Low wattage electrice 240v heaters

Submitted: Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 11:37
ThreadID: 68035 Views:7426 Replies:11 FollowUps:4
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I am planning for go bush camping in winter and will be taking along a small generator for battery charging , ipod etc charging.
No, it will not be in National Parks or around other people.
No, I haven't got a solar charging system
As it can get quite cold in a camper trailer tent just when you go to bed and wait till everything is warmed up I thought it may be more comfortable to warm it up first by way of say a 500 watt heater.
I know its going soft but will have kids with me and it could get below -5 and when you go to bed cold it seems that even whilst you may have plenty of blankets and sleeping bags it seems to take forever to warm up in bed.
when you go to bed warm there doesn't seem to be the above problem as much.
So, Is there such a beast as a 500 watt 240 volt heater?

Honky
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Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 11:46

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 11:46
Forget the genny and heaters, buy a few hot water bottles. And the water can be used over and over again in the bottles each night. Michael
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Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 12:07

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 12:07
I would think the heat retention in a C/t tent would be very minimal. Warming the air will have next to no effect on the temp in bed anyway. Go the hot water bottle or plenty of warm clothes
or a decent sleeping bag.....oldbaz.
AnswerID: 360504

Reply By: Tenpounder - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 12:27

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 12:27
Hi there. I have looked for, and not found, any 240v heater below 1200/2400 or similar (ie two speed). Some are 2400w only.
Have you considered a gas heater? I know it is both dangerous and illegal to use such a heater in an unvented space, but someone I know very well has used a gas heater screwed onto to a normal companion style gas bottle to heat a 13 x 10 touring tent, even in quite cold weather, and with a small opening to the fresh air, I can't see too much risk.
Even if you could get a 500w 240v heater, I doubt it would do too much to warm the toes of the littlies - its about half an old fashioned single bar heater, and a fifth of a 'normal' fan heater.

Chris
AnswerID: 360506

Follow Up By: Tenpounder - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 12:34

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 12:34
PS Rays list a Gas Radiator for $44.99 which is similar toy ours but a bit bigger in the reflector department. It screws onto the top of the bottle. They say 4500BTU output, and I haven't a clue how that compares!!
Hope this helps.

Chris
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Follow Up By: Tenpounder - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 12:40

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 12:40
Sorry to keep coming back, but I've just found the conversion: if the gas heater is 4500 BTU, that is equivalent to 1300 watts
Chris
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Follow Up By: Best Off Road - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 13:01

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 13:01
TP,

We tried what you have suggested. In cold weather it needs to be run for some time to just warm the Camper a little.

However, nice and warm to stand directly in front of whilst getting undressed.

Cheers,

Jim.

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Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 12:58

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 12:58
You used to be able to buy very small tube heaters for airing cupboards. They are totally enclosed in a metal tube and although they can make you jump if you touch them they should not be hot enough to cause a fire. Around 250 watts from memory, ask an electrical appliance shop if they can one for you. All they do is keep away the damp clammy feeling when the temp drops and dew point rises. Anything other then a dry heat and you will have condensation pouring off the walls.

.
AnswerID: 360512

Reply By: Tadooch - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 13:05

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 13:05
I bought a solar blanket from Cavalier - $350 keeps heat out in summer but with windows closed, traps it in in winter. A great investment.

Cheers
AnswerID: 360514

Reply By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 13:20

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 13:20
Hey

I saw a 12v electric blanket at supercheap a little while ago not sure how much power it will draw or if it's any good but I have been looking for something like you and have settled with a good sleeping bag and a beenie
AnswerID: 360518

Reply By: austastar - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 13:46

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 13:46
We use a gasbottle and a Companion gas heater/reflector thingy on cold nights in the van.
Yep we are aware and compensate for C02 and CO with a vent in the door and one in the roof.
If it is chilly at night, but not worth mucking about with the gas heater on the floor we used to use a gas lantern, but have recently upgraded to a Coleman Northstar Lantern.
That gives light and heat (and a bit of noise too, but it ain't really a drama).
A couple of Hotties in bed (bottles of course) keeps the circulation up.
cheers
AnswerID: 360526

Reply By: Honky - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 14:01

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 14:01
Thanks everyone for you r replies.
I have used a bigger heater with a larger generator and it has worked a treat.
It also helps to keep the inside and outside dry in damp conditions.
As I will be on the road for around 3 weeks bushcamping it may come in handly if we have a cold snap.
I do have a coleman gas heater but am worried about the CO2 thing with the kids.
Honky
AnswerID: 360528

Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 18:46

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 18:46
Just ensure you have a small air exchange (a couple of windows slightly open) and you won't have any problem from carbon dioxide buildup.
Bill


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Reply By: DIO - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 18:36

Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 18:36
Go gas make sure that it is kept well away from combustibles and NEVER left unattended.
AnswerID: 360567

Reply By: Member - Gavan F (WA) - Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 03:19

Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 03:19
G'day Honky

Many years ago my company supplied me with a little fan heater for under my work bench.It was 900/450 Watt. I have used it many times in my tent.(at caravan parks).

Check out an Office supplier or even Blackwoods.

Regards Gavan
AnswerID: 360639

Reply By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 08:00

Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 08:00
I also prefer our little sun gas cartridge heater and as they only last 2 hours at a time and have auto tilt and lack of oxygen cut outs.

But on electric side they are widely available - mine with 2 X 500 watt bars was from sams wharehouse and only $5 at end of last season.
It works quite well even from my inverter , however a better solution I have used is the infra - red globes from overhead bathroom heaters. At 150-375w they can be directed quite well and give the cars 240v MSW inverter no hard time.
Robin Miller

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AnswerID: 360652

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