Heat alternative?

[metahacker]

if you already have propane, it's hard to beat the Propex.

otherwise, Webasto (e.g. AirTop 2000) and Eberspacher (AirTronic) both make "modern" gas heaters.

the chinese diesel heaters are all the rage .. they would never by my first choice (personally), but the price is right. you already have gas, so i'm not sure why i would (again, personally) want to run a diesel heater over a gas one, unless i was shopping based on price. for the money, the value can't be beat. they work really well and just a little bit of diesel goes a very long way.

if you really want to get wild, the finns make a cooktop stove that runs on diesel .. and turns into a heater when you close the lid (yes, really)

https://scanmarineusa.com/products/stoves/wallas-nordic-dt-diesel-stove-heater/

i have a hydro-flame (propane RV furnace...now known as an Atwood Everest, i believe) on my Riviera .. and it's a bit old fashioned and clunky (large/pretty audible blower) but simply wonderful in terms of getting the job done .. feels like a fireplace .. BTU output is pretty impressive in a bus ....

that said, i prefer to use the heater boxes while driving ... as long as there are no smelly oil/exhaust leaks, no heat plumbing issues, and a good engine seal ...

i do use the propane heater sometimes while driving... especially, when it's very cold. or if i just want to feel the maximum level of luxuriousness... because it sure as hell works a treat.

most dedicated heater units should also work while driving.
there may be some operational/install tweaking (i know - for example - the propex might care about airflow characteristics -- specific to the intake/exhaust tube routing -- and its operation can halt with some safety trigger, for example...use of the marine fitting manifold for the boat hull as a "camper hookups" type plate on the bus is a good solution if a propex is buggy while driving BTW)....

there really is nothing like sitting in a parked bus on a cold day with the engine off and the heater going.

i have had many work calls early in the morning with a fresh coffee, the heater blasting, and a laptop running a Zoom on the camper table.. for remote work, particularly in a pandemic world.... it's a game changer.
For camping in the desert when it get super cold at night, as well....

a propane/diesel/gas heater is honestly one of the top most straight-baller-pimpin' things you can have on a bus, IMO

[P24p1]

[notchboy]

[P24p1]

Just to put my 0.02$ on this since I'm in this situation - my heating system is shot to high hell. Holes in the pipes, bad accordion tubes, missing parts like the large tube down the middle and the diverter that sends air to the passengers, the cables need to be replaced, and the risers are missing.

The PO provided brand new heater boxes, tubes from those to the control boxes, control boxes and cables. All in all I've got 1000$ worth of parts to put towards it. However, I don't think I will. Reason is there is still a lot to buy, and find, and I'm just not really down to try it. I really like the little dinky 12v defroster wired to the battery idea, there's 20$ max right there, then get a cheap diesel heater for 200$, less even, and I'm good. (Or put more clothes on!) New set of headers is 500$ from vintage speed that deletes the heater boxes. Sell the parts for close to the 1000$ value and I may not even spend a dime on the new system. Not to mention I won't have to repair the holes in the fixed pipes with this solution!

I think that make sense hah
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1973 Westfalia named Angie (Sold '23)

What rust?

Rev it - don't lug it!

[wim3600]

I have installed a Propex gas heather controled by thermostat and by the original Clock (to run the heather 15 min. on the programmed time).
Works great:

[Globespotter]

[notchboy]

[vwwestyman]

[notchboy]

[RalphWiggam]

I mean:

https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-North-Adult-Mummy-S...amp;sr=1-3

$40 for a 0F sleeping bag delivered next day to your door...?..

I dont know about everyones camping requirements, but if it is lower than 0F, I am most likely not going camping. If I did, it would be alone because my wife and kids damn sure arent going to come along.

You could buy 2 of those 0F sleeping bags for $80..one for the bottom, and one as a blanket and I bet you would wake up sweating in 10F weather.

[tristessa]

[badufay]

I run headers on my type 4 motor in my 76 bus so I have no heater boxes. My heat comes from a diesel heater under the rear seat. One of my favorite things I’ve done to my bus.

Ben
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Current: 2023 ID.4 Pro S, 2020 Golf TSi 1.4L, 2017 GTI S, 6 spd man, 76 Bus, 2.0L- 3 spd auto
Previous: 2015 Golf S TDI, 6 spd man; 2015 Jetta SE TDI, 6 spd man; 12 Jetta 2.5L, 04 Jetta 2.0L, 02 Golf 2.0L, 98 Jetta 2.0L, 98 Golf 2.0L, 98 Cabrio 2.0L, 95 Golf 2.0L, 87 golf GTI 16 valve 1.8L, 86 Cabriolet 1.6L, 80 Audi 4000 1.6L, 76 Audi Fox 1.6L, 76 VW Beetle 1.6L, 74 Audi Fox 1.5L, 69 VW Beetle 1.5L

[notchboy]

[RalphWiggam]

[orwell84]

[notchboy]

Despite this thread being relatively ancient, people have moved on. This thread is kinda a spin your wheels kinda thing.

Get with the times' people.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
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[notchboy]

[Wildthings]

[RalphWiggam]

I have a booster fan up front in my bus. I think it was a kit you could buy back in the 80s or 90s. It works very well.

Aside from that, has anyone looked into fittING a better blower back in the engine compartment?

Here is mine. I took it apart and cleaned it and it works just fine, but the output is not great. I don't think it would be hard to replace it with something more modern with more airflow.

[orwell84]

In the late 90’s I installed an Eberspacher BN4 in my bus using the factory ducting. It works well and keeps me warm while driving in a light jacket down to about 30*. It took some time to clean it up, learn how it worked and maintain it. I don’t drive in the winter so it’s been enough. I am also restoring my stock system just out of curiosity and for the sake of originality.