I've been trying to think of a solution to cold night camping either in the Oz tents or in the back of the car (we do the Macmillan 4x4 and sleep in the car) and have come up with the following;
Source an old campervan blown air heater that runs off propane - like the propex 1600 or even 2000 if I can find a cheap one. Mount it in an ammo box or equivalent that will sit on the roof rack and run a 12v supply to it along with all the other wires for the lights etc.
The ammo box would have an outlet so I could attach the hot air ducting to either go down and into the car (through a plate that would slot in above an open window) or the ducting could be used with a Y piece to go into both rooms of the oz tent.
Thermostat on a long enough cable to be mounted in the tent but could just tuck away in the ammo box when not in use. Intake air and exhaust all properly routed through holes in the ammo case etc.
This would give me a relatively portable and flexible way of heating various spaces.
What I need is you reasonable people to tell me to stop being stupid and the various flaws with my idea etc.
Fire away!
If you aren't living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space!!
2010 Discovery TDV6 HSE with a few bits and bobs on.
1986 V8 90 County
2012 Evoque TD4 (for the Mrs) and really VERY pleased!
Formerly BuckinghamBazza
17th Feb 2014 1:06 pm
nicedayforit
Member Since: 05 Sep 2011
Location: Beside the Solway
Posts: 369
Imo the only risk in your proposal is the possibility of exhaust fumes being drawn into the fresh air intake of the heater in any external weather/wind conditions the ammo box might be subject to.
Why not duct the fresh air inlet duct into your sleeping compartment so that you are simply recirculating air from your sleeping compartment thro the heater and back into your sleeping compartment.
You are of course relying heavily on the fact that your selected heater is in pristine condition with no possibility of exhaust gases cross contaminating the heated air due to corrosion or other malfunction.
I would certainly recommend placing a CO detector in your sleeping compartment at all times the heater was operating if you go ahead.
Personally I think I would be inclined to forget the heater and invest instead in some serious sleeping bags.
17th Feb 2014 1:34 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14481
Sleeping bags are fine when you're aslepp but its the getting into/out of them and getting dressed etc which is the cold bit.
Background info is that my Mrs had a kidney transplant 3 years ago and ever since has really felt the cold, not sure if its the op or the medication but my number 1 priority is her comfort.
I could sleep in the fridge!
Good point about making sure air in and exhaust out don't interfere with each other.If you aren't living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space!!
2010 Discovery TDV6 HSE with a few bits and bobs on.
1986 V8 90 County
2012 Evoque TD4 (for the Mrs) and really VERY pleased!
Formerly BuckinghamBazza
17th Feb 2014 1:43 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73129
We have a bloody big tin tent in North Wales (well we did before the storms, and I THINK its still there!) but we like to explore a bit in the winter and also planning a Northern Lights trip at some point with the kids.If you aren't living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space!!
2010 Discovery TDV6 HSE with a few bits and bobs on.
1986 V8 90 County
2012 Evoque TD4 (for the Mrs) and really VERY pleased!
Formerly BuckinghamBazza
17th Feb 2014 1:57 pm
Allan_T
Member Since: 10 Sep 2012
Location: Northampton
Posts: 1034
Don't forget the portable Carbon Monoxide detector.GAP IID Pro Multi Vehicle Defender L316 2007-2015 - Discovery 3 - Discovery 4 - Discovery Sport L550 - Freelander 2 - Range Rover Evoque L538 - Range Rover L322 - Range Rover L405 - Range Rover Sport L320 - Range Rover Sport L494 Electrical Fault Diagnostics
17th Feb 2014 2:04 pm
therso
Member Since: 01 Dec 2010
Location: Here!
