How are you powering your heaters?

[Free_to_be_me]

I know there's a whole forum section on hearing and air conditioning but I'm finding the posts seem geared towards vans and RVs. I'm going to be moving into my car at the start of January in the middle of Canadian winter.... which sometimes gets to -30 degrees Celsius or cooler. I'm planning on using a winter sleeping bag, and a heater. Not sure which kind of heater, and I think i want to learn to use solar panels to be environmentally friendly. ....but a big solar panel on top of my car will be less stealth....trying to decide if that will be an issue later. Anyways, fellow sedan dwellers, how are you powering your heaters in winter?

 

[Kia girl]

Mr. buddy heaters use the 1 lb propane tanks and can be used in cars if really needed to.


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[sephson]

I've got a Mr. Heater, Little Buddy that I set up on some books that I use as a leveling platform on my front passenger seat. It's more than enough heat for my little Kia Soul. I crack the front windows open for ventilation and I'm good to go. Power is a non issue.

That said, I'm based in Southern California, so extreme cold is not something that I have to deal with. Also, I'm not a full timer, so heat is not a constant concern for me. Others may be able to give more reliable advice in this area.

 

[cdog]

I've been looking at the Prius. Not sure of other hybrids but the Prius runs the heater and AC off of the 12V battery. The engine comes on every once in a while to keep the battery charged.

 

[Free_to_be_me]

Can you just buy a battery, charge it by running your car for a bit, and have enough for the entire night? How fast would something like that loose its charge?

 

[Kia girl]

Free_to_be_meCan you just buy a battery, charge it by running your car for a bit, and have enough for the entire night? How fast would something like that loose its charge?

It may be cheaper to get a mr buddy and only run it a few time a night just to warm you up.  They run about $80 on amazon.com

 

[Free_to_be_me]

Free_to_be_meCan you just buy a battery, charge it by running your car for a bit, and have enough for the entire night? How fast would something like that loose its charge?

It may be cheaper to get a mr buddy and only run it a few time a night just to warm you up.  They run about $80 on amazon.com

Is it typical for car dwellers to get interrupted sleep multiple times every single night for 3-4 months straight?

 

[Kia girl]

Is it typical for car dwellers to get interrupted sleep multiple times every single night for 3-4 months straight?

Sadly I understand that one

 

[simply lesa]

I heard about a golfcart heater, runs on propane and fits a cup holder. (I am allergic to propane so never tried)

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[highdesertranger]

"Can you just buy a battery, charge it by running your car for a bit, and have enough for the entire night? How fast would something like that loose its charge? "

short answer, no.

it takes many, many hours of running your engine to recharge a depleted battery.

it's very inefficient to heat anything at any voltage with electricity. in other words a battery will not last an hour running a heater.

highdesertranger

 

[KathyC]

I heard about a golfcart heater, runs on propane and fits a cup holder. (I am allergic to propane so never tried)

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Outdoor use only, unfortunately.  Don't even think about using in a car

 

[LilNomad]

You might want to add one of these to your sleeping bag. I recently received mine and have noticed a difference.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/The-Original-Space-Brands-All-Weather-Blanket/713345.uts
LilNomad

mod edit, the above link is for a space blanket. you must provide a description of what you are linking to.

 

[Duke]

You might want to add one of these to your sleeping bag. I recently received mine and have noticed a difference.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/The-Original-Space-Brands-All-Weather-Blanket/713345.uts
LilNomad

Those make a huge difference. They're not the cheapie mylar ones. 
Having one along might have saved my life on an Alaskan kayak trip.

 

[LilNomad]

Those make a huge difference. They're not the cheapie mylar ones. 
Having one along might have saved my life on an Alaskan kayak trip.

Hehe no wonder I woke up sweating!
LilNomad

 

[Free_to_be_me]

You might want to add one of these to your sleeping bag. I recently received mine and have noticed a difference.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/The-Original-Space-Brands-All-Weather-Blanket/713345.uts
LilNomad

mod edit,   the above link is for a space blanket.  you must provide a description of what you are linking to.

I decided to buy one! I don't want to risk hypothermia. I'm glad to hear it's worked well for others too. Thanks!

 

[highdesertranger]

space blankets should only be used in emergency situations, imo. it's like sleeping inside a trash bag. you will be soaked. highdesertranger

 

[John61CT]

Repeating, you don't use solar electric for heating nor A/C.

Yes a Prius can, much bigger bank than you'd ever add to a regular vehicle, plus very efficient genny built-in. But likely per month petrol costs pretty high doing it that way.

Back to other vehicles. For extended boondocking liveaboard - not on shore power - a small Buddy with window cracked is cheap but is inconvenient and dangerous, same with any unvented propane.

The best solution is of course expensive. A "parking heater" that burns same fuel as your engine, either blowing hot air into the living space or heating water / engine block then heat exchanger.

Google Espar, Webasto.

Also Propex HS2211.

 

[John61CT]

PS getting the space toasty before and after you sleep is all you need. While actually sleeping no need for active heating, proper clothing and sleeping bag, plus maybe a hot water bottle is enough.

 

[jonsun]

the best way IMO is to use a generator and a small indoor space heater. it may cost a bit more though but its much safer and either way you have to carry a large object (generator vs propane tank).

of course to prevent theft wire the generator to this perimeter alarm. http://www.pyrocreations.com/12-gauge-perimeter-alarm.html

 

[John61CT]

Sorry that's just an IMO criminal level of energy inefficiency.

Whatever the fuel, directly burning it to produce heat is the only way to go.