Does your Motorhome have Electric heating?

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Might seem like a daft question, but, when on EHU , and not wanting to use the gas fire and blown air ducting, we occasionally use a portable blown air heater to take early morning or late evening chill off in the van.
This then got me wondering.
Do vans have an electric blown air heating facility as well, or can they be fitted.
Our water boiler is gas only ,due to van age, but am aware that these can be both electric and gas, and wondered if such was available?

 

[L' Hobo]

Might seem like a daft question, but, when on EHU , and not wanting to use the gas fire and blown air ducting, we occasionally use a portable blown air heater to take early morning or late evening chill off in the van.
This then got me wondering.
Do vans have an electric blown air heating facility as well, or can they be fitted.
Our water boiler is gas only ,due to van age, but am aware that these can be both electric and gas, and wondered if such was available?

My 2007 Murvi has an Eberspacher which can provide blown air+water heating by using either mains EHU or Diesel fuel.
It also uses the main engine to heat habitation water while travelling.
It's similar to the system used in the large HGVs.

 

[Flightlevel55]

Our MH has both gas and electric heating using the Whale warm air system (ducted air). This is a separate unit from the water heater (also Whale) so may suit your requirements.

What he said…Elddis Marquis 125 in my case.

 

[Minxy]

Don't get rid of the gas fire! It's one thing I really miss... It was lovely on a chilly morning standing next to it on full blast with my top pulled out so all the warmth went up it ...

 

[donkey]

Don't get rid of the gas fire! It's one thing I really miss... It was lovely on a chilly morning standing next to it on full blast with my top pulled out so all the warmth went up it ...

Now I can't unsee that.

Geoff

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[TheBig1]

If you have the old fashioned gas fire in your van, they can't be retrofitted with electric elements, but don't rush to rip it out. They are near bomb proof with no electronics to fail. Just the fan unit on the back that tends to seize up.

I would consider adding a diesel heater to improve the heat output around the van, plumbed into the blown air ducting

 

[the1andonly]

We were away all last week (southern england £5 per night so no EHU) Solar and gas only. No excess gas usage for heating in fact none at all just used the government advice for pensioners, just put another coat on.

 

[busbuddy]

The electric element kit is still available for the popular gas fire fitments but at £340 plus you fit it yourself.....that's a lot of money you could use on gas instead

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Our MH has both gas and electric heating using the Whale warm air system (ducted air). This is a separate unit from the water heater (also Whale) so may suit your requirements.

Thanks for that .
Shall look this up also.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Post a picture of your control panel if you can.

Is this for me please?
Captain Yoghurtpot

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[Nirvanauk]

Is this for me please?
Captain Yoghurtpot

yes

 

[bubble63]

If you want electric heating option buy a small oil filled radiator, 500w should do it

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Thanks again to everyone who has posted with an idea and/or opinion.
Perhaps I had better explain my predicament further.
Van is a 2000 ci coach built fiat ducato 1.9td.
Layout is cab bed above.
Seats are fixed.
Then there is a gap between seats to access the main kitchen, table and hab area.
This gap is quite tight.
The gas fire is mounted just as you go through this narrow gap, and is at floor level , below the wardrobe.
Hot water in boiler works excellently.
Gas fire works very well and blows heat around on the blown air tubes fairly well.
It also is thermostatically controllable.
HOWEVER, the fire casing and grille bars can get VERY hot, and should one need to gain access to the front cab, or get something out of the wardrobe, I am always fearful of touching the hot metal casing.
Hence my looking at an electric type heater which would probably not make the exterior fire casing so hot ( should I decide on a retro-fit electric element) or just remove the gas fire system altogether and go for a more enclosed gas / electric heating system as gas been recommended.
It is something I must ponder on.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

yes

Non of my heating is controlled via our control panel.
Hot water is either on or off at either 50 or 70 degrees but it thermostatically controlled by itself ( once temperature of water in boiler falls below either of these two settings it refires to bring back to temprature).
Very basic.
Gas fire is temperature settable (?) on itself and is also thermostatically controlled within its own unit, set by a dial on the fire casing.
Again, very basic.
Our van is NOT an all singing, all dancing model, but it does all work.
I am just looking at this from a more modern safety aspect.

 

[TheBig1]

Most of us have had the same setup over the years. Technology has moved on, however old tech is simple and has 2 modes, working or not. Nothing complicated and can be fixed in a third world area, even Birmingham. The system installed pumps out a lot of heat if just the fire is on. The circulating fan draws cold air over the exchanger and provided the vents are open and pipes not crushed it regulates the heat well.

