We are looking at getting a portable heater for the van while we do some free camping ,is there a good gas heater and what size do you recommend ,have looked at the primus buddy but don't know if that would be over kill for a 18ft van, never free camped before so any advice would be great
KFT said
11:20 AM Apr 18, 2015
I would never be using a gas heater inside a caravan.
they give off carbon monoxide gas (which has no odour) which will kill you.
Our van has a Truma E2400 LPG heater installed which expels combustion gas outside the van.
frank
aussie_paul said
11:38 AM Apr 18, 2015
On the net last night while chasing down heating info I ran across portable systems that have the unit outside and just the warm air vented to the interior. Google "portable heating." The one I saw was deisel.
Aussie Paul.
elliemike said
12:10 PM Apr 18, 2015
Just do a "Search"on this subject on this Forum. You will find all the warnings.
They are Dangerous in Confined Spaces like Tents, Campers, Caravans, Bathrooms etc.
rockylizard said
01:32 PM Apr 18, 2015
Gday...
Many appliances consuming fuel - particularly LPG - have the potential to be dangerous.
This site gives some good information. It is not just portable gas heaters that could pose a problem.
Cautious and informed use of appliances will assist in maintaining safety. [somewhat like puddling with electricity with little or no knowledge]
We warm our van up before we go to bed with one of the gas burners on the stove - works a treat and then enough bedding and jim jams and bed socks, if that cold, we stay warm. In CP's we use a small ceramic electric heater - about half the size of a shoe box and gives off a lot of heat. It only takes 5-10 mins using your gas stove to warm up your van - but don't leave it till its freezing cold inside otherwise you will use a lot of gas.
I wouldn't have a gas heater running at night inside my van incase it caught fire, but have a look at your door and almost a third of it is grilled to allow heavy gas to escape and you also have another gas vent towards the ceiling
peterwm said
05:14 PM Apr 18, 2015
Coleman have a small reflective gas bottle heater off a small gas bottle, they do not give off carbon monoxide, rather carbon dioxide, so rob the air of oxygen, but leave a small window
open while heating your caravan work a treat.
Peter_n_Margaret said
05:36 PM Apr 18, 2015
peterwm wrote:
Coleman have a small reflective gas bottle heater off a small gas bottle, they do not give off carbon monoxide,........
Bollocks!
Cheers,
Peter
hako said
07:03 PM Apr 18, 2015
We use an Aldi camping gas heater that uses the 220gm cans - cost $49. Heats the Avan beautifully.
george57 said
07:17 PM Apr 18, 2015
I've always used a gas heater in the van....works a treat....when fatdog falls asleep I generally turn it off. I found in the past that canary's used to escape so was becoming too expensive replacing canaries.
Cheers
George & fatdog
Peter_n_Margaret said
07:37 PM Apr 18, 2015
hako wrote:
We use an Aldi camping gas heater that uses the 220gm cans - cost $49. Heats the Avan beautifully.
Dicing with death.......carbon monoxide poisoning is described as "sleeping death" for good reason.
Cheers,
Peter
Nah,....no different to cooking with the twin gas burners inside the van which will produce more carbon monoxide and that is legal. Can anyone define "well ventilated area" ? I'd figure the inside of my 12ft Avan must be a "well ventilated area" as it has 'approved' twin burner gas burners which will produce more carbon monoxide than the camping gas heater.
Bottom line is be well informed and then decide what is suitable.
Regards
Denis
elliemike said
11:14 AM Apr 19, 2015
Carbon monoxide (CO) can kill
Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced when a fuel such as charcoal, gas or petrol burns incompletely. This could be because an appliance isnt working properly or might simply happen as part of its normal function. Barbecues, for example, produce carbon monoxide even when they are working well.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas and is poisonous. In high concentrations it can kill swiftly. In smaller concentrations CO poisoning can give symptoms similar to flu or food poisoning. Look out for headaches, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and weakness - but the best advice is to avoid any chance of being poisoned in the first place.
