Using a heater for winter camping.

[capslayer]

I surf, and snowboard. This year I plan on camping in my van up at Mount Baker, and at other mountains. I have a coleman camping heater. It's a catalytic heater which is designed for indoor use. I was thinking this would be alright for the van as long as I crack a window open a bit.
Another thing I was thinking about was installing, a remote start unit. Then I can simply hit the remote start while in bed if I get cold, and let the van run for 1/2 an hour or so. I think that both would work. Leaving a heater running all night would be the best, it would just be a bit of a pain to pack it along with propane everytime. The propane heater burns a 1lb cylander in 6 hours. If you used disposable 1lb bottles it would cost app. 5 bucks/ night for heat. If you used the remote start, you could probably do it for less.
I geuss, if I had a good enough sleeping bag, I could get by without either.

Any ideas?

Capslayer

[thelazybrownfox]

Hey capslayer
I used a coleman catalytic heater with both rear windows open over a 2 week period camping in 0 deg to -10 deg C weather. i only fired the coleman for 1/2 hour morning and evening to warm the van and slept on a sturdy cot with multi sleeping bags. The cot base froze at -10deg and the sleeping bags needed dryed daily to prevent condensation problems.

The coleman gave off greater than 50 PPM CO if left on more than 1/2 hour and contributed too much condensation to the interior. The long term effects of >50 PPM CO is not adviseable.

Condensation between the bags actually wet out the outside bag on the bottom.

Next year I will have an interior vented free standing 20-30k btu heater for cold nights like these. Drafting will draw out any interior moisture as I sleep.
An electric heater plugged in worked out great for me. Tardis deli uses a converter and an oil filled heater to warm their deli.
I'll design a propane closed system rather than use an open catalytic heater and post it when it's finished.

Remote start sounds like a great idea but I find my deli never heats up at idle. The thermostat is a 180/195 deg thermostat. More posts to come on that too.
The lazybrownfox

[jessef]

I used a coleman catalytic heater with both rear windows open over a 2 week period camping in 0 deg to -10 deg C weather. i only fired the coleman for 1/2 hour morning and evening to warm the van and slept on a sturdy cot with multi sleeping bags. The cot base froze at -10deg and the sleeping bags needed dryed daily to prevent condensation problems.

Did something similar last winter camping as well. Looking for a more permanent solution.

[capslayer]

I actually just checked the heater. It recommeds that you have a 6"sq. space open for fresh air. That's probably equal to having the window open 1/2" or so.

[thelazybrownfox]

Capslayer
Even though the instructions say the opening size required, they mean under optimal conditions. That would mean vertically above the heater, directly vented and at an ambient temp above dew point. I could give the exact formula for amount of water produced per cu ft of propane burned but its too much of a hassle.

Have fun, I did
thelazybrownfox

[capslayer]

I believe you. Thanks for your input. I think I'll just buy a good bag, and I've got a 6" thick piece of foam, I can cut to fit across the rear seats.

Capslayer

[mattias]

Getting a good down sleeping bag sounds like a great idea. You could always use your coleman heater for the first half-hour before you climb out of your bag.

Another option (as long as you're very careful) is to hang a couple candle lanterns for nice, dry heat. My wife and I ran an extension cord into the van and used a space heater too--that worked really well.

[jessef]

Surprised non of you have mention espar or webasto diesel air-furnace heaters.

[thelazybrownfox]

IMHO those heaters are too expensive, noisy, too large and difficult to install.

thelazybrownfox

[jessef]

What about the small webasto diesel units you see in VW's over in Germany ?

I think they are roughly around 20x10x6 inches or so. Tank -> unit <- air intake <- exhaust = permanent heater . sip .5 L / hr . not bad

[dfnder]

With the Wabasto heaters (I read a little on their site but it is low on details) do they vent to atmoshere? I would like a heater but I don't want one that adds to the moisture in the vehicle - I have an aversion to condensation hehe. Dry heat sounds so nice

[thelazybrownfox]

Guess you're right. Those specks look good. I've heard most campers say their batteries are going dead in the winter powering the fan motor in their heaters.

I prefer propane but just cuz I've worked with it for years. I had a free standing dickinson diesel heater in my boat that was great and didn't use any fan.

I'd love to see your heater when it's installed.

thanks
wayne

[Golf Cart]

What about the small webasto diesel units you see in VW's over in Germany ?

I think they are roughly around 20x10x6 inches or so. Tank -> unit <- air intake <- exhaust = permanent heater . sip .5 L / hr . not bad

Me sense a WVO conversion on the heater in there somewhere

[kb&2dogs]

another option would be to make sure you are travelling with someone you can convince (read: suck into) getting up and making a nice hot cuppa and bring it to you BEFORE you get out of your warm toasty sleeping bag!

[jessef]

another option would be to make sure you are travelling with someone you can convince (read: suck into) getting up and making a nice hot cuppa and bring it to you BEFORE you get out of your warm toasty sleeping bag!

I'm usually the one who gets suckered into making it in the morning !