Advice wanted on heater for small camper (Romahome)

[molly 2]

I had gas on my boat but after a leak scare I went down the meths route ,they don't half go bang ,if I did a self build I would consider meths cooking ,meths in shops is very expensive , I found an outlet that sold it 5 ltr containers that made cheaper than calor ,

 

[kangooroo]

I've been experimenting with bioethanol in a confined space with varying approaches: the 'heater' I bought produced very little heat (about 150W) and flames overshot the glass surround but after some modification we managed to generate about 1.5kW but then it overheated and melted the paintwork of its base. I'm now looking for something mid-way between the two.

It does seem capable of producing a good level of heat (1kW is fine in a small and insulated van such as a Romahome) and although expensive to run, the initial outlay is very low and there is no fixed installation. Once warm, an small insulated van tends to stay warm so 80p to heat it for an evening is suddenly not too expensive. On my tests, apart from when the paint melted(!) there was neither CO nor condensation and no fumes apart from a momentary smell of alcohol when initially ignited.

I also met a BBC producer filming Springwatch earlier this year. She had a self-build Trafic with a bioethanol heater which was so good it had replaced her Eberspacher.

It's early days but with the right surround I feel there could be some potential. I'm not writing off the idea yet.


@molly 2 My husband won't have gas on his boat for the same reason and uses a meths cooker and heater too with meths bought in bulk online. I've tried this in my van but couldn't stand the fumes.

 

[molly 2]

I've been experimenting with bioethanol in a confined space with varying approaches: the 'heater' I bought produced very little heat (about 150W) and flames overshot the glass surround but after some modification we managed to generate about 1.5kW but then it overheated and melted the paintwork of its base. I'm now looking for something mid-way between the


@molly 2 My husband won't have gas on his boat for the same reason and uses a meths cooker and heater too with meths bought in bulk online. I've tried this in my van but couldn't stand the fumes.

cooker was an origo never had a problem with fumes , never had the origo heater .looks like it is is no longer avaliable

 

[molly 2]

Have a look on you tube their is a American portable catalytic heater called , heat budy . Not a recommendation, just a heads up .flack expected .

 

[mistericeman]

cooker was an origo never had a problem with fumes , never had the origo heater .looks like it is is no longer avaliable

You can still buy the single style burners....

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Though personally ill be sticking to my eberspacher ;-)

 

[molly 2]

You can still buy the single style burners....

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Though personally ill be sticking to my eberspacher ;-)

Similar to origo , but dometic origo over £ 200 ,just the origo heat pal heater is not available ,I will stick to my truma 6 .Having had a Romahome i understand the poster dilemma.

 

[mistericeman]

Worth considering a externally mounted eberspacher if space is tight...

Just need a couple of holes to supply/return the heated air into the cabin.

 

[kangooroo]

I had an Eberspacher in my Romahome fitting in the off-side locker and it was brilliant. I would definitely recommend one for a Romahome. We've also made a mobile unit for a gas-fueled Webasto which is currently mounted outdoors for heating a garage but in its box can be transported for use elsewhere although definitely not for stealth wildcamping with its box, hoses and gas bottle!

I am now car-camping with a DIY Amdro-Jump inspired kit so can't fit an ebby because the car has to remain unmodified for insurance purposes. It also has to revert to being a car for transporting elderly parents hence looking at alternative heating for off-grid use during these interim years before hopefully having a campervan again in the future.

 

[Silver sprinter]

Some people fit eber/ Chinese heater under driver's seat in sprinters . Don't know if you have enough room under your seat

 

[Glynno]

Thanks for that. Keeping my options open at the moment. Is a propex gas heater better than a diesel? And how much electric power do they take to run?

The eberspacher doesn’t use much diesel. You always have diesel on board but you may run out of gas doing all that cooking. Hardly uses any electric but batteries need to be charged as they shut down early to purge the system.

 

[molly 2]

I

I am now car-camping with a DIY Amdro-Jump inspired kit so can't fit an ebby because the car has to remain unmodified for insurance purposes. It also has to r

I think the same caviat applies to Motor home insurance .

 

[mistericeman]

I think the same caviat applies to Motor home insurance .

Most companies are fine with declared mods (solar panels/rear bike carriers/storage boxes/extra batteries/alterations to electrical systems etc etc ALL need to be declared as are ALL 'Material changes' and thus become the insured persons duty to declare)

None disclosure could leave you in a sticky spot should you need to claim....

 

[molly 2]

Hi, looking for advice on a heater for a small Romahome

Hi Penn you have had many replies hope it was helpful , have you come to a decision .?

 

[molly 2]

Most companies are fine with declared mods (solar panels/rear bike carriers/storage boxes/extra batteries/alterations to electrical systems etc etc ALL need to be declared as are ALL 'Material changes' and thus become the insured persons duty to declare)

None disclosure could leave you in a sticky spot should you need to claim....

I asked my insurance company about fitting solar panels , the reply was fine if professionally fitted .

 

[kangooroo]

I think the same caviat applies to Motor home insurance

Yes, it does but is much more flexible than car insurance where the base vehicle has to remain as a car - hence no chance of fitting a heater (already asked!). The Amdro and similar camping kits are not fitted in any way and the series of boxes etc lift out in minutes so the car is untouched and reverts to being a conventional car.

RE a motorhome, adding a heater, roof vent, solar panels etc is easy and doesn't generally affect the premium or cover.

 

[Mevi]

Have a look on you tube their is a American portable catalytic heater called , heat budy . Not a recommendation, just a heads up .flack expected .

VERY expensive to import, there isn't a UK distributer the last time I checked. There are domestic catalytic heaters available in the UK, but are often a bit big.

 

[Mevi]

Worth considering a externally mounted eberspacher if space is tight...

View attachment 87803

Just need a couple of holes to supply/return the heated air into the cabin.

I went through the whole thread to see if someone would suggest this. Romahome is a small vehicle, right? I've seen an extreme roof tent camping dude build one into a pelican case.

 

[molly 2]

VERY expensive to import, there isn't a UK distributer the last time I checked. There are domestic catalytic heaters available in the UK, but are often a bit big.

Their are some marine catalytic heaters available portable or fixed they are about 15 inches x10 x2

 

[molly 2]

Marine heater , not a recommendation

 

[Mevi]

Marine heater , not a recommendation

These things really look great, but like all burned hydrocarbons, moisture and CO are byproducts. In the olden days I've used a domestic Calor style heater in the van for short bursts and with the vent open. Personally, I think a properly installed room-sealed combustion heater is definitely the way to go.