Heaters...Thoughts.....Advice?

[stevo68]

G'day All,

Ok for starters...lets get em out of the way as I have already heard them...wuss...pansy...nancy boy....from the Missus...whatareya...a man or what :).

Now onto heaters for inside the tent. Am going away next weekend where it will be cold with my 6 yr old ( its really for him :whistling:) and most likely some more trips over winter. Any suggestions on brands/ types that are suitable to warm up inside the tent? Also don't want to spend a fortune either. Just bought a fly for the Oztent today.....now looking at this. Thanks in advance for your thoughts......oh and jibes if need be :p,

Regards

Stevo

[B92 8NW]

It's bloody hard trying to find a means of heating a tent that doesn't pose the risk of setting the place on fire or producing emissions

Probably the best bet is a catalytic heater like the Coleman ones.

http://www.colemanaustralia.com.au/templates/coleman_content_products.aspx?categoryID=1187&parentCategory=1171

[vnx205]

Last time I heated a tent i used a long piece of large diameter metal pipe that passed through the coals of the campfire. it sloped uphill from the other side of the fire so that fresh air was drawn in and carried up the pipe by convection into the tent.

It worked very well, but I don't suppose that is quite what you had in mind. :)

You did ask for "any suggestions". :p

[fraser130]

The two problems are as above, fire risk and suffocation risk.
Whatever you go for, never allow yourself to have even a nap while it is lit, nomatter what!
we have one of those cheapish table-top patio heaters and it's fantastic in a 15 foot square marquee in cold weather, and it has vents on the roof, and the walls don't quite go all the way round (about a 14 inch gap as a door)

Fraser

[incisor]

best "safe" way i have found is a few 5" or 6" dia rocks that you heat in the fire, extract and then wrap in a hessian bag and towel to warm a tent. they do a surprisingly good job of keeping the chill away but dont get the rocks red hot or hessian becomes fireball :P

[Captain_Rightfoot]

One way to soften the blow of the cold without the expense is a good old hot water bottle. They do wonders for warming up the bed :)

I have looked at the coleman catalytic ones, but I just can't see it working out on a trip. You get into bed at night, and then leap up and you're out in the morning. What's the point heating it?

[Blknight.aus]

the heater pipe works best if you can set it up so that the pipe run up hill all the way from the fire, make sure the pipe is a few feet clear of the fire.

a better way is with a donkey water storage heater.

esentially

you have a copper coil outside in a fire (or on a stove or a portable hot water heater) this is plumbed up to the middle and the bottom of the tank which is set up so that the bottom is higher than the heater coil. the laws of convection then heats this water. on the other side of the tank you have a line plumbed from the top to about the middle of the tank this line goes into the tent and attaches to a radiator with a small fan on it or a series of copper pipes on the floor.
15561

the tank sort of looks like that. 5 important things are

1. the connection of the 2 cold lines is important
2. it needs a small hole at the top of the u bend to allow the tent line to purge
3. the bottom connection needs to setup like a venturi so that as the convection action of the water heater occours within the tank it helps draw the water through the tent loop.
4. the cold water out run to the heater should be as direct as practicable and down hill all the way to the bottom of the heater coil
5. The hot water return from the heater should be uphill direct as practicable and uphill all the way from the top of the heater.

The taller the tank the better it works.

[rovercare]

G'day All,

Ok for starters...lets get em out of the way as I have already heard them...wuss...pansy...nancy boy....from the Missus...whatareya...a man or what :).


Regards

Stevo


Mmmmmm,






Mmmmmm,





Nothing to add here:D

[inside]

I've been thinking about camping in winter and just don't go camping for the 2-3 months of the year that it is too cold or head north. Bundaberg has an average minimum for May of 15 degrees, much nicer and not too far to drive.

[Mick-Kelly]

At last years astrofest it got down to sub zero temperatures most nights and a good hot water bottle or two did the trick.

[Tank]

G'day All,

Ok for starters...lets get em out of the way as I have already heard them...wuss...pansy...nancy boy....from the Missus...whatareya...a man or what :).

