cheap heater
- Thread starter big earl-TNT
- Start date
Unless you camp in very cold weather you really don’t need a heater in your TD
My wife and I went camping in mid October in western Washington and we were
quite warm in the trailer with just body heat, it was cool when we first got in. But we
read or played card games and in a short while it had warmed up to where it was
comfortable in side.
Roger C.
My wife and I went camping in mid October in western Washington and we were
quite warm in the trailer with just body heat, it was cool when we first got in. But we
read or played card games and in a short while it had warmed up to where it was
comfortable in side.
Roger C.
roger-c":1goqn3wl said:Unless you camp in very cold weather you really don’t need a heater in your TD
My wife and I went camping in mid October in western Washington and we were
quite warm in the trailer with just body heat, it was cool when we first got in. But we
read or played card games and in a short while it had warmed up to where it was
comfortable in side.
Roger C.
...this is a point that I have tried to make several times in the past...a tear has such a small volume of area (less than 100 cubic feet in most cases...sometimes significantly so) that unless the temps never rise out of the sub-freezing area, a heater is not needed...my wife(as cold natured as they come) and I have camped with temps in the 30's and had to keep a window and vent cracked to keep it comfortable...a nice quilt was all that was needed...if we needed more than that, I would get an ElectroWarmth 12v mattress pad and it would work for very cold temps...we have a small ceramic heater that we have never had to use...of course we don't see much is the way of zero degree weather down here either...FYI, our tear has 3/4 ply walls and an insulated ceiling with a 1/2 ply floor.....
madjack
asianflava
Senior Member
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2004
- Posts
- 8,433
I'll reiterate what Jack said. The only real reason to have a heater is to "preheat" the tear. When it is cold, it's nice to crawl into a nice warm bed. If you leave the heater on, you'll soon turn it off.
We've camped in temps down in the mid-upper 30's. I've lived in the South most of my life so my blood is thin 30's is the coldest I'd want to encounter. In the tear, we use an unzipped sleeping bag as a comforter, that's it. We will crack the top vent and crack the windows when we go to sleep, sometime during the night, one of us will open their window because it gets too warm. I've camped in the same conditions in a tent with the same sleeping bag (zipped up) and it was cold.
Granted, my tear is fully insulated. I can't say with certainty how an uninsulated tear would perform. Either way, a heater any larger than a small ceramic job would be excessive.
We've camped in temps down in the mid-upper 30's. I've lived in the South most of my life so my blood is thin 30's is the coldest I'd want to encounter. In the tear, we use an unzipped sleeping bag as a comforter, that's it. We will crack the top vent and crack the windows when we go to sleep, sometime during the night, one of us will open their window because it gets too warm. I've camped in the same conditions in a tent with the same sleeping bag (zipped up) and it was cold.
Granted, my tear is fully insulated. I can't say with certainty how an uninsulated tear would perform. Either way, a heater any larger than a small ceramic job would be excessive.
hugh89
Senior Member
Since I live where it gets down to 35 below at times the question of heat always is of interest. I,m located about 150 miles north of Grand Forks N. Dakota. Anyway, Coleman sells a Black Kat catalytic heater that uses platinum as it,s catlyst. The info on the box says it makes no carbon monoxide. However it does consume oxygen. I did use it while winter camping a couple of years ago in a small trailer I had made. One of those small green propane bottles lasted about 6 hours or so [I was asleep till the cold woke me up] and it was about 15 below. I made sure to have proper ventalation since I had no desire to wake up dead and it did work. For our gathering in the evening before bed we use one of those 10 by 20 portable garages. A sheet metal worker buddy made a flat "fire ring" panel we put in the side wall of the unit and another friend donated one of those cheap airtight heaters and yet another friend designed and made an ingenius smokestack. Now the walls and ceiling are just plastic but with some dry firewood we can get that stove real hot and then we can sit around the fire out of the wind and enjoy an evening having a few beverages and talking. The 2 pictures show the small 1st attempt trailer with a tarp extension where the heater was used, the 2nd shows the "garage" where we cook supper and spend a warm evening.
and it did work. For our gathering in the evening before bed we use one of those 10 by 20 portable garages. A sheet metal worker buddy made a flat "fire ring" panel we put in the side wall of the unit and another friend donated one of those cheap airtight heaters and yet another friend designed and made an ingenius smokestack. Now the walls and ceiling are just plastic but with some dry firewood we can get that stove real hot and then we can sit around the fire out of the wind and enjoy an evening having a few beverages and talking. The 2 pictures show the small 1st attempt trailer with a tarp extension where the heater was used, the 2nd shows the "garage" where we cook supper and spend a warm evening.
razorback-TNT
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 21, 2007
- Posts
- 585
This is what I use. I also added a thermostat that plugs into the outlet. Plug the heater into the thermostat. Set the temp for whatever makes you comfortable.
