Heating the van with the gas hob

[mistericeman]

Thing is...

At the end of the day how much is your comfort AND safety worth....

I paid £585 for a full and comprehensive eberspacher kit including kit including pump controller etc with a 3 year guarantee...

for the amount of time we have been able to able to use the vendors in the colder months...
it's been well well worth the initial outlay

Next winter it'll have us cost us nothing.. win win win

 

[Roger]

I don't have a proper heater or the budget for one. I test my CO detector regularly and will not just fall asleep with the hob lit - I don't drink (ever) and I don't do drugs so I'm not going to just fall asleep by accident. So, where is the danger exactly?
And comments such as NO NO NO without any argument are of no use whatsoever.

I think the danger from CO and lack of oxygen is that you don't realise that anything is wrong and just nod off and never wake up. Only a few % reduction of oxygen in the air can be fatal.

A relation had this happen whilst staying the night in a hiker's cabin in Tasmania, open fireplace in the middle of the cabin. He and his wife were overcome with either low oxygen or CO, he woke and stumbled around into the coals in bare feet and burnt the sole of his foot off. But managed to get the door open and save his wife by chance as he was going for the stream to put his feet in. Major rescue effort then ensued - helicopter out of the wilderness area after his wife walked out on her own, I think a 2 day walk. Stabilised in Hobart for three weeks, flown to Brisbane for specialist burns unit and hospital stay of about 3 months, skin grafts - he now has a hairy sole as they took flesh from his thigh. Took the best part of two years to recover and still needs a walking stick. At one stage the graft became infected and they wanted to amputate his leg.

So would I do it - NO.

 

[delicagirl]

There are laws in the UK to make it a criminal offence if a landlord does not ensure a gas safety inspection is done annually to their tenant's gas appliances and boiler.

There are similar regulations for dealers who rent out camper vans - to ensure the safety of those who hire campervans. However there are no regs around vans sold by dealers or in private sales, nor in the installastion of gas systems in vans.

This disparity makes no sense. Gas is a highly volatile substance which easily renders folks unconscious. As has already been posted gas used to kill FAR more people 30 years ago, before the widespread use of smoke, heat and CO2 alarms.

All i would say to OP is its not only your own life you are putting at risk if you choose to not be sensible - an exploding van could easily kill several complete strangers in adjoining vans or nearby houses.

How would your family feel if that happened because of your cavalier attitude towards gas safety and your wish to save a bob because you have"no budget for a proper heater"?

If you cannot afford a proper heater then maybe you are not ready for vanning as yet.

 

[Tbear]

I think the danger from CO and lack of oxygen is that you don't realise that anything is wrong and just nod off and never wake up. Only a few % reduction of oxygen in the air can be fatal.

A relation had this happen whilst staying the night in a hiker's cabin in Tasmania, open fireplace in the middle of the cabin. He and his wife were overcome with either low oxygen or CO, he woke and stumbled around into the coals in bare feet and burnt the sole of his foot off. But managed to get the door open and save his wife by chance as he was going for the stream to put his feet in. Major rescue effort then ensued - helicopter out of the wilderness area after his wife walked out on her own, I think a 2 day walk. Stabilised in Hobart for three weeks, flown to Brisbane for specialist burns unit and hospital stay of about 3 months, skin grafts - he now has a hairy sole as they took flesh from his thigh. Took the best part of two years to recover and still needs a walking stick. At one stage the graft became infected and they wanted to amputate his leg.

So would I do it - NO.

It is vary rare for it to be lack of oxgen that kills. Carbon monoxide is a lethal poison. It glues itself to your heamoglobin and stops it transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. This is why it only needs a tiny amount in the air as with each breath in it will buiding up in your blood and you will breath very little of it out.

Richard

 

[Deleted member 951]

There are laws in the UK to make it a criminal offence if a landlord does not ensure a gas safety inspection is done annually to their tenant's gas appliances and boiler.

There are similar regulations for dealers who rent out camper vans - to ensure the safety of those who hire campervans. However there are no regs around vans sold by dealers or in private sales, nor in the installastion of gas systems in vans.