Now onto heaters for inside the tent. Am going away next weekend where it will be cold with my 6 yr old ( its really for him :whistling:) and most likely some more trips over winter. Any suggestions on brands/ types that are suitable to warm up inside the tent? Also don't want to spend a fortune either. Just bought a fly for the Oztent today.....now looking at this. Thanks in advance for your thoughts......oh and jibes if need be :p,

Regards

Stevo
I use to have a "Shellite" powered Catalytic heater and it was great for heating a large tent (till some Mongrel stole it), the idea is to light them outside to get rid of the start up fumes. The tent must have ventilation as these heaters draw in oxygen so you cant have them in an airtight tent. They will not set any items alight that come into contact with the heating surface, paper will only go brown but will not ignite, I threw a cap of petrol onto mine to show a mate that they will not start a fire. If you kicked a sleeping bag over it it would melt the nylon but will not ignite, I seen a salesman at a show throw a cupful of thinners on a large LPG powered Cat heater and it did not ignite, I will be buying an LPG one next time I'm going camping, I love camping in Winter, beats sweating your ring off during summer, Regards Frank.

[Ricey]

I have a couple of the colemans Joel suggested, they're no good inside a tent as they still emit gasses (they run on propane gas) and they stink like hell, but that maybe from them being new. There not bad otherwise & do take the chill out of the area around them outside. Another negative is they are bulky.
If I'm camping somewhere cold I take my rated sleeping bag & doona. Apparently it's best to sleep with as little clothing on as possible in the bag as you want the thermal benefits of it's design rather than insulate yourself from them.



It's bloody hard trying to find a means of heating a tent that doesn't pose the risk of setting the place on fire or producing emissions

Probably the best bet is a catalytic heater like the Coleman ones.

http://www.colemanaustralia.com.au/templates/coleman_content_products.aspx?categoryID=1187&parentCategory=1171

[incisor]

I love camping in Winter, beats sweating your ring off during summer, Regards Frank.
you not got a tent air-conditioner?

that said, i am with you, love camping in winter... apart from the whine i get in my left ear...:angel:

[SVX37]

My advice is to not try to heat the tent due to all the risk factors. I see there is 2 real options:
1. Hot water bottle is under rated.
2. Buy a quality rated sleeping bag and wear a beanie if needed. Heating the tent would not be required as you want to warm your body.
:D

[weeds]

i personally would not use gas heaters inside a tent, ventiation is a big thing as carbon monoxide is a silent killer, in saying that i have not heard of anybody dying from the use of the camping type gas heater

[Outlaw]

personally think one of those coleman catalytic heaters would be the way to go (despite not actually using one myself before)... you have the fly now so can keep a window partly open for ventilation :)

[Tank]

My tent had air vents in the top, but I did not use the heater once I'd gotten into my -5 sleeping bag and beanie, the heater is good in a large tent especially if the weather, rain or snow, doesn't allow you outside, you can sit around the heater and play cards or get a few drinkies in ya and be warm, nice and cosy, esp. for any kids, Regards Frank.

[Ricey]

There's a thread on exploreoz at the moment about the coleman heaters. A good read coleman heaters @ ExplorOz (http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/68898/coleman_heaters.aspx?ky=&p=%2fForum%2fDefault.aspx%3fpn%3d2)

[d@rk51d3]

This bit made me laugh.


"So, with basic precautions I think it more likely a drop bear may fall from a tree and land on your tent and kill you while you sleep.
(That is why we allow a small air flow when using a heater in the tent and why we never place the tent under a tree.) ":D

[Redback]

We have this, have done for over 5yrs, the dogs has never complained:p
http://www.4wdlinks.com.au/albums/bazzar/acg.sized.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/%22So,%20with%20basic%20precautions%20I%20think%20 it%20more%20likely%20a%20drop%20bear%20may%20fall% 20from%20a%20tree%20and%20land%20on%20your%20tent% 20and%20kill%20you%20while%20you%20sleep.Go on do your worst, but this is what I think too;)

"So, with basic precautions I think it more likely a drop bear may fall from a tree and land on your tent and kill you while you sleep.

Baz.

[Sleepy]

Well SVX37 beat me to it, nothing beats a good old hot water bottle.:cool:

I have used these with great results for keeping the kiddies warm. (And the daddies and mummies ;) ).

Simple, durable and it won't burn your tent down or asphyxiate you.
Add to this, good clothes (thermals are great!) and a beanie and your warm as toast.
If your not ready for bed, fill one up and rest it on your lap or kick your boots off and rest your tootsies on it.:angel:

I am big on simple camping though!

