Garage Heaters

[Fizzer]

Just wondering about the general feelings here.....my Chimp will spend most of the winter wrapped up in my garage, waiting for spring...
Is it worth investing in a garage heater- especially if it is going to get as cold as the reports say??
Any thoughts appreciated!!

[Big Al.]

Fizzer said:

My Chim will spend most of the winter wrapped up in my garage, waiting for spring...

Shame on you!

[Mad Mitch]

NO NO NO !!!!! What are you doing.??? Think about all those wonderfull,clear dry and fresh days we`ll have between now and April time, some of the best days to get the roof off!! plus parking it up will cause more problems than running will ever do.... please read the forums..If you dont use it you`ll loose it ( Reliability that is.!!!)
Make sure the chassis is protected and proof your roof and enjoy. The only thing that should stop you is the snow...

[targarama]

Drive the car. Park in garage, open bonnet. Hey Presto, nice warm garage. Works for me anyway.

[blujay10]

Mad Mitch said:

NO NO NO !!!!! What are you doing.??? If you dont use it you`ll loose it ( Reliability that is.!!!)

I totally agree with mad mitch, these cars need to be used, they are after all only a car and the best way to learn how to get the most out of them is to drive them in all conditions,not just when the roads are dry and warm!!!!!

[Cider Andy]

Fizzer said:

.....my Chimp will spend most of the winter wrapped up in my garage, waiting for spring...

Judging by the other replies, I bet it ain't!!! As it happens, I'd intended mine doing very little during the cold winter evenings, but circumstances prevailing it's now gonna be used more or less every day. In fact it was out just this afternoon with the roof down, just as Lord Trevor intended!

[Parrot of doom]

You want a de-humidifier - a warm garage can still be quite moist, especially if its not vented.

But the best solution is to drive it - regularly.

[s5tvr]

Mad Mitch said:

NO NO NO !!!!! What are you doing.??? Think about all those wonderfull,clear dry and fresh days we`ll have between now and April time, some of the best days to get the roof off!! plus parking it up will cause more problems than running will ever do.... please read the forums..If you dont use it you`ll loose it ( Reliability that is.!!!) Make sure the chassis is protected and proof your roof and enjoy. The only thing that should stop you is the snow...

Absolutely spot on. These cars do not like sitting around. Just bought myself a PH beenie hat for those cold crisp days just made for having the roof down.

Snow is a no no and I personally don't like driving in the wet as I believe it robs the fun factor out of driving the car "enthusiastically"

[victormeldrew]

I use a greenhouse tube heater mounted on some MDF. It sits on the rear shelf, windows slightly open to allow air circulation. Seems to keep things nice and dry inside.

[GreenV8S]

I would have thought that the colder it is the better. Heat speeds up the chemical reactions that lead to corrosion. Cold and dry is your best bet.

[victormeldrew]

Now I wonder why tumble dryers don't have refrigeration units attached?

[TimW]

The cold gives you extra power

[Mad Mitch]

Tumble dryers dont have to deal with the evils of rocksalt

[victormeldrew]

Mad Mitch said:

Tumble dryers dont have to deal with the evils of rocksalt

Neither do the carpets in my TVR, but I can't speak for everyone of course. (and take a back!)

[ads]

GreenV8S said:

I would have thought that the colder it is the better. Heat speeds up the chemical reactions that lead to corrosion. Cold and dry is your best bet.

So a de-humidifier would be best then, take the moisture out of the air and it will still be cold!

[antonyj]

I run a dehumidifier in my garage, works really well, keeps the car dry.
It take about 3 litres every couple of days, so its definately working!!!

[puffsorted2]

antonyj said:

I run a dehumidifier in my garage, works really well, keeps the car dry. It take about 3 litres every couple of days, so its definately working!!!

Depends on how 'sealed' your garage is! If you just have a standard up and over door and a galvantised roof then your dehumidifier is effectivily just trying to dehumidify the earths atmosphere! and wasting your electricity. What you really need to do is seal up the door and other gaps with gaffer tape - or buy a carcoon instead.

I have no electricity my garage so the only option is a paraffin heater, I am convinced its good for the interior and especially the leather to keep it slightly warm but am concerned at the cost to the chassis should condenstation start forming.

Whatever you chose to do its important you run the engine for at least 30 mins a week and operate the brakes, steering and clutch - as well as move the car slightly so its not resting on the same spot on the tyres.

To get around the lack of a dehumdifier I throw a load of that Silica Gel stuff you get in electronics boxes into the interior - you can buy its from Maplin's.

[puffsorted2]

antonyj said:

I run a dehumidifier in my garage, works really well, keeps the car dry. It take about 3 litres every couple of days, so its definately working!!!

Depends on how 'sealed' your garage is! If you just have a standard up and over door and a galvantised roof then your dehumidifier is effectivily just trying to dehumidify the earths atmosphere! and wasting your electricity. What you really need to do is seal up the door and other gaps with gaffer tape - or buy a carcoon instead.

I have no electricity my garage so the only option is a paraffin heater, I am convinced its good for the interior and especially the leather to keep it slightly warm but am concerned at the cost to the chassis should condenstation start forming.

Whatever you chose to do its important you run the engine for at least 30 mins a week and operate the brakes, steering and clutch - as well as move the car slightly so its not resting on the same spot on the tyres.

To get around the lack of a dehumdifier I throw a load of that Silica Gel stuff you get in electronics boxes into the interior - you can buy its from Maplin's.

[antonyj]

puffsorted2 said:

antonyj said: I run a dehumidifier in my garage, works really well, keeps the car dry. It take about 3 litres every couple of days, so its definately working!!! Depends on how 'sealed' your garage is! If you just have a standard up and over door and a galvantised roof then your dehumidifier is effectivily just trying to dehumidify the earths atmosphere! and wasting your electricity. What you really need to do is seal up the door and other gaps with gaffer tape - or buy a carcoon instead. I have no electricity my garage so the only option is a paraffin heater, I am convinced its good for the interior and especially the leather to keep it slightly warm but am concerned at the cost to the chassis should condenstation start forming. Whatever you chose to do its important you run the engine for at least 30 mins a week and operate the brakes, steering and clutch - as well as move the car slightly so its not resting on the same spot on the tyres. To get around the lack of a dehumdifier I throw a load of that Silica Gel stuff you get in electronics boxes into the interior - you can buy its from Maplin's.

Of course you are right, but heat will only create moisture. My gargage is far from sealed, but at least the dehumidifier is doing something to decrease the moisture.
As for the electricity , its a small price for a dry car.

I just set the dial on the dehumidifier to a setting that feels right.

>> Edited by antonyj on Friday 18th November 14:55

[richb]

puffsorted2 said:

I have no electricity my garage so the only option is a paraffin heater

A paraffin heather creates an 'awful' lot of humidity. My wife used one in her greenhouse for a year and the place was dripping, we since switched to an electric heater and it remains much dryer. I believe that as the paraffin burns it gives of CO which combines with the oxygen in the air to make H2O... or something. Rich...