The suggestion of an oil filled radiator is another thing many of us have done, and works well, plus can be moved around as required

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

We have a Webasto Dualtop heater which is diesel or electric. The electric is a good option when on EHU as it is quieter than the diesel heater. You can choose between 1Kw or 2Kw.

Of course using EHU for heating, if you are not paying on a metered connection is potentially a bit of a liberty. The rules of the French CCP Aires state you should only use EHU for charging batteries. So we shouldn't run the 'fridge on 240 volts or the heater.........

No problem there then for me because have absolutely no intention of visiting France, or anywhere over the water with our motorhome, so no liberties will be taken there, and as we are usually on CCC sites, their prices with EHU seem to take into consideration correct pricing viz usage, so shan't be taking any liberties there either.

 

[VXman]

The rules of the French CCP Aires state you should only use EHU for charging batteries. So we shouldn't run the 'fridge on 240 volts or the heater.........

Really? Stayed on CCP places a few times and was unaware of that rule....and therefore didn't comply!
Have looked and cannot see anywhere that says this. Can you link to it?

 

[stuartholmes]

Might seem like a daft question, but, when on EHU , and not wanting to use the gas fire and blown air ducting, we occasionally use a portable blown air heater to take early morning or late evening chill off in the van.
This then got me wondering.
Do vans have an electric blown air heating facility as well, or can they be fitted.
Our water boiler is gas only ,due to van age, but am aware that these can be both electric and gas, and wondered if such was available?

Our pvc is one of many with built-in programmable 'central heating' for water and air that runs on gas or ehu electricity, according to user setting - which includes whether we want it on 1k or 2k electricity but to be honest it's not as good at heating the whole 'van quickly as the small portable electric fan heater that we also carry.

If our 'van did not already have gas/electric heating but only gas, I would not spend one penny on changing that. I would just carry the small fan heater.

Russell Hobbs 2000W Black Retro Fan Heater | Dunelm

* 2000W max heat output * Perfect for a room up to 20m² * Variable temperature thermostat * Use horizontally or vertically * Fan only setting - for those cooler months * 2-year guarantee - you must register your product to be eligible for the second year * Running cost: approx. 68p per hour*...

www.dunelm.com

We also carry one of these, to provide some background warmth without the noise of the fan:

MYLEK Electric Tubular Heater with Adjustable Thermostat - 4 Sizes Available

Eco-Friendly and Energy-Efficient Heating Our tubular heaters are designed to give you an eco-friendly, low-energy, affordable way to warm up small spaces. They’re ideal for...

www.mylek.co.uk

Other suppliers are available!!! ☺

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

If you want electric heating option buy a small oil filled radiator, 500w should do it

Yep, quite agree now.
Have had a look at Trumatic heater conversions etc and Whale stuff and think the easiest and most cost effective, plus less complicated idea is either a newer electric fan heater or the oil filled radiator.
The cost of the conversion.kit is ridiculous!

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Our pvc is one of many with built-in programmable 'central heating' for water and air that runs on gas or ehu electricity, according to user setting - which includes whether we want it on 1k or 2k electricity but to be honest it's not as good at heating the whole 'van quickly as the small portable electric fan heater that we also carry.

If our 'van did not already have gas/electric heating but only gas, I would not spend one penny on changing that. I would just carry the small fan heater.

Russell Hobbs 2000W Black Retro Fan Heater | Dunelm

* 2000W max heat output * Perfect for a room up to 20m² * Variable temperature thermostat * Use horizontally or vertically * Fan only setting - for those cooler months * 2-year guarantee - you must register your product to be eligible for the second year * Running cost: approx. 68p per hour*...

www.dunelm.com

We also carry one of these, to provide some background warmth without the noise of the fan:

MYLEK Electric Tubular Heater with Adjustable Thermostat - 4 Sizes Available

Eco-Friendly and Energy-Efficient Heating Our tubular heaters are designed to give you an eco-friendly, low-energy, affordable way to warm up small spaces. They’re ideal for...

www.mylek.co.uk

Other suppliers are available!!! ☺

Yes, am also liking your thinking on this viz a viz cost effectiveness.

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[L' Hobo]

Yep, quite agree now.
Have had a look at Trumatic heater conversions etc and Whale stuff and think the easiest and most cost effective, plus less complicated idea is either a newer electric fan heater or the oil filled radiator.
The cost of the conversion.kit is ridiculous!

