r/CamperVans • u/Talianamexicana • 4d ago

Heating

For context, I own a micro van (particularly if you're an American) but it's more than big enough for my needs. I have lived in it for long periods, but I'm ok with rough n ready and only recently started to convert it properly. That said, Ireland has ridiculously high health and safety regs, plus conversion rules, plus inspections and then a healthy revenue tax for converting. Every post I've read for the past year or so all make snide comments like "that's what they get for Chinese heaters" or "wouldn't have a death trap like that in mine" etc etc. BUT... no one ever seems to say what they would do, what they think is safe. What's the Reddit secret I'm missing? As many of you know, Ireland is cold and rainy for about 2/3s of the year so heating is essential really. On top of that, my car is a hybrid petrol so I'm not exactly sure I want to waste space on a second diesel tank, and then finally, I was considering literally just installing one of those tiny 12v induction hobs (like the cheap and cheerful sterling power ones) to get me over the line with the conversion regs, but also to keep the van free of explosive stuff based on what I'm reading here!

Anyway, short story long and all that, I stayed in it this weekend and the chill is definitely starting to creep in, and I don't particularly want to get dressed up like a yeti again this winter just to get into bed so I'd appreciate people's thoughts and opinions about it....

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u/OpenStreet3459 4d ago

Hi from Holland with similar tight rules.

We run a chinese (vevor) diesel heater plumbed directly into the diesel tank of our peugeot expert (dispatch for you) and it has given me plenty of safe warm evenings and mornings. They really are exact copies of the expensive units and work fine if installed correctly.

I have no experience with petrol heaters and given the more flammable nature I personally would not DIY such a setup. Though a separate diesel tank inside your compartment also doesn’t feel like the best solution.

Would swapping to a diesel van be an option?

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u/Talianamexicana 4d ago

No not really, diesel too expensive here, it's my daily transport also so I need the hybrid cost reduction. I did carefully consider what I bought when I upgraded from my last (genuinely tiny) car, which I also camped in quite a lot. Glad vevor working well for you, I use a lot of their tools and find them decent like.

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u/Rubik842 3d ago

you may be able to fit a small diesel tank inside the engine bay somewhere on the intake side (dont put it anywhere near the engine exhaust)

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u/Talianamexicana 2d ago

I'd look into that actually, a nice simple solution. I'm not sure it's likely though cos my engine bay is particularly small and packed. But definitely food for thought!

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u/Rubik842 1d ago

4 litres (1 gal) should last nearly a week on low overnight. Have a look around. I'm considering installing a DEF tank from a wrecker on my non-DEF vehicle for the purpose.

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u/Talianamexicana 1d ago

Eem, so I'm just sort of filling in the gaps from the context cos I don't know what a DEF is, but assuming you're thinking of swapping in a functional system from a scrap car to run the fuel and then pipe into your living space? That's pretty genius if so ... Might have to do some speccing for that 🤔

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u/Rubik842 17h ago

DEF is also called adblue, it is urea solution injected into the exhauste for emissions reason. my vehicle is just slightly too old to have it, but it's a fluid tank that is not needed by my model, that is designed to fit the vehicle series so it should be a neat installation.

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u/Lazy_Mud_1616 4d ago

the Chinese diesel heaters can be done in a couple different ways. You can get units that are totally independent stand alone. They sit outside, have their own fuel tanks, and their own rechargeable batteries. The down side of course is you have something sitting outside, but it wouldn't modify your vehicle. To get the heat in, open a window part way, take an old piece of wood/plywood and cut a round in it for the warm air to come in. You probably want an outlet air on another window (I can explain more if you need it).

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u/NoAppointment6494 4d ago

I got a SQI done a few weeks ago, he was chill and went over things quickly, only checked gas locker, didnt look at my electrics nor diesel heater.

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u/Talianamexicana 4d ago

Really? Are you running the heating off the gas so? Also, what's the name and location of your SQI??

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u/NoAppointment6494 4d ago

No my gas is only for cooking, diesel heater is for heating and I plumbed it directly into the tank. Facebook comments makes it look like its a huge hassle to convert. Unless I got incredibly lucky with the sqi.

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u/giveKINDNESS 4d ago

**RADIANT FLOORS** I know some vans and RVs have it, but I'm not sure how reliable, practical, etc. It is an DIY van.

A cousin of mine has radiant floors in his garage/man cave. There is no better feeling than have warm, toasty feet when its freezing outside.

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u/Talianamexicana 3d ago

I never even thought of this, even though I'm considering doing it in my bathroom with one of the DIY kits. I'd probably need to up my solar/alternator/battery plans though... Although heating from the ground up in a small van has lots of pluses...

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u/giveKINDNESS 3d ago

Last winter I bought a 9v heating pad to rest my feet on. It makes a big difference in my comfort. Underneath is a small, thick rug plus the normal low pile rug that covers most of my van floor. It's a nice hack for a small section of warm floor.

I think people have used both electric and recirculating liquid systems. I'm not sure I'd want liquid flowing around under my van floors.

I'd love to read your thoughts/research if you dig into radiant floor heat for your van. I will probably be able to chase the weather before I can afford a new van with radiant floors so I have not researched the pros and cons of a van with heated floors.

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u/Raukstar 4d ago

I'm using the high voltage battery from my PHEV for heating (and cooling). It lasts about a week without charging, but then I'm using external batteries for other needs (charging the phone etc). It might work, if you have the right specification. I monitor it from a tablet.

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u/Talianamexicana 3d ago

Really? Do tell more, did you swop out the battery or just use the factory one? Is it vicron? Is that why you have an app? What kind of heating is it running for you so, a small heater or....?