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OldSpice
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2015
Posts: 178
Location: 87 syncro westfalia Subaru ez30
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 Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 2:37 pm Post subject: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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| Hello~ I am searching for a portable heater or temporary unit to heat the van while sleeping~ I have a "buddy" heater but i don't want to sleep with it on, i don't want a propex unit because I need the storage space and only plan to be in cold weather for 1 month so the investment doesen't make sense. I am imagining something I can stick somewhere on the floor and run a tube up and out of the skylight for fumes/vent. maybe around the 200$ price range ideally. anyone know of anything? Thanks |
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atomatom
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2012
Posts: 1867
Location: in an 84 Westy or Bowen Island, BC
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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dog/woman/children... may cost more or less than $200
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84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada. |
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bluebus86
Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 11075
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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Dont cheap out too much, carbon monoxide will put you too sleep for ever. In fact with any auxilary combustion heater for the van a loud CO alarm should be installed.
You might find a good deal on a second hand gasoline heater near your price., they work very nice. toasty warm, good safety record. was an original option on the vans, many other aftermarket models can also be adapted. no need to add a propane tank, just cut the gas hose an add a Tee fitting, and the heater is fueled.
What is a buddy heater? Singificant Other???
Link to samba gas heaters for sale.....
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php...ton=Search
good luck
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information
Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022 |
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frogman_94
Samba Member
Joined: March 10, 2006
Posts: 118
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Tom Powell
Samba Member
Joined: December 01, 2005
Posts: 4855
Location: Kaneohe
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 3:32 pm Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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I have 12V electric blankets. They don't provide much heat, but they do take the chill off the sheets and blankets. I run them from a Sears porta-charger and the blankets have twenty minute timers. A Mr Buddy will warm the cabin, but they produce a lot of moisture. A large warm high calorie meal before bedtime will keep you warm. The inside of the camper is insulated with reflectix and I used that on the inside of the poptop also.
Aloha
tp |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32561
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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raoul mitgong
Samba Member
Joined: July 05, 2009
Posts: 1338
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 4:07 pm Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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Boil water, put them into large Nalgene bottles, snuggle up. The larger the bottle, the longer they will last. Make sure the lid is tight or you will be much worse off.
-d
_________________
84 Westy with a 2.1 (Groover)
86 Tintop Syncro (Crow)
86 Tintop Syncro to Westy project (Tom Servo)
91 Westy (Only the top 12 inches of this van (a burn victim)) |
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DometicLover
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2013
Posts: 70
Location: Montréal
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:10 pm Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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Completely stupid idea but:
Buy this. It's 74500BTU!! The Propex HS2000 is 6500 BTU...
https://www.amazon.com/Eccotemp-L10-Portable-Outdo...s=eccotemp
Install it outside run two insulated pipe to a radiator inside the van using a small inline pump. You could use the rear heater core. Obviously the rear heater would need to be disconnected from the engine.
Plus at the end of the day you have a shower system, if it doesn't work...
If you die, I'm not responsible.... |
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Chainsaw
Samba Member
Joined: August 07, 2015
Posts: 249
Location: Issaquah Washington
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:18 pm Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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Wood fired water heating coil outside witj another inside, 12v fan to move air off of it?
Plumb in a wood stove?
Start a short term relationship?
Gas heater?
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89 Westy. 2wd. Manual. |
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Paulbeard
Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015
Posts: 2604
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 6:05 pm Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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| Tom Powell wrote: |
I have 12V electric blankets.
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Now I know why I keep thinking I need more 12v outlets, upper and lower…
_________________
Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs
— dhaavers |
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cmayna
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2014
Posts: 1147
Location: SF Bay area, CA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 6:26 pm Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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Being in Hawaii/Calif, you worry about staying warm at night? Just snuggle up with your way better half along with the 3 cats and 2 dogs.
Seriously, maybe due to where we live or campout at, we never worry too much about staying warm. Our body heat and good sleeping bags have kept us very warm.
_________________
'90 Westy / automatic.
If I'm not working on the camper or my '50 Chebbie truck, I'm either fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
Craig |
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jackbombay
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2007
Posts: 2723
Location: Eastern Idaho
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:20 pm Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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| cmayna wrote: |
| Being in Hawaii/Calif, you worry about staying warm at night? |
He might be road tripping to colder locations?
For the $200 budget I would go heavy on sleeping bag or blankets and a wool hat, assuming you're not talking about temps below 30, below 30 gets to be a hassle as anything water based freezes and becomes a notable inconvenience.
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Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies 
Samba ad here.
