heater... unconventional.

grimace007 · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:20 pm Post subject: heater... unconventional.

so my motor has jtubes, i cant afford a good working gas heater.

but i have a good dc to AC power inverter.
anyone mounted a small heater in their car. im not looking to sweat just something to keep it a little warmer than 35 degrees in my cockpit for the morning/nightly commutes.

i remember reading of someone using one but i cant find that thread anymore.
how many BTU should i be looking for?
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glutamodo · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:25 pm Post subject:

AC heaters are power hogs - BTUs from electricity can cost a lot of amps. So the first question is - what capacity does your DC/AC inverter have?
-Andy

grimace007 · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:29 pm Post subject:

750watt nothing big but hopefully enough to get me down the road.

unless there is a good DC heater i can use.
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GeorgeL · Samba Member Joined: January 16, 2006 Posts: 7346

Forget electric heat. The numbers are against you, no matter whether you go AC or DC.

Let's say that you are using a 58A alternator. Multiply by 13V and you get 754W. That's the maximum heat output you can get from a heater assuming your alternator has nothing else to do (it does) and you get perfect conversion to heat (you won't). In the real world you would be lucky to get half that output continuously, or 375W.

How much is 375W? About the output of four light bulbs or 1/3 the output of a typical hair dryer. It won't make you toasty warm unless you run it directly into your jacket!

Eurobug · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:44 pm Post subject:

Make it easy on yourself, lose the j pipes and get some high flow heat exchangers if you are worried about exhaust restriction.

grimace007 · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject:

thats nice and lovely. but. i cant afford a gas heater $500+
and stock heater boxes arent an option at this point.
as i said im not looking for something to bring it up to 70 degrees in the cabin just enough so my hands arent going numb from the cold. Embarassed

i understand the #s arent in my favor but there has to be something i can do. besides 3 pairs of long underwear Laughing

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grimace007 · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 3:48 pm Post subject:

KTPhil · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:10 pm Post subject:

djkeev · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:11 pm Post subject:

Hi,

I have your solution, but take care with Carbon Monoxide and make a sturdy mounting bracket.

We lived in the Northeast back in the late 60's, my Dad had a Camper Van and a short commute to work.

He purchased a Coleman propane heater that operated on disposable propane cylinders. (they were an exciting new item back then!)
He hung a curtain behind the front seats, he then made a bracket to set the heater on securely between the seats.
He would light it a little before leaving for work and drove to work everyday warm and comfy.
He did this for about two years. It was surprising how long a bottle of gas lasted.

It was cheap and it worked really well.

At the end of the season he removed the heater and the bracket and you were ready for summer camping. As an added bonus we had heat in the camper to take the chill off of those cold summer evenings!

Good Luck

Dave
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glutamodo · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:17 pm Post subject:

Yeah, propane is a better way to making BTUs than 12VDC electricity! But as mentioned, you have to make sure it doesn't convert all your oxygen into CO and kill your ass!!

grimace007 · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:25 pm Post subject:

i was thinking about one of the propane heaters too. and since i dont have a backseat i could mount it on the parcel shelf
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GA_Boy · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:10 pm Post subject:

Brian, You could put a couple of 100 watt bulbs from an extension cord to pre-heat your bug overnight. Just make sure they won't melt or burn anything. You can also use a 12 volt hair dryer (alvailable at camper supply or on line for about $15.00) intermittently. Also good for defroster. Three minutes on and five minutes off should be OK on battery drain. You could also get 3 or 4 12V 50-60 watt (Home Depot has them) and rig them to your Cig lighter and place on the floor beneath your lege and that may help some. Make sure cig lighter socket is fed direct from battery with large wire (10GA) with a 30amp fuse at the battery. You can get a 3-6-9-12 volt solar panel at Harbor Freight for 15 to 20 bucks to plug into your lighter to replenish your battery while you slave away at work.
When money is tight we all have to improvise sometimes.
My reccomendation is that you stay away from a propane heater inside and unvented. I don't want to read about you as a statistic. Wink

None of these ideas are to be considered a final solution-----just a stop gap until the BREAD is flowing again. Smile

Good luck, Marvin
PS Another thought is that you can purchase from Home Depot and Lowe's some chemical hand warmenrs. Not very cost effective though. I think deer hunters use them a lot.

mailman · Samba Member Joined: March 24, 2005 Posts: 1663

Check the "Jeggs" website. They sell mostly hot rod and racing stuff.

They sell electric heated seat conversions....on sale last week at $89 each. Comes complete with a lighted, two position switch, relay, the works. Install under your seat covers, hook up two wires. When the fingers get cold, tuck 'em under your thighs for a couple of minutes. If you're broke, just get one for now.

Sure makes more sense than propane heat inside the cabin....would you rather be cold for a little while, or FOREVER? Rolling Eyes

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Eurobug · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:59 pm Post subject:

gt1953 · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 6:41 pm Post subject:

Go out and find at least the left heater box good lord they are not that expensive and you are in Texas.

Heat Exchangers Bug Ghia Bus Heater Price: 38.00 a Pair

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=153499
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Rowroy · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 8:34 pm Post subject:

outruncat · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:03 am Post subject:

check your local junk yard out. I got a great set off a wrecked dune buggy for $10. Be patient and you can find a good deal.

drscope · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:35 pm Post subject:

How many times can you ride the bus for $100? They have heat!
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sano66 · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:12 pm Post subject:

i have 2 heater boxes chillin in my garage off a 66 bus, i heard they work on bugs too? if you want em theyre yours.

tacky · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject:

you can get a battery powered heated jacket at brookstone.
i got one it works great. 5 hours of heat on the rechargeable battery.

http://southcenter.nearbynow.com/store/brookstone/product-3081202.html

wear gloves and a hat and you are good to go.
that heated seat idea sound pretty good also.
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