Smart or suicidal?

[Simonjdcooper]

We are looking for a simple off grid heating solution.
Not going to fit a diesel heater (although realise that might be a suitable long term solution).
Is this:

going to work or going to kill us?
Also open to alternative suggestions, we don't have the battery power for electric heating and our gas 'central' heating isn't the most reliable.
just looking for something simple and effective.

 

[ManTheVan]

Please don’t use this kind of heater in your van! The risk to life from carbon monoxide poisoning is very real. It’s really not nice at all, having to recover bodies.

Also, every single molecule of propane produces 4 molecules of water when completely combusted, so you’d be filling your van with condensation.

When we use the gas cooker, it’s generally only for short periods and there’s usually an extractor or other ventilation. Not so with heating, when our instinct is to close windows and vents to keep warm.

 

[scotzsue]

We have one states quite clearly on the top, not for indoor use. We contemplated bringing it indoors when our CH failed in the house but decided against it, and dug out a couple of old oil felled radiators and a fan heater.

 

[Googlebot]

Thanks, how does that compare to the CO2 levels when using the kitchen burners?

Which is the reason all gas ring burners require ventilation.

Think it’s 7KW and above that need purpose made fixed vents.

 

[DavidG58]

co2 level chart for info

Carbon Dioxide Levels Chart

Our carbon dioxide (CO2) levels chart shows the increasing danger of elevated levels of CO2 in enclosed spaces.

www.co2meter.com

Not sure I would trust anybody who is talking about carbon monoxide CO but refers to Carbon Dioxide CO2

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[Sewdhull]

Not sure I would trust anybody who is talking about carbon monoxide CO but refers to Carbon Dioxide CO2

You don't get monoxide with perfect combustion . Co2 will kill you as sure as CO . Even if you monoxide levels are ok, there's no way to avoid co2 and water of course. P

Have a look at the chemical reaction for propane and oxygen and you will see.

 

[autorouter]

Just remember to place the CO monitor ideally just below halfway between the ground space and the ceiling. Co is heavier than Oxygen just remember that.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is very slightly less dense (heavy) than air. Also it's hot when produced so would tend ro rise even if it was equal in density. Maybe you were thinking of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), which is definitely denser (heavier) than air. Carbon monoxide is a poison that actively kills you. Carbon dioxide is not poisonous, and will only kill you if it builds up so much that there's no oxygen left to breathe.

Carbon monoxide makes you drowsy, sends you to sleep, then kills you. Carbon dioxide produces restlessness, even panic attacks, and won't kill you in your sleep.

 

[Gizmouk]

So the common consensus is that it's suicidal....
Does anyone know if the supplier gives any discounts to the elderly ? Mother in Law is 98

 

[Tombola]

get one of these...much cheaper

 

[Bucket]

Jesus that looks like instant death.
Where are you going to put the drop vents, cut a couple of 75 mm diia holes in the floor with a hole saw?

I surprised you even thought about using someting like that in a Motorhome.

If you have Truma combi that's playing up you can get JS heaters which are a cop of the Truma at less than ½ the price.

Can you post details of these JS Heaters please Lenny?

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[Shrimp]

If you’re on hook up get an oil filled electric radiator, safe and will get you warm specially if you put another jersey on!

 

[Sewdhull]

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is very slightly less dense (heavy) than air. Also it's hot when produced so would tend ro rise even if it was equal in density. Maybe you were thinking of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), which is definitely denser (heavier) than air. Carbon monoxide is a poison that actively kills you. Carbon dioxide is not poisonous, and will only kill you if it builds up so much that there's no oxygen left to breathe.

Carbon monoxide makes you drowsy, sends you to sleep, then kills you. Carbon dioxide produces restlessness, even panic attacks, and won't kill you in your sleep.

The weight of the molecule is not relevant as gravity will affect each equally.

Stratification of the gasses is, barring large differences in gas density, more an issue of temperature ( affecting density). Monoxide from combustion, hot and less dense, rising then dispersing as the molecules cool. This is why heat rises...density.

If this was not the case, all the oxygen would be on the floor and the nitrogen floating above it.

Carbon dioxide will kill you in the presence of oxygen.

The two ways to die from CO2 are:-

1. the CO2 physically displacing the air in an area so there is no air to breathe.
2. toxic effects of high concentrations of CO2.

Rebreather SCUBA equipment is an example where this has gone wrong, people have died from too high a concentration of CO2 even tho there is plenty of Oxygen to breathe.

There are probably many other sources that illustrate the issue better, but here's one i found quickly.

Carbon dioxide poisoning: a literature review of an often forgotten cause of intoxication in the emergency department - PMC

The goal of this article was to provide an overview of the literature available on carbon dioxide intoxication. Articles were included based on their focus on medical or physiological effects of carbon dioxide. Studies related to decompression ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[Tombola]

Jesus that looks like instant death.
Where are you going to put the drop vents, cut a couple of 75 mm diia holes in the floor with a hole saw?

I surprised you even thought about using someting like that in a Motorhome.

If you have Truma combi that's playing up you can get JS heaters which are a cop of the Truma at less than ½ the price.

Can you post details of these JS Heaters please Lenny?

I think lenny means the jp.
A lad I met at chester roodee had one said its bang on

JP Combi Diesel & Hot Water Heater (Chinese Truma?)

I am new to this forum so if anything I have posted below isn’t allowed just say and I will remove it. JP Combi Diesel Hot Air and Water Heater (Truma Copy?): I was wondering, has anyone in this forum tried one or even seen one of these units? I searched for anyone in the UK that had installed...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Sewdhull]

I had to get the kitchen burners checked regularly, they put out so much co2 that extractor hoods were obligatory and necessary to keep CO2 levels at something reasonable. CO levels were always good, entirely related to the quality of combustion, no fans needed to keep CO levels low.

 

[autorouter]

Carbon dioxide will kill you in the presence of oxygen.

The two ways to die from CO2 are:-

1. the CO2 physically displacing the air in an area so there is no air to breathe.
2. toxic effects of high concentrations of CO2.

Yes it's possible to be killed by high carbon dioxide concentrations. But sitting on a sofa or lying in bed it's unheard of. However a number of people die every year all over the world from carbon monoxide in exactly those situations.