Winter heater help please

Nanniemate

Nanniemate

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Still dropping clangers and making it up as I go along
Dimplex
80w 713mm/2ft Thermostatic Tubular Heater

I am asking for help Funsters. I'm thinking about getting a winter heater for my van. I have been researching and these seem compact enough to fit somewhere (undecided as to where yet) or the size

It is for avoiding frost damage more than anything else so that it I don't always have to empty tanks every time when it's parked through the week. Will they run off the batteries when there is no hook up.

Thanks for your help I am a little concerned about the safety as it will be unattended and parked on the drive. Space is very limited.

Any suggests are appreciated
 
Save your money.
80watts.......think how much heat a 100watt bulb gives off!
12v....No, they are 230v main powered.
I made the mistake a few years ago of buying one of these for the downstairs toilet at home.... Its about 8ft x 4ft and was a store room so no central heating. .
The heater made a nice hand warmer while sat on the toilet but that's as far as heating the room went.
Ideal for the bottom of a wardrobe though
 
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*Machzoneman* said:
Aldi/ Lidl / Amazon etc sell small plug in 400w halogen heaters, take up no room at all.
They plug straight in to a vertical wall 240V socket.

Amazon product ASIN B07YNWBXH9
Click to expand...
There was a longish thread a few months ago about the safety (or lack of it) of these halogen heaters.
Much better with a smallish (300watt) thermostatic oil radiator stood on a tray.
 
A small oil filled radiator is one method that is safe from a fire point of view. I personally use a greenhouse fan heater set to an appropriate temperature and leave it to deal with any cold spell. It has worked well for the last many years.

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Just bought a halogen heater 800w - 400w knock over protection £9.99
Delivered in 3 days
 
Always a great annual debate the "to heat or not to heat". ?
My input is you don't see the millions of pounds worth of vans sat on dealers forecourts with heaters in. !
And discuss. ?
 
I have to agree with Tonka. The vans are stood for the winter months without heaters and they have no problems! Dont waste your pennies. Unless of course its a Auto trail! ?

I am only kidding! :dance2:
 
rosalan said:
A small oil filled radiator is one method that is safe from a fire point of view. I personally use a greenhouse fan heater set to an appropriate temperature and leave it to deal with any cold spell. It has worked well for the last many years.
Click to expand...

Any recommendations would help please
 
Well I assume their tanks are empty unlike nanniemate who wants to keep the tanks unemptied.
So I too would like to know the best thing to do. This week we begin a house sit for 10 days, would others drain down?

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tonka said:
Always a great annual debate the "to heat or not to heat". ?
My input is you don't see the millions of pounds worth of vans sat on dealers forecourts with heaters in. !
And discuss. ?
Click to expand...
Hello, the issue is, that the van will be on the drive on it's own whilst I work away during the week. On arriving home I don't want to waste precious time filling and draining tanks. The option of taking van to work is not an option as the company would then expect me to use it to save them hotel bills (without the consideration of wear and tear extra insurance etc) and it would then become an extension of work.
Heating is just for my convenience, so when I arrive home from work towards the end of the week, its washing in machine, me in shower, washing out machine, me and van off for the weekend. (I picked up the groceries from M&S motorway services on route home.
 
Sucoz said:
Well I assume their tanks are empty unlike nanniemate who wants to keep the tanks unemptied.
So I too would like to know the best thing to do. This week we begin a house sit for 10 days, would others drain down?
Click to expand...
Van is drained at the moment hence I am sat at home as it was persistently raining until late morning and filling was not appealing. . And even if a at home if I prepare for a quick get away after work earlier in the week and it freeezes...........not only that I am away working Monday morning so time is limited. On the brighter side the ironing basket is empty and that doesn't happen often
 
Drained mine today almost forgot the loo tank. Can you imagine the state the van would have been in had that burst. Is it worth the risk.? My dealer drains his as soon as he gets them.
 
Thanks folks you are all really helpful I am back on the internet now looking at mini radiators and the other links provided. As a newbie frozen tanks/pipes are a concern as I have already come a cropper with getting a leak repaired, and then, having to address the so called professional's work. See the attached pics. All sorted now having checked the work that couldn't be seen and got the money back (except for the new tap he fitted which I am still not convinced it needed and the one that was taken off was not returned to me for inspection) as he did not have time to rectify it for weeks as the CCC were visiting to re-certify the repair shop.
 

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Heating the inside of the van will only stop the taps freezing, not any exterior pipework or tanks. I was away last year in the Beast from the East and everything outside froze despite having the heating on full blast inside.

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Going out to check it now to make sure it OK
 
To run a heater you will need to be hooked up
Just turn on the MH heating, set to 10C and ignore till spring ? or better still jump in and use it before then it will be ready to go

we have done this for the last 7 years without issue, broken just about everything else but not the heater ?
 
Nanniemate said:
Thanks folks you are all really helpful I am back on the internet now looking at mini radiators and the other links provided. As a newbie frozen tanks/pipes are a concern as I have already come a cropper with getting a leak repaired, and then, having to address the so called professional's work. See the attached pics. All sorted now having checked the work that couldn't be seen and got the money back (except for the new tap he fitted which I am still not convinced it needed and the one that was taken off was not returned to me for inspection) as he did not have time to rectify it for weeks as the CCC were visiting to re-certify the repair shop.
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As Janine says, heating the interior of the vehicle may not do much for the tanks. Anything underslung will freeze whatever you do and internal tanks might benefit but only if you can get the warm air to circulate around them. The same goes for any pipes in double floors.

