yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Post by yozz on Jul 10, 2009 18:13:06 GMT
The kind you plug in the lighter socket and mount on the dashboard normally.
Has anyone used one of these in the habitation area of a small motorhome when it's cold?
I'm thinking about cheap heating solutions when I'm off site and wildcamping.
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Post by Derek on Jul 10, 2009 19:20:29 GMT
Hi Yozz
They are about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike ;D
I have one gathering dust in the loft.
Derek
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yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Post by yozz on Jul 10, 2009 19:47:21 GMT
Hi Yozz They are about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike ;D I have one gathering dust in the loft. Derek Hi Derek can you remember what make and model you tried? Cheers, yozz  |
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Post by jayjay on Jul 11, 2009 8:56:30 GMT
Won't something like that drain the car battery really quickly? You might have to use it with the engine running! If you want a quick warm up, you could always just put the gas kettle on to boil = hot water and heat (or the grill - without grill pan!). You obviously cant leave a gas flame on all night, so just take two sleeping bags and a blanket to sleep in. Oh, the joys of wild camping! You need to be hardy! |
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paul
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 54
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Post by paul on Jul 11, 2009 10:02:55 GMT
I'm thinking about cheap heating solutions when I'm off site and wildcamping. has some other ideas. |
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Post by Derek on Jul 11, 2009 11:16:01 GMT
Hi Yozz They are about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike ;D I have one gathering dust in the loft. Derek Hi Derek can you remember what make and model you tried? Cheers, yozz It has Auto Care on it, here is a pic.  It is about 100 watts Derek |
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yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Post by yozz on Jul 11, 2009 19:46:35 GMT
Won't something like that drain the car battery really quickly? You might have to use it with the engine running! If you want a quick warm up, you could always just put the gas kettle on to boil = hot water and heat (or the grill - without grill pan!). You obviously cant leave a gas flame on all night, so just take two sleeping bags and a blanket to sleep in. Oh, the joys of wild camping! You need to be hardy! Hi jayjay I was thinking about running it off the leisure battery not the car battery. I'm also assuming it will use less power if it's 12V and I can connect it directly to the battery instead of messing around with an inverter. I could well be wrong though  I've got a decent sleeping bag but I'm thinking about that time when it starts to go cold but you're not ready for bed yet. |
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yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Post by yozz on Jul 11, 2009 19:59:11 GMT
It has Auto Care on it, here is a pic. It is about 100 watts Derek Thanks Derek I was looking at a 150 watt one that maplins do - www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=48775It looks similar and I don't see the point of spending 15 quid only for it to be stored away and not used. |
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yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Post by yozz on Jul 11, 2009 20:07:02 GMT
Hmmm thanks for that paul. Did you have to have a vent open while you used it? |
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Post by Derek on Jul 11, 2009 20:28:33 GMT
I was looking at a 150 watt one that maplins do - I suspect that 150 watts is with the engine running and the volts at 13.8 At 12 volts it is going to give abt 110 watts Derek |
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wheelmon
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 51
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Post by wheelmon on Jul 11, 2009 21:29:50 GMT
The one I bought over a year ago was rated at 200watts and the only thing that got hot was the plug. It's in the garage somewhere now (lost forever) but from memory I would say it was of similar design to Derek's. The motorbike ashtray comparison just about sums it up!
I seem to remember thinking that if the fan hadn't been so powerful the element might have had a chance to heat up, but altering it could have been playing with fire - literally.
My advice would be to forget it. I ended up digging deep into the coffers and fitting a Propex 2000 heater. I have hardly needed to use it yet but it'll be there when the time comes brrrrr.
And on the subject of using up the battery, I have a solar panel permanently fitted on the roof of my Duo and I never use EHU. I've just come back from over 3 weeks in France staying at one place for 7 nights (mostly 2 nights). With the solar panel and alternator when travelling the leisure battery has kept charged. I've used a 300watt inverter for computer (17" laptop used as DVD player/TV) and charging my razor, mobile phone and camera batteries. Sorry for drifting off the original topic.