This disparity makes no sense. Gas is a highly volatile substance which easily renders folks unconscious. As has already been posted gas used to kill FAR more people 30 years ago, before the widespread use of smoke, heat and CO2 alarms.

All i would say to OP is its not only your own life you are putting at risk if you choose to not be sensible - an exploding van could easily kill several complete strangers in adjoining vans or nearby houses.

How would your family feel if that happened because of your cavalier attitude towards gas safety and your wish to save a bob because you have"no budget for a proper heater"?

If you cannot afford a proper heater then maybe you are not ready for vanning as yet.

I think you are being a little harsh there Collette.

The OP did say that he would not be using the hob as a heat source whilst sleeping, and there are several devices designed specifically to exploit this sort of heat source, as REC posted earlier. So provided that sensible ventilation is available, I see nothing wrong with using the hob as a heat source for short periods, say for the length of time it takes to cook a family meal?

 

[mistericeman]

I think you are being a little harsh there Collette.

The OP did say that he would not be using the hob as a heat source whilst sleeping, and there are several devices designed specifically to exploit this sort of heat source, as REC posted earlier. So provided that sensible ventilation is available, I see nothing wrong with using the hob as a heat source for short periods, say for the length of time it takes to cook a family meal?

Waste of money...
Unless someone has invented a way to change the laws of physics.

Either way....
only SAFE/FOOLPROOF way to heat a camper is via a externally flued system....

How much is safety worth???

 

[Deleted member 951]

Waste of money...
Unless someone has invented a way to change the laws of physics.

Either way....
only SAFE/FOOLPROOF way to heat a camper is via a externally flued system....

How much is safety worth???

I wasn't really commenting on the efficiency of such a device, rather the fact that they are allowed to be produced.

 

[mistericeman]

I wasn't really commenting on the efficiency of such a device, rather the fact that they are allowed to be produced.

No problems, with them being produced.... BUT it ain't getting hotter in there with one sat on the top of a cooker UNLESS the laws of physics have been changed lol....

However its still a cack way of keeping warm when away.... IMHO.

 

[Deleted member 951]

No problems, with them being produced.... BUT it ain't getting hotter in there with one sat on the top of a cooker UNLESS the laws of physics have been changed lol....

However its still a cack way of keeping warm when away.... IMHO.

But surely, if they are so dangerous they would be banned?

However, I will add, if you rely on a hob as a heat source, the heat will rise and most of it will be lost through the roof of the van. If you can transfer some of that heat and keep it at a lower level, more of the heat will be felt by the user.

A friend of mine (on this forum) used to have 4 blue bricks on the floor of his MH giving out heat, ok not 100% efficient, but it kept the chill out of the air on a cold night. So, no, you cannot change the laws of physics, but you can use them to your advantage.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Oh no not another zombie.:scared::lol-053::lol-053::lol-053:

OI YOU !,,,
Come over to the Dead side,,

 

[mistericeman]

But surely, if they are so dangerous they would be banned?

However, I will add, if you rely on a hob as a heat source, the heat will rise and most of it will be lost through the roof of the van. If you can transfer some of that heat and keep it at a lower level, more of the heat will be felt by the user.

A friend of mine (on this forum) used to have 4 blue bricks on the floor of his MH giving out heat, ok not 100% efficient, but it kept the chill out of the air on a cold night. So, no, you cannot change the laws of physics, but you can use them to your advantage.

Fill the oven up with fire bricks and ill agree with you (as a storage heater works)

Bit of shiny tin on the top of the hob... and I'll keep my money in my pocket....

As for banning..... it's not illegal to run your car into a single garage OR light a disposable BBQ in your tent....

Doesnt mean you're going to be in a fit state to write a letter of complaint though does it???

 

[Deleted member 951]

....As for banning..... it's not illegal to run your car into a single garage OR light a disposable BBQ in your tent....

Doesnt mean you're going to be in a fit state to write a letter of complaint though does it???

I think you're missing my point, but it doesn't matter, I wouldn't buy one either.

As it goes I've just ordered a Truma blown air gas heater for my van, so I'm not too worried about it!

