Just took delivery of our new 18'6" van ,looking at off road/ free camping heating anyone with experience with the the heaters that run off your hot water system.would appreciate any advice
Possum3 said
09:58 AM Aug 11, 2020
Welcome to GN's,
Unless you are constantly hooked up to a power supply - You'll go through a lot of gas heating water just to run an inefficient heater. If your hooked up to power you may just as well run air-conditioner or a small space heater.
Gas heating is most efficient although gas can get expensive out back.
Diesel heating is efficient - but just a bit tricky servicing and keeping it running well. (Noisy if camped near others)
We tend to camp in the bush and utilise camp fire for ambiance and warmth - put a billy on to fill hot water bottle to go to bed - really cold use genny and small fan heater or airconditioner
Cold mornings, I get up first put kettle on stove to make tea - cook either toast or porridge the van is warm enough for child-bride to arise, then enjoy mornings sitting outside in sun and breakfast with child-bride
oldbloke said
02:27 PM Aug 11, 2020
"Cold mornings, I get up first put kettle on stove to make tea - cook either toast or porridge the van is warm enough for child-bride to arise, then enjoy mornings sitting outside in sun and breakfast with child-bride"
Yeh that's what I do if I'm on my own. But gas heater if SHMBO is in residence.
Bobdown said
05:40 PM Aug 11, 2020
Hutcho wrote:
Just took delivery of our new 18'6" van ,looking at off road/ free camping heating anyone with experience with the the heaters that run off your hot water system.would appreciate any advice
They work like your car heater does, blows air thru a radiator of hot water. Does not use as much gas as a solely Gas heater, as hot water circulates back to HWS, but not as efficient as a diesel heater.
Very clean and enviro friendly, no smells etc.
Cheers Bob
Meredith said
01:08 AM Aug 14, 2020
My brother had one of the hot water/heaters in his 21ft van and found it fairly useless, it just didn't put out enough heat to do much. In a smaller van it may be better, but personally I, and him in his new van, would go for a diesel or gas ducted heater instead.
Whenarewethere said
06:06 AM Aug 14, 2020
You lucky bast_rds, we get up in the morning, after sleeping in the car, have to go outside for a w.....
We have stuffed the car full of acoustic insulation which also works brilliantly as thermal insulation, also all windows are covered which dramatically reduces heat loss & stops condensation. At 0°C outside we don't feel that cold in the morning.
Mike Harding said
07:54 AM Aug 14, 2020
No contest: go with a diesel heater.
$200 on e-bay and if you can use a few hand tools easy to install.
Uses very little fuel (125ml per hour) and runs very quietly.
Nothing else comes even close for small space heating.
Hutcho said
07:28 AM Aug 21, 2020
Thanks to all ,looks as if the diesel heater wins .It's great to have such a knowable brains trust to help
Unless you are constantly hooked up to a power supply - You'll go through a lot of gas heating water just to run an inefficient heater. If your hooked up to power you may just as well run air-conditioner or a small space heater.
Gas heating is most efficient although gas can get expensive out back.
Diesel heating is efficient - but just a bit tricky servicing and keeping it running well. (Noisy if camped near others)
We tend to camp in the bush and utilise camp fire for ambiance and warmth - put a billy on to fill hot water bottle to go to bed - really cold use genny and small fan heater or airconditioner
Cold mornings, I get up first put kettle on stove to make tea - cook either toast or porridge the van is warm enough for child-bride to arise, then enjoy mornings sitting outside in sun and breakfast with child-bride
Yeh that's what I do if I'm on my own. But gas heater if SHMBO is in residence.
They work like your car heater does, blows air thru a radiator of hot water. Does not use as much gas as a solely Gas heater, as hot water circulates back to HWS, but not as efficient as a diesel heater.
Very clean and enviro friendly, no smells etc.
Cheers Bob
You lucky bast_rds, we get up in the morning, after sleeping in the car, have to go outside for a w.....
We have stuffed the car full of acoustic insulation which also works brilliantly as thermal insulation, also all windows are covered which dramatically reduces heat loss & stops condensation. At 0°C outside we don't feel that cold in the morning.
No contest: go with a diesel heater.
$200 on e-bay and if you can use a few hand tools easy to install.
Uses very little fuel (125ml per hour) and runs very quietly.
Nothing else comes even close for small space heating.