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Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:18 am

what the OP is asking for doesn't exist..
it's like asking for a Fast/Cheap/Reliable camper

he has the solution for under $200 already, and if the OP opens the skylight it'll vent the 'fumes' of the Mrheater.. they're really only unsafe in the fact of the open flame.. they are designed to use in small spaces with some ventillation. the requirements of fresh air is about a 1" cracked slider window.

the next closest thing that meets the OPS request is a small woodstove.. which comes with it's own limitations and dangers..
https://www.google.com/search?q=van+camper+wood+st...&dpr=1

Paulbeard wrote: danfromsyr wrote: the OP is aware they make a propex that you can mount externally to rhe van underneath? though it's the lower btu unit, so you will likely still want to isolate the windows and keep the top down in those temps.

OP is also concerned about spending too much $$ for the value he'll get.

Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:26 am

what the OP is asking for doesn't exist..
it's like asking for a Fast/Cheap/Reliable camper

he already has the solution for under $200 already, and if the OP opens the skylight it'll vent the 'fumes' of the Mrheater.. they're really only unsafe in the fact of the open flame.. they are designed to use in small spaces with some ventillation. the requirements of fresh air is about a 1" cracked slider window.

the next closest thing that meets the OPS request is a small woodstove.. which comes with it's own limitations and dangers..
https://www.google.com/search?q=van+camper+wood+st...&dpr=1

I know in my converted 1.8T engined van I wouldn't have any qualms about leaving it running all night. according to my scangauge it uses approx 0.2Liters per Hour of gasoline at idle and the exhaust is as quiet as a honda generator..

Paulbeard wrote: danfromsyr wrote: the OP is aware they make a propex that you can mount externally to rhe van underneath? though it's the lower btu unit, so you will likely still want to isolate the windows and keep the top down in those temps.

OP is also concerned about spending too much $$ for the value he'll get.

Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:28 am

Well, there are options that could be created but only if you are planning to take your floor and sub floor out to insulate, sound dampen, etc.

Since you are asking for ideas: Here is my thought on a good quiet and safe setup for floor and/or hot water. I have not done this yet, but it is in my to-do plan for when I take the floor out. I wrote it up a while back, but have not gotten anyone to say anything about it.

Take one of these little aux shower units that are for on-demand, (semi)out doors. Get that floor back out, and use a router on the sub-floor and pipe in 1/2" flexible hot water line in the channel. Look at some examples of how to create the looping pipe in a slab to get the idea. Put the on-demand unit on a bumper rack, or whatnot, and plum the line into the floor loop. Find an appropriate 12V water pump, and fill the whole closed loop with antifreeze. Use food grade if you intend to also pull hot water for sink/shower. Cant remember the name, but its pink and expensive. Use quick connectors that will make your life easier to get the water loop and gas line detached when not needed. If you want the hot water for a shower, get a small "plate" heat exchanger and run your water through that to pick up the heat in the line as it flows through. My budget was under $300 for the pipe, pump, heater, and a thermostat. The new flooring was on a different budget already.

I don't know much about calculating radiant floor on a sq ft basis, compared to the cubic footage of the van top down and or up. Just have to adjust the temp of the water heater output, you'll get there. Also possible: if you need to heat the air up fast, you can put a small blower over a heater core somewhere in the heat loop.

This heater is like $120:
https://www.shoptinyhouses.com/collections/hot-wat...5600284553

Thu Mar 23, 2017 11:23 am

CalgaryMcLean wrote: A bit over your budget, but something to consider:

http://zodi.com/tent-heaters/x-40-hot-vent-tent-heater

This *looks* like exactly what I have in mind, but I think the btu is too high / maybe a smaller unit would be perfect (their website shows a smaller one but its out of stock)

Thu Mar 23, 2017 11:37 am

OldSpice wrote: CalgaryMcLean wrote: A bit over your budget, but something to consider:

http://zodi.com/tent-heaters/x-40-hot-vent-tent-heater

This *looks* like exactly what I have in mind, but I think the btu is too high / maybe a smaller unit would be perfect (their website shows a smaller one but its out of stock)

Their website says that smaller one is 'Coming Soon'. Maybe contact them and see how soon that is? :D

Thu Mar 23, 2017 1:50 pm

CalgaryMcLean wrote: A bit over your budget, but something to consider:

http://zodi.com/tent-heaters/x-40-hot-vent-tent-heater

Nice find. With some minor fabrication, a mount to lock into the drivers side slider would be pretty sweet.