The flat panel heater puts out a soft radiant heat. Does not get hot enough to combust. I placed it on the wall under my base shelf. It mounts 3/4 inch from the wall. I got the 18 X 24 inch version which I do not now see available. It is 284 watts. This is a little expensive. I paid 75.00 two years ago and the thermostat was extra. Takes about 15 minutes to warm the interior from 35 degrees up to 70. This device is the only way my wife will camp in the winter. Worth every penney to me.
http://eheat.com/
The flat panel heater puts out a soft radiant heat. Does not get hot enough to combust. I placed it on the wall under my base shelf. It mounts 3/4 inch from the wall. I got the 18 X 24 inch version which I do not now see available. It is 284 watts. This is a little expensive. I paid 75.00 two years ago and the thermostat was extra. Takes about 15 minutes to warm the interior from 35 degrees up to 70. This device is the only way my wife will camp in the winter. Worth every penney to me.
http://eheat.com/
RSEAGLE-TNT
Senior Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2004
- Posts
- 681
Has anyone tried soapstone. Soapstone is a natural heat absorber. It loads heat fast from a camp fire or stove top and discharges slowly.
I've seen soapstone balls for sale on the internet. Placed in a wire basket and hung from the ceiling would certainly keep a teardrop warm for hours.
I've seen soapstone balls for sale on the internet. Placed in a wire basket and hung from the ceiling would certainly keep a teardrop warm for hours.
There's a couple of old soapstone bed warmers for sale at the antique mall by me. Maybe 8" X 10" X 1" with a wire bail handle.
For the $10 investment maybe I'll buy one and give it a try in my little tear. Find a place to hang it so it's not in contact with anything. I have to believe that after sitting by the fire for a couple of hours it would add plenty of heat.
Maybe I'll do the heat calculations some day - or just buy it and try it.
Eric
For the $10 investment maybe I'll buy one and give it a try in my little tear. Find a place to hang it so it's not in contact with anything. I have to believe that after sitting by the fire for a couple of hours it would add plenty of heat.
Maybe I'll do the heat calculations some day - or just buy it and try it.
Eric
RSEAGLE-TNT
Senior Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2004
- Posts
- 681
Rock said:
Eric,
Please let us know how it works out. What the temp is outside and in and how long it keeps your tear at a comfortable temp.
Bob
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with Camping
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, nonirritating gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels. CO exposure is responsible for more fatal unintentional poisonings in the United States than any other agent, with the highest incidence occurring during the cold-weather months (1). Although most of these deaths occur in residences or motor vehicles (2), two incidents among campers in Georgia illustrate the danger of CO in outdoor settings. This report describes the two incidents, which resulted in six deaths, and provides recommendations for avoiding CO poisoning in outdoor settings.
Cases 1-4. On the afternoon of March 14, 1999, a 51-year-old man, his 10-year-old son, a 9-year-old boy, and a 7-year-old girl were found dead inside a zipped-up, 10-foot by 14-foot, two-room tent at their campsite in southeast Georgia (a pet dog also died). A propane gas stove, still burning, was found inside the tent; the stove apparently had been brought inside to provide warmth. The occupants had died during the night. Postmortem carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels measured 50%, 63%, 69%, and 63%, respectively, in the four decedents (in the general U.S. population, COHb concentrations average 1% in nonsmokers and 4% in smokers [3]).
Cases 5 and 6. On March 27, 1999, a 34-year-old man and his 7-year-old son were found dead inside their zipped-up tent at a group camping site in central Georgia. They were discovered by other campers just before 9 a.m. A charcoal grill was found inside the tent; the grill apparently had been brought inside to provide warmth after it had been used outside for cooking. Postmortem COHb levels in the two campers measured 68% and 76%, respectively.
Reported by: R Wheeler, Covington; MA Koponen, MD, Georgia Bur of Investigation; AB John-son, MPH, PJ Meehan, MD, District 3-4, Newton County Health Dept, Covington; SE Lance-Parker, DVM, KE Powell, MD, Div of Public Health, Georgia Dept of Human Resources. Environmental Hazards Epidemiology Section, Health Studies Br, Surveillance and Programs Br, Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Br, Div of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health; Div of Applied Public Health Training, Epidemiology Program Office; and EIS officers, CDC.
Editorial Note:
On respiration, CO binds to hemoglobin with an affinity 200-250 times greater than that of oxygen, forming a COHb complex (4). The principal toxic effect of CO exposure is tissue hypoxia because COHb is less efficient at transporting and delivering oxygen. Poisoning symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, and nausea, usually are seen at COHb levels of greater than 10% in otherwise healthy persons (2).
