Newbie looking for info about heating and cooling

[Bill_Toyota_Matrix]

Hello,

Stumbled upon this site after trying to figure out an alternative option for city-dwelling without buying a house near where I work.  I am hoping to find out some information/options from this site.

About me: I work 50 miles from home and have been commuting for over 3.5 years now.  I am also attending school full-time and am having complications trying to juggle work, school, sleep, and family.  I currently spend roughly 2.5 to 3 hours commuting 5 days a week.  I would like to drop that down drastically if possible.

My hope/plan is to drive to work on Monday, stay in my vehicle through the week, and drive back home on Friday.  I have no problem with acquiring food, showers, restrooms, cooking, etc.  My biggest problem is having heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer.  I started looking at the Class B RV's and then saw that a  "stealth" option was suggested.  I am now wondering how you can be stealthy and still have heat and air conditioning.  I have no problem finding parking...but I would prefer to be stealthy about the fact that I would be sleeping in my vehicle.

So....here is what I have and what I am trying to do:

2008 Toyota Matrix
Heat:  I would like to have adequate heat for up to 10 degree nights.  I know I can use a sleeping bag, but what type of heat source would I need to keep warm?  Are there any heat sources that aren't loud/dangerous?
Air Conditioning:  There are nights where it will be 90 degrees.  I'd like to cool it down to at least 75 degrees....what options are there that aren't loud/noisy/dangerous?

Where I would be parking is "fairly safe" but I wouldn't want to leave anything outside my vehicle on the ground.  I also would not want to leave the windows down/ventilation that way.  I need to be able to lock myself in at night.  I also don't know where any electrical plugs are near me...so that option is kind of out.

I am hoping there is some type of battery source that I can use that would have enough to power air conditioning and heat...that's it.  Any ideas?

Thanks!

Bill

 

[Bill_Toyota_Matrix]

Forgot to mention...I have no problem recharging a battery source at home on the weekends. I also have an RV connection on the side of my house.

 

[Trebor English]

Enough battery to run air conditioning for 1 day is pushing limits.  Five days isn't likely.  Heating with electric is impractical.

A small quiet inverter generator might do what you need.  A small window unit, 5000 BTU per hour, needs 500 to 600 watts to run.

 

[Almost There]

While I definitively try to stay out of temperature extremes here's what I have and do when I have to deal with temps out of a good comfort range.

The toyota matrix you have is going to be, IMO, a bit problematic from the start. Have you figured out how you're going to sleep in it. If you can get sleeping space then you're good to go with some serious window tinting and a way of blocking the view in the front windows that doesn't alert anyone to the fact that you're in there.

Heating -  1 lb propane tanks and a Mr. Buddy  Jr. heater would be big enough to heat the car. I suggest the one pound tanks if you're tight on space although the 20 lb are much cheaper to operate and are refillable. You  may not have the space for one.

I do NOT run this when I'm sleeping, the dangers are more than I want to deal with. When I'm heading to bed and need extra warmth I use microfleece long johns and a microfleece top, add a fleece hoodie and a pair of thermal socks and I can keep my whole body warm. I prefer regular bedding over a sleeping bag so I use a doubled up duvet (cause I already owned it) and can top it with a wool blanket if it's really, really needed but most times it's not. When I wake in the morning I turn the heater back on and crawl back under the covers until the van warms up.

For cooling - a good roof vent with 12V fan and the windows open will cool off the inside of the van. I also use a portable fan aimed at my body and have been known to employ a wet washcloth. Wiping oneself down with even room temp water will suck the heat right out of you...  

Rain guards are available and I wouldn't be without them. You can leave the windows down by up to 2" without a problem. They're great for ventilation for both the Mr. Buddy and for circulation when using the roof fan. You may be able to get them for not only the front doors but the side doors as well if it's a 4 door model.

IIWM I'd use a battery charger pack and recharge it during the day...not likely to get solar on the roof of the car as well as a fan vent unit. You might be able to get away with only the portable fan. I'd try that first before installing a roof vent in the Toyota. If you can't recharge a battery pack at work each day then you can buy 12V fans that also run on D cell batteries. A little pricey to run if you're using disposables or you could buy enough rechargeables to do the job.

 

[lenny flank]

The best way to deal with heat, I have found, is simply to not be in the van during the day when it's hot. Go to a mall, museum, park, library, whatever, and stay there till the sun goes down. I've never seen anyone with a solar panel system that was strong enough to regularly run an A/C in any useful manner. You may be able to do it with a generator.

As for a heater, unless you are in a place where it gets REALLY cold, you may not need it. I have no heat or insulation in my van--I depend solely on sleeping bags. Since I go north in the summer and south in the winter, I never have to deal with extreme temperatures, but my sleeping bag(s) have been good down to around freezing, and with better bags i could probably go down to the 20s.

 

[tx2sturgis]

If stealth is paramount where you will be parking, then this wont work, but, you might consider a roof-top tent for sleeping in hot weather.

Plenty of ventilation means that you can sleep comfortably on warmer nights, with just natural airflow thru the tent screens. A small fan would even be better for airflow and noise filtering.

You could sleep 'downstairs' when the weather is cooler or cold.

Many styles of rooftop tents have the ability to install solar panels on the top shell, so you dont lose that capability.

Be aware, good ones are not cheap.

 

[Bill_Toyota_Matrix]

Wow! I didn't expect responses that quick! Thanks!

I have slept in the Matrix many times. While it isn't ideal, it does work. I figure I could block the windows and that will solve the late night parking (10-11 p.m.) Also, a lot of people arrive to work early (3-4 a.m.) and go to sleep in their cars before work...so I'm not too worried about that part.

