Let's Talk About Heating our Trailers.
- Thread starter Wagon Burner
- Start date
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
Wow, 9 amps for the queen size? Battery won't last long with that.
kb7our
Explorer
Not bad really for a queen size with dual sides/controls at max. I have the full size and it's terrific! Figure ~50% duty cycle so 9A becomes more like 4-5 if that or less since once you warm up the bedding you probably will turn it down a bit. I'm sold on mine but having said that what is missing is the ability to warm the air for total comfort. Get up and fire up the Mr Heater or similar while awake.
Wade
Here is a rough sketch of the concept I'm thinking about. see sketch attached. It's a mechanical pod, made from an aluminum diamond plate box, 24w x 18h x 18d. The pod is mounted on a swing-away cargo carrier. The pod is well vented. Now here is the iffy part... the pod contains a propane cylinder, a Heatsource HS2000, and a battery w/attendant gizmos, to draw charge from a second alternator to be installed in the car. Ducts and vents would penetrate the pod in appropriate locations, as would wire runs or outlets mounted to the exterior, etc. I can solve the physical problems, I just don't know if putting those elements in one metal box is even remotely a good idea. Comments will be greatly appreciated.
Attachments
OlympiaFJ60
Adventurer
I think if you isolated the heatsource from the the battery and propane and had each compartment vented you should be ok. Best maybe to use an AGM sealed battery and triple check the gas lines for leaks.
smokymt
Observer
Mr. Heater Portable Buddy
Just picked up on these at TSC. I am considering using this short term to heat up my RTT (a few minutes at bedtime and a few minutes in the morning) but I am concerned about sitting it on a table or anything else unstable. So I'm considering hanging it from the tent frame inside. I think it weighs roughly 10 lbs with propane cylinder. I have an Eezi-Awn 1800. Do you think the frame can support this weight?
Just picked up on these at TSC. I am considering using this short term to heat up my RTT (a few minutes at bedtime and a few minutes in the morning) but I am concerned about sitting it on a table or anything else unstable. So I'm considering hanging it from the tent frame inside. I think it weighs roughly 10 lbs with propane cylinder. I have an Eezi-Awn 1800. Do you think the frame can support this weight?
XJBANKER
Explorer
Just picked up on these at TSC. I am considering using this short term to heat up my RTT (a few minutes at bedtime and a few minutes in the morning) but I am concerned about sitting it on a table or anything else unstable. So I'm considering hanging it from the tent frame inside. I think it weighs roughly 10 lbs with propane cylinder. I have an Eezi-Awn 1800. Do you think the frame can support this weight?
I have considered hanging mine as well but worried it will not heat the standing area on mine due to hot air rising.
smokymt
Observer
I guess that is possible, but these things really put out a lot of heat. They are rated to heat 200 square feet.
The problem with the catalytic heaters is not so much CO or CO2 (which diffuses out the of tent pretty quickly) but all the water. I find running even a small catalytic heater (Coleman Black Cat) for half an hour or so leads to a LOT of condensation. Depending on how cold it is and how breathable your tent is, you may be fine, but in my Wildernest these aren't so good.
Just picked up on these at TSC. I am considering using this short term to heat up my RTT (a few minutes at bedtime and a few minutes in the morning) but I am concerned about sitting it on a table or anything else unstable. So I'm considering hanging it from the tent frame inside. I think it weighs roughly 10 lbs with propane cylinder. I have an Eezi-Awn 1800. Do you think the frame can support this weight?
I copied this down back in March 2009. Airtronic D2 with install kit, Interstate power systems, Davenport IA, 563-388-9988 ask for Nick. The price was under $1000. That is a diesel unit. In one of the ebay ads I saw from them they mention they could get petrol fired but it would cost more.
The nice thing about them is you can route all the tubes out the bottom of a diving bell like structure and then be able to ford deep rivers without killing the electronics in it.
For cooking above 10k feet, get a MSR Whisper backpacking stove. Get the multi fuel version if you want to run kerosene or diesel in it. They will work nicely at very high elevations.
Espar has gas/petrol versions of some of their smaller Airtronic and Hydronic heaters.
Zodi Hot vent
If anyone wants to know. I contacted Zodi and they are guesstimating mid-Decmeber 2009 that the hot vent will return.
Response below:
We apologize for the inconvenience. The tent heaters are still not available we are hoping to have them out in mid Dec(2009). At this time we have not had any updates please check back with Zodi in December. We should have more information then if you have any questions please respond to this email.
Thank you,
Customer Service
Zodi Outback Gear
If anyone wants to know. I contacted Zodi and they are guesstimating mid-Decmeber 2009 that the hot vent will return.
Response below:
We apologize for the inconvenience. The tent heaters are still not available we are hoping to have them out in mid Dec(2009). At this time we have not had any updates please check back with Zodi in December. We should have more information then if you have any questions please respond to this email.
Thank you,
Customer Service
Zodi Outback Gear
805gregg
Adventurer
Why does everything need to be so exotic, I have a Lance camper with an Atwood mobile products Everest Star 7900 II heater. Works perfect is small and I noticed on line the heater was used in the American Medical Association expedition to Everest and the record setting Double Eagle balloon crossing of the Pacific Ocean. You can buy them for about $400 if you search the net.
Just a quick note from a satisfied customer on the propex. I've had mine in my westy for 5 years and its been awesome. My van sees lots of washboard roads and I've never had any problems with the heater. My only thing would be that you might need the bigger one to heat a RTT with a changing room as the 2000 struggled to keep up in the van at temps around 20f. Then again your not trying to heat a cold steel box. Very efficient heater for sure, sips the propane, barely uses any battery and is safe. Once I get a trailer that will be first on the list. It was my wife's favorite upgrade by far.