[gwrightson]

can any body tell me why a portable propane gas heater could not be used inside a large van to keep the frost off during winter ?

I have heard that the safty factors are basicly to do with the possibility of carbon monoxide gases been present , but surly this would not be a problem if nobody is in the van at the time !!.

just looking at ways of heating my van during winter as electric is not an option at the moment .

Geoff

[jasonl]

It can be used , though 2 litres of moisture are produced for every kilo of gas burned , so there could be a condensation issue unless you let the combustion gases go up a chimney , which lead to my next point , it would be best to ventilate the van prior to driving , and not to stay in there too long with the unvented gas heater going.

[gwrightson]

thanks for that info jason,
venting through a chimney would not be a problem , i would simply divert  to my chimney on my hot box, as for  staying in the van, I dont think so lol  and yes of course  3 or 4 mins with the van doors open prior to driving should do the trick.

Geoff

[murky]

Geoff,

You are the same as me, electricity is not an option, I have a not really reliable eberspacher heater in the van and after the heartache of last wineter I gave up on it in the end so I tried all sorts of gas systems none of them really safe or reliable because some had flames etc etc.

In the end I went to HSS and hired a basic gas office/shed type heater the ones with the tank in the back, I wont bore you with the whole story but yes you need to leave a window slightly open or vent it some how.

They have an automatic cutout on them so that if there is too much carbon monoxide they cut out. Imagine the scenario, workman in a hut on security on a freezing cold night puts heater on high with the doors and windows shut. Imagine the rest yourselves.

I had mine on low overnight with a duvet over the TM with one side open so the heat got in, yes there was slight condensation in the morning but nice warm van and no burst pipes or ruined chems.

Murky