[trevor perry]

has anyone tried running an heater on frost setting in thev back of their  van using a power inverter from cigarrete lighter just wondering if this would be possible with winter coming . it would seem easier than running a cable from garrage everytime i thought it was going to freeze.
   if it is possible what size of inverter do you use and how long can it run before draining battery
                                                   thanks

[jeff1]

If You want the maths for it I do them, but I strongly recommend not to go there, with an invertor and car battery it won't last five minutes. and you will be getting up to a flat battery.

Get your self a little greenhouse heater, so much more reliable than useing you battery

[keith b]

Just cover the water tank in 2 layers of old woolen blankets or cover with duvets, it won`t freeze if the van has been ply-lined.

Make sure you empty all hoses of water.

If the van has back windows, just cover the inside glass with old cusions and attach with velcro.

or you could get a diesel burner/heating system, (providing your van runs on deisel), these are basically used in lorry cabs for drivers who sleep in there cabs overnight, but its expensive.

[JM123]

jeff1 didn't realise you were aquainted with Ohms law!  What about kirchoffs voltage and current laws etc??

Mechatronic Engineering as a second degree, I've took an all too familiar headache again just thinking about it!!

[freshwater]

JM,

your list qualifications amaze me, what are doing window cleaning? Is it your escape from the rat race?

steve@freshwatersystems.co.uk

[jeff1]

jeff1 didn't realise you were aquainted with Ohms law!  What about kirchoffs voltage and current laws etc??

Mechatronic Engineering as a second degree, I've took an all too familiar headache again just thinking about it!!

Jm
I didn't take any degree's only city & Guilds in electronic serviceing 224 parts 1,2 & 3.
shall we tell them how we remember the resistor colour code
By the way I don't know why my post was deleted?? :

[JM123]

sorry lads I was away for a few days there.  resistor codes, not even sure if I can remember them fully!! 

To answer your question Steve (Freshwater) I enjoy wcing far more, sure its not everyones cup of tea but it suits me, I might look into engineering again someday but not for now.  If I was to go back into engineering it would be Chemical Engineering or related.

[jeff1]

For those guy's who insist on using heaters in your vans over night I have found a 12v car heater that consumes 150w so no inverters needed or mains cables to your van.
and very cheap.

http://www.bullybeef.co.uk/motoring-tyre-compressor-revolving-seat.htm

[JM123]

what about fitting jablite behind the ply-lining, then running a heater in the back of the van for a hour or so in the evenings - should stay warm all night.