Heating my van help

[Sazzle]

Hi all, I've just joined this site to see if anyone can give me some advice please.
I've got an old transit camper called Dave! Well poor old Dave wants to go away in the winter but he's a bit basic. He's got no heating. He hates camp sites with a passion so electric is a problem, unless we use the generator( which is a bit noisy) we need a way to warm the van up. I have been looking and looking but with no joy. Can't afford these expensive proplex heaters or the like, needs to be very cheap. I was thinking a gas heater but everything I read about says they are not safe. Was also thinking a very small wood burner but again not sure how safe. The other thing I was reading was the blue or black cat heaters, but think they are unsafe too. There must be something I can use to warm the van up? Please help as I'm chomping at the bit to go away in Dave, thanks

 

[n brown]

this type of heater is great. some vent their exhaust fumes through the floor,others via the roof. they need a fairly big hole in the floor,with no obstructions Carver Caravelle 1800M caravan heater, bench tested and guaranteed (18001506) | eBay

this is just an example so you know what to look for.other makes are Truma and Morco
they use no electric and are silent and very warm

 

[sasquatch]

Flower Pots & Tea Lights Heater
Try this but ensure adequate ventilation.

 

[FULL TIMER]

Try searching for bio ethanol heaters, plenty on amazon etc. We have one as a standby you won,t roast but it will certainly take the chill off. There is also a heater that uses bio ethanol made by origo that might be better but a bit dearer,look for origo heatpal 5100 around £140 but you can also use it to cook on

 

[n brown]

Origo 5100 Heatpal as i was looking anyway !

 

[Glass man]

A Silver Screen to cover the Windscreen and cab windows makes an amazing difference. Fit it to the outside. Well worth the price but do go for a GOOD quality one and NOT a cheep copy. I find that there is no condensation on the inside in the morning and the inside is 5 - 7 degrees C warmer than outside with no heating.

 

[Steveyates02]

OK I WILL GET SOME **** FOR THIS
but we use this heater it keeps us warm when sat in the van yes we vent the van and yes it keeps us warm in bed just have more covers on or get close to your wife/girlfriend or if your old like us just let the dog get on the bed lol
https://www.buydirect4u.co.uk/produ...ChAj8BJahv8bJb6yN0E1Wos_zsehmirW6hoCL0Pw_wcB#

 

[Obanboy666]

OK I WILL GET SOME **** FOR THIS
but we use this heater it keeps us warm when sat in the van yes we vent the van and yes it keeps us warm in bed just have more covers on or get close to your wife/girlfriend or if your old like us just let the dog get on the bed lol
https://www.buydirect4u.co.uk/produ...ChAj8BJahv8bJb6yN0E1Wos_zsehmirW6hoCL0Pw_wcB#

Yes you will being an appliance engineer lol !

 

[Moonraker 2]

Origo 5100 Heatpal as i was looking anyway !

But surely any sort of burner will create a gass, so I don't understand. In a small van it would surely be a hazard. If you have to leave a window open then it defeats the objective?

 

[Moonraker 2]

ok i will get some **** for this
but we use this heater it keeps us warm when sat in the van yes we vent the van and yes it keeps us warm in bed just have more covers on or get close to your wife/girlfriend or if your old like us just let the dog get on the bed lol
https://www.buydirect4u.co.uk/produ...chaj8bjahv8bjb6yn0e1wos_zsehmirw6hocl0pw_wcb#

for outdoor use only!!

 

[FULL TIMER]

But surely any sort of burner will create a gass, so I don't understand. In a small van it would surely be a hazard. If you have to leave a window open then it defeats the objective?

not really, only bi products of burning bio ethanol are water and carbon dioxide more or less the same as your breath

 

[trevskoda]

Flower Pots & Tea Lights Heater
Try this but ensure adequate ventilation.

Because there are flower pots over them there is no more heat than the candles,physics.

 

[trevskoda]

OK I WILL GET SOME **** FOR THIS
but we use this heater it keeps us warm when sat in the van yes we vent the van and yes it keeps us warm in bed just have more covers on or get close to your wife/girlfriend or if your old like us just let the dog get on the bed lol
https://www.buydirect4u.co.uk/produ...ChAj8BJahv8bJb6yN0E1Wos_zsehmirW6hoCL0Pw_wcB#

funeral expenses hope your well covered.
It maybe ok to cook with open flame with vent but to nod of.:scared:

 

[trevskoda]

But surely any sort of burner will create a gass, so I don't understand. In a small van it would surely be a hazard. If you have to leave a window open then it defeats the objective?

Yes and it may get tumbled over,not for me,as for screens put them on inside in case you require to move fast.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

That could kill you CO given off with no venting kit so it stays in the van for you to breathe in until you stop.

 

[anjou]

easy peasy get a log burner from Julian at

Wood Burning Stoves - The Fireweaver he will sort you out with the whole set up from the burner,flue to the roof flashing and the cowl, and his prices are not expensive
Plus you will have a warm cosy van ! Result !

 

[Obanboy666]

easy peasy get a log burner from Julian at

Wood Burning Stoves - The Fireweaver he will sort you out with the whole set up from the burner,flue to the roof flashing and the cowl, and his prices are not expensive
Plus you will have a warm cosy van ! Result !

What if you want to make a quick getaway ? If anything like my stoves at home not a 5 minute job to shut down / dampen.

 

[Deleted member 2572]

Not sure about this obsession with wanting to make a quick getaway ?
Silver screens on the outside for me when I have them , woodburner is the way to go and I would use it on the move if installed well.

 

[n brown]

the OP asked for a cheap option which a woodburner isn't .
burner-£200-300
2 lengths flue £80
silicone flashing- £40
cowl if you can't make one -£40
metal for cladding £20
inner metal shield £15
labour ,at least £100


making your own is a cheaper option, gas bottle burner, bit of chimney liner from the scrappy for a flue, sides off a dead fridge for cladding, bent tin cowl,leaky exit hole-sorted ! and there's a lot of these about !

 

[trevskoda]

the OP asked for a cheap option which a woodburner isn't .
burner-£200-300
2 lengths flue £80
silicone flashing- £40
cowl if you can't make one -£40
metal for cladding £20
inner metal shield £15
labour ,at least £100


making your own is a cheaper option, gas bottle burner, bit of chimney liner from the scrappy for a flue, sides off a dead fridge for cladding, bent tin cowl,leaky exit hole-sorted ! and there's a lot of these about !

Think the caravan gas through floor heater is the way to go in my mind .