Posts: 368
Ex-RSM's opinion? Man up, you're a bloke, a fridge is a luxury! As for your Missus? Buy her a caravan. Transplant is the only treatment, apart from dialysis, available . As you and she will know, it is not a cure. She probably keeps quiet about the many other side-effects of the medications she must take to stay alive. Feeling cold is one of the less serious ones. I know I'm being a wee bit doom and gloom but the general public, close relations, and friends appear to think that everything's fine now following a transplant. It still pees me off that even my own son thinks I should now join something like a walking group. Ex-Army Mountaineering Association and Fan Dancer (Aug 79. Anyone found my kneecaps yet? ) A walking group I'm assessed at 100% disabled by the Veterans Agency.....a walking group. Ah well, you gotta larf.
Anyway back to the subject. To be serious, even risking a chill can be quite serious for her. I've had a viral infection of my kidney for the last year so my immunosuppression has been reduced to the point where I might lose the organ. Now, as a last resort, I'm on a course of a really nasty antibiotic so have no immunity whatsoever. Even a trailer tent would be an improvement for her. Third anniversary of my transplant was yesterday (sort of). Good luck and best wishes to your Boss.
17th Feb 2014 2:30 pm
therso
Member Since: 01 Dec 2010
Location: Here!
Posts: 368
Just seen your last post so I can only suggest the following:
A cup of tea in bed every morning.
You empty the dishwasher. (Do not tell her you emptied the dishwasher!)
Hoover up. (See above re. telling her)
Cook (More than once. Beans on toast does not qualify)
Clean the bathroom mirror (Don't ask me. I don't know how it gets splashed either )
And on a serious note, I too feel the cold now so I bought some silk tee shirts from Patria and they are excellent.
17th Feb 2014 2:39 pm
Hanechdene
Member Since: 23 Jun 2009
Location: High Wycombe
Posts: 570
we used a propex 1600 heater for our roof tent. the heater was mounted on the roof rack in front of the tent. It was brilliant but the heater was quite noisy so mounted it on rubber bushes which helped enormously.
However we are now using the propex heater in our trailer tent but are thinking of finding something else with more output for those really cold times.
17th Feb 2014 9:21 pm
sputnixb51
Member Since: 23 Apr 2013
Location: Morayshire
Posts: 833
Webasto also do cab heaters air circulation same as propex diesel much safer than lpg in the circumstances you are talking about.my business is lpg and caravans etc but I use webasto air in my land rover cabs.
here
http://www.tentipi.co.uk/Tentipi-in-use.aspx
that have heaters available....
sort of back to future technologyBREXIT - done properly.
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Morris Minor..original DIPSTICK technology..and a real KEY.
Looked at Webasto/Eberspacher but that gave me the added complication of fuelling the thing. Could do it from a jerry can mounted on the roof I suppose but I think those heaters have their own pump and would need breathers etc.If you aren't living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space!!
2010 Discovery TDV6 HSE with a few bits and bobs on.
1986 V8 90 County
2012 Evoque TD4 (for the Mrs) and really VERY pleased!
Formerly BuckinghamBazza
We'll be taking a couple of these...... I will be up 1st to get the brew on, and to turn the heating on for madam, who also feels the cold.....though -7 on the Aberystwyth coast last March was a bit parky!!
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26779
BournevilleBazza wrote:
We have a bloody big tin tent in North Wales (well we did before the storms, and I THINK its still there!)...
Should be OK Bazza, although the day after you left at New Year, the sea was doing a pretty good job of eating away the dunes. Some of the seaside chalets were looking a bit vulnerable I have to say!
WRT your tent heating question, I think a 4 seasons sleeping bag, and a set of silk jammies would be easier and cheaper!
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As for your Missus? Buy her a caravan. Transplant is the only treatment, apart from dialysis, available . As you and she will know, it is not a cure. She probably keeps quiet about the many other side-effects of the medications she must take to stay alive. Feeling cold is one of the less serious ones. I know I'm being a wee bit doom and gloom but the general public, close relations, and friends appear to think that everything's fine now following a transplant. It still pees me off that even my own son thinks I should now join something like a walking group. 
Ex-Army Mountaineering Association and Fan Dancer (Aug 79. Anyone found my kneecaps yet? 
) A walking group 
)
