Heating in Winter. (1 Viewer)

[TUCANO]

I have never used the van in the cold of Winter. Arriving at a destination, wild camping no EHU etc and it is minus whatever outside how can you heat the van if you feel that the boiler could have frozen, how can you tell it is safe to switch it on.
If I have pegged the automatic boiler "dump" valve closed over night to save all the water draining away am I risking bursting the boiler !!
I have no tank heating fitted.
Should I simply stay at home
Many thanks.

 

[bigtwin]

Looks as though you have a Hymer.

Is it blown air, or Alde heating that you have?

If the latter, does it have the heat exchanger fitted that allows the use of engine heat to heat the habitation area en-route to your destination. If so, it’s unlikely that you’d end up with anything frozen.

Ian

 

[TUCANO]

Many thanks for a quick reply there, blown air only in my Hymer

 

[Northernraider]

Leave the hot water on all the time stops the boiler freezing up...then switch heating on and off to suit

 

[TUCANO]

And ensure plenty of gas

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[Abacist]

The boiler is inside the vehicle not underneath where the cold water tank is so that will be the first to freeze. Surely you could run the hot tap before putting on the boiler and if you have water then the boiler is not frozen and you can light it - surely or am I missing something?

Yes and once lit keep it going as above!

 

[TUCANO]

Thank you all for your replies, put my mind at rest

 

[Northernraider]

The boiler is inside the vehicle not underneath where the cold water tank is so that will be the first to freeze. Surely you could run the hot tap before putting on the boiler and if you have water then the boiler is not frozen and you can light it - surely or am I missing something?

Yes and once lit keep it going as above!

His water tank is inside also ...same as mine inside double floor.

 

[Northernraider]

Thank you all for your replies, put my mind at rest

I've had the hot water on mine constantly since I bought it so about 2 weeks now
Doesn't use much gas

 

[Abacist]

His water tank is inside also ...same as mine inside double floor.

That's even better! In my old Autotrail the tanks were exposed to the elements but the N+B has a twin floor setup and I have the heat exchanger system as well as some underfloor radiators!

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[TUCANO]

That's even better! In my old Autotrail the tanks were exposed to the elements but the N+B has a twin floor setup and I have the heat exchanger system as well as some underfloor radiators!

Now all that sounds cool, or should I say hot

 

[Wildbill]

Chines diesel hetter ruining on cero
Work a treet cheep as chips as
to run.
Had my one since last winter
No problem
Bill

 

[Wildbill]

I have never used the van in the cold of Winter. Arriving at a destination, wild camping no EHU etc and it is minus whatever outside how can you heat the van if you feel that the boiler could have frozen, how can you tell it is safe to switch it on.
If I have pegged the automatic boiler "dump" valve closed over night to save all the water draining away am I risking bursting the boiler !!
I have no tank heating fitted.
Should I simply stay at home
Many thanks.

We use our van all year round frost protection heeter when at home and and un occupied the but if occupied internal temp of the van Shuld not drop below freezing if you have pipes running through cupboards you worried abut just wedg then open a bit so warm air gets in
Bill

 

[Madcaravanner]

We have a standard blown air heater no liquid in the central heating

The hot water tank is inside the double floor of the vehicle so not open to the outside and doesn't have an automatic dump valve but in all our years we have never had a freeze up as the water heater is always on as we use our van 365 even on the drive it becomes another room of the house giving me a peaceful art studio

 

[two]

I have never used the van in the cold of Winter. Arriving at a destination, wild camping no EHU etc and it is minus whatever outside how can you heat the van if you feel that the boiler could have frozen, how can you tell it is safe to switch it on.
If I have pegged the automatic boiler "dump" valve closed over night to save all the water draining away am I risking bursting the boiler !!
I have no tank heating fitted.
Should I simply stay at home
Many thanks.

Fear not. There are many less knowledgeable than you who go out in winter and survive! How? Because they are most unlikely to suffer internal freezing if they are comfortable inside.

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[DL42846]

I would never peg the dump valve. I do turn off the power to the water pump so if the dump valve does open then I only loose the water in the boiler and not the whole water tank. Once on site I then turn on the boiler and open the power to the water pump. When driving in very cold conditions ( -8c to -15c) I have had a situation where the boiler dump valve opens even though its nice and warm from the vans engine heating system. The back of the van can still get very cold when rolling along on the road in the above temperatures. I have on occasions driven the MH with the boiler on and the heating system working.