Auxiliary Heater ?

[Pajshomoneroguntero]

This got me thinking about small 12vdc heaters just to take the edge of the chilly nights in the tent when the outside temperatures are sub zero.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12V-100W-Electric-Thermostatic-Insulated-PTC-Heating-Constant-Element-Heater-New/113140580208?hash=item1a57b43f70:g:RZYAAOSwc~NbQxxq

100watt heater so 8 amp draw is too much to run all night unless there is a thermostat say set at 10C but they can be selected to half so 50watt output therefore 4 amp draw, 8 hours X 4 amps is 32amps so if driving the next day should be ok to run of aux battery and since it is so cold outside then fridge will not be cutting in and consuming power.

For $16 it might be worth a go!

Thoughts?

OJ

My thought is you’re probably better off with thermal underwear, an extra blanket and a hot water bottle or two but there isn’t anywhere near as much adventure in that when you can have another gadget

[old Jack]

My thought is you’re probably better off with thermal underwear, an extra blanket and a hot water bottle or two but there isn’t anywhere near as much adventure in that when you can have another gadget

Mrs. OJ is already at the above stage, even I have started wearing thermals in colder conditions, it was more about taking the edge of the air we are breathing and hopefully reducing the condensation in the tent.

OJ.

[KiwiNTPajero]

My NX does. In northern hemisphere markets they also get heated windscreen wipers.

the exceed might but my humble gls doesnt

[nj swb]

Mrs. OJ is already at the above stage, even I have started wearing thermals in colder conditions, it was more about taking the edge of the air we are breathing and hopefully reducing the condensation in the tent.

OJ.

Do a little research OJ - two human bodies put out a lot more than 50W, I'm thinking it won't make much difference.

[Pajshomoneroguntero]

Mrs. OJ is already at the above stage, even I have started wearing thermals in colder conditions, it was more about taking the edge of the air we are breathing and hopefully reducing the condensation in the tent.

OJ.

O oh looks like we’re drifting from the family orientated ‘g’ rating what with all this talk of heavy breathing in confined spaces.

That aside I think KiwiNT was looking at a portable diesel heater setup. Power draw would be for the fan and ignition only then.

[old Jack]

Do a little research OJ - two human bodies put out a lot more than 50W, I'm thinking it won't make much difference.

Yes the www tells me that on average a human body generates about a 100watts, this makes sense as one is always warmer in a smaller tent than a larger tent or no tent at all. maybe for $16 it is worth the experiment it may even have a placebo effect for Mrs OJ!

OJ.

[Ian H]

Speaking of condensation in the tent, I'm going to try a small USB desk fan you can buy at Office Works for about twenty bucks. Hopefully it will stir the air enough to stop most of the condensation in the Tvan tent.

[erad]

Not sure about the T van, but we had a camper where you wound up the roof and pulled the beds out at each end. We live in Cooma NSW and the first night out was at Hay. Middle of winter. In the morning there was a frost as heavy as any we had seen in Cooma. We woke up at about 5:00am, and it was as if it was raining inside the van, over the beds. Condensation was incredible. First thing when we got to Mildura was to buy some flysheets, which I fitted that day. Never any more problems with condensation after that. Flysheets also help if you are trying to pack up the van when it has been raining. So I suggest that you investigate some flysheets for your van.

[nj swb]

Yes the www tells me that on average a human body generates about a 100watts, this makes sense as one is always warmer in a smaller tent than a larger tent or no tent at all. maybe for $16 it is worth the experiment it may even have a placebo effect for Mrs OJ!

OJ.

Placebos can be incredibly effective.

Try hanging some cheap "space blankets" inside the walls of the tent, to keep radiant heat (from your bodies) from striking the canvas. If they hang to the floor with a slight air gap from the walls, you may also be able to slow convection currents, and reduce the rate at which cold air inside the canvas sinks and circulates.

Reducing losses from your existing 200 W (or more - I reckon your missus would have a pretty good metabolism) may be more effective than adding another 50W.

[Ian H]

Not sure about the T van, but we had a camper where you wound up the roof and pulled the beds out at each end. We live in Cooma NSW and the first night out was at Hay. Middle of winter. In the morning there was a frost as heavy as any we had seen in Cooma. We woke up at about 5:00am, and it was as if it was raining inside the van, over the beds. Condensation was incredible. First thing when we got to Mildura was to buy some flysheets, which I fitted that day. Never any more problems with condensation after that. Flysheets also help if you are trying to pack up the van when it has been raining. So I suggest that you investigate some flysheets for your van.

Thanks for the input and in fact, I'ver recently done that. There's a fly for the top of the Tvan tent they call a tropical roof. It does the same as your flys so hopefully that will also help.

[reciprovac]

Heater option

My thought is you’re probably better off with thermal underwear, an extra blanket and a hot water bottle or two but there isn’t anywhere near as much adventure in that when you can have another gadget

Why not buy an Ebay Diesel heater from China ?
Set it up as a stand alone unit and get either 5 or 3 kw for around $250.

[KiwiNTPajero]

Placebos can be incredibly effective.

Try hanging some cheap "space blankets" inside the walls of the tent, to keep radiant heat (from your bodies) from striking the canvas. If they hang to the floor with a slight air gap from the walls, you may also be able to slow convection currents, and reduce the rate at which cold air inside the canvas sinks and circulates.

Reducing losses from your existing 200 W (or more - I reckon your missus would have a pretty good metabolism) may be more effective than adding another 50W.

may make condensation worse.

[nj swb]

may make condensation worse.

Yes. Not necessarily any more condensation, but it would form on the plastic (and probably "run") rather than soak into the canvas.