mags Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 Hi, When we go off in our van, my father, 90 years old, usually sits at the front of the van because it is too cold for him in the back. This means that my son who suffers from car sickness has to travel in the back. I know that I can't use the gas heater - but is there such a thing as a 12 volt heater that could run from the vehicle whilst we are on the move ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 Simple answer is NO. To be meaningfull the 12 volt heater would consume all of the alternators output. I guess you have a Fiat / Peugeot? Mercedes Sprinters have Heaters that will keep the entire van like toast. Alternatively wrap him up with a hot water bottle. My 91 year old mother-in-law is the same about heat. It dries my eyes she likes it so hot! C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chas Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 Just a thought , but do I remember seeing those battery operated electric body warmers for sale, dont know if they are still made, but you could enquire at camping supplers. chas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjmike Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 If its any help CAK tanks do a 12 volt electric blanket (there is a downloadable catalogue on their website), should be just the job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howie Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 Hiya Mags. I think your best bet would be a diesel heater. A bit pricey but they are really effective and i,m sure they can be used on the move. Quite a few advertised in the magazines. As a shortstop, why not run the gas heating for 10 or 15 minutes before setting off. This will warm the van up enough until the cab heating takes over. Howard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Don't know if these are of any use www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000765MEG/102-9854358-7821731?n=3375251 www.towsure.com/product.asp?p=1924 www.livingincomfort.com/ro12cehewisw1.html www.hilltoprv.net/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=61071 www.hilltoprv.net/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=464 www.americancampingguide.com/12_volt_heaters.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Rapidos (and some other M/Homes) have an auxillary radiator and blower system for heating the back taking heat from the engine cooling system. I have a feeling that Kenlow may sell a unit that does the same. added by edit http://www.kenlowe.com/hv-systems/heating.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mags Posted August 18, 2006 Author Share Posted August 18, 2006 Thanks everybody for the suggestions. Looks like I can spend this wet weekend looking through the websites and sending emails. Yes Clive, I do have a Fiat, its amazing that you think you've bought the right motorhome for you then find all the things that you need aren't actually there ! I never thought about the back of the van being cold - I'm always driving it so I'm nice and warm. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Dwight Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Hi Mags, We have a Fiat based heater the second one actualy, never yet had a problem keeping the whole vehicle warm whist travelling, sometimes we even have to turn the cab heater down, mind you we dont dress for summer weather in the winter, usually wear fleece whilst travelling. Its better to wear several thin layers of clothing than a heavy coat or jumper. But then the boss and I are both warm blooded. In France this year we went out for a meal during one evening, the French were all in jumpers and scarves, we sat outside in shorts and shirts. David. PS Clive dont like Fiats!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 "Clive don,t like Fiats" Sort of right but not a general statement. I am an engineer with 42 years in the vehicle engineering industry as a designer and project manager. My experience with Fiats owned by ourselves is good. It was a Fiat 500 car, the first car the wife ever had. The worst car was a Morriss 1100 I had! Having looked under the chasis and under the bonnet of lots of commercials to see the quality of engineering and attention to detail and listened to many (on the forums mostly) with problems on all sorts of vehicles I have concluded that its generally accepted that the Fiat based MH,s don,t have such pokey heaters as others, there was a question about durability of 5th gear and the Service organisation is a tad lacking. What really puts me off is Front wheel drive and it needs a cam belt. (totally new gearbox in the 2007 models - why? and I believe a chain cam like the new 3 litre Iveco, but not sure on this detail yet). I liked Mercs (in 1997) for the reasons above plus the 5 cylinder engine is smoother. If I were changing our motorhome today then the new Merc, the new Iveco and if they do a rear wheel drive the new Renault would be on our list of tasty base vehicles. The new 2007 Fiat engine / gearbox is all new but remains front wheel drive. Who wants to be the guinea pig? At the end of the day you get what you pay for. Here endeth ........ The 12 volt electric blanket interlocked through the ignition sounds like it could do the trick! C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enodreven Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Hi, I beleive that a lot of the German vehicles are able to run their Gas heating on the move Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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