The biggest drawback is when you wake up at 3am and hear the sloshing of water at the bottom of your sleeping bag :lol2: :lol2: :eek:

[vnx205]

Baz
I'm still trying to figure out whether your photo illustrates the fact that you take the dog with you to keep you warm when you go camping or that you borrow the dog's heater when you go camping. :)

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Baz
I'm still trying to figure out whether your photo illustrates the fact that you take the dog with you to keep you warm when you go camping or that you borrow the dog's heater when you go camping. :)

If you're going to have a one dog night you might as well make sure it's a warm dog :D :D :wasntme:

[stevo68]

Thanks for all the feedback/ advice etc....even the pretty complicated ones :). I'm looking to a catalytic type heater...they seem the safest type I have come across so far. It will be more to warm up tent in the evening before I put my jammies on and snuggle into my sleeping bag....oh umm...I mean for my 6 yr old. Hot water bottle is all well and good...but would have to heat up water.....might be a bit hard after a few brewskies :D. Will delve into the Colemans a bit more,

Regards

Stevo

[richard4u2]

what i use is an electric blanket connected to a 150w inverter to a 12v battery leave the blanket on number 1 works a treat uses very little power

[Captain_Rightfoot]

what i use is an electric blanket connected to a 150w inverter to a 12v battery leave the blanket on number 1 works a treat uses very little power

That's a cool warming idea! I have thought about that but dismissed it as too much power. I might re-asses it.

[FenianEel]

Stevo,

Keep it simple, and safe.
The Coleman's are great, I've got one of their Catalytic ones, feel free to borrow it if you're up here this week and want it.
You supposedly don't need to,but I would want to have some fresh air, even a minimal amount, like a corner tent flap open, somewhere regardless of what you do.

Also, the hot water bottles are awesome. They keep warm for most of the night, and are simple, cheap and easy to have one each for the tribe.
Cheers ;)

[isuzu110]

Waeco seem to make a 12V electric Blanket. Product MH25B. Google it.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Stevo,

Keep it simple, and safe.
The Coleman's are great, I've got one of their Catalytic ones, feel free to borrow it if you're up here this week and want it.
You supposedly don't need to,but I would want to have some fresh air, even a minimal amount, like a corner tent flap open, somewhere regardless of what you do.

Also, the hot water bottles are awesome. They keep warm for most of the night, and are simple, cheap and easy to have one each for the tribe.
Cheers ;)

The other advantage of hot water bottles is if your in the desert you can either keep re-using the water or use it for washing.

[Yorkie]

personally i'm not keen on heaters inside the tent and we have enough carp in there a heater would only add to it. :o
was camping last weekend for the first time in cooler weather (barrington tops) and had bought the family thermals to keep them warm. worked a treat and both kids and wifey slept snug as a bug in a rug. :cool:
cheers
yorkie

[EchiDna]

summer lightweight sleeping bag, winter low temp sleeping bag - what could be simpler?

a quick tip I learnt from my grandfather - roll your sleeping bag out in the sun during the day or hang it on the clothes line (whatever gets more sun) during the "heat" of the day, once warm, roll it up tight and leave it in the tent off the ground, when you go to bed unroll and the warmth from the sun will still be retained within for long enough for you to climb in and not feel the chill. even on a cold winter's days you should get a bit of sun...

[The ho har's]

Hey Stevo

you have the same tent as us and with our -5 sleeping bags we have never been cold in it..as others have said chuck a beanie on as well




Mrs ho har:angel:

[Sleepy]

Baked beans help warm up the sleeping bag too:wasntme:

[BMKal]

Baked beans help warm up the sleeping bag too:wasntme:

Pea & ham soup works best, I've found (and SWMBO refuses to let me pack Braised Steak & Onions when we're off on a camping trip).

Haven't tried this in a tent Stevo, but on a couple of cold nights last trip in Tassie, we just kept the Cobb cooker going for a little while inside the camper trailer. Worked a treat. A couple more heat beads added just before going to bed and let it die a natural death.

[dickyjoe]

I presume you have a good quality sleeping bag? Add this too a swag or a matress off the ground with a good quality blanket over the top and your little fella should be toasty.

Heaters in a tent is a bit.... :angel:

[Redback]

Baz
I'm still trying to figure out whether your photo illustrates the fact that you take the dog with you to keep you warm when you go camping or that you borrow the dog's heater when you go camping. :)


We take the dog so we can borrow the heater;)

[stevo68]

Again...thanks for all the tips/ advice. Still toying with the idea of a catalytic heater....though I'm looking at around $80-90...which then comes off my savings for my bull bar. Again SWMBO told me to "man" up :whistling:. I like the idea of the sleeping bag out in the sun.....Cobb would be nice...if I had one....thats also on the list of "to buys".....I have a beanie....makes my face look even fatter :mad:, so might just take my doona as well and see how I fare. If I don't fare well, then may get a heater for the next winter trip. Though I could wuss out before this one as I do like a nice warm place to settle into...:),

Regards

Stevo

[Binford]

I'm with those who are concerned about the use of heaters inside a tent. Here's what I would do: 1. Put a hot water bottle in the sleeping bag of anyone who is really worried about the cold (you can always take it out if you get too warm). 2. Have a nice hot cup of cocoa just before turning in to bed (you won't believe how warm that makes you feel!) 3. On cold nights, wear a fleece or wool or other such warm cap since the vast majority of body heat loss is through the head.

