*Am in no way sponsored, paid, nor affiliated with any brand of anything. The Best Electric Heaters for a Campervan. The Espar has two upgrade options when it comes to high altitude: A high altitude sensor measures atmospheric pressure. Thanks. *This also subscribes you to The Wayward Home newsletter. Fun article to read but I agree with Mike J. that the article is a tiny bit skewed towards the propex heating system. They each have an automatic temperature sensor which will switch the … Rockwool Acoustic Mineral Wool Insulation 80-8lb 48″x24″x2″ 6pcs. Does anybody know anything about these? What can say is that I have much experience with both the Espar and the Webasto. I sometimes actually go and put my hand in front of it to make sure it is on. However, unlike electric heaters they don’t dry the air out and they don’t need electricity to operate. They also produce H2O, another natural by-product of burning propane. That means there will be more carbon buildup when you run the gasoline model, and therefore it will require more frequent maintenance. In fact, newer models of Sprinters and Transits have an extra connection built into their fuel tank specifically for attaching aftermarket fuel lines. With an unvented heater (unvented = no vent installed for exhaust gases to be directed outside of vehicle) like Mr. This heater must be installed horizontal and flat. The Propex in no way compares to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Espar (and Webasto for that matter) The Espar uses .1 Liter (think .1 quarts) of fuel per hour on low speed. If you’re frequently above about 5,000 ft, you can either purchase a rheostat or manually adjust the Webasto for high altitude by reducing the fuel supply. Propane has a low boiling point, meaning that it is less sensitive to altitude and cold changes. It is simple to install, and very simple to operate. This company and others selling on ebay have been repeatedly warned against these practices. Had a Webasto in my last rig. Both of which I have been completely satisfied with and neither of which has every let me down. Generally, these heaters take up less usable internal space in a van build. This post was not sponsored, although there are affiliate links included. This is trouble you are causing ME personally as I am the warranty center + distributor for all of the USA market. Unsubscribe at any time. These models are similar to each other, the main difference is: *If you live in North America and you want to buy the STC for a gasoline vehicle you will not have easy access to support, even at the dealer network. I will spend a lot of time parked at 8-10,000′ elevation/2,400-3,000 meters. Any van build should still have a good carbon monoxide detector, but these heaters will function more like a traditional furnace. All USA dealers and distribution is listed here: propexheatsource.com Propane van water heater SA approved portable tankless water heater for US &Canada markets. Because these heaters are tapping into larger fuel sources, they are cheaper to run and more autonomous than portable heaters. Todays diesel heaters, especially with a muffler and/or rubber mount for the pump, are extremely quiet. If you want something energy efficient that can run the entire night in the coldest of temperatures – continue reading! At 600 ft it ignites we have heat, camped at 6700 ft , no ignition, could hear clicking, , no heat, came back to 600 ft, ignited right up. Webasto service in the lower 48 (United States). Unlike diesel or gasoline which can be easily tapped into from your vehicle fuel tank, propane tanks are heavy and require more planning to install in your van. While Espar makes a number of diesel heaters, the most popular for a campervan conversion is the Airtronic D2 Air Heater. The Espar has a variable speed fan and will run on high speed for 15 minutes or so then will ramp all the way down to low and is absolutely silent. In addition, we think it is well worth considering a high altitude sensor for a cleaner and more efficient combustion to go with the Espar. It can be more difficult to find customer support for these brands. can be used with a larger tank (5, 11, 20 pound), thanks to the following adapter. This gives you the benefit of not needing to figure out how to install a separate tank, plus they’re easier to refill. Other ways to stay warm in a van in winter: Put a hot water bottle in your campervan bed, Warm your body with hot tea, soup or broth, Invest in a 12-volt electric blanket for campervan heating. Comfortable heat. There is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in badly ventilated areas. The opposite occurs when you head to lower altitudes. It’s either Off or On at full blast(nothing inbetween), so in the shoulder seasons you have to listen to it cycle on and off all night. The Mr Buddy Heater is one of the most popular options for van life due to its ease of use and portability. The Truma Combi is a combination furnace and water heater. The only problem I have is when it gets cold (-15 C). That´s nothing!! When temps drop again it will slightly increase speed until desired temp is reached. Keep in mind that it’s not damaging to the heater to be set for high-altitude and running at sea level. Your email address will not be published. I have a Lance Trailer (25,000 BTU) that I am using in -20 C weather full time that goes through 150 lbs of propane every 3 days. As for using your propane garage heater safely, be sure to follow these 10 guidelines: Choose a propane heater that’s the right size for your space. Espar has distribution centers located within the US. Read More. I don’t know how you can mount it under the seat because the battery is under the drivers seat. This is the second in a series on how to heat your car, van or RV when you live in them. This particular model can run for 24 hours on just one gallon of diesel fuel which is quite impressive! It can be mounted on the wall or used as a portable unit. Where are you going to put that big old ticking time bomb? Diesel is the most dense, but it’s also slightly more expensive in the US, so they end up being about the same cost per BTU. The Propex heater comes in two models, the HS2000, and HS2211. That means if something goes wrong, you’re going to have much better luck getting it services and receiving replacement parts promptly. I chose a Propex because I already have a good amount of gas storage and I didn’t want to have to tap into the van’s fuel tank. It is the most flexible heater when it comes to installation. Both models have a burn rate of 65,000BTU and use on average 1lb. My diesel heater also draws less battery power than my propane furnace when dry camping, but it does take a bit longer to warm things up. VEVOR Propane Hot Water Heater 18L Tankless Propane Water heater 4.8GPM Stainless Steel Liquefied Petroleum Gas Water Heater with Shower Head Kit Wall-Mounted Water Heater. For your van, it could be a great pick. It also has a low Amp draw of just 1.6Amps. The STC (gasoline) model was also not supported or sold in North America which made it difficult to recommend. Hey Karl, thanks for the feedback! Not a hater but is somebody getting paid or sponsored here?? Thank you! Because of its clean combustion, there is no cleaning or maintenance needed on the Propex heater. These heaters can also be installed in a van and are very efficient at heating a small space. A win-win for camper van heating. My diesel heater running continuously on low is much quieter than my propane heater cycling on/off constantly. It is an ultra quiet, ultra efficient propane powered unit. The difference between the two models comes in the installation process. Unsubscribe at any time. Thanks for the information. The Nest. Product Title Mr Heater Big Buddy Portable Propane Gas Heater, 4000 to 18000 BTU. I personally have the Propex HS2800, which I really like. Just want to see folks get good info and advice. This heater also features automatic temperature control and diagnostics for the best efficiency. Here’s a tip: Any appliance that normally requires small camping propane bottle (camp stove, Mr Heater Buddy, etc.) This version connects to a propane line or tank and can be used both inside and outside. They are installed out of the way and you don’t have to worry about being as cautious around hot surfaces like you’d find with a fireplace or portable heater. There are a few steps involved including uninstalling the heater, removing the combustion fan, and replacing the burner insert. 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