Discussion
Further to my waterproof question, Im looking for suggestions on how to heat the rear of our van. Theyre all vauxhall viviaro's with the bulk heads still in.
What we are finding is that after a day of working in the wet, we hang our clothes up in the back to drip dry. Problem being theres not much heat (if any) in the rear so the next day they're still damp. This week we've had icicles from the roof!
I believe the utility boys have good heaters that are plumbed in to the diesel and burn away nicely - we dont need something as fancy as this or as expensive.
Any suggestions? Also, are there any better alternatives to the traditional whirly vent to draw the moisture out? Im reluctant to core the roof of the vans.
Whirly vent:
What we are finding is that after a day of working in the wet, we hang our clothes up in the back to drip dry. Problem being theres not much heat (if any) in the rear so the next day they're still damp. This week we've had icicles from the roof!
I believe the utility boys have good heaters that are plumbed in to the diesel and burn away nicely - we dont need something as fancy as this or as expensive.
Any suggestions? Also, are there any better alternatives to the traditional whirly vent to draw the moisture out? Im reluctant to core the roof of the vans.
Whirly vent:
Is there a window in the bulkhead that you could remove, or a metal blank you could knock out??
Couldn't you get a length of flexi hose, like you'd get with a tumble drier, and "T" into the heater vent pipes that supply warm air to the floor of the cabin, cut a hole in the bulkhead, and channel warm air through to the back that way??
Couldn't you get a length of flexi hose, like you'd get with a tumble drier, and "T" into the heater vent pipes that supply warm air to the floor of the cabin, cut a hole in the bulkhead, and channel warm air through to the back that way??
I used to be in a band, and we drove about in this tiny LDV van.
No matter what we did, it was ALWAYS cold, esp. the footwells. We had to drive about with blankets on our laps, and coats, gloves, scarfs etc.
What we did have was a small 3 bar fire, which we ran off the 12v. Wasn't amazing, but when your wiper blades have half an inch of ice on them, its a god send
No matter what we did, it was ALWAYS cold, esp. the footwells. We had to drive about with blankets on our laps, and coats, gloves, scarfs etc.
What we did have was a small 3 bar fire, which we ran off the 12v. Wasn't amazing, but when your wiper blades have half an inch of ice on them, its a god send
12V inverter with a small fan heater plugged in. You would of course have to ensure the inverter is adequate to supply the fan heater. I suspect the inverters that can be plugged in a fag lighter won't be up to the task. You can get heavy duty ones that wire directly to the battery.
I have a little 3kW fan heater I got from Argos and the amount of heat it chucks out is impressive for the £20 I paid for it.
I have a little 3kW fan heater I got from Argos and the amount of heat it chucks out is impressive for the £20 I paid for it.
Thanks for the suggestions lads.
I would say for me, the best option would be the one sugggested by redtwin. The diesel ones will be the dogs but a bit to much effort to wiring in particularly with fuel lines.
What size of inverter would I need? Most seem to have constant and max outputs.
edit: Are these sore on the van battery / alternator?
I would say for me, the best option would be the one sugggested by redtwin. The diesel ones will be the dogs but a bit to much effort to wiring in particularly with fuel lines.
What size of inverter would I need? Most seem to have constant and max outputs.
edit: Are these sore on the van battery / alternator?
Edited by bryce86 on Saturday 8th December 16:43
If you are looking for cheap AND there is no one in the back.
Then surely one of the small heaters for green houses etc combined with a roof / side panel vents would be the way to go.
If you are running a fan heater then you'd want the inverters constant figure to at least match the fan heater rating.
Then surely one of the small heaters for green houses etc combined with a roof / side panel vents would be the way to go.
If you are running a fan heater then you'd want the inverters constant figure to at least match the fan heater rating.
bryce86 said:
Thanks for the suggestions lads.
I would say for me, the best option would be the one sugggested by redtwin. The diesel ones will be the dogs but a bit to much effort to wiring in particularly with fuel lines.
What size of inverter would I need? Most seem to have constant and max outputs.
Look at a heater you want and then size it up, a 2kw heater for instance will require 2000w supply and will draw 8.3 amps from a 240v supply. so just look for an inverter that will be able to constantly supply that demand.I would say for me, the best option would be the one sugggested by redtwin. The diesel ones will be the dogs but a bit to much effort to wiring in particularly with fuel lines.
What size of inverter would I need? Most seem to have constant and max outputs.
You'll be needing one of these,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&am...
A nice Randy Van Warmer....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&am...
A nice Randy Van Warmer....
Fan heater and inverter isn't practical.
A 2kW heater, working through an inverter will need almost 200A.
How about some ducting from the bulkhead to where the waterproofs are with a 12volt fan to blow warmed air from the front to the back?
Second vent in the bulkhead to allow circulation?
Or, what about a second heater matrix (or radiator unit - look up eberspacher hydronic or webasto) plumbed into the engine's cooling system?
A 2kW heater, working through an inverter will need almost 200A.
How about some ducting from the bulkhead to where the waterproofs are with a 12volt fan to blow warmed air from the front to the back?
Second vent in the bulkhead to allow circulation?
Or, what about a second heater matrix (or radiator unit - look up eberspacher hydronic or webasto) plumbed into the engine's cooling system?
In which case rash_decision's suggestion about using a bit of flexi-hose connected to the rear compartment seems the most sensible/cheapest, and easily reversible if it doesn't work.
I'd still have a look at self adhesive felt. I had the same problem with condensation on the hardtop for my MX5. Covered it with felt, and it's almost completely dry inside now.
I'd still have a look at self adhesive felt. I had the same problem with condensation on the hardtop for my MX5. Covered it with felt, and it's almost completely dry inside now.
Eberspacher or Webasto type diesel burning heater. They appear on eBay from time to time where people break ambulances (the nearly all have them in).
They take a bit of electrical juice while they get going (glow plug), but once running don't take much power. You can always duct some of the heat into the cab too.
Might be an idea to add an aux battery with split charger to take the load off your main start battery, that way you could add a timer too it and set it to warm your van up in the morning before you get there....
They take a bit of electrical juice while they get going (glow plug), but once running don't take much power. You can always duct some of the heat into the cab too.
Might be an idea to add an aux battery with split charger to take the load off your main start battery, that way you could add a timer too it and set it to warm your van up in the morning before you get there....
Webasto FBH (Fuel burning heater) found on many a BMW diesel & Rover 75's. Cheap as chips on ebay & dead easy to hook up to a radiator & fan assembly. 2.5kw & they burn about 0.2L of diesel per hour, can be run on the red legally too.
Try & get one complete with plumbing, exhaust & wiring if you can. They are totally self contained bar a fuel fuel pump.
Try & get one complete with plumbing, exhaust & wiring if you can. They are totally self contained bar a fuel fuel pump.
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