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paul
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 54
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Post by paul on Jul 11, 2009 22:18:56 GMT
Hmmm thanks for that paul. Did you have to have a vent open while you used it? I've never had to have it on for long enough for ventilation to be an issue. |
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yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Post by yozz on Jul 12, 2009 16:37:02 GMT
I've decided not to go with the ceramic heater as it seems a waste of money. I like the sound of the pyramid stove top heater and all the reviews read positive, but everywhere seems to be sold out and not expecting any more in the future. There is a Wynnster version that looks identical but works out nearly twice the price if ordering on-line. Thanks for all the advice so far |
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yozz
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 40
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Post by yozz on Jul 12, 2009 16:41:15 GMT
The one I bought over a year ago was rated at 200watts and the only thing that got hot was the plug. It's in the garage somewhere now (lost forever) but from memory I would say it was of similar design to Derek's. The motorbike ashtray comparison just about sums it up! I seem to remember thinking that if the fan hadn't been so powerful the element might have had a chance to heat up, but altering it could have been playing with fire - literally. My advice would be to forget it. I ended up digging deep into the coffers and fitting a Propex 2000 heater. I have hardly needed to use it yet but it'll be there when the time comes brrrrr. And on the subject of using up the battery, I have a solar panel permanently fitted on the roof of my Duo and I never use EHU. I've just come back from over 3 weeks in France staying at one place for 7 nights (mostly 2 nights). With the solar panel and alternator when travelling the leisure battery has kept charged. I've used a 300watt inverter for computer (17" laptop used as DVD player/TV) and charging my razor, mobile phone and camera batteries. Sorry for drifting off the original topic. No probs wheelmon I have got an inverter but the fan seems to be going continually and the noise is a real distraction. |
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wheelmon
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 51
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Post by wheelmon on Jul 12, 2009 21:21:52 GMT
Interesting point about the inverter fan, Yozz - to my knowledge the one on mine's not gone into action yet. At least I've not heard it.
I bought it from Maplins about 2 months ago.
Perhaps I've not given it enough work to do. The biggest thing I used was a 160watt Braun Blender but only for 2 - 3 minutes at a time.
The computer's only 90watts.
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Post by jayjay on Jul 13, 2009 17:50:50 GMT
Just been looking at those little stove top heaters, was going to get one myself! Like you said, Yozz, all sold out. ....D'you know what, they look like an empty beans can or something of that ilk. Something that will stand on top of a gas cooker ring and channel the heat/flame upwards.... OK guys, a heatproof pipe resembling an empty beans can.... would there be something in a car engine or something else that would do the trick? Tempted by the empty beans can, but it couldn't be that easy.... nah. Tell you what tho - I remember a few years back that you could get a pyramid shaped thingmajig which was supposed to do toast, but didn't work very well from all reports - now that's meant to go on top of a camping cooker ring, so should do the same thing! www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0250832This one isn't exactly what I had in mind - the one I was thinking of had closed in metal sides that you sort of balanced slices of bread on - everyone reckoned they were rubbish and the reviews on this one don't sound any better - for toast that is! |
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wheelmon
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 51
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Post by wheelmon on Jul 13, 2009 18:28:56 GMT
What worries me about these stove-top heaters, and even the toaster (which I have used without success when tent camping), is the close proximity to the GRP surrounding and above the hob.
These things are not just hot like a pan or kettle, but almost red hot. Probably not 'almost'! What if it fell over, or onto the floor?!! How could it be picked up before the damage is done?
(I have a tendency to always imagine the worst.)
Seems I may have 'thrown a wet blanket' on the idea . . . . . . . . . . mmm. . . .just a minute . . . . .
Did you notice the toast in the Wilkinson's ad? (your link jayjay) - obviously done on an electric toaster!!
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paul
50+ posts.... 3 wheels on my wagon!
Posts: 54
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Post by paul on Jul 13, 2009 19:57:13 GMT
Tempted by the empty beans can, but it couldn't be that easy.... No, its not that easy. There's an element inside which becomes red-hot in the gas flame. This is how it radiates the heat. Then there is an outer layer (with holes in) to prevent anything coming into direct contact with the inner element. When it is used on the original Uno gas stove, it fits over the wires then is twisted to lock it on. On the Roma gas ring it is not a perfect fit but it still resistant to being knocked over. When I've used mine I've never noticed any overheating of the surround - nothing worse than a good cooking session. I've never used it for long though. Partly because I've never needed to, but I don't think it would be a good idea from a point of view of condensation, gas useage,waste gas build-up etc. I've just looked at the box on mine and they're supplied by Pyramid Products in Notts if anyone wanted to see if they are available at source, or to check stockists. The phone is 01623 754567 and its the Mini Heater, part no. F6740 (fits Pyramid Gas Stove F4440). |
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