Reflectix & getting caught by the cold

[TrainChaser]

Even though most van dwellers are fundamentally snowbirds, our changing weather patterns might put us in a 'surprise' cold-weather situation.  Or even just having to stop in a mountain range that has its own weather (breakdown, whiteout, LEO event, etc).

And, I was just fixing up the dog's igloo for winter.  She (Chow/Pom) stays indoors at night in the winter, but outside during the day (unless it's really cold).  The Igloo is advertised as 'insulated'; maybe the plastic it's made from has some bubbles in it, but a quarter-inch of plastic isn't what I would call 'insulated'.  I bought some Reflectix, and loosely lined the inside of the igloo with it, mostly holding it in place with a bolt through the top so it's like a tent inside the igloo.  The floor is 2" of rigid styrofoam with a Reflectix mat on top.  Okay, so much for the dog.

Today's 'I wonder if...'  is the usefulness of having Reflectix much nearer the human body in a van:  Has anyone ever tried slipping a sheet of Reflectix under the sheet (and maybe under a blanket or mattress pad) to reflect body heat back in unusually cold conditions? 

What about using it as an extra blanket, maybe sandwiched between your regular blankets?

Any info or thoughts would be welcome.

 

[ArtW]

never tried it, but it sounds reasonable, maybe using something thicker than a sheet between, though, as Reflectix needs air space
heat rises, so I'd go with reflex on to of a blanket or quilt maybe

 

[SternWake]

I have Oak window frames and black bungee cord running across conversion van window interiors. While I have tight fitting layered cardboard panels black facing out, inside the window frame, when the sun bakes these windows, they still radiate a lot of heat to interior.

The 99 cent store was selling the reflectix style window shades and I slip these behind the bungee cords and radiated heat is significantly reduced, and in winter time I can feel some heat reflected back at me from my own body.

In general extra pillows or blankets held to window via the bungee cords work way better as insulation.

The reflectix negatively affects my Wifi signals.

 

[steamjam1]

I never tried reflectix under my mattress, but I have in the past used a couple of those $3.00 emergency Mylar blankets to line the bed platform my futon was on.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

We had a recent thread here on using a space blanket.  Consensus was that it would prevent your perspiration from escaping and your bedding would end up being soaked by your own sweat.  I believe reflectix would have the same problem if you used it OVER your bedding.  It MIGHT be ok under you, since perspiration rises.  I guess it would be like those waterproof covers sometimes put on mattresses.  But since there would be no air space, I don't know if you would actually accomplish anything useful.

 

[DannyB1954]

A couple of hours ago I watched a Youtube Video about using reflectix and an exercise mat in the bottom of a hammock. About the 6 minute mark
The only disadvantage I have heard about mylar, (space blanket, reflectix), is it is a vapor barrier. If you get warm enough to sweat, you will be wet. It might be a challenge to regulate how warm you get.

 

[Almost There]

Reflectix or any vapor barrier will definitely create dampness.

How much dampness will occur is dependent on the outside temperature as opposed to the temperature inside your sleeping area.

In my hammock, for example, I use a silnylon underquilt protector to block the wind and cold. The silnylon would be comparable to reflectix in that it does not allow moisture through. It doesn't reflect heat so it only blocks it's loss.

On mild nights, the underquilt stays warm and dry. On a really cold night, I've gotten up in the morning to find a puddle on the silnylon and the underquilt quite wet. Fortunately one time I was able to dry out the quilt during the day and the second time it happened was 'heading home' day so it didn't matter. Both times the underquilt was wet enough that I would not have been able to use it a second night without getting me wet as well.

You're much better off changing to heavier thermal under garments and adding a blanket or two. Also making sure that if you're sleeping on any kind of air pad that you have sufficient insulation between yourself and it will prevent heat loss. BTW I love my microfleece thermal long underwear...bought at Marks WW.

 

[TrainChaser]

I think you're all correct about using on top. Thinking back to when I used acrylic blankets, I would be cold sometimes, and feel slightly damp. When I switched to wool blankets, I didn't have the problem. Good thinking!

 

[Fluffhead]

The reflectix negatively affects my Wifi signals.

This worries me as I'm about to start insulating my van.

Have others noticed a difference in wifi signal strength after installing reflectix?

 

[TrainChaser]

Does the Reflectix affect the WiFi if it's BELOW the unit?

Of course, you realize what SternWake has discovered: TIN FOIL HATS WORK!

 

[AngryVanMan]

Thermarest NeoAir camping air mattresses use reflective material internally to act as a reflectix-like insulation - the air spaces in the mattress are large enough at ~2.5" to make the radiant barrier somewhat effective. They use a convoluted tri-fold air pocket design inside to limit convection heat loss as well. They claim a combined R-value of 4.9.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

This worries me as I'm about to start insulating my van.

Have others noticed a difference in wifi signal strength after installing reflectix?

I believe Stern is talking about using reflectix on the windows.  Reflectix in the body is irrelevant - the wifi won't pass through the metal body anyway.  It will pass through the glass windows.  People with cargo vans - no windows - usually end up parking so they can get the wifi signal through the front windshield

 

[highdesertranger]

I knew there was a tin foil hat joke in there somewhere. highdesertranger

 

[TrainChaser]

HDR: I do what I can.

 

[kayell]

Might work to rig up a canopy of reflectix around your bed to hold in body heat.

 

[GrayWhale]

A cheap way to aid WIFI connection is to buy a long USB extension cord ($6) and a USB WiFi adapter ($8) with an antenna that can screw off:

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics...1480814720&sr=8-3&keywords=usb+extension+cord

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...UTF8&qid=1480814798&sr=1-13&keywords=usb+wifi

Then you can snake the WiFi adapter closer towards the direction of the WiFi w/o having to move the van or the computer; especially if you're in a windowless van, you can get the adapter to the window while the laptop is in the back. Or you can snake the cable outside and mount it there until it rains.

The more money you spend on the WiFi adapter, the better your reception. Even with a cheap $8 WiFi adapter, I get equal or a little better reception than the unit that came inside my new laptop. A DUAL BAND WiFi adapter ($30-50) will be even better.

Another step for even more reception, is to buy a big antenna ($7) but you have to make sure that you can unscrew the small antenna from the WiFi adapter off first. I can't on one of my adapters. https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Omni...8&qid=1480815191&sr=1-2&keywords=wifi+antenna

 

[Benjamin Dejo]

This worries me as I'm about to start insulating my van.

Have others noticed a difference in wifi signal strength after installing reflectix?

If you use a Verizon MiFi or other hotspot, just put it on the dash up front and the bluetooth signals will be very strong inside the van.

 

[Almost There]

I used reflectix throughout the van and other than where I've already got a weak signal I haven't noticed a difference. The phone usually sits on the same table as the laptop or on the console between the seats when it's plugged in to the charger.

Sometimes on the road I'll stop in a rest area to use the laptop (can't read the phone well enough to use it to google something) and I just put both on the kitchen counter and stand there rather than turning the passenger seat around. Still haven't had a problem with signal unless I'm only pulling 1 or 2 bars of 3G. Then maybe I'll put the phone in the front window. One day I had to hold it in the side window to get a decent signal but that was a directional problem, not caused by the reflectix.

 

[sassypickins]

I read recently where a fellow added a bit of reflectix inside his bed covers just around his feet and that plus a good head cover helped warm up his whole body considerably.

 

[DrJean]

Just remember if you make your bed so warm that you sweat you'll need to thoroughly air dry the bedding (and your bed clothes) before you jump back into it the next night. Moisture will totally freeze you. (Clean dry clothes are best, ones you have not worn at all.)