Safety Tips
Never take a barbecue into a tent, awning, caravan or motorhome.Even a cooling barbecue gives off plenty of poisonous carbon monoxide (CO), which can kill.
Never use a fuel-burning appliance to heat your tent or awning.Gas and kerosene heaters unless they are permanently fitted in a caravan or motorhome should only be used outside. Stoves and barbecues are designed for cooking not space heating.
Never run a gas, petrol or diesel-powered generator inside a caravan, motorhome, tent or awning. Make sure fumes from a generator dont blow into your unit or anyone elses from outside either.
Dont cook inside your tent or awning
Dont use any other gas, charcoal, liquid or solid fuel appliances inside a tent or awning. Gas-powered fridges and lamps, for example, also need plenty of ventilation to prevent them producing poisonous carbon monoxide. Tents and awnings arent generally designed with this in mind.
Consider using a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, provided it is suitable for the condition you intend to use it, check with the supplier/manufacturer, though it should never be used as an alternative to the precautions above.
Always have gas appliances in your caravan or motorhome serviced regularly.
Spotting the danger signs of CO poisoning
You cannot smell, taste or see carbon monoxide but it can kill quickly and without warning. Early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning can give symptoms similar to food poisoning or flu, though without a high temperature.
Symptoms to look out for include: Headaches; dizziness; feeling sick; tiredness and confusion; stomach pains or shortness of breath
Higher concentrations can give more severe symptoms: Symptoms of intoxication; vertigo, as if the environment is spinning; loss of coordination; breathlessness and high heart beat rate; seizures or unconsciousness leading to death
-- Edited by elliemike on Sunday 19th of April 2015 11:16:22 AM
-- Edited by elliemike on Sunday 19th of April 2015 11:20:07 AM
Bargswan said
12:29 PM Apr 19, 2015
We have a diesel heater fitted with a vent into the toilet/shower compartment, plus the main section of the motor-home. Great for drying wet clothing and very cheap to run.
Takes the diesel fuel direct from the vehicles fuel tank. No smell fully adjustable and works a treat.
Bob
Bill B said
03:47 PM Apr 19, 2015
hako wrote: Nah....no different to cooking with the twin gas burners inside the van which will produce more carbon monoxide and that is legal.
How long do you cook for, maybe 15 minutes ?
How long do you run your gas heater for, several hours ?
hako wrote: Nah....no different to cooking with the twin gas burners inside the van which will produce more carbon monoxide and that is legal.
How long do you cook for, maybe 15 minutes ?
How long do you run your gas heater for, several hours ?
No difference you say
Actually we only run the heater for about 15 minutes which is sufficient to heat the inside of our Avan which is only 12ft long internally. After about 20 minutes the 220gm gas cylinder will run out so there is a safety device builtin. We understand there is a risk involved just as there are risks involved with open fires, lunchbox cookers and just about everything to do with day to day life.
Regards
Peter_n_Margaret said
09:08 PM Apr 19, 2015
The smaller the enclosed space, the bigger the risk.
Cheers,
Peter
Aus-Kiwi said
11:21 PM Apr 19, 2015
NEVER EVER block the vent on the step or lower section of van..
Seen so many with silicon or some form of sealing ...
Heat a pot of water for the water bottles... Done ..
Killed two birds ... Oops not the best saying.. Lol
PeterD said
02:30 PM Apr 20, 2015
The Australian gas regulations dictate that caravan space and water heaters must draw their combustion air from outside the caravan and exhaust the combustion products to the outside air. Also the combustion products must not be exhausted into enclosed annexes (that includes fridges.)
Regarding those "catalytic heaters." Once upon a time they were promoted as being safe for use in caravans. The gas authorities jumped on the sellers and you will no longer find those products promoted for use in caravans.
Grey Gra said
04:46 PM Apr 20, 2015
Hi all.
I have a diesel heater still in its carton because I was quoted $1200 to fit. ( 2 x men @ 5 hours ). Can this be right? Is it such a big job?
