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Cavilry6 Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016 Posts: 142 Location: Santa Cruz, ca
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:44 pm Post subject: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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Well, the day has finally come. I've talked my wife out of camping in our RV and finally got her back in the bus (a regular occurrence pre-kids, but it's been nearly 4 years). When we slept in the bus (1968 tin-top Westy) it was chilly but manageable with enough blankets.
However, we're now going to be camping with our nearly-4 and 2 year old and temperature is a bit more of a concern. The plan is to put the 4 year old on the kids cot over the front seats, the 2 year old on the back bed, and my wife and I on a bed in the ARB awning tent. So the question is, what do people do for heat?
We have a small electric heater we could plug into our Goal Zero, but it doesn't last long due to the power draw. We also have a small propane heater, but obviously we'd not be able to leave that on unattended. The bus also has a heater unit in the engine compartment which I've always been too scared to mess with. It looks to be in good shape but I've never given it a go.
_________________ 1968 Westy Tin-Top
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate2-32802.png]Click to view image[/URL] |
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richparker Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011 Posts: 6983 Location: Durango, CO
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:48 pm Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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I’d be running that gas heater.
But, I don’t have one so we use a Mr. heater Buddy. It’s great and we have no issues with it. People here will bash it, but it works just fine for our family.
Enjoy the adventures with your family while you can!!! _________________ __________
’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build |
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TheRustyRabbit Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2008 Posts: 25 Location: Moncure,NC
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 5:22 pm Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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Google China Diesel heaters. They are tiny all in one replacements for RV heaters and they work much like a home unit. Add fuel, drill one small hole for the exhaust, and fire it up. The goal zero will run the tiny fan for days, and the units burn very little fuel. It heats up our camper really well, and has a thermostat so it wont run you out of the bus at 3 am! |
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 34021 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 5:49 pm Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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Bring your dogs with you when camping. |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51153 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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CanStan Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2005 Posts: 1039 Location: Calgary, AB
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 7:15 pm Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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The gas heaters are great when they're working properly. You might as well see if you can make it work, but if it ends up being more work than it's worth, check out the diesel heaters like TheRustyRabbit mentioned. Theres a really long thread on them in the Vanagon forum:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=703569&highlight=chinese+diesel
I just installed one in my Bus and I'm blown away at how much heat it gives off. And best of all, they're under $200. |
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wagohn Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2014 Posts: 740 Location: United States
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 7:34 pm Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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I'm running A 5KW Chinese diesel heater. We do day-long dog shows in 35-40 degree scenarios. We can maintain 70 degrees in our tintop for about $2 per day. It's a dry heat so no condensation on interior glass, as with a Mr. Buddy.
We love it.
_________________ 1976 VW Transporter, 2.0 FI Engine |
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BUSBOSS Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2009 Posts: 2161 Location: Northern California
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 10:57 pm Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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I use a diesel heater but did not permanently mount it. I didn't want to drill holes in my bus. I built it in a Pelican style case and take it only when I need it in winter. In Norcal you don't need it year round as you know. Send me a message if you want pics of mine. Here is a youtube video that covers the basics and he even has 3d print files on thingiverse or you can buy the plastic parts from him on Etsy.
Link
_________________ All the redemption I can offer, girl, is beneath this dirty hood
1976 Westfalia
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible (sold - but not forgotten) |
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ccowx Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2015 Posts: 661 Location: Whitehorse Yukon
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 1:08 am Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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I have always used the factory gas BN4 heater in my early bays. Once they are working they seem to be more reliable than they get credit for. I am currently rebuilding a 1970 Westy and will be using one again. I have now completely run out of useable fuel pumps and regulators and fuel lines, so I will be exploring options to replace those. I live in the Yukon and I plan to be warm!
Chris |
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CessnaJon Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2008 Posts: 677 Location: Senoia,GA
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 4:12 am Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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I installed Eberspatcher gasoline heaters in my Vanagon and bay window. They work great either parked or driving. I love the convenience of a single fuel type. _________________ 1973 Westy (shared birthday)
1990 Westy Multivan
2015 Passat TDI 6sp
2015 Sportwagon TDI 6sp
LR-JET, Gulfstream 159 |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22670 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 4:47 am Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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It gets down to 60F in Santa Cruz sometimes
😀
Op, get that heater inspected and fired up. _________________ .ssS! |
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vwwestyman Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2004 Posts: 5688 Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:43 am Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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All the old-style heaters are wonderful for driving, but they don't do so well for camping, due primarily to the battery draw. Perhaps using that in conjunction with the Goal Zero battery thing would work to keep from drawing too much power. You'd still likely want to just use it to preheat the bus before going to bed, and then warm it up again before kiddos get out of bed in the morning.
Perhaps using the Goal Zero to run an electric blanket or two would be a better bet, due to putting heat right where it is needed.
