Run out of oxygen running propane stove?

[Kenny P]

Will I deprive myself of oxygen if I run a little propane camping stove to stay warm?
Just started living full time in my converted cargo van, it’s totally insulated. My body heat usually keeps it warm enough before bed but it’s been getting cold and tonight I just ran my propane stove for a minute to heat this little space up. It doesn’t take much before it’s warm.
I have a carbon monoxide detector but I was just wondering if I should be worried about my oxygen supply. I have a vent but I keep it closed, because it’s cold. I’m only planning on running the stove for a minute and shutting it off, a few times a night. Also when I wake up to get ready for work it’s freezing and it would be nice to warm things up with my stove.

 

[TMG51]

You have a CO detector already. As long as you don't run it while you're sleeping, I say you're okay.

 

[jimindenver]

Ventilation is crucial even if awake.

 

[John61CT]

Always vent while it's burning, just a crack is fine if it's really a very short time.

Do it wrong you're dead so don't mess around.

 

[lenny flank]

A van is not an airtight gas chamber. But it's still always a good idea to have adequate ventilation when running a heater--not only because of potential fumes, but also because they put out quite a bit of condensation. It is not safe to run a heater overnight while you sleep.

PS--insulation is pretty much useless without a heat source, and your body heat does virtually nothing to warm the vehicle interior. A typical human at rest puts out about 250 BTUs of heat--not enough to do anything. Any effect you are getting is purely psychological.

If 'body heat" is all you have, a good sleeping bag will keep you warm, insulation or not.

 

[John61CT]

With a well-insulated van, a tiny mountain-climbing campstove set to the lowest simmer point will quickly need to be turned off (too hot!) even camping in the snow.

Using it to heat a thermal mass like a spaghetti pot full of water or heavy cast-iron pan will help reduce the off/on frequency.

Minimizing uncontrolled ventilation is an essential part of any definition of "well-insulated", but of course, rarely done by those traveling only in mild climates.

 

[shadowmoss]

I ran out of oxygen a few days ago running my Mr. Heater in my Class A. I had been getting morning headaches and hadn't pinpointed it to the oxygen as I also was coming down with a cold. I started getting nauseous and then chilled. I went to turn on the heater, and saw that it should have been on from the setting of the knob. I could not get the pilot to light, just not enough pressure in the gas. I opened a window wider thinking that maybe there was something wrong with the propane. After a few minutes I felt a lot better, and the heater lit. I had a window partially open at the time I had been running the heater, but I opened a larger one and all was well. I'm assuming that the oxygen sensor shut down the heater.

 

[RVTravel]

Shadowmoss needs a carbon monoxide detector asap.

 

[shadowmoss]

Shadowmoss has 3 in the motorhome, one is new I installed less than 6 months ago. That is why I think it was lack of oxygen, not carbon monoxide. Turtle Lady did just today buy me a new fire extinguisher. I'm good to go on that stuff. I also do not run the propane heater unless I'm sitting right there, and never while I'm sleeping. Hopefully I can keep from killing myself for something stupid.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I ran out of oxygen a few days ago running my Mr. Heater in my Class A.  I had been getting morning headaches ...

Are you sleeping with that heater running?


:huh:

 

[Burbanlife]

I use o2 24/7 or suppose to anyway, this little pulse oximeter will tell you if you are low on o2 and tell you your heart rate. here is a link
https://www.amazon.com/Fingertip-Ox...qid=1515561217&sr=8-4&keywords=pulse+oximeter


normal o2 reading is 88% up to 99%

 

[John61CT]

Yes not just CO detection but O2 levels, and ideally propane as well.

Many say life is cheap, but they're usually not talking about their own.