chevy cargo van heat
- Thread starter jezzy
- Start date
60MPH
Expert Expediter
yea what leo said, I have a extended van and have the espar D2 but my van is insulated and I have a bunk to. If your's has no insulation and no bunk then I would go for the D4 its only like 100.00 dollars more and I know people with sprinters with no bunks and the D4 keeps them toasty. There is one other opt. I can think of but it's a pain in the but and I don't really know if it's legal. I know people who use a propaine heaters like a coleman sportcat or a Mr. buddy. I tried the Mr. buddy for about 2 weeks before I got the espar and it was nothing but a pain in the a$$ if would either freeze up in a hour or just plain run out of fuel in 4 leaving you to wake up with ice on your nose. my vote is for the espar if you plan to keep your current van for atleast 2 more winters, IT WILL PAY FOR IT SELF in that amount of time at what fuel cost these days, plus the reduced engine wear and maintenance you get from idling. Just remember to get a deep cycle battery installed for the espar to run off it does not take that much energy to run but it's better to be safe then to be looking for someome to jump your van when its -5 degrees out and you got a HOT load to pick up.
Espar, hands down. It will pay for itself in just one winter for most people, and in a matter of a few weeks if you're not insulated and are idling. Insulate your van.
The D2 will keep you warm and toasty in the most cavernous of Sprinters, BTW. RLENT has one, no bulkhead, stays warm, sleeps nekkid. (But, he's insulated. Insulate your van. sheesh.) The D2 will just have to work a little harder than the D4. The D4 puts out twice the BTU's for the same amount of amps and fuel, and puts out twice the airflow, so it'll keep you warm the same as the D2 but it'll do it while working less.
When you get a new vehicle, you can always take the Espar with you to the new one, assuming it uses the same fuel as the old one. They make both gas and diesel models.
I have the D4. Would never do another winter without one. Been there, done that, got the sweatshirt.
Slow and steady, even in expediting, wins the race - Aesop
The D2 will keep you warm and toasty in the most cavernous of Sprinters, BTW. RLENT has one, no bulkhead, stays warm, sleeps nekkid. (But, he's insulated. Insulate your van. sheesh.) The D2 will just have to work a little harder than the D4. The D4 puts out twice the BTU's for the same amount of amps and fuel, and puts out twice the airflow, so it'll keep you warm the same as the D2 but it'll do it while working less.
When you get a new vehicle, you can always take the Espar with you to the new one, assuming it uses the same fuel as the old one. They make both gas and diesel models.
I have the D4. Would never do another winter without one. Been there, done that, got the sweatshirt.
Slow and steady, even in expediting, wins the race - Aesop
Even though I have a Rigmaster in my truck I'm thinking about adding an Espar. That would drop the Rigmaster to charging only duty during winter months and greatly reduce the hours on it. It would take longer to pay for itself than in a big engine idling situation but I believe it would pay for itself in a couple of winters.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
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RLENT
Veteran Expediter
Like the Turtle said I'm running a Espar D2 in my 2006 long and tall Sprinter - it is fairly well insulated - but not perfectly - I still have plenty of exposed metal - any of which acts like a heatsink and will just suck heat out of the vehicle when it's cold out.
Cover as much exposed metal as you can to reduce heat loss. I'm in the process of trying to cover all remaining exposed metal (mostly on the doors) with that silver foil bubble insulation. (If I had to do it again (insulating) I'd probably take it someplace and get them to foam it rather than doing it myself.)
Even so, my D2's dial is set at around 25% to 30% (where Ray set it when he installed it) and it has kept me plenty toasty - even on that one night in Whiteland, IN where the temp dropped to a low of 10 degrees. The top of my mattress sits around 2' 8" off the floor which probably helps, given that heat rises.
The D2 will run at a pretty good clip when it's fairly cold - but the fuel consumption seems reasonable and I have been running it off the starting battery - longest I've run it has been 10 or 11 hours - and I've no problems starting thus far (original battery) - but I'm not planning on leaving it like that - once I have the aux battery bank connected to the starting battery (via a battery separator) so I can recharge them the Espar will get connected there.
R Wyan
Bolt Express
Unit No. C148
Cover as much exposed metal as you can to reduce heat loss. I'm in the process of trying to cover all remaining exposed metal (mostly on the doors) with that silver foil bubble insulation. (If I had to do it again (insulating) I'd probably take it someplace and get them to foam it rather than doing it myself.)
Even so, my D2's dial is set at around 25% to 30% (where Ray set it when he installed it) and it has kept me plenty toasty - even on that one night in Whiteland, IN where the temp dropped to a low of 10 degrees. The top of my mattress sits around 2' 8" off the floor which probably helps, given that heat rises.
The D2 will run at a pretty good clip when it's fairly cold - but the fuel consumption seems reasonable and I have been running it off the starting battery - longest I've run it has been 10 or 11 hours - and I've no problems starting thus far (original battery) - but I'm not planning on leaving it like that - once I have the aux battery bank connected to the starting battery (via a battery separator) so I can recharge them the Espar will get connected there.
