Buddy Heater

Trouble with that is that CO is heavier than air, so the bottom of the van (where you sleep) will be low on O2 compared to the roof vent area
Anything that depletes the oxy will eventually kill you.
There are numerous examples of people dying in confined spaces from lack of 02
I remember years ago when a particular Tassie chapter of the cmca advised their members to use the gas cooker to warm up the van.
I did it as well until we got an urgent email advising to not do it because one of their members died as a result
Apparently we need oxy to survive – who knew

G'day Mark,
Its an old van that has a floor vent (for heavier than air gas) & pretty big vent in the lower portion of the door.
Don't think I would do it in the newer well sealed vans.
Like I said we never run it when in the van.
Cheers
Stu

OK. just hate to see someone do what I did. I got away with it but many don't
i couldn’t see the difference between using the stove to heat the area and cooking a meal but meals take way less time.
I now use a CO monitor just in case
The other alternative is to head north – this is the 1st winter I've experiences for 20 years.

"Trouble with that is that CO is heavier than air, so the bottom of the van (where you sleep) will be low on O2 compared to the roof vent area"
I have a problem with this...
1. CO is slightly less dense than air, but close enough that it mixes freely.
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=density+of+co&ie=UTF-8&oe=

2. Low levels of oxygen is not the danger. CO is POISONOUS and can kill even with high oxygen levels and low levels of CO. It is an insidious thing. It is not noticed as it takes hold and the effect is to simply doze off, never to wake again.

CO poisoning has become so serious (and so common in the RV community) that it is now illegal to have an enclosed annex on the same side as a gas fridge exhaust. 2 sides of the annex must be open.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

G'day Mark,
Camped out on our property adjoining Victoria's Little Desert as we speak. Temp is plummeting & last night was -4 as our camp is located in a frost hollow.
Very cold walking away from the fire!
Cheers
Stu

Thanks Peter for clarifying that.
My mistake, you’re right of course. I was thinking about my days in OHS when several people died from CO poisoning – old brain cells are dying off too quickly.
I fitted the CO monitor high up on the wall so yes, its lighter.
2 young fishos died in a van in the same location that I had my van parked in tassie , but they had a genny running near the door

Stu, I love my fire but its too bloody cold to sit around here atm – its down to 18 ??

For those of you interested in understanding the chemistry of CO poisoning I recommend you read this:

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: https://www.rsc.org/Education/Teachers/Resources/Inspirational/resources/2.7.1.pdf

According to the article CO has a 200 times greater affinity with our haemoglobin than oxygen plus impairs the blood from giving up oxygen to cells needing it. So very small concentrations of CO will cause poisoning.

Mark C9
You mentioned CO is heavier than air, seeing that is the case, why have your CO detector HIGH up on the wall as mentioned? You can be dead before it detects the CO up that far. Isn't it better to have it near floor level so if it is there and above floor you are warned early enough to save the human?

In mechanics pits they have to be vented because of heavy CO filling the pit and killing the tool man.

CO is actually about 3% lighter than air at the same temperature and pressure.

Gas Densities

In practical terms this means that the CO mixes easily with air and is likely to be present throughout any column of air that is stirred in any way. Such as you would find in a caravan where people are moving about or a heater is providing convection air currents. That is why CO is such a dangerous gas to red blooded animals.

We have a Webasto diesel heater in our van. Have run it all night at times when outside temps are negative. Burns about 100ml/hr maybe more but not a lot more. Exhaust is to outside. The fuel pump makes a bit of noise along with the fan. Very efficient and very safe. Wouldn’t be without it..

just make sure that your life insurance is paid up if you intend to leave it on all night. NOOOOOOO!

G'day Harry,
Apart from the risk to ones health it would cost a lot in LPG to run all night!
Diesel heater would be a better option for that as suggested or just a better doona. We are currently camped out in below zero temps & just warm the van before use then switch the heater off. Inside the van is usually around 4 deg but no problem keeping warm under the doona.
Cheers
Stu

Stu
Yep a good doona can do no harm.
And a warm wife helps as well.
Harry
PS do not go for the morning cuddle on a cold morning.
Can be dangerous.