During 1979-1988 in the United States, from 878 to 1513 deaths per year were attributed to unintentional CO poisoning (1). CO poisoning has been reported in many different settings, including homes (5), automobiles (6), and indoor arenas (7). The findings in this report demonstrate the danger of CO from portable gas stoves and charcoal grills, specifically if placed inside a tent or other confined sleeping area. In the United States during 1990-1994, portable fuel-burning camp stoves and lanterns were involved in 10-17 CO poisoning deaths each year, and charcoal grills were involved in 15-27 deaths each year (2). During this same time, an annual average of 30 fatal CO poisonings occurred inside tents or campers (2).
Evening temperatures often drop unexpectedly, even during warmer months of the year. Campers who are unprepared for colder weather may overlook the danger of operating fuel-burning camping heaters, portable gas stoves, or charcoal grills inside tents and campers. Camping stoves and heaters are not designed to be used indoors and can emit hazardous amounts of CO, and smoldering charcoal emits large amounts of CO. Inside a tent or camper, these sources produce dangerous concentrations of CO, which becomes even more dangerous to sleeping persons who are unable to recognize the early symptoms of CO poisoning.
To avoid hazardous CO exposures, fuel-burning equipment such as camping stoves, camping heaters, lanterns, and charcoal grills should never be used inside a tent, camper, or other enclosed shelter. Opening tent flaps, doors, or windows is insufficient to prevent build-up of CO concentrations from these devices. When using fuel-burning devices outdoors, the exhaust should not vent into enclosed shelters. Warnings about the potential for CO poisoning should be stated clearly in the owner's manual and on labels permanently affixed to portable stoves. In 1997, changes made in the labeling requirements for retail charcoal containers* more clearly conveyed the danger of burning charcoal inside homes, tents, or campers. Rather than relying on fuel-burning appliances to supply heat, campers should leave home with adequate bedding and clothing and should consume extra calories and fluids during the outing to prevent hypothermia. Continuing efforts to educate the public by organizations that promote outdoor activities or operate camping areas also should decrease camping-associated CO poisoning.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, nonirritating gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels. CO exposure is responsible for more fatal unintentional poisonings in the United States than any other agent, with the highest incidence occurring during the cold-weather months (1). Although most of these deaths occur in residences or motor vehicles (2), two incidents among campers in Georgia illustrate the danger of CO in outdoor settings. This report describes the two incidents, which resulted in six deaths, and provides recommendations for avoiding CO poisoning in outdoor settings.
Cases 1-4. On the afternoon of March 14, 1999, a 51-year-old man, his 10-year-old son, a 9-year-old boy, and a 7-year-old girl were found dead inside a zipped-up, 10-foot by 14-foot, two-room tent at their campsite in southeast Georgia (a pet dog also died). A propane gas stove, still burning, was found inside the tent; the stove apparently had been brought inside to provide warmth. The occupants had died during the night. Postmortem carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels measured 50%, 63%, 69%, and 63%, respectively, in the four decedents (in the general U.S. population, COHb concentrations average 1% in nonsmokers and 4% in smokers [3]).
Cases 5 and 6. On March 27, 1999, a 34-year-old man and his 7-year-old son were found dead inside their zipped-up tent at a group camping site in central Georgia. They were discovered by other campers just before 9 a.m. A charcoal grill was found inside the tent; the grill apparently had been brought inside to provide warmth after it had been used outside for cooking. Postmortem COHb levels in the two campers measured 68% and 76%, respectively.
Reported by: R Wheeler, Covington; MA Koponen, MD, Georgia Bur of Investigation; AB John-son, MPH, PJ Meehan, MD, District 3-4, Newton County Health Dept, Covington; SE Lance-Parker, DVM, KE Powell, MD, Div of Public Health, Georgia Dept of Human Resources. Environmental Hazards Epidemiology Section, Health Studies Br, Surveillance and Programs Br, Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Br, Div of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health; Div of Applied Public Health Training, Epidemiology Program Office; and EIS officers, CDC.
Editorial Note:
On respiration, CO binds to hemoglobin with an affinity 200-250 times greater than that of oxygen, forming a COHb complex (4). The principal toxic effect of CO exposure is tissue hypoxia because COHb is less efficient at transporting and delivering oxygen. Poisoning symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, and nausea, usually are seen at COHb levels of greater than 10% in otherwise healthy persons (2).
During 1979-1988 in the United States, from 878 to 1513 deaths per year were attributed to unintentional CO poisoning (1). CO poisoning has been reported in many different settings, including homes (5), automobiles (6), and indoor arenas (7). The findings in this report demonstrate the danger of CO from portable gas stoves and charcoal grills, specifically if placed inside a tent or other confined sleeping area. In the United States during 1990-1994, portable fuel-burning camp stoves and lanterns were involved in 10-17 CO poisoning deaths each year, and charcoal grills were involved in 15-27 deaths each year (2). During this same time, an annual average of 30 fatal CO poisonings occurred inside tents or campers (2).