R Wyan
Bolt Express
Unit No. C148
I've got to go along with the consensus that the Espar, whether gas or diesel is the best hassle free way to heat a van. I have never owned one, but have seen a few demonstrations. They seem to be efficient and throw off plenty of heat.
For the expediter on a tight budget I find a Mr. Buddy propane heater works for me. I only use it when I am awake, reading or playing on the computer. When it is time to sleep I shut it down. There's something about waking up dead that nags at me. I have a large rectangular -25 degree sleeping bag from Cabelas and a down mummy bag with cotton liner that fits inside the rectangular one. I am now good to at least -10 degrees. Any colder than that and it's time for a motel. I also have a carbon monoxide detector.
For the expediter on a tight budget I find a Mr. Buddy propane heater works for me. I only use it when I am awake, reading or playing on the computer. When it is time to sleep I shut it down. There's something about waking up dead that nags at me. I have a large rectangular -25 degree sleeping bag from Cabelas and a down mummy bag with cotton liner that fits inside the rectangular one. I am now good to at least -10 degrees. Any colder than that and it's time for a motel. I also have a carbon monoxide detector.
dhalltoyo
Veteran Expediter
Ditto on the Espar...IF you can stand the cost. $1800 plus another $300-400 for second battery and isolater.
I use two Coleman Catalytic Heaters.
One 1500 BTU for nights above 40 degrees just to take the chill off.
One 3000 BTU when it drops down to around 30 degrees.
Sometimes both it the hawk bites!
I insulated the van (see pics from previous posts) but all vans have open areas at the bottom of ALL the doors so CO poisoning or lack of oxygen has never been a problem.
Like Moot I have a -30 sleeping bag that I got from Sportman's Guide and a CO Detector for peace of mind.
PS. I tried the Mr. Buddy but it kept shutting off during the night. The propane tank gets frosty when being used. Made me think the regulator was getting frozen and possibly causing the shut down. Took it back for a replacement and the second one acted the same way.
I use two Coleman Catalytic Heaters.
One 1500 BTU for nights above 40 degrees just to take the chill off.
One 3000 BTU when it drops down to around 30 degrees.
Sometimes both it the hawk bites!
I insulated the van (see pics from previous posts) but all vans have open areas at the bottom of ALL the doors so CO poisoning or lack of oxygen has never been a problem.
Like Moot I have a -30 sleeping bag that I got from Sportman's Guide and a CO Detector for peace of mind.
PS. I tried the Mr. Buddy but it kept shutting off during the night. The propane tank gets frosty when being used. Made me think the regulator was getting frozen and possibly causing the shut down. Took it back for a replacement and the second one acted the same way.
My Coleman Catalytic Heaters all frost up just before they are empty all around the bottom of container. I think frosting is normal.
I've looked online and can find all sorts of heaters but nowhere lists the propane cylinders. What does one of the cylinders cost and how long does it last?
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
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Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
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Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
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Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Walmart sells them for about 2.70 for one or there packaged in pairs about 5 bucks or sets of 4.
Depends on the BTU. I use it on low it'll go over 8 hours and high 3000 btu about 5-6 hours.
Depends on the BTU. I use it on low it'll go over 8 hours and high 3000 btu about 5-6 hours.
Ok, so it's about $2.50 a day minimum and could be higher depending on conditions. Over the course of a season a few hundred dollars. In about 4 years time it's an Espar but in small prolonged amounts instead of all at once. I can see how the Espar could be a tough hit to pay for. It just seems to be the ideal solution (other than the $ hit all at once) for always having enough heat and not running out of fuel a few hours before getting up, provided one keeps their van fuel tank filled.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Once we are all cozied down I turn the heater down to minimum and when I wake for my very early morning you know what I turn it back up to warm it for the SO. I get more bang for the buck that way.
We have the Honda generator eu2000w that runs an electric heater but at 1500watts it only lasts about 5-6 hours as well so the costs are about the same...The real dif with the gen. is the SO has her electric blanket as well and very snuggy.
That said I still have exposed steel on the interior that once covered should make it even more cost effective.
We have the Honda generator eu2000w that runs an electric heater but at 1500watts it only lasts about 5-6 hours as well so the costs are about the same...The real dif with the gen. is the SO has her electric blanket as well and very snuggy.
That said I still have exposed steel on the interior that once covered should make it even more cost effective.
jeffman164
Seasoned Expediter
What's the difference between a Coleman catalytic heater and a Mr. Buddy heater ?? Does the frost up mess things up or just an annoyance ?? Cost about $5.00 a day to run a Mr. Buddy on low ?? THANK YOU !!
Mr. Buddy is made by Mr. Heater, who ever he is. You can run this heater on low for about 8 hours on a 1 pound cylinder. Cost is around $2.50 a cylinder. My van is insulated with an insulated bulkhead and crawl through directly behind the seats. Low setting keeps things toasty. I have had no problems with frost. It just forms on the bottom of the cylinder.
jeffman164
Seasoned Expediter
So, just have carbon monoxide detector and crack the windows a bit ??
as I 've said before...I once woke up and tried to light a smoke and bic wouldn't work till I opened the window...Cat heaters suck up oxygen. So yes crack a window if you have your bunk area real tight. C02 has never been a problem with these.
