are non-trivial.

 

[sdski]

Does anyone have any experience with the Mr. Buddy for drying out wet clothes inside? I have heard propane heat is not dry enough, and heat is my biggest concern since I am building a ski vehicle that will need to stay warm down well below zero and also be able to hang wet ski gear and have it dry overnight.