Okay, so for heat use a Mr. Buddy and extra layers. That seems simply enough.

Window rain guards should be easy and nice!

For cooling have a fan vent unit up top and a portable fan that has rechargeable batteries. My matrix has a sliding window up top. Are there any kits to convert that into a fan vent?
Any recommendations on a portable fan with rechargeable battery packs?

Also, and just because I couldn't find it easily on a google search. Would it be more practical to buy a cheap class B RV and use it? How loud are the heating and cooling units on those?

Thank you all so much for answering!

 

[Bill_Toyota_Matrix]

I love the idea of a roof tent...just won't work where I am at.

 

[Bill_Toyota_Matrix]

Hmmmm....with portable fans...are we talking about the small portable fans....like 5"?

 

[rvpopeye]

Trade for a Prius hatchback
Heat and cooling from main battery with gas recharging when needed.
There are members here that do this.



Oh yeah Welcome Aboard !

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Bill to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you. highdesertranger

 

[tx2sturgis]

Hmmmm....with portable fans...are we talking about the small portable fans....like 5"?

Yeah, small battery powered fans, but most are meant for camping use...year round use would cost too much to keep replacing the batteries.

There are small fans that clip on to a shelf or whatever and are powered from the cigarette lighter socket. About $10 to $20 in truck stops or Walmart automotive section.

 

[mnpaul]

The prius is a good idea for heat and cooling.  If I remember right you can set the temperature so it will automatically turn on/off throughout the night.  Quiet, safe and efficient.  I was surprised to see how long they were inside for sleeping.

 

[Bill_Toyota_Matrix]

That's twice the prius was recommended. That would be great except I would have to purchase one.

 

[PattySprinter]

Hmmmm....with portable fans...are we talking about the small portable fans....like 5"?

For the ceiling fan I keep hearing Fantastic Fan with rain shield - and there is a version with remote and rain guard
I haven't heard a lot about potable fans - interested in hearing the replies also.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

. . .  I am now wondering how you can be stealthy and still have heat and air conditioning.  I have no problem finding parking...but I would prefer to be stealthy about the fact that I would be sleeping in my vehicle . . .
Heat:  I would like to have adequate heat for up to 10 degree nights . . .
Air Conditioning:  There are nights where it will be 90 degrees.  I'd like to cool it down to at least 75 degrees . . .

Stealth and heating or cooling is difficult.

You will have condensing and freezing water vapor just sleeping in a vehicle below 32ºF.  Frost on everything will be a problem at 10º.  Add a Buddy/Wave heater and you are compounding the problem.

It will be expensive to obtain a battery bank to power an air conditioner for 8 hours let alone 40.  Using the vehicle air is doable but costly; you will wear out your Matrix very fast.

I've slept in a vehicle in 90ºs, you adapt.  I use a 'Chillo' (water filled pillow), a ceiling exhaust fan and an open window by my head, and a small 12V fan or two directing air on me.  There are better 12V fans (pretty much any computer fan) than the walmart/truck stop junk.  Sternwake has some good posts on fans you could run all night with no concern about depleting your vehicle battery.

 -- Spiff

 

[mnpaul]

This will give you an idea of what it takes to run an AC in a van.
http://hurriedyear.com/2017/05/29/solar-powered-air-conditioner-in-a-sprinter-van/
He has 945 watts of solar panels on his Sprinter van with a 780 AmpHour battery bank.
He gives a good write up of watts needed and AC run times he can do in different weather conditions.

 

[jonyjoe303]

The only thing that will work with minimal power requirements is foam insulation and a swampcooler. Thats what I use in san diego. Cover the rear windows with 1"inch thick rtech foam insulation (available at home depot). If possible build a foam divider between the front of car and the back. The swampcooler will keep you cool in the heat of the day for very little power use (less than 2 amps an hour). Even when it's humid, you get some cooling effect, better than just a fan alone. Only thing is you have to have a small 4"inch opening somewhere to let outside air in for the swamp cooler. On my van I cut a 4" inch hole and use flexible ducting to feed the cooler.
With the swampcooler I can park in the hot sun, close all my windows and vents, and be comfortable all day long. 

As far as winter, the foam insulation will also help you there. I have a mister heater but rarely use it. 

picture of my swampcooler, I built it myself, but you can make them even smaller.

 

[tx2sturgis]

There are better 12V fans (pretty much any computer fan) than the walmart/truck stop junk.  Sternwake has some good posts on fans you could run all night with no concern about depleting your vehicle battery.

 

Just to be clear, my answer concerning portable fans was information, not a recommendation.

Sometimes when someone mentions something or answers a question, its easy for others to assume the person is telling everyone its the best way to go about it. But the cheap portable clip fans do work, I have used them, but they are not super high quality, no one expects that from a fan that costs 20 bucks.

So...yes a small computer fan is a good option, but not typically thought of as a 'portable' fan.

I do use a computer fan in my van, its actually a temperature modulated, ball bearing type, industrial computer server fan. Above ambient 70 degrees, it runs at full speed, and as the temps inside the van drop, it slows down to a nice, quiet, slow, energy conserving mode, pushing just enough air to create a comfortable breeze.

So there!

 

[rvpopeye]

I have a couple of O2COOL fans I got at Walmart for about $16 (and $5 on clearance in September) they run on 8 D cell batteries OR a 12 volt wall wart power supply which I promptly cut the warts off and hooked up to ciggy plugs. (About 9" dia blade) The 2 of them stir up some pretty good breeze in a 23' Moho so a smaller vehicle should be even better. You could even prop one up to a standard roof vent and turn it into a fan vent....