Keeping Warm??

**DannyD** · 01-20-2005, 02:38 PM

Hi,

I use a little 12 volt heater & plug it into a Vector 300 Amp jump starter. After a few hours, there won't be enough juice in the Vector to run the heater, but that's a few hours you don't have to run your vehicle & it can be recharged while driving.

I'm wondering if anyone in a cargo van has any other ideas on keeping the van warm w/out having it running.

Thanx in advance for your answers.

**Glen Rice** · 01-20-2005, 02:38 PM

Time to add another battery, I recommend a deep cycle gel filled battery with an isolator to protect the van battery from discharge. This is an RV piece so easy to acquire. Good Luck and stay warm.

**terryandrene** · 01-20-2005, 02:54 PM

Wal-Mart/K-Mart sell a small catalytic heater in the sports dept. It runs on a one pound propane tank for about $1.75 for 8 hours of non-adjustable heat. Great for a van.

See the ESPAR ads around this site. A great bunk heater that uses diesel/gas supply from your vehicle tank. about the size of two cartons of cigarettes (USA). About $1200, installed.

My auxilliary power supply is two 12v, deep-cycle batteries in the rear of the van. They are connected to the primary battery by a pair of #6 welding cables routed through a continuous duty solenoid. (Carquest, $35). Solenoid is closed by the ignition and isolates deep-cycle batteries from the primary when ignition is off.

Terry

**ACE** · 01-20-2005, 05:36 PM

The Espar heater works great in a van. Plenty of heat and is on a thermostat.

**geo** · 01-20-2005, 08:39 PM

and to help keep battery's charge up to solor battery charger
they come in different size's
you should be able to find them at any boating store
marine discount boater's carries they
they also may be mounted to top of the van and some of them
have mag and when you stop set em up and alway's remeber to put em
away and not drive off and leave them

**Crazynuff** · 01-21-2005, 09:08 AM

I tried the propane heater from WalMart and it didn't work for me . The instructions say to have 6 sq. in. of ventilation and the heater can't make up for the cold air that allows in . Cracking the window would also pose a danger of carbon monoxide from cars running nearby as mentioned in another post . I use a good sleeping bag and it works pretty well unless temps get well below freezing .