The diesel heaters (and the name brands do also make actual gasoline versions--don't be fooled by the cheap versions stating "gasoline" in their ads-that is an error) are much more efficient electrically than the old style heaters. _________________ Dave Cook
President, Wild Westerner Club
1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing |
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crownline Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2010 Posts: 593 Location: Northwoods of WI
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:45 am Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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-10° here today. I really feel bad for the poor freezing people in Cali. X2 on bringing the dogs. _________________ 1972 Bus 1700 cc Single Carb. But not a progressive.
Barelymuvin
Wish I still had the ones I got rid of.
"It"s got some dings and dents and neither of us is going to SEMA."(Update, I went to SEMA in 2019 but the Bus stayed home)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-8446.png]Click to view image[/URL] |
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Globespotter Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2012 Posts: 1770 Location: Newmarket, ON
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71whitewesty Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2010 Posts: 1544 Location: oregon
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:53 am Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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If I had your gas heater set up I'd use it.
But for the few times I really need heat in the winter when we camp in ski area parking lots, I bring a small generator and an electric heater. The generator is handy for other things and I remove them when I don't need them. No cutting, drilling, condensation, extra batteries or taking up valuable space. A couple long extension cords and fill a small extra gas can at the last gas stop before camp and you're all set. _________________ 71 Westy 1600 DP, all stock Bus 1
1970's Snow Trac 1600 SP (sold 12/2016)
1968 Tucker sno cat, sold 2021
1969 Tucker Sno cat 542
2017 VW Alltrac
71 tin top stock 1600 DP (project but runs)
Twin 71 White Westy, Bus 2, that I pulled from a 15 year slumber in a dry eastern WA field in 2015.
1966 Sundial Camper "Boomer" |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15144 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:10 am Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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I would NOT EVER, run a open flame hot surface 'buddy' type heater with young children or even pets.. it's just not worth the burnt hair smell or worse.. binkies.
the small diesel heaters are sooo available now it's the minimum standard unless one is jut plain out cheap or daft.
they do require a 2nd fuel tank and keeping on top of that..
we run diesel heaters in 3 of our family fleet, I run a Propex and a few friends run suburban Rv/popup furnaces.
I would suggest just taking the extra cost and go with a benzine (gas) heater from the russian federation the advantage is that it's a single fuel source, you don't really quite have to worry about running out since you have a gauge on your dash as you travel. and good clean dry not a fire hazard heat is worth the peace of mind
you already have enough to do and worry about with the family loaded and traveling.
that's my $.02 take it for what you paid,
link
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trk...p;_sacat=0 _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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Shonandb Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019 Posts: 1196 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 11:42 am Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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We camp year round here in temps from 50 down to ~25 degrees F in the winter and typically use our propane fire pit on low outside under the EZ awning with a wind block tarp on two sides. We leave the sliding door open and it keeps the inside of the bus as well as sitting under the awning warm (~70 F) and dry.
We have good sleeping bags and never use any heat while sleeping as the inside of the bus stays warm for 30-40 mins after shutting down the fire pit and closing the door but I have a small Mr Buddy heater that I start up first thing in the morning for about 10 mins to warm the inside of the bus and then shut it off and open the door and start the fire pit. This set up works well and a full propane tank lasts about 3 days.
_________________ *******************************
76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image |
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Ceckert64 Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2015 Posts: 1963 Location: Manitowoc, WI
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 12:01 pm Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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That Southwind /Stewart Warner gas heater looks really nice. It will likely need a new fuel pump and I’d just replace the original style one with an electric one. The factory fuel lines used originally usually hold up well but if you plan on running it you’ll want to replace them. You’ll want a voltmeter as there may be some bad connections. It shouldn’t be too hard to get going. There also should be some on off switch somewhere you’ll want to find so you can adjust temp by pulling the switch out and turning it. The switch should be below the edge of the drivers seat next to the pull knob for the heater vent that comes from out I see the walk through _________________ 1964 sunroof Beetle Restoration "Herbie"
“Joann” 1970 Elm Green Squareback
1972 Sierra Yellow Tin Top Westfalia Camper
“Fitz” 1971 Westfalia Poptop |
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Shonandb Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2019 Posts: 1196 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 12:57 pm Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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[quote="wagohn"]I'm running A 5KW Chinese diesel heater. We do day-long dog shows in 35-40 degree scenarios. We can maintain 70 degrees in our tintop for about $2 per day. It's a dry heat so no condensation on interior glass, as with a Mr. Buddy.
We love it.
Do these Diesel heaters pump out smoke like that all the time or just at start up? _________________ *******************************
76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image |
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vacca_rabite Samba Member
Joined: July 04, 2021 Posts: 72 Location: PA
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 1:30 pm Post subject: Re: Camping - What do you do for heat? |
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The diesel heaters only smoke at startup really, and run really clean.
They have been a staple of the East Coast winter camping scene for years, and work very well.
One guy I know runs one in his little home built trailer, but has to keep the door open on 25 degree nights as the trailer gets too warm.
The only downside is the "tic...........tic..........tic......" of the fuel pump.
Zach _________________ 1972 T2 Bay Westy in restoration
1976 Porsche 914
196? Empi Sportster Dune Buggy |
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