logistics: warming in winter
My approach to heating the van has evolved over the six years I’ve lived in it. My use case hasn’t changed: I follow mild weather and only rarely/accidentally get caught in hard freezes. Dipping slightly below freezing at night is about the limit of my tolerance.
first iteration - Buddy heater
I bought my Mr. Heater Buddy many years ago and took it with me when I moved into the van. I used it the first three winters. I had a 20# propane tank and a refill adapter for refilling the 1lb greenies.
The problem for me was it put out too much heat for my van even on the low setting. I’d have to keep turning it off and on. Since that was a PITA I’d generally just use it in the morning to warm the van and again before bed. I slept in a 0° F mummy bag which worked great.
second iteration - propane stove + contact heating
Two factors drove this change:
- I noticed that after brewing coffee and making breakfast on the single burner propane stove that I would just leave it on until cabin temp warmed. I’d pop the steel flame tamer thingy on the burner so it would cover the flame, diffuse the heat, and also act as a radiant source. (I also use it as a trivet and pan cover – love that thing) I just wasn’t using the Buddy heater.
- I adopted Muffin and could no longer sleep in the mummy bag.
I packed the Buddy in a plastic cover and stored it in the underbed “basement”, where it still resides to this day. If I ever get caught in a vicious freeze I’ll break it out again.
To keep wonderdog and I warm at night I ordered a heated mattress pad which has been amazing. Most of the time it is running on one of the two lowest levels, averaging 13w and 20w respectively. It goes up to 8 but I’ve only had it past 2 a handful of times. Doggo loves it, too.
I picked up a USB heated vest, which bakes on the highest setting (10w). I plug it into the laptop USB outlet most of the time. I treated it roughly and had to repair the USB leads this year. It’s fairly light duty and it might be better to pick up a real one used by motorcyclists. I had one years ago and it transformed my winter riding.
For quick, portable warmth I bought a USB hand warmer that hangs around my neck, down inside my jacket. I didn’t have high hopes for it but it performs well and lasts for hours. Also functions as a small USB power brick if you need it to. A camping neighbor liked it so much on cold mornings that I bought one for them, too.
third iteration - bulk propane stove + contact heating
All the contact heating and propane stove “heater” is still in use. But refilling the greenies got annoying, especially when it was really cold outside. So this summer I ordered a 10ft Mr. Heater hose (the kind that requires no filter). The bottle-top stove no longer had a bottle to sit on so I found a small wire stand at a thrift. It holds the burner straight and a little lower than it did on the 1lb bottle/stand. The propane hose comes up from the bottom of the stand and into the burner.
It’s worked well so far. I usually leave the stove w/tamer running if it’s <50° F in the van. Dog is sitting on the warm bed and I have on a heated vest so 50F is fine.
I know that Chinese diesel heaters are supposed to be the way forward. But I am typically out in 14d increments and the OEM diesel tanks seem to hold 2-3 days of fuel. If I ever do install a CDH I’ll likely mount a diesel tank under the van and fill it from outside.
the propane vs electric cooking decision tree
I’ve been cooking chiefly with electric appliances for a year or so. If I have plenty of both resources the decision comes down to temps inside the van.
If it’s cold in the van, say <50F, I use propane to get the warming side effect. Warmer than that and I cook with electric. Overnight temps are predicted to be in the 30s so I will likely make coffee and breakfast over the propane hob.
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