Heating solution for well insulated camper?

[tony.latham]

You might take a look at my Propex propane heater installation here:

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=72075&p=1271154&hilit=propex+heater+installation#p1271154



They are the perfect thermostat-controlled teardrop heater for off-grid camping. They burn .3 pounds per hour while actually running and use little electricity.

The downside is that they are expensive. But we really really like ours.

Tony

[lfhoward]

X2 on the Propex. We are very happy with ours.

Pro’s vs. the diesel heater:
- Uses much less electricity (no glow plugs)
- Thermostat can turn it on and off at what ever temp you want (not idling constantly)
- If you already use propane to cook with, you don’t need a separate fuel source
- Doesn’t require regular cleaning to remove soot
- Reliable quiet heat

Of course the main con is the price. (~$800 new)

[saywhatthat]

you know where two dog night are a 3 dog night came from? Propex is nice if you have the cash

[MickinOz]

you know where two dog night are a 3 dog night came from?

From the Australian Outback.
Even Americans said so:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Dog ... ame_origin

Speaking of three dog nights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKaQzQAlNn4

[PrivatePilot]

Thanks all. Just did some reading on the Propex units - they look slick for sure, but after USD exchange and all that good stuff I'm significantly north of $1000. That's a tough one to swallow and I think I'd have to see how much we end up using the trailer during the shoulder seasons in the first year before committing to that sort of investment.

The diesel heaters of course are a few hundred bucks on the flipside. Or I could perhaps find a traditional RV furnace from a wreck or a part out. There is space.

The other thing that leans me towards the diesel heater is (ironically) the lack of cycling. We're experienced RV'ers (but just dramatically downsized when we returned to RV'ing after a few years off) and the good old fashioned propane furnace cycling on and off all night long often woke us up. Of course with that lack of cycling comes the potential for "holy hell it's hot in here" I guess. And confusion with any renters on how to control/moderate the heat.

I half thought about going with a hydronics system of some sort using just the hot water tank as the hot water source for simplicity. The trailer, being insulated so well, would need very little hot water flow and very little airflow (so simple, small, and quiet) to maintain a set temperature, and it would be easily controlled by a single thermostat and a few relays. Anyone ever tinkered with such a setup?

[lfhoward]

Keep an eye on the for sale sections not only here but on expeditionportal, various van life forums, and Ebay. Sometimes used propexes pop up at much lower prices.

[bdosborn]

Pro’s vs. the diesel heater:
- Uses much less electricity (no glow plugs)

The glow plug only runs for about 30 seconds when it starts up, then it uses the same amount of energy as a Propex heater and much less than an RV propane furnace.

Bruce

[Socal Tom]

Do you have a water heater? viewtopic.php?f=54&t=62327

[featherliteCT1]

++ what Bruce said

[PrivatePilot]

Do you have a water heater? viewtopic.php?f=54&t=62327

PERFECT! This is exactly what I was looking for, and actually exactly what I've been thinking about now for a few weeks.

I've chimed in on that thread.

Thanks!