We are looking at getting a portable heater for the van while we do some free camping ,is there a good gas heater and what size do you recommend ,have looked at the primus buddy but don't know if that would be over kill for a 18ft van, never free camped before so any advice would be great
they give off carbon monoxide gas (which has no odour) which will kill you.
Our van has a Truma E2400 LPG heater installed which expels combustion gas outside the van.
frank
On the net last night while chasing down heating info I ran across portable systems that have the unit outside and just the warm air vented to the interior. Google "portable heating." The one I saw was deisel.
Aussie Paul.
Just do a "Search"on this subject on this Forum. You will find all the warnings.
They are Dangerous in Confined Spaces like Tents, Campers, Caravans, Bathrooms etc.
Gday...
Many appliances consuming fuel - particularly LPG - have the potential to be dangerous.
This site gives some good information. It is not just portable gas heaters that could pose a problem.
Cautious and informed use of appliances will assist in maintaining safety. [somewhat like puddling with electricity with little or no knowledge]
http://carbonmonoxidemyths.com/frequently-asked-questions.php
cheers - John
I wouldn't have a gas heater running at night inside my van incase it caught fire, but have a look at your door and almost a third of it is grilled to allow heavy gas to escape and you also have another gas vent towards the ceiling
Coleman have a small reflective gas bottle heater off a small gas bottle, they do not give off carbon monoxide, rather carbon dioxide, so rob the air of oxygen, but leave a small window
open while heating your caravan work a treat.
Bollocks!
Cheers,
Peter
Cheers
George & fatdog
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/smithfield/camping-hiking/portable-butane-gas-heater-blue-/1071903413
Dicing with death.......carbon monoxide poisoning is described as "sleeping death" for good reason.
Cheers,
Peter
Nah,....no different to cooking with the twin gas burners inside the van which will produce more carbon monoxide and that is legal. Can anyone define "well ventilated area" ? I'd figure the inside of my 12ft Avan must be a "well ventilated area" as it has 'approved' twin burner gas burners which will produce more carbon monoxide than the camping gas heater.
Bottom line is be well informed and then decide what is suitable.
Regards
Denis
Carbon monoxide (CO) can kill
Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced when a fuel such as charcoal, gas or petrol burns incompletely. This could be because an appliance isnt working properly or might simply happen as part of its normal function. Barbecues, for example, produce carbon monoxide even when they are working well.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas and is poisonous. In high concentrations it can kill swiftly. In smaller concentrations CO poisoning can give symptoms similar to flu or food poisoning. Look out for headaches, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and weakness - but the best advice is to avoid any chance of being poisoned in the first place.
Safety Tips
Spotting the danger signs of CO poisoning
You cannot smell, taste or see carbon monoxide but it can kill quickly and without warning. Early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning can give symptoms similar to food poisoning or flu, though without a high temperature.
-- Edited by elliemike on Sunday 19th of April 2015 11:16:22 AM
-- Edited by elliemike on Sunday 19th of April 2015 11:20:07 AM
Takes the diesel fuel direct from the vehicles fuel tank. No smell fully adjustable and works a treat.
Bob
How long do you cook for, maybe 15 minutes ?
How long do you run your gas heater for, several hours ?
No difference you say
www.co-gassafety.co.uk/deaths.html
Cheers,
Peter
Actually we only run the heater for about 15 minutes which is sufficient to heat the inside of our Avan which is only 12ft long internally. After about 20 minutes the 220gm gas cylinder will run out so there is a safety device builtin. We understand there is a risk involved just as there are risks involved with open fires, lunchbox cookers and just about everything to do with day to day life.
Regards
Cheers,
Peter
Seen so many with silicon or some form of sealing ...
Heat a pot of water for the water bottles... Done ..
Killed two birds ... Oops not the best saying.. Lol
Regarding those "catalytic heaters." Once upon a time they were promoted as being safe for use in caravans. The gas authorities jumped on the sellers and you will no longer find those products promoted for use in caravans.
Hi all.
I have a diesel heater still in its carton because I was quoted $1200 to fit. ( 2 x men @ 5 hours ). Can this be right? Is it such a big job?