Best electric heat for a week below freezing?

[GreenG]

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!

[Steve M.]

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.
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[Jeffrey Lee]

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!
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[GreenG]

[Paulbeard]

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…
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Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs

[Steve M.]

[Mathew Zelezen]

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
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[Vanagon Nut]

[dhaavers]

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
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"The WonderVan"
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[shagginwagon83]

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?
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
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[TopBud]

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.
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86 bostig SYNCRO
66 convertible Karmann Ghia

[Paulbeard]

[kamzcab86]

I've used this little heater for 7 years: https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Broan-Big-Heat-Portable-Heater-p/08-0105.htm . Heats the van up right quick and the breaker has never tripped.

Other tip: keep the roof down.
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1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
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[Vanagon Nut]

[Steve M.]

[jimf909]

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

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- Jim

[Tobias Duncan]

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.

[pinetreeporsche]

[SSWesty]

Marine stuff is usually pretty well built because of the damp environment on boats however you pay for it. This heater is fairly quiet with multiple heat options https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--portable-cabin-heater--7867500?recordNum=1

Here is another flavor of it https://www.fisheriessupply.com/caframo-true-north-electric-space-heater-9206ca-bbx

These should fit between the front seats and blow the heat back. I've used an older model and they are more than enough with the top down in the mid-20s. They use a squirrel cage fan which helps keep the noise down.

[calfredson]

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.