 

[vampirequeen]

We use a small gas camping heater in the van. Once the temperature rises we switch it off then the insulation and thermal curtains hold the heat in. We don't have it on if we're tired because we don't want to risk falling asleep and not waking up but also if we're that tired we get the quilts out and have a nap anyway.

 

[Alf]

I am quite surprised by forum members who I have always thought of as sensible gentlemen.
It's not a case of being the same a cooking. You are doing a job intent on cooking not boiling over Stirling adding to then eating.
So now you relax, think of tomorrow's journey it's a bit cold yes turn on the hob nod off and before you know it Bob's your uncle.

Well each to there own I could never recommend using a Hob for heat and if anyone does I will never trust their opinions again.

It's about being safe to yourself, your family friends and the general public in the vicinity of your van.

Alf

I think you are being a little harsh there Collette.

The OP did say that he would not be using the hob as a heat source whilst sleeping, and there are several devices designed specifically to exploit this sort of heat source, as REC posted earlier. So provided that sensible ventilation is available, I see nothing wrong with using the hob as a heat source for short periods, say for the length of time it takes to cook a family meal?

 

[delicagirl]

i very nearly gassed myself last summer in my van due to chlorine gas. I had put bleach down the shower soakaway as it was not emptying, and i stupidly forgot to put any water down after the bleach. the gas became stronger and stronger - but i thought it was the next van cooking onions.....

before i knew it i could barely keep my eyes open - fortunately i soon realised what was happening and opened all the doors and windows immediately. Had i fallen asleep i fear the very worst would have happened.

The square footage inside a van is so very very small, when compared with a house, that i believe the effects of build up of gases are going to be far more serious and happen more quickly because of this confined space.

 

[mistericeman]

At the end of the day.... we're all (well mostly) adults and have to live with the decisions we make.

Some folks consider it perfectly fine to use an open flame source of heat in a pretty enclosed space to keep warm....
The comments on not using it whilst asleep are IMHO pretty academic as CO poisoning are such that you are asleep before realising...
Leaving windows/vents open are ace BUT not always effective....
The above said....
it's an individuals own choice....
frankly I consider MY life worth slightly more than £600 for a correctly vented heater that enables me to use our van safely all year round....
let alone the safety of my other half and hounds.

Free world though,
feel free to play CO roulette as you please.

 

[Deleted member 951]

I am quite surprised by forum members who I have always thought of as sensible gentlemen.
It's not a case of being the same a cooking. You are doing a job intent on cooking not boiling over Stirling adding to then eating.
So now you relax, think of tomorrow's journey it's a bit cold yes turn on the hob nod off and before you know it Bob's your uncle.

Well each to there own I could never recommend using a Hob for heat and if anyone does I will never trust their opinions again.

It's about being safe to yourself, your family friends and the general public in the vicinity of your van.

Alf

You misunderstand Alf.

I used to use the hob on the boat first thing in the morning, boil the kettle and then leave it on for say 10 minutes to warm the area. At the same time getting dressed etc. Then the same at night before bed for a while, whilst getting ready for bed etc. I wasn't suggesting that you use it as a long term source of heating, for a start it would cost a fortune!

Believe me, I know what it is like to fall asleep with an oven or hob burning, but that is more to do with cooking and alcohol rather than heating. And also believe me, I now do not mix the two!

 

[Patchypete]

Slightly off topic ...... a Quick word of warning, if you're going to heat up your potatoes on a gas or electric hob, remember to take them out of the bloody tin first, :scared:
View attachment 50825

 

[Deleted member 951]

Modern boats have bilge blowers specifically designed to alleviate the problems of gas or petrol vapour building up in a boats bilges. The motors are designed as flame proof and sealed against danger of sparking to cause ignition.

All 15 boats I have owned have had safe gas installations on board and many have been petrol driven.

 

[channa]

Modern boats have bilge blowers specifically designed to alleviate the problems of gas or petrol vapour building up in a boats bilges. The motors are designed as flame proof and sealed against danger of sparking to cause ignition.

All 15 boats I have owned have had safe gas installations on board and many have been petrol driven.

The bilge issues are also the reason that a separate module and exam undertaken for those engineers wanting to work on them. When I did my quals, it was made clear I couldn't work on boats

Channa