A heater will reduce the chance of taps freezing providing the air can get to them which is why a fan heater will probably be best. For the water tank just drain it. Refilling shouldn't take more than ten minutes.

Alternatively, leave the van heating on. Probably not an option if it is gas but realistic if it has an electric option although it won't be cheap over a winter.
 
DavidG58 said:
To run a heater you will need to be hooked up
Just turn on the MH heating, set to 10C and ignore till spring ? or better still jump in and use it before then it will be ready to go

we have done this for the last 7 years without issue, broken just about everything else but not the heater ?
Click to expand...

Its on the drive too tall to fit in the garage (frustrating) I think having poured over the books today there is only a gas heater the water works on electric but not heater . I switched it over to 240 on the switch and it runs for a few minutes blowing cold and then switches off and the red light comes on.
The book says it a truma C3402 I have checked all the 'troubleshooting' suggestions which thare are very few
 
If you freeze up it can be devastating. Drain down. Take water with you in containers if you cant be bothered to fill up tanks.

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That's probably the way to go I think as for quick overnights a kettle wash and public loos. Retirement is a long way off yet so time is of the essence.
 
Not knowing what make of van you have makes it difficult to advise on a heater or it’s effectiveness, but a radiator inside the van will not keep the water boiler warm so if it freezes outside, you could be looking at serious damage.
The best alternative is to drain down or use the vans heating system turned down low, again, as long as it keeps frost away from your water heater you will be ok.
If you let us know what van you have and what water heater, it may help people to come up with ideas.
 
Allanm said:
Not knowing what make of van you have makes it difficult to advise on a heater or it’s effectiveness, but a radiator inside the van will not keep the water boiler warm so if it freezes outside, you could be looking at serious damage.
The best alternative is to drain down or use the vans heating system turned down low, again, as long as it keeps frost away from your water heater you will be ok.
If you let us know what van you have and what water heater, it may help people to come up with ideas.
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IH Tio Trumatic C3402/C6002
 
DavidG58 said:
To run a heater you will need to be hooked up
Just turn on the MH heating, set to 10C and ignore till spring ? or better still jump in and use it before then it will be ready to go

we have done this for the last 7 years without issue, broken just about everything else but not the heater ?
Click to expand...
Don't tempt fate David?.


Nanniemate I've been down the shall I shan't I route & tried both
This is similar to what I used for the van

I haven't bothered for the last 2 winters as my van is parked next to a highish wall which I've come to realise gives alot of protection.
 
If you can say what type of van you have and perhaps post a photo of your control knobs people can maybe help you better. There’s likely to be someone who has same or almost same as you.

Having a quick google though does seem like it is indeed gas only heater.

Could you leave the gas on a low thermostat maybe?

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Drain down and refill when required is the safest way to go. The only way a heater would be effective is if the whole vehicle is in a "heated space", eg garage.

Assuming you would be emptying the grey tank after every trip anyway just open the fresh water \ boiler drain valves and the hot \ cold taps whilst it's sitting on your driveway to drain down.

Get a Heos type water cap for "unattended" filling (after you closed the valves \ taps!) and you can have the van filling whilst the washing is going into the machine \ you're having your shower.

The cost of getting an outside tap fitted to your house (if you don't have one) will be much less than repairing the water system in the van to save a few minutes of time.
 
Well, I've done it :Grin:
I bought a cheapy greenhouse heater just as a back up, got thermal blinds both internal and external. (internal for wild camping in case of a quick get away is needed). external for the rest of the time. Still draining down and the leak that the dodgy repair guy did is still there but I will sort that out shortly. I have gone for the bib and brace approach I am paranoid about it freezing up and did enjoy the potching and fitting of the new 'toys' if only I could enjoy the hovering and dusting the house so much......
Thanks folks catch you on the road soon I am sure there will be more questions in the future :thanks3:
 
Nanniemate said:
Well, I've done it :Grin:
I bought a cheapy greenhouse heater just as a back up, got thermal blinds both internal and external. (internal for wild camping in case of a quick get away is needed). external for the rest of the time. Still draining down and the leak that the dodgy repair guy did is still there but I will sort that out shortly. I have gone for the bib and brace approach I am paranoid about it freezing up and did enjoy the potching and fitting of the new 'toys' if only I could enjoy the hovering and dusting the house so much......
Thanks folks catch you on the road soon I am sure there will be more questions in the future :thanks3:
Click to expand...
Love your little revolving EmoGee thingmeebob,,, where can I get one? ?
 
Nanniemate said:
Thanks folks you are all really helpful I am back on the internet now looking at mini radiators and the other links provided. As a newbie frozen tanks/pipes are a concern as I have already come a cropper with getting a leak repaired, and then, having to address the so called professional's work. See the attached pics. All sorted now having checked the work that couldn't be seen and got the money back (except for the new tap he fitted which I am still not convinced it needed and the one that was taken off was not returned to me for inspection) as he did not have time to rectify it for weeks as the CCC were visiting to re-certify the repair shop.
Click to expand...
Was it Stevie Wonder that did the sealant!!!!!!!!

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