#2 and #3 is what we do with our Scouts on cold-night campouts. We would absolutely not allow the heaters in their tents. But by having that cup of cocoa and wearing thermal underwear and a stocking cap, the only complaints we usually get are that they're too warm!

...Well, at least until morning! ;)



Apparently it's best to sleep with as little clothing on as possible in the bag as you want the thermal benefits of it's design rather than insulate yourself from them.

I used to subscribe to this belief as well until I recently started researching it more thoroughly and found it to be most likely incorrect.

The theory I had been operating under was that with extra clothing in the sleeping bag, you would get *too* warm and sweat, which would chill you. But if you're sweating that way, it only means you have too heavy clothes on or an overly thick sleeping bag.

What I've since found is that if you have a sleeping bag rated for, say, 0 degrees C, and you are sleeping on a -10 night, then you should wear thermal underwear or such to gain the extra 10 degrees of warmth.

To shed clothing when getting into the sleeping bag ends up making about as much sense as taking off your clothes before putting on a warm coat.

[Casper]

Beer, Scotch, Bourbon or Port works a treat for the grown ups, a good sleeping bag and blanket for the kiddies is generally all my 2 have ever needed.


BUT


On the one occasion that I did end up with a cold and wanted to warm the tent before bed, the camp oven full of sand heated in the fire and then put on a wooden chopping board heated it up surprisingly well and stayed warm for most of the night and still felt warmer than the outside temp in the morning.

[Panda]

Love it! Oh and by the way Stevo ... HTFU! :D


Last time I heated a tent i used a long piece of large diameter metal pipe that passed through the coals of the campfire. it sloped uphill from the other side of the fire so that fresh air was drawn in and carried up the pipe by convection into the tent.

It worked very well, but I don't suppose that is quite what you had in mind. :)

You did ask for "any suggestions". :p

[Panda]

:Rolling::Rolling:
Mmmmmm,






Mmmmmm,





Nothing to add here:D

[stevo68]

Love it! Oh and by the way Stevo ... HTFU! :D Yeah, yeah....now your sounding like my missus :p...told me the same thing....:o. Never ended up going on the trip due to the weather up here....so now it is in a week and a bits time. Still debating on to be a wuss or HTFU ;)....mind you was more about the kiddies :whistling:,

Regards

Stevo

[Panda]

Tend to agree ... I hate the cold. Can't for the life of me work out how the hell I managed to ride a motor cycle in the north of England for years in the snow. Only thing that made it was bearable was I was given a copper's winter riding suit ... that definitely helped.

Remember a few years ago camping at Bendethra I think it was. The following morning, there was a lovely pile of frozen fuel from the leaking fuel tank on the SII ... It was very pretty :D



I've been thinking about camping in winter and just don't go camping for the 2-3 months of the year that it is too cold or head north. Bundaberg has an average minimum for May of 15 degrees, much nicer and not too far to drive.

[Panda]

Jesus Stevo, still HTFU. When my son was little, made him camp in the rain for his own good ... bit of a tarp, ****ed with rain all night. Mind you driving in the SIII is enough to harden anyone up! :D

Then took him camping local for the weekend once, made him catch lizards, cook them up & eat them. (His friend who came was a bit freaked out ...) It was either that or do without. Yea, I can be a hard bitch. But better than having a mummy's boy! You're just getting to damn soft. :wasntme:




Yeah, yeah....now your sounding like my missus :p...told me the same thing....:o. Never ended up going on the trip due to the weather up here....so now it is in a week and a bits time. Still debating on to be a wuss or HTFU ;)....mind you was more about the kiddies :whistling:,

Regards

Stevo

[Panda]

Baz, last time did that, the Shepherd threw up in the tent, luckily on Tony's side! :lol2::lol2:


We take the dog so we can borrow the heater;)

[Sleepy]

