Is it safe ?

[motorhomewave]

Would you leave your MH on electric hook up with a small thermostatically controlled oil filled radiator for two weeks, would it be safe ? We have a battery Master with two hab batteries fitted. Forecast is for -7C while we are away !

 

[Guigsy]

I'd maybe put a metal lipped baking tray under the radiator as they do occasionally leak. But yes, I'd be fine with it. Just have the radiator to come on to keep it just above freezing.

Or you could just drain it down. Then it shouldn't need any heating or power.

 

[VXman]

Why do you need to heat your vehicle while you are away? -7 will not cause any problems as long as you have drained all water out.

 

[Lenny HB]

I agree I don't see the need to heat the van.

 

[poppycamper]

As VXman says... why heat moho if you not in it???
IMO waste of leccy..

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[Vanman]

Draining down is a MH Marmite. I hate it. It's cold and fiddly to do, it means you are less likely to use it 'spur of the moment'. You risk air locks when refilling it ... I could go on.

It's your call, I leave the boiler on 5c

 

[Landy Andy]

If you put a heater inside the van, the heat won’t get to where the water pipes/boiler is, it will just heat the living area. So pipes and other items can still get freezing problems.

 

[nicholsong]

Temperature was -6C in the day here yesterday no harm done. MH is drzained.

 

[DerryW]

If I were you I’d spend 15mins before it gets to cold, to drain the system, its relatively easy and straightforward, likewise when it comes to refilling. Alternatively, yes, put heat inside, but you’ll probably need the temp set at 15 or above to make sure all pipes are warm enough to prevent freezing.

 

[Just smiffy]

It will get damp in there as warm air holds more water, you may come back to a bath in the van instead of a shower….

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[Trevor Wbm]

Warming the air in the van can cause it to release the water vapour it's carrying in the form of condensation when it wafts over the cold surfaces.

Just make sure it's ventilated and open lockers and internal doors to promote air circulation. (What comes in via the cab heater and fridge vents is sufficient in my van).

 

[Guigsy]

It will get damp in there as warm air holds more water, you may come back to a bath in the van instead of a shower….

This only really happens when you've done something to add moisture to the air. Like breathing or cooking.

Generally if you just warm the air, it keeps roughly the same moisture content and just becomes less humid inside.

 

[MitchandJenny]

Would you leave your MH on electric hook up with a small thermostatically controlled oil filled radiator for two weeks, would it be safe ? We have a battery Master with two hab batteries fitted. Forecast is for -7C while we are away !

View attachment 997472

I use a 4 foot long tube heater mounted on a board then plugged into a thermostatic switch set to 9 degrees. I don’t drain down. But use the Van in Winter to get to the sun
Mitch

 

[motorhomewave]

Well thanks everyone for all that. The water is already drained including the boiler. On your comments I have decided not to bother with any heating, on my return from West Africa I am going up to Scotland in the MH, if I find there are any weather related issues regarding water pipes etc I shall be writing to you all personally !

 

[MitchandJenny]

Good luck and enjoy
Mitch

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[Vanman]

Well thanks everyone for all that. The water is already drained including the boiler. On your comments I have decided not to bother with any heating, on my return from West Africa I am going up to Scotland in the MH, if I find there are any weather related issues regarding water pipes etc I shall be writing to you all personally !

The only thing I'd add is to make sure that any stuff left in there (electrical equipment etc.) can handle the anticipated temperatures

 

[Just smiffy]

Well thanks everyone for all that. The water is already drained including the boiler. On your comments I have decided not to bother with any heating, on my return from West Africa I am going up to Scotland in the MH, if I find there are any weather related issues regarding water pipes etc I shall be writing to you all personally !

You should be in north-west Africa in the van, like a few on this thread….

 

[Just smiffy]

I use a 4 foot long tube heater mounted on a board then plugged into a thermostatic switch set to 9 degrees. I don’t drain down. But use the Van in Winter to get to the sun
Mitch

It was warm last night….

 

[Stewart J]

What is the insurance view leaving an unattended electric heater of any type in a moho should it develop a fault and cause a fire

 

[peterc10]

If you put a heater inside the van, the heat won’t get to where the water pipes/boiler is, it will just heat the living area. So pipes and other items can still get freezing problems.

Not if you have a proper winterised motorhome with a double floor where the heating ducts/pipes follow the water pipes.

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[Nanniemate]

Try something like this , oil free was recommended to me by carolyn

No chance of leaks , she was right it been knocked battered and slip down the van when travelling, still going and economical my pvc get rather warm rather quickly

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4152686?clickPR=plp:3:7

 

[buzz1]

Would you leave your MH on electric hook up with a small thermostatically controlled oil filled radiator for two weeks, would it be safe ? We have a battery Master with two hab batteries fitted. Forecast is for -7C while we are away !

View attachment 997472

Don’t rely on hook up , what happens if you a power cut , we was recently left with no power for 3 days due to storms granted we live rural.

 

[Landy Andy]

Not if you have a proper winterised motorhome with a double floor where the heating ducts/pipes follow the water pipes.

That is exactly what I’m saying. On a motorhome the pipes and heating ducts are run together, so are not effected by the frost.

BUT if you just wack a small electric heater inside the hab area it won’t be with the pipes. So you are leaving them to freeze. Thinking they’re safe.

 

[peterc10]

That is exactly what I’m saying. On a motorhome the pipes and heating ducts are run together, so are not effected by the frost.

BUT if you just wack a small electric heater inside the hab area it won’t be with the pipes. So you are leaving them to freeze. Thinking they’re safe.

Sorry, I misread your post.

 

[d95gas]

Try something like this , oil free was recommended to me by carolyn

No chance of leaks , she was right it been knocked battered and slip down the van when travelling, still going and economical my pvc get rather warm rather quickly

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4152686?clickPR=plp:3:7

I just purchased that same Dimplex heater as additional heating for my PVC, I do have a diesel heater in there but reluctant to leave it on all night, hence the Dimplex. Tested at home and does kick out a nice bit of heat even in a large room. And its thermostatically controlled.

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[Nanniemate]

I just purchased that same Dimplex heater as additional heating for my PVC, I do have a diesel heater in there but reluctant to leave it on all night, hence the Dimplex. Tested at home and does kick out a nice bit of heat even in a large room. And its thermostatically controlled.

Ticking away nicely in my van right now

 

[poppycamper]

One thing I never hear mentioned in the "heat or not" debate is, and therefore may not be an issue, could the nice warm toasty interior in moho not be a magnet to attract vermin..
We all know not to leave food in van but we also know they like 'cosy' places...
Just a thought!

 

[cyberyacht]

Brit van so not properly winterised. I'd drain down if it was me.