Sat Sep 26, 2020 1:26 pm

danfromsyr wrote: the OP is aware they make a propex that you can mount externally to rhe van underneath? though it's the lower btu unit, so you will likely still want to isolate the windows and keep the top down in those temps.

also FWIW the regular propex & Truckfridge combo uses NO ADDITIONAL interior space.

http://westyventures.com/propex.html
Quote: Propex HS2211 heater: this new model is the answer to a few installation variations: It can be mounted under the floor or inside the camper vertically, taking up less valuable space than the other models. This model uses the same reliable electronics as the others and has internal insulation to make it run even more quiet than the HS2000. A more modern, streamlined thermostat rounds out the package. 6500 btu output

no actually I did not know this existed- My budget has increased and I would be interested in such a thing- vancafe website says out of stock though.

Sat Sep 26, 2020 1:59 pm

well now adays there are new players in the cabin comfort heating category.
enter the Chinese Diesel Heater or CDH for short.
units can be had for $100~$150
https://www.ebay.com/itm/5KW-12V-Diesel-Air-Heater...3988582701
some people (in bays) have mounted them underneath the bus
all powered furnace options require an AUX battery so you don't run down the starting battery
all powered units require an additional fuel tank (unless the rare and more $ Gasoline versions). diesel or propane.

the CDH are quiet enough and efficient enough to be useful for comfort heating while camping.

Sat Sep 26, 2020 3:03 pm

Our EV has a 5k watt CDH mounted below the van in an old metal toolbox. It's tied in with the factory rear heater plenum, so it uses an existing pathway inside and takes up no additional interior space. If my T3 was used for camping, I'd do a similar install and tie it to the factory rear heater. It works exceptionally well.

Sat Sep 26, 2020 3:49 pm

There are gasoline heaters still available for non-diesel vehicles. Adding a third fuel source to a gasoline vehicle seems ridiculous - especially if mounting a Chinese plastic tank inside which is what so many clueless installers do. Pay a couple hundred more for a gas Eberspacher (there are a few out there if you know where to look ;) ), new Webasto gas heaters under 600 (https://heaters4you.com/for-areas-less-then-12-m/20-air-top-2000-st.html)
I understand a lot of buyers are just cheap, and that's why the Chinese decided to steal and directly copy someone else's design, because they knew the C.A. buyers don't really care.
But none are as clean burning as the Propex from Van Cafe.

Sat Sep 26, 2020 4:15 pm

Zeitgeist 13 wrote: Our EV has a 5k watt CDH mounted below the van in an old metal toolbox. It's tied in with the factory rear heater plenum, so it uses an existing pathway inside and takes up no additional interior space. If my T3 was used for camping, I'd do a similar install and tie it to the factory rear heater. It works exceptionally well.

what is this and what does it run off of?

Sat Sep 26, 2020 4:29 pm

See the post immediately preceding my last.

Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:39 am

Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner.

Chinese Diesel Heater. $170. Portable.
Enclosed in a self contained box- connect 12V,
plumb the exhaust pipe to outside and light it up!
Forced air heat, no moisture, no carbon monoxide.
Works VERY well, keeps the interior warm on coldest nights.

fits perfectly under the back seat (remove the original rear heater)

Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:43 am

The 5kW will be WAY too much heat, even after detuning it as much as possible. Get a 2kW one. :)

Mon Sep 28, 2020 1:05 pm

How does kW translate to BTUs? I have a big buddy propane heater that puts out 18,000btu's and is great for fast heating the van but honestly too big. I still recommend it because when you come back from a 2 hour night time snowshoe and want to make the van 80 degrees inside in 5 minutes, it gets the job done. But I am getting more curious about these heaters as we extend seasons more and more. Tx

Mon Sep 28, 2020 1:52 pm

IdahoDoug wrote: How does kW translate to BTUs?

1 kW = 3412.142 BTU/hr
5 kW = 17060.71 BTU/hr
Per: https://www.rapidtables.com/convert/power/kW_to_BT...20BTU%2Fhr

Mon Sep 28, 2020 3:42 pm

To put this in perspective, a 1970's 3 bedroom ranch in Washington DC needs 30,000 to stay warm in the bitterest winter weather. 1700 sq feet.

Tue Sep 29, 2020 11:22 am

pdm777 wrote: Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner.

Chinese Diesel Heater. $170. Portable.
Enclosed in a self contained box- connect 12V,
plumb the exhaust pipe to outside and light it up!
Forced air heat, no moisture, no carbon monoxide.
Works VERY well, keeps the interior warm on coldest nights.

fits perfectly under the back seat (remove the original rear heater)

Any more information regarding this unit? How long have you had it installed? No issues thus far? I like the idea of the fuel tank being integrated into the unit, making it all-in-one package.

Link to where you got it? The photo appears to be on Amazon but my searches came up dry for that style unit.

Tue Sep 29, 2020 11:32 am

Quote: Link to where you got it?

now we have too many to choose...

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=12v+5kw+diesel+air+heater&ref=nb_sb_noss

Tue Sep 29, 2020 11:32 am

revolution337 wrote: Link to where you got it? The photo appears to be on Amazon but my searches came up dry for that style unit.
Looks like it's this one.