Author |
Message |
GreenG Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2014 Posts: 151 Location: State Road, NC
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 6:49 pm Post subject: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
Hi all, any good suggestions/tips for spending a week in the van below freezing? I'm headed to John C Campbell Folk Arts School in the mountains of NC for a week, and I'll be staying in their campground in the Westy. They do have electric and water hookups, but it's January in the mountains - looking for thoughts on good heaters/tips for staying warm.
Thanks! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6832 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
Insulate your windows!
Get some Reflectix and cut it to fit your windows. I would even think about two layers of it.
However, you also need to think about the humidity and condensation.
Suggest you watch a few You Tube videos about controlling humidity inside rv's.
A heater that shuts off if tipped over is my first choice in electric heaters. _________________ This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jeffrey Lee Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014 Posts: 1488 Location: Wisconsin
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:03 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
Sounds like a great winter getaway!
Any decent electric heater will keep you warm while lounging around in the van. We'e found an electric blanket to be even more effective when sleeping, as it applies the heat only where needed.
Here are some more winter camping tips:
http://campwestfalia.com/winter-van-camping/
Good luck! _________________ Camp Westfalia
Camping Tips • Newsletter • Cool Campervan Apparel
www.CampWestfalia.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
GreenG Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2014 Posts: 151 Location: State Road, NC
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
Steve M. wrote: |
Insulate your windows!
Get some Reflectix and cut it to fit your windows. I would even think about two layers of it.
However, you also need to think about the humidity and condensation.
Suggest you watch a few You Tube videos about controlling humidity inside rv's.
A heater that shuts off if tipped over is my first choice in electric heaters. |
I actually cut some Relectix for the inside of the poptop a few years ago - that along with a wasserstopper on the outside helps a good deal. Didn't think about the windows - was thinking they probably have higher r-values than the sheetmetal? What do you use to secure the reflectix to the windows? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Paulbeard Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015 Posts: 2604 Location: Seattle
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:10 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
some like suction cups, others have used magnets (cut the panels a little big so they allow the magnets access to the metal). You could probably even use industrial strength Velcro™®© hook and loop material if you didn't mind seeing it all the time. The round disks, not long strips, maybe… _________________ 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 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6832 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:12 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
GreenG wrote: |
Steve M. wrote: |
Insulate your windows!
Get some Reflectix and cut it to fit your windows. I would even think about two layers of it.
However, you also need to think about the humidity and condensation.
Suggest you watch a few You Tube videos about controlling humidity inside rv's.
A heater that shuts off if tipped over is my first choice in electric heaters. |
I actually cut some Relectix for the inside of the poptop a few years ago - that along with a wasserstopper on the outside helps a good deal. Didn't think about the windows - was thinking they probably have higher r-values than the sheetmetal? What do you use to secure the reflectix to the windows? |
I am using the metal snaps that the curtains and screen uses. In the long run I think they will rip out.
I'm putting magnets inside them and sealing with aluminum tape.
We have a cold spell down in Florida right now...down to a devastating 45° one night 😂.
I could feel the cold coming off the rear glass when I pull the Reflectix down. _________________ This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mathew Zelezen Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2004 Posts: 547 Location: Graeagle, CA
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:21 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
This is a great little electric heater I've used in sub freezing weather and the fan is very quiet.
I run it with a programmable thermostat that way the heat stays constant.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/SPT-13-3-4-in-1200-Wat...swod-KQLNg _________________ 87 Syncro Tintop
~Rocky J Motor
~Steedle Trans
Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: It might have been. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10379 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:42 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
Jeffrey Lee wrote: |
....We'e found an electric blanket to be even more effective when sleeping, as it applies the heat only where needed.
|
I've been curious of electric blankets. Sounds like a great idea.
To the OP: though I imagine your fridge won't be on shore power, or on at all, but when I still had my Domtice fridge, with it on and my heater fan set to "II" setting, the stock breaker would tend to blow. IOW, in my experience, its not hard to overload the stock Westy 110VAC breaker when using heater at higher settings.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7757 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:44 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
FWIW: For using the same amount of electricity & taking up about the same amount
of space, an oil-filled radiator will moderate heat even when it cycles off...
https://www.amazon.com/Tangkula-Electric-Radiator-...led+heater
Keep cozy!
