Heating

[sonny]

is it a good option to use a 40w tubular greenhouse heater within the van as it’s cheap to buy and run?.

 

[bigtwin]

I presume that this is for when you aren’t using the van?

General advice is not to heat an unoccupied van. The aim when trying to avoid condensation is to have the internal and external temperatures to be the same; heating the inside defeats that objective.

Ian

 

[sonny]

Actually I’m converting a vw transporter and it’s cold

 

[Lenny HB]

40 watt heater would be like running a 40 watt light bulb. If you want it warm while you are working you need 1 - 2kw.

 

[Brize]

I have 2 x 80w greenhouse heaters in my motorhome on the driveway. Doesn't produce any condensation, but just keeps it above freezing at night. They have a variable output dial, set to minimum, so go off during the day when it reaches 4-5 degrees. Works for me.

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[PeterCarole29]

If your converting your van a chinese diesel heater will solve the problem for both working and camping

 

[robnchris]

We have never used a heater in the motorhome when not using it during the winter months, it's basic physics, warmer air meets cold service equals condensation, just leave all the cupboards and the fridge open, drain down all the water and leave taps open, remove all soft furnishing and everything should be fine.

 

[Richard n Ann]

If you're just working in it use a 2kw fan heater, got one in my 12 foot shed and it's OK on the 1kw setting. Make sure you fully unwind the extension cable though

 

[Podney]

Damart is your friend.

 

[L' Hobo]

is it a good option to use a 40w tubular greenhouse heater within the van as it’s cheap to buy and run?.

In VERY cold weather while out in my van, I close off the insulation curtain separating the cab from the hab area and leave a couple of the in the footwells each side

This improves the heating in the hab area which can then be lowered when I'm asleep.

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[sonny]

Unlike the chancer. lot

 

[sonny]

Chancer. lor

 

[L' Hobo]

In VERY cold weather while out in my van, I close off the insulation curtain separating the cab from the hab area and leave a couple of the in the footwells each side

This improves the heating in the hab area which can then be lowered when I'm asleep.

Just read that your converting a VeeDub.

In my other vehicle, a T25 Westfalia California, it has it's original separation curtain (although Simon from Brickwerks said he had not seen one before) and it's surprising the difference it makes

 

[sonny]

A slight change of subject I’m thinking of putting a set of alloy wheels on do I need a set of special wheel bolts or can I use the original bolts .

 

[L' Hobo]

A slight change of subject I’m thinking of putting a set of alloy wheels on do I need a set of special wheel bolts or can I use the original bolts .

Stick with the steel, they don't disintegrate when you hit a pothole, and get some wheel trims.

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[Richard n Ann]

Stick with the steel, they don't disintegrate when you hit a pothole, and get some wheel trims.

They also don't corrode as bad and need the tyres pumping up once a month

 

[Brize]

A slight change of subject I’m thinking of putting a set of alloy wheels on do I need a set of special wheel bolts or can I use the original bolts .

You need to check bolt lengths. Steel and alloy rims are frequently of a different thickness and you may need shorter or longer bolts depending on what you buy.

I am in a different camp to those above. I would put alloy bolts on alloy wheels.

 

[LesW]

Just had a quick look at this thread... talk about thread drift..

 

[L' Hobo]

Just had a quick look at this thread... talk about thread drift..

The OP started drifting, so possibly allowed your Honour?

 

[Richard n Ann]

Just had a quick look at this thread... talk about thread drift..

Next up: reverse polarity

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[sonny]

Funny about polarity I will probably have to fit a split charge system in so where does the pink wire go

 

[pappajohn]

is it a good option to use a 40w tubular greenhouse heater within the van as it’s cheap to buy and run?.

Certainly not.
It may warm the area in a wardrobe, which is what they're made for, but that about it.
Saying that they make a cracking hand warmer.
Local forestry commission had a drying hut for clothes.
It was around 10ft by 12ft by 7ft high.
It had a 500 watt tube heater which did the job

 

[jockaneezer]

Certainly not.
It may warm the area in a wardrobe, which is what they're made for, but that about it.
Saying that they make a cracking hand warmer.
Local forestry commission had a drying hut for clothes.
It was around 10ft by 12ft by 7ft high.
It had a 500 watt tube heater which did the job

Yup, my son had his joiner mate build him a birch ply cupboard that sits just inside the garage door with a short 40 watt tube heater in it and he pops his chainsaw pants and boots in there and they've dried out by the next morning.