[8weekly]

This will be the first winter in a unit. In the past if there was a frost I'd just stick a heater in the van in the morning and 2 hours later hey presto all ready to go. Now it's not so easy. Ideally I'd like a heater that I could set to fire up at say 1c and deliver frost protection otherwise they'll be running all night every night. Does anyone have the same issue and have a recommendation?

[Smudger]

dont quite follow as so far everything inside the unit is safe from frost so does not freeze

however if you are worried most oil filled radiators have a low setting that will cut in at a degree or two above freezing , when the vans were outside i used the heater that way as the evening temp was 4 or 5 degrees but dropped over night

Darran

[NWH]

In your unit you could use the same heater they use in EDF vans they are plumed into the vehicle tanks but I'm sure they come 240v if needed facelifts website has them on.

[Spruce]

This will be the first winter in a unit. In the past if there was a frost I'd just stick a heater in the van in the morning and 2 hours later hey presto all ready to go. Now it's not so easy. Ideally I'd like a heater that I could set to fire up at say 1c and deliver frost protection otherwise they'll be running all night every night. Does anyone have the same issue and have a recommendation?

If you have the vans inside the unit then do the same with an electric heater on a frost stat.

About 25 years ago I was driving home after work and passed a skip with 3  x 750 watt wall mounted heaters in it. I retrieved them and found 2 to be working. I welded up a frame with castor wheels and put 1 in each of the children's bedrooms.

They are still working and get put into the vans (mainly mine) in winter. I added a frost thermostat to each of them and they kick in and out according to the outside temperature. I also have a king size duvet that covers the tank and pumps and also nearly covers the hose reel as well. I've never had a frozen van in 10 years.

Here's one I have fitted in my r/o cabinet connected to a tube heater.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Celect-Frost-Thermsave-Room-Thermostat-16-Amp-/200739075664?hash=item2ebcfb3650:m:m1x5k2W7qYD8mxtcxweJOVg

When son in law worked with us and could be bothered, he put one of these in his van
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VonHaus-2000W-Portable-Electric-Thermostat-Convector-Heater-3-Heat-Settings/282162972844?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D39828%26meid%3D0545436d92534e7ba657d6e7ba5cb9bd%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D172391490698

I don't know how low the temps can be set, but he said it worked ok.
   

[p1w1]

i personally wouldn't use one of those electric type heaters  (as in spruce's post) with the vents at the top especially if your van gets condensation on the roof. You would be better of using the oil filled type imo

[Spruce]

i personally wouldn't use one of those electric type heaters  (as in spruce's post) with the vents at the top especially if your van gets condensation on the roof. You would be better of using the oil filled type imo

Good point

[8weekly]

This will be the first winter in a unit. In the past if there was a frost I'd just stick a heater in the van in the morning and 2 hours later hey presto all ready to go. Now it's not so easy. Ideally I'd like a heater that I could set to fire up at say 1c and deliver frost protection otherwise they'll be running all night every night. Does anyone have the same issue and have a recommendation?

If you have the vans inside the unit then do the same with an electric heater on a frost stat.

About 25 years ago I was driving home after work and passed a skip with 3  x 750 watt wall mounted heaters in it. I retrieved them and found 2 to be working. I welded up a frame with castor wheels and put 1 in each of the children's bedrooms.

They are still working and get put into the vans (mainly mine) in winter. I added a frost thermostat to each of them and they kick in and out according to the outside temperature. I also have a king size duvet that covers the tank and pumps and also nearly covers the hose reel as well. I've never had a frozen van in 10 years.

Here's one I have fitted in my r/o cabinet connected to a tube heater.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Celect-Frost-Thermsave-Room-Thermostat-16-Amp-/200739075664?hash=item2ebcfb3650:m:m1x5k2W7qYD8mxtcxweJOVg

When son in law worked with us and could be bothered, he put one of these in his van
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VonHaus-2000W-Portable-Electric-Thermostat-Convector-Heater-3-Heat-Settings/282162972844?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D39828%26meid%3D0545436d92534e7ba657d6e7ba5cb9bd%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D172391490698

I don't know how low the temps can be set, but he said it worked ok.
 

I was hoping to find one with a thermostat built in.

[p1w1]

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4152277?cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157|cid:199887993|agid:17470555593|tid:pla-92279916753|crid:74692316913|nw:g|rnd:11125758340027216861|dvc:c|adp:1o1&gclid=CjwKEAiA6YDBBRDwtpTQnYzx5lASJAC57ObMXhTaPyVZGo_HuGDL-YQdIxsQBMdmX0is9zvXy6Y0gBoCO8vw_wcB

[8weekly]

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4152277?cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157|cid:199887993|agid:17470555593|tid:pla-92279916753|crid:74692316913|nw:g|rnd:11125758340027216861|dvc:c|adp:1o1&gclid=CjwKEAiA6YDBBRDwtpTQnYzx5lASJAC57ObMXhTaPyVZGo_HuGDL-YQdIxsQBMdmX0is9zvXy6Y0gBoCO8vw_wcB

Cool

[nathankaye]

I thought an obvious answer would be to continue using which ever method you haf been and use a digi timer plug. I picked one up from asda, just over 6 quid and ive programmed my radiator to come on periodically throughout the night.

My van however is fibreglassed out and ive padded the side panals. My water tank has a couple of silver bubble backed insulation wrapped around it and i sprayed glued a sheet to top of inside van. So my van holds the temo for a little longer. I habe it timed for midnight, about 3 and then morning for when i start.

[Spruce]

I looked for a heater for you, but not many supply the actual specs of the thermostat. One I found only went down to 6 degrees. You want one with a frost thermostat fitted as you can get that to kick in at a much lower temperature.

You don't want it to keep the inside toasty warm, just enough to keep the inside from freezing up.

.

[8weekly]

I looked for a heater for you, but not many supply the actual specs of the thermostat. One I found only went down to 6 degrees. You want one with a frost thermostat fitted as you can get that to kick in at a much lower temperature.

You don't want it to keep the inside toasty warm, just enough to keep the inside from freezing up.

.

Exactly.

The one linked above was misdescribed as it didn't have frost protection when you read the reviews. I bought two of these whic SEEM to have frost protection:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GXZOAI4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1Y075YT77AQJE

[LBWCS]

If you have wifi in the unit buy a wifi connected plug and then you can turn the heater on in the morning from the comfort of your bed like me 

[8weekly]

If you have wifi in the unit buy a wifi connected plug and then you can turn the heater on in the morning from the comfort of your bed like me 

Seriously?

[Shrek]

If you have wifi in the unit buy a wifi connected plug and then you can turn the heater on in the morning from the comfort of your bed like me 

That's a brilliant idea 💡

[Arnold Palmer]

If you have wifi in the unit buy a wifi connected plug and then you can turn the heater on in the morning from the comfort of your bed like me 

That's a brilliant idea 💡

Lol.

Just bought one.

[Susan Dean (1stclean)]

we run cab night heaters in all of our now , same as the lads  in hgv have in there cabs , quick flick of a swich and forget about it job done