I'd just get a decent sleeping bag (outdoor / camping type). Bulk doesn't matter in the car (compared to carrying it in your rucsac if backpacking) so no need to spend a fortune on down but they do feel nicer - to me at least. Folk sleep in tents in the himalayas so I reckon you'll be fine in a car in uk winter.
Heating my car when sleeping overnight.
- Thread starter The Singing Stalker
- Start date
Decent winter sleeping bag( the one I use for foxing is down to -25c) merino wool underlayers and or in combination with heated vest. You would need the windows open a little to try and reduce the condensation problem. I would avoid a diesel heater for potential CO issues and extra condensation.
Most people wear too many clothes in the sleeping bags. Good bag and base layers....job done.
Most people wear too many clothes in the sleeping bags. Good bag and base layers....job done.
What he just said ^^^^
Decent base layer, decent sleeping bag, warm hat. Windows a tad open to avoid condensation. Nothing else needed.
I think it's tempting disaster to use any kind of fuel burning heater to warm the vehicle while you sleep. Just a bit too similar to running a hosepipe from the exhaust for my liking.....
jthyttin
Well-Known Member
I think some people miss the problem. Like OP said, it's not the actual sleeping, but finding the will power to get out of the sleeping bag. Add the condensation issue and it could be quite miserable.
If you have other use for the generator, I think it's good idea. But rather get a bigger model so that it's not running full throttle. Something in the 1.5-2kW range (they're actually rated at VA not W, it's a little bit different).
If you only want the van get a bit warmer when it's time to get up, consider positioning so that you can start the van and get heating that way. Or if you happen to have battery capacity, you could flip a small 12V electric heater on when you wake up and wait extra 15 minutes or so. I'd do it only with auxiliary battery, e.g. I have 120Ah LiFePO that I use for trolling motor (fishing), would provide adequate power.
Finally, there has been discussion about diesel heaters and people have not excplicitly separated the two, very different types. Those £100 heaters everybody raves about, are stand-alone Chinese jobs and I would not sleep near one. There have been e.g. failing fuel lines and other hazards. After all, think what the manufacturing cost has been if it costs £100 in UK.
Secondly there are Webasto, Eberspächer etc. that usually connect to vehicle's cooling system. They warm up the cooling liquid, thus making the engine easier to start and also providing heat to the cabin. Problem with these is, they use cabin blower to distribute the heat and it takes A LOT of power (in the realm of car batteries). It doesn't help much to set the blower on lower setting, since the usual MO is to use resistor pack to provide the different speeds. So it's almost the same draw from the batery regardless of blower speed. You most definitely cannot keep this kind of heater running for whole night (unless blower is switched off, that kind of defeats the purpose, and also might get into some trouble with engine temperature since these devices are putting out something like 8-12kW.
If you have other use for the generator, I think it's good idea. But rather get a bigger model so that it's not running full throttle. Something in the 1.5-2kW range (they're actually rated at VA not W, it's a little bit different).
If you only want the van get a bit warmer when it's time to get up, consider positioning so that you can start the van and get heating that way. Or if you happen to have battery capacity, you could flip a small 12V electric heater on when you wake up and wait extra 15 minutes or so. I'd do it only with auxiliary battery, e.g. I have 120Ah LiFePO that I use for trolling motor (fishing), would provide adequate power.
Finally, there has been discussion about diesel heaters and people have not excplicitly separated the two, very different types. Those £100 heaters everybody raves about, are stand-alone Chinese jobs and I would not sleep near one. There have been e.g. failing fuel lines and other hazards. After all, think what the manufacturing cost has been if it costs £100 in UK.
Secondly there are Webasto, Eberspächer etc. that usually connect to vehicle's cooling system. They warm up the cooling liquid, thus making the engine easier to start and also providing heat to the cabin. Problem with these is, they use cabin blower to distribute the heat and it takes A LOT of power (in the realm of car batteries). It doesn't help much to set the blower on lower setting, since the usual MO is to use resistor pack to provide the different speeds. So it's almost the same draw from the batery regardless of blower speed. You most definitely cannot keep this kind of heater running for whole night (unless blower is switched off, that kind of defeats the purpose, and also might get into some trouble with engine temperature since these devices are putting out something like 8-12kW.
Try an electic bed underblanket: cheap, and does not consume much - can run off a standby battery.
Great also for driving the damp off of bedding in a bothy that you might stay at.