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Syncronoid
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012
Posts: 1111
Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 10:28 pm Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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Been considering this for a while to deal with single digit temperatures at Mt Bachelor during Winter, about to pull the trigger on a 1Hp Honda Portable Generator and space heater. I have the Propex, but it's best for taking the chill off and not running all night.
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'90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L |
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westyventures
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2004
Posts: 2306
Location: Oregon Outback
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| Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 12:26 am Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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| Syncronoid wrote: |
| I have the Propex, but it's best for taking the chill off and not running all night. |
Why not? That is what it's designed for, heating 24/7. |
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Leipo
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2012
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 2:31 am Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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| raoul mitgong wrote: |
Boil water, put them into large Nalgene bottles, snuggle up. The larger the bottle, the longer they will last. Make sure the lid is tight or you will be much worse off.
-d |
+1
throw this in your sleeping bag and you will be a happy camper 
I always put the Nalgene bottle in a sock to prevent getting too hot |
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VWinVT
Samba Member
Joined: April 21, 2013
Posts: 1541
Location: North East Kingdom
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| Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 8:21 am Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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| bluebus86 wrote: |
Dont cheap out too much, carbon monoxide will put you too sleep for ever. In fact with any auxilary combustion heater for the van a loud CO alarm should be installed.
You might find a good deal on a second hand gasoline heater near your price., they work very nice. toasty warm, good safety record. was an original option on the vans, many other aftermarket models can also be adapted. no need to add a propane tank, just cut the gas hose an add a Tee fitting, and the heater is fueled.
What is a buddy heater? Singificant Other???
Link to samba gas heaters for sale.....
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php...ton=Search
good luck |
Are these heaters safe to run while the van is parked? I thought I had read somewhere that they can only be used safely while the vehicle is moving.
_________________
1981 Westfalia with a 2001 Cabrio ABA
Small wheel turns by the firing rod,
Big wheel turns by the grace of God.
Every time that wheel turns 'round,
You're bound to cover just a little more ground. |
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bluebus86
Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 11075
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| Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 8:34 am Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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| VWinVT wrote: |
| bluebus86 wrote: |
Dont cheap out too much, carbon monoxide will put you too sleep for ever. In fact with any auxilary combustion heater for the van a loud CO alarm should be installed.
You might find a good deal on a second hand gasoline heater near your price., they work very nice. toasty warm, good safety record. was an original option on the vans, many other aftermarket models can also be adapted. no need to add a propane tank, just cut the gas hose an add a Tee fitting, and the heater is fueled.
What is a buddy heater? Singificant Other???
Link to samba gas heaters for sale.....
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php...ton=Search
good luck |
Are these heaters safe to run while the van is parked? I thought I had read somewhere that they can only be used safely while the vehicle is moving. |
Safe enough for my family, kept us warm in Alaska. of course you should have a CO alarm, we didnt have them 40 years ago in Alaska, but now days they are available cheap.
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information
Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022 |
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bluebus86
Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 11075
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| Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 8:43 am Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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| Syncronoid wrote: |
| Been considering this for a while to deal with single digit temperatures at Mt Bachelor during Winter, about to pull the trigger on a 1Hp Honda Portable Generator and space heater. I have the Propex, but it's best for taking the chill off and not running all night. |
Problem with the generator is if your near other campers, the noise is horrible from the generators, really bad for the tent campers, and even noisey for the car campers near by. Id be inclined to dissable anyones generator in a campsite running past quiet hours. some folks like a good night sleep, have a big hike the next early morning, generators are not appreciated. running a generator late at night with other campers around is extremely disrespectful, rude. now if your all alone, with no one else in hearing, then that is a viable option for all night heat.
a generator is not good idea if you have others campers around., Even during the noisey hours (before 9 pm often) they are still rude if one is running for more than a few minutes.
so consider location and timing before use, many camp grounds do have limits on when they can be ran, and right fully so, and even within allowed hours they can be very irritating to others.
a gasoline or propane furnace does not have this limitation, nor restriction. and will be less likely to have you awakened by fellow campers pounding on your van to get you to be quiet.
good luck, stay warm
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information
Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022 |
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newfisher
Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2012
Posts: 1764
Location: The wet spot--Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:44 am Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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| With your $200 ish budget you are limited to a really nice sleeping bag system and a couple nagalene bottles for the boiling water trick. |
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Syncronoid
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2012
Posts: 1111
Location: Stanford, CA and Bend, OR
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| Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 10:27 am Post subject: Re: heater ideas for cold weather sleeping |
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| westyventures wrote: |
| Syncronoid wrote: |
| I have the Propex, but it's best for taking the chill off and not running all night. |
Why not? That is what it's designed for, heating 24/7. |
I'm concerned the fan will drain the battery too much. Those Honda generators will run up to 8hrs on a single gallon of gas.
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'90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L |
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