Evening temperatures often drop unexpectedly, even during warmer months of the year. Campers who are unprepared for colder weather may overlook the danger of operating fuel-burning camping heaters, portable gas stoves, or charcoal grills inside tents and campers. Camping stoves and heaters are not designed to be used indoors and can emit hazardous amounts of CO, and smoldering charcoal emits large amounts of CO. Inside a tent or camper, these sources produce dangerous concentrations of CO, which becomes even more dangerous to sleeping persons who are unable to recognize the early symptoms of CO poisoning.
To avoid hazardous CO exposures, fuel-burning equipment such as camping stoves, camping heaters, lanterns, and charcoal grills should never be used inside a tent, camper, or other enclosed shelter. Opening tent flaps, doors, or windows is insufficient to prevent build-up of CO concentrations from these devices. When using fuel-burning devices outdoors, the exhaust should not vent into enclosed shelters. Warnings about the potential for CO poisoning should be stated clearly in the owner's manual and on labels permanently affixed to portable stoves. In 1997, changes made in the labeling requirements for retail charcoal containers* more clearly conveyed the danger of burning charcoal inside homes, tents, or campers. Rather than relying on fuel-burning appliances to supply heat, campers should leave home with adequate bedding and clothing and should consume extra calories and fluids during the outing to prevent hypothermia. Continuing efforts to educate the public by organizations that promote outdoor activities or operate camping areas also should decrease camping-associated CO poisoning.
Alfred-TNT
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2007
- Posts
- 1,633
Hey Gang,
So what's the deal with the Coleman Propane Catalytic Heaters, their promo material says they're safe inside tents?
This pasted from the Coleman website:
We've thought of everything. Heaters you can use in your tent, garage, shop, ice shanty or the house if the power goes out. These portable heaters are great for use at the kids' soccer, football or softball games. No hoses. No cords. Just heat.Then we built a more stylish version you can use on your back deck or patio. Warmth and style, all from Coleman.
Provides comfortable warmth whether indoors or in a tent• 1,500 BTU output operates up to 14 hours from one 16.4 oz propane cylinder (not included)
So what's the deal with the Coleman Propane Catalytic Heaters, their promo material says they're safe inside tents?
This pasted from the Coleman website:
We've thought of everything. Heaters you can use in your tent, garage, shop, ice shanty or the house if the power goes out. These portable heaters are great for use at the kids' soccer, football or softball games. No hoses. No cords. Just heat.Then we built a more stylish version you can use on your back deck or patio. Warmth and style, all from Coleman.
Provides comfortable warmth whether indoors or in a tent• 1,500 BTU output operates up to 14 hours from one 16.4 oz propane cylinder (not included)
Alfred":h4e6a2b5 said:
If it's not vented, for example if it doesn't have a chimmney, or a flue, then it puts out carbon monoxide. In addition it will use up the oxygen in your small enclosed space.
Both are very real dangers...
Mike...
mikeschn":h8cv3v68 said:
[quote]
• When used in any inside area,
provide a fresh air opening of at
least six square inches (39
square centimeters).
• Never operate the heater while
sleeping.[/quote]
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/images/pdf/5035.pdf
These are great when used with strict attention to the warnings. I am not a big fan of fire in a wooden structure. I would love a fire place though.
Remember the guy who put a fireplace in his teardrop...? The name is eluding me now... But I think it was an electric fireplace. He also had a flat panel TV in there. It was a rebuild, because his previous one got damaged in an accident.
Mike...
Mike...
Alfred-TNT
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2007
- Posts
- 1,633
mikeschn":j93if62r said:
Actually, my kids are full of ideas for the camper. One of them being my 10yo told me I should put a fireplace in the camper, so if it is raining outside, we can still make S'mores!
AL in Asheville
Alfred-TNT
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2007
- Posts
- 1,633
OK, back on track...Given that most of the time we will be camping in campgrounds with shore power - What about those electric quartz heaters, seems to me I've heard folks mention using those...
Or am I ultimately just better off with electric blankets?
AL in Asheville
Or am I ultimately just better off with electric blankets?
AL in Asheville
bobhenry-TNT
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2007
- Posts
- 10,369
Nitroxjunkie's electric fireplace in the Topside Inn
At the Shivaree in January his was the only rig that was 80 degrees inside
Alfred-TNT
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2007
- Posts
- 1,633
bobhenry":2brv44rj said:Nitroxjunkie's electric fireplace in the Topside Inn...At the Shivaree in January his was the only rig that was 80 degrees inside
Man, that is too cool! Or actually, hot!
Al in Asheville
New posts
-
Vin number and registration in Utah
- Latest: Ibuildthings
-
-
-
-
Featured Campgrounds
Reviews provided by 
Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days
- Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
- Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
- Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
- and much more...
