Winter Freezing
- Thread starter Sharky
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Bryce C
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I did a ton of research and all electric portable small space heaters just randomly stop working pretty frequently, even worse others begin smoking, and whatever else. I found this thing, it goes under several different names but it is the same thing it seems. About $100. 1500 watts, analog, and they've been making the same exact unit for like 30 years. They hardly ever fail, simple. Don't get something that costs $30 or $40 and looks similar, it will be risky trash.
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Bryce C
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And then I got this thermostat because I have found that onboard thermostats in small space heaters are not reliable, and digital ones just randomly stop working in a short period of time. And the Marcell temperature monitor send alerts to my cell phone if the temperature drops below a certain level as a fail safe in case the electricity goes out or the heater stops working. I then mounted everything and wired up an electrical box and outlet and mounted it in my van so it is all neat and easy to plug in with an extension cord from my garage each day.
Bryce C
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Depending on how cold it gets in your region you may want to insulate your van. If not then you may consider running 2 space heaters, 1 in the front and 1 in the rear. I insulated my van. Hopefully I can get through the New England winter with 1 space heater, we'll see. Thankfully with my setup my cell phone will begin alerting me in the middle of the night if the van isn't staying warm enough. I'm still nervous about it all. I need to be more like the lilly.
bob vawter
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If you leave outside wit the heater on
You have at least an inch of ice on the inside
MarkieMark
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- Mark Franco
We dont even get that cold here but I went ahead and did a cheap vevor diesel heater with 1.9gal tank in it last week as the high tops are harder to keep warm. My test last week in the 40s showed it kept 20+ above ambient outside on setting 3 or 10 so I am feeling good this year.
Last year we got some 15-18 degree weather which almost never hits us in West Texas that cause me lots of sleep loss and even put 2 electric heaters in the high top on different circuits to fight that odd all cold weather here.
That was the graph of my test with it being about 42f overnight. Dropoff at 7am was me with the doors open and heater off checking it out. Really easy to install in 10-20 min and total cost was about $150.
Last year we got some 15-18 degree weather which almost never hits us in West Texas that cause me lots of sleep loss and even put 2 electric heaters in the high top on different circuits to fight that odd all cold weather here.
That was the graph of my test with it being about 42f overnight. Dropoff at 7am was me with the doors open and heater off checking it out. Really easy to install in 10-20 min and total cost was about $150.
That won't happen with an electric heater with a insulated van.. Heated with them for years. Now infrared propane heaters will do that due to the moisture they give off but not electric.
bob vawter
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Bryce C
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I got a 25' x 40' tarp to cover my van when it will be snowing. I'll take it off and put it in my basement to thaw out when I use the van the next day.
sassyotto
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I remember back in 1999 when we decided not to continue water/fire restoration services with a shop and downsize to just me cleaning out of a home (which is how it all started out) The realtor asked what we wanted in a home and the first priority was a floor drain in the garage. It was the first time the realtor heard that one! So we found our home and insulated the garage and installed a heater. Now the garage is nice and cozy warm not only for the van and equipment but also do the regular maintenance and water fill ups in the morning. Best investment if you can do it.
Kenny Hayes
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Kinda like what 75-90k shop will
get you.
That's a value when you compare it to commercial property!
get you.
That's a value when you compare it to commercial property!
Sierra Clean Care
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If you live where it freezes, get one of these, and have peace of mind…
MarkieMark
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Isn't it just going to output the same as all other $50 1500w heaters? 5k BTU output for the patron, 20k BTU heat output for the diesel heater.
Bryce C
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The peace of mind he speaks of is that it runs well and continuosly without malfunctioning in the middle of the night. Just like the $100/1500 watt electric space heater I posted. Maybe it distributes warm air throughout the van better with a more powerful fan too. I imagine it's worth the small decrease in power to the heating element to circulate heat more effectively.
Bryce C
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T- 2 years for me. I can hardly wait.
Sierra Clean Care
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It just heats differently… I have one in my garage, and when I’m to lazy to take my van to the shop (after a 16-18 hr day), I throw it in the van, set in on low, and the van is a sauna in the morning…
It’s built for commercial use.
It’s designed to run CONTINUOUSLY for 10 years… not like the other plastic junk on the market.
Convenience; it’s plugs into a standard wall socket (make sure it’s a dedicated circuit).
No playing around with messy fuels…
Just my experience.
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