Great also for driving the damp off of bedding in a bothy that you might stay at.
Your third paragraph does it for me and just to emphasise the reference to, and importance of, a 2nd (yellow) battery if you don’t wish to be stranded with a dead primary (red) engine starter battery.
K
Ps: Given the time it takes in Winter to get a Landrover TD5 engine warm on idle, you’d be better off shooting a horse and getting inside if you don’t wish to succumb to hypothermia!
Condensation mitigation for me, 
Under no circumstance would I trust my life (which is what you’re doing) to a Chinese diesel heater. If someone’s calling it that, it means you have no idea who made it, to what build quality or whether it does actually meet any sort of safety standard. Absolute madness.
Far better to spend the same money on a slightly better sleeping bag.
And put the toilet seat downHmmm.
Just do the dishes when you are told to….
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
kenbro
Well-Known Member
I took the engine cooling fan off my TD5 from new and did 168,000 K miles (Some towing a twin axle caravan or car trailer) without the temp needle ever going any higher than it did with the fan fitted.
Made it quieter, more economical and it warmed up quicker too.
Cheers, Ken.
Freightdog
Well-Known Member
I've been down this thought train myself when I had camper vans & for the car on days out at the beach. A mate of mine has a cheap Chinese diesel one in his work van. He's in the trades and works away from home a lot, sleeps in his van. He swears by it, not sure I'd trust the build quality.
However, it was cheap, works well and was pretty simple to fit. The better built Eberspacher, or Webasto units will cost around 1k all in, Proper do an LPG version, a bit cheaper... and get a CO alarm!
There's this electric one, note the power consumption on battery, but could work with a split charged leisure battery for short spells.
I think you need to ask yourself if you are willing to drill a few holes in your car for a permanently fitted heater, or whether you want something you can chuck in the back when you go stalking, ie Genny & 240v heater
However, it was cheap, works well and was pretty simple to fit. The better built Eberspacher, or Webasto units will cost around 1k all in, Proper do an LPG version, a bit cheaper... and get a CO alarm!
There's this electric one, note the power consumption on battery, but could work with a split charged leisure battery for short spells.
I think you need to ask yourself if you are willing to drill a few holes in your car for a permanently fitted heater, or whether you want something you can chuck in the back when you go stalking, ie Genny & 240v heater
Yes cheap Chinese diesel heater in confined space/van while you are asleep, what could possibly go wrongI've been down this thought train myself when I had camper vans & for the car on days out at the beach. A mate of mine has a cheap Chinese diesel one in his work van. He's in the trades and works away from home a lot, sleeps in his van. He swears by it, not sure I'd trust the build quality.
However, it was cheap, works well and was pretty simple to fit. The better built Eberspacher, or Webasto units will cost around 1k all in, Proper do an LPG version, a bit cheaper... and get a CO alarm!
There's this electric one, note the power consumption on battery, but could work with a split charged leisure battery for short spells.
I think you need to ask yourself if you are willing to drill a few holes in your car for a permanently fitted heater, or whether you want something you can chuck in the back when you go stalking, ie Genny & 240v heater
I cannot see the exact one now (had it since start of Covid) but is basically same as this but I added a gsm controller ://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386700186808
A very high percentage of ,stuff, may have another makers name on it but is made in china….. or its components are! if you used nothing from there you would own next to nothing.
In regards to fumes, the exhaust from the heater goes through a hole in the floor and runs along top of exhaust. Hole sealed around pipe with heatproof tape…. CO alarm fitted ….. No issues
Condensation, crack window or as mine is an old defender 90, there are plenty of drafts.
Sleeping bed is great but no good if getting in and out every few minutes.
There is a world of difference between using things made in China with quality assurance and legal responsibility by a Western company and things which are just generic Chinese or Chinese branded.
That's the plan, at least. Unless it has been through quality assurance from a Western company, there is no assurance that the exhaust does actually go through the exhaust and doesn't escape elsewhere, that the thing won't cause a fire, etc, nor is there any warranty worth the paper to protect against any damage it might do. In all probability, most of them will be fine, but it would certainly be much more dangerous than unloading your rifle by firing the cartridges off in the air at the end of each outing.
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Indeed. But it's not where it was made but the quality control that's the issue. I have no doubt you pay a huge premium for "branded" equipment but some of that premium pays for the additional quality control EN / ISO certification etc. You don't get that level of assurance on an "eBay special".
Remember these ??????????
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