- Daveg _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
|
Back to top |
|
|
shagginwagon83 Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016 Posts: 3800 Location: VA/TN
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:51 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
just curious to why everyone is mentioning conserving AC energy? He is going to be at campground where power is unlimited.
How can you deal with condensation with electric heat? _________________ Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
|
Back to top |
|
|
TopBud Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2004 Posts: 1111 Location: Flagstaff AZ
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:56 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
We have been using one of these for years. It is small and heats up the space in the van very well.
https://www.amazon.com/Lasko-754200-Ceramic-Adjustable-Thermostat/dp/B000TKDQ5C
Insulate your windows. We all wear down booties in the van.
have fun. _________________ 86 bostig SYNCRO
66 convertible Karmann Ghia |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Paulbeard Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015 Posts: 2604 Location: Seattle
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:57 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
shagginwagon83 wrote: |
How can you deal with condensation with electric heat? |
Condensation is a byproduct of consumption. That's why Propex heat, vented outside, is better than the Buddy heaters that don't. Electric heat doesn't require onsite consumption either. The only moisture to deal with is his own breath. _________________ 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 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7922 Location: Arizona
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10379 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 8:17 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
shagginwagon83 wrote: |
just curious to why everyone is mentioning conserving AC energy? He is going to be at campground where power is unlimited.
|
Just my .02 but....
Stock Westfalia circuit is 15 Amps. Just my .02 but like the cat trying to rescue their toy out from under the couch, with the Z bed unfolded, "stabbing" at the little breaker reset button (especially when it's snapped off flush to the panel), with a chopstick or other highly refined tool, is kind of a pain. Especially after drinking all that beer that was in the fridge, thats been running while the heater was on. [edit; on medium or high]
Neil.
_________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN
Last edited by Vanagon Nut on Fri Dec 15, 2017 8:31 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6832 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 8:28 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
Paulbeard wrote: |
shagginwagon83 wrote: |
How can you deal with condensation with electric heat? |
Condensation is a byproduct of consumption. That's why Propex heat, vented outside, is better than the Buddy heaters that don't. Electric heat doesn't require onsite consumption either. The only moisture to deal with is his own breath. |
This video is like one of those old school videos from the 50's (yawn...), but he does explain humidity in an RV very well
Link
_________________ This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7468 Location: WA/ID
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 8:51 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
I’m with everyone else who’s a fan of the ceramic space heaters. I’ve used one of these in the van for 20 years. It fits in the Westy cabinet cubby under the water tank and keeps the van warm when plugged into shore power.
I believe it’s about as small as is available in a 1500 watt heater: 5.8 x 5.2 x 6.8 inches
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JP4YCUG/ref=mp_s...ace+heater
_________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
|
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro).
Last edited by jimf909 on Fri Dec 15, 2017 11:12 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Tobias Duncan Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2013 Posts: 1391 Location: Taos NM
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 9:35 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
Any 1500 watt heater is going to be about as efficient as the next.
Get the smallest one or if quiet is your thing , focus on that.
With your temps there is no need to put up any insulation. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
pinetreeporsche Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2009 Posts: 752 Location: Falls Church, VA
|
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 11:45 pm Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
kamzcab86 wrote: |
Other tip: keep the roof down. |
Yes- drop the top to eliminate lots of cubic footage that you then won't have to heat. A similar efficiency can be had by blocking off the front seat area. I use a sheet hung from a flexy fiberglass rod that comes with a bicycle warning flag. After you eliminate these two unneeded (overnight) spaces, your heat goes about twice as far. And yes, there's nothing like an electric blanket when it's cold, esp. when you first climb in-- it's pre-heated. Can't beat that. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
SSWesty Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2008 Posts: 732 Location: Bellevue
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
calfredson Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2015 Posts: 70 Location: Vancouver, BC
|
Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2017 1:13 am Post subject: Re: Best electric heat for a week below freezing? |
|
|
Humidity shouldn't be an issue with an electric heater. This is because warm air can hold more moisture than cold air. If you run the heater through the night, the warm air will absorb any humidity, then small amounts of warm air will escape the van (through the pop-top, an open window, etc) and be replaced with cool (presumably dry) air from outside. This cycle will continue throughout the night, drying out the van. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|