Personally, I'm a light sleeper and cannot stand the oil filled radiator clicking on an off so, in deepest winter when on EHU, I use a long cylindrical, low wattage (600 or 2x300w,) greenhouse heater, plugged into a mains extension lead, in the front footwell. This seems to be where the blown air does not reach.

 

[stuartholmes]

Personally, I'm a light sleeper and cannot stand the oil filled radiator clicking on an off so, in deepest winter when on EHU, I use a long cylindrical, low wattage (600 or 2x300w,) greenhouse heater, plugged into a mains extension lead, in the front footwell. This seems to be where the blown air does not reach.

That's pretty much what we do & for the same reason. Single 600w tube heater takes up very little storage space & makes big difference when it's cold outside!

 

[DDJC]

We have the Truma Combi 6E. It uses Gas and Electric or both together for fan ducted air heating and hot water. Gas is by far the quickest for heating and hot water, but on EHU, I will generally use electricity unless it is metered.
Also got a Truma Aventa comfort aircon which heats as well as cools.
At night I use big duvets and Mrs DDJC

 

[Trevor Wbm]

Ours was gas onoy, but I fitted a plinth heater (designed to go under kitchen cupboards) to mine. Works at 800, 1600 and 2400 watt so good for low amperage EHU.

Eterna Plinth Fan Heater

This electric plinth heater is a powerful adjustable-output unit that can be fitted beneath a kitchen floor cupboard. It's a tidy and hidden solution for allowing heated air to rise throughout the room. Slotted into a cupboard plinth, this heater should be enough to warm up a whole kitchen.Three...

www.toolstation.com

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Ours was gas onoy, but I fitted a plinth heater (designed to go under kitchen cupboards) to mine. Works at 800, 1600 and 2400 watt so good for low amperage EHU.

Eterna Plinth Fan Heater

This electric plinth heater is a powerful adjustable-output unit that can be fitted beneath a kitchen floor cupboard. It's a tidy and hidden solution for allowing heated air to rise throughout the room. Slotted into a cupboard plinth, this heater should be enough to warm up a whole kitchen.Three...

www.toolstation.com

That is very interesting.How is it wired into your set up please ?

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[Trevor Wbm]

That is very interesting.How is it wired into your set up please ?

I've spurred it off the back of an existing 240v socket running of the breakers - which I hasten to add is never used for anything else. I shall, however, now don a tin hat and jump into a foxhole as I know it could probably have been done better.

Edit - photos:

 

[stuartholmes]

I've spurred it off the back of an existing 240v socket running of the breakers - which I hasten to add is never used for anything else. I shall, however, now don a tin hat and jump into a foxhole as I know it could probably have been done better.

Edit - photos:
View attachment 743634View attachment 743635

Looks good to me! Where does to cold air come from, is that the purpose of the little white ring near top of your second photo?

 

[plug]

Might seem like a daft question, but, when on EHU , and not wanting to use the gas fire and blown air ducting, we occasionally use a portable blown air heater to take early morning or late evening chill off in the van.
This then got me wondering.
Do vans have an electric blown air heating facility as well, or can they be fitted.
Our water boiler is gas only ,due to van age, but am aware that these can be both electric and gas, and wondered if such was available?

Hi my tracker is fitted with electric heating and is fitted with a timer control very similar to the one in doors.

 

[funkyfunky]

Might seem like a daft question, but, when on EHU , and not wanting to use the gas fire and blown air ducting, we occasionally use a portable blown air heater to take early morning or late evening chill off in the van.
This then got me wondering.
Do vans have an electric blown air heating facility as well, or can they be fitted.
Our water boiler is gas only ,due to van age, but am aware that these can be both electric and gas, and wondered if such was available?

Me and my missis are both 76 and we just cuddle up together

 

[tomag]

Everyone I personally know with a Motorhome which is quite a few people has a refillable system, don't know anyone who uses exchange bottles.

Rarely a set price we were on a site over Easter so had to pay full price EHU was €6/day. When it went back to cheap rate on Easter Monday ACSI rate which includes EHU was €23 but standard rate without EHU was €21.
Obviously we didn't bother with EHU.

IMO it's British Motormes that are weird the Hymer brand alone produce more Motorhomes than the entire British industry so they must have got something right.

I don't have refillable Lenny, but then i spend a lot of time in Miorocco where you cannot get refillable gas and the 13kg bottles are less than £4

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[Reallyretired]

Metered ehu is on the increase so gas is a cheaper option if refillable. If anyone is still using Calor bottles then maybe not.
The electric option on the Truma boilers is not brilliant for heating if the weathers cold.