I gotta agree with Panda here mate - I only just noticed your in QLD:o. I heard it got down to 15 degrees once:angel:

[Panda]

Are you serious? :eek::eek: Reminds me of the Range Rover Club with their microwaves. Bloody hell! :no2: It just ain't right! :D


what i use is an electric blanket connected to a 150w inverter to a 12v battery leave the blanket on number 1 works a treat uses very little power

[Panda]

Yea, Stevo, want to try camping round these parts ... that'll soon sort you out! :D


I gotta agree with Panda here mate - I only just noticed your in QLD:o. I heard it got down to 15 degrees once:angel:

[dmdigital]

Probably shouldn't mention I'm thinking about one of these bed heaters: Kimberley Kampers Kamper Heaters and Bed Accessories (http://www.kimberleykampers.com/index.php?item=heaterandbedaccessories)

[Sleepy]

I can't believe how soft you lot are :eek:

What ya mean NM? Gotta warm up the Jimmy jams in front of the heater, before we top up the hotty, heat up the pea and ham soup in the microwave - kick the dog out of the way - turn the heater down - and snuggle into bed.

Sounds like real camping to me!

Did I mention where to put the LCD TV in the tent? (Just above the DVD player and the satellite TV reciever :lol2:)

[rovercare]

Its really an issue solution;)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/156.jpg


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/157.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/158.jpg

:D

[Ricey]

Now hang on ladies!!! With all this HTFU talk I need to justify myself :angel:
I bought my two convection heaters because of a recent trip to Putty Beach. It was the weekend where we had floods in Sydney & no fires were allowed on the beach front campsite. It was cold...brrr! You may call us a bunch of nancy boys, hehe! ...good enough excuse for me :D

[vnx205]

Its really an issue solution;)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/156.jpg

:D
Now I have this mental picture of you wielding a chainsaw in each hand, a bit like a gunslinger in a Western movie.

[Sleepy]

Now hang on ladies!!! With all this HTFU talk I need to justify myself :angel:...........


I know how I keep warm ;)

[rovercare]

Now I have this mental picture of you wielding a chainsaw in each hand, a bit like a gunslinger in a Western movie.

Yuck yuck, yeehaaa:D

[B92 8NW]

I know how I keep warm ;)

x2. As should everyone with a March/April/May bday:D

[land864]

Hey Stevo

At the Series 1 gathering at Gembrook the other night , I thought my mate had lost his marbles.
He found a pet brick!
But this was no ordinary brick , it was a good clay brick. He popped it in the fire for five mins ( not scalding hot ) wrapped it in a towel and put it in his sleeping bag for 10 mins. Then took it out , put it on the floor of the car and stayed pretty comfortable all night in there.
The benefit of a brick as opposed to rocks is you can be sure it's not a river rock , prone to exploding when heated.
The other answer to not getting cold when sitting around is thermal underwear , (pants and top ) and a beanie on the head when in your sleeping bag.
On a LROCV leaf springs trip the other year it was minus 5 :eek: overnight at Knockwood (near Jamieson Vic ) and the tent condensation inside had frozen:o.
Using the thermals , beanie and good sleeping bag method I was warm as toast.
Your little bloke should be okay.
I worry about any method of flame or hot pad heating in tents.

Hope this helps.
Pete

[stevo68]

Thanks Pete for some useful information....now as to you other lot....Panda :p etc. Ask the kiddies has daddy gone soft...me thinks not. Cold...yes it does get cold up here....just where we are in the hinterland gets into single digits and where we are going gets below 0....so nerr nerr nerr ;).

I also like to take a coffee plunger for nice coffee...does that also make me a nance. At this stage, there are 3 chainsaws coming, whiskey.....blardy hell....sounds like RC's advice :o......and a blazing fire.....now that my other 2 children are coming...making 3 of us in the tent....the body heat alone should keep us warm....plus maybe some water bottles. Though havent given up on the heater idea as of yet....I am getting older :D,

Regards

Stevo

[land864]

You're welcome Steve:)

But in the same vain as some of the other posts , we are pulling out 2 off 500kW Boilers from a job soon;)
To save packing space you would probaly be okay with just the one :p
They still work and if you can organise 380 mj/hr of 4.0 kPa gas whilst on the trip ,I will send one up for you to take:eek:

[Panda]

Yep ... they're soft alright. A bunch of princesses! And I thought we were supposed to be the softer sex :Rolling::Rolling:


I can't believe how soft you lot are :eek:

[Panda]

You're excused Pete :D


Now hang on ladies!!! With all this HTFU talk I need to justify myself :angel:
I bought my two convection heaters because of a recent trip to Putty Beach. It was the weekend where we had floods in Sydney & no fires were allowed on the beach front campsite. It was cold...brrr! You may call us a bunch of nancy boys, hehe! ...good enough excuse for me :D

[Panda]

No ... you should probably not mention that ... :D


Probably shouldn't mention I'm thinking about one of these bed heaters: Kimberley Kampers Kamper Heaters and Bed Accessories (http://www.kimberleykampers.com/index.php?item=heaterandbedaccessories)

[Ricey]

You're excused Pete :D

Thanks Panda, I was hoping I would be :D

[Ricey]

well, I've had two of the coleman heaters going this weekend, ones just run out of gas but I can't speak highly enough of them. 10 of us are currently on a houseboat on the Hawkesbury river where it's been wet & cold but these units have had us huddling around them taking in the warmth.

[Panda]

You lucky duck ... and why the hell wasn't I invited :D


10 of us are currently on a houseboat on the Hawkesbury river .

[Rob Bruce]

Look up on Google, Historic tents and camping gear, some of the sites mostly from USA have neet heaters designed for tents, but the tents are designed for the heaters as well.
Realy a good sleeping bag or two, curl up in it and you are cosey in a fiew mins.

Hot water bottles as said before , cheap and efective.

Cheers
Rob

[Blknight.aus]

Yep ... they're soft alright. A bunch of princesses! And I thought we were supposed to be the softer sex :Rolling::Rolling:

you are, Why do you think we let you into the beds first?

[Panda]

:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:now don't you start! I'm trying to study & can't concentrate! :Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:


you are, Why do you think we let you into the beds first?

[waynep]

On hot water bottles.
If you have one of those aluminium drink bottles, you can fill that up with hot water and wrap it in a towel. Put it in the sleeping bag half an hour before bed.

The old camping rule - everything you take should have more than one use.

Oh when we used to hire a cabin cruiser on the lake, we used to get a terracotta plant pot and invert it on an element on the gas stove. Not sure if that was alright emissions wise but worked well. Wouldn't advise this in a tent though.

[lyonsy]

Dragging this from the dead
has there been any advances in this
what are the floor heater/carpet heaters any good?
are the diesel heaters with a hot air pipe any good?
does anyone do a oil heater in 12v? or would it be better use a 12v to 240v inverter to run it

as i don't mind camping but i hate sleeping in area that is freezing with even a beanie on and my face freezes so would like something can run all night keeping the chill off so i dont freeze and well it will keep the minister for war a finance happy and most imprtantly the minister for licks and tail wags

also i haven't got a tent yet or a swag if i go swag will be a double swag but if i get a tent i am thing the single pole type any oppions on this?

[austastar]

Hi,
A diesel heater mounted in a frame to make it portable is an option available.
No combustion air/exhaust in the tent either.
DIY or off - the - shelf.
Cheers

[lyonsy]

thanks for that so diesel heaters are the go then
will have to loook them up

[Don 130]

best "safe" way i have found is a few 5" or 6" dia rocks that you heat in the fire, extract and then wrap in a hessian bag and towel to warm a tent. they do a surprisingly good job of keeping the chill away but dont get the rocks red hot or hessian becomes fireball :P

And make sure they're not sedimentary rocks or they'll explode on heating. You need igneous rocks ( volcanic in origin)
Don.

[Homestar]

thanks for that so diesel heaters are the go then
will have to loook them up

They work fine until the diesel freezes on freezing cold nights. [biggrin]

Phil (with the 101) and Liz had this issue at Winter Wombat a few years back - they retired to their van with the heater cranking as it was so cold. In the morning they said it packed it in around midnight and on investigation they found the diesel in the tank like soup.

Has to be bloody cold for that to happen, but that's when you need it most - if you head into the coldest parts during the winter, find some Alpine Diesel to use. [smilebigeye]

[austastar]

Hi,
Normal diesel has done ok in ours at -10 degrees. The tank is 20L, stainless steel, and in a ventilated locker.
Heater and pump are all inside the luggage storage.
Cheers

[Ranga]

Hi,
Normal diesel has done ok in ours at -10 degrees. The tank is 20L, stainless steel, and in a ventilated locker.
Heater and pump are all inside the luggage storage.
Cheers

What brand/model Dave?

[Homestar]

Hi,
Normal diesel has done ok in ours at -10 degrees. The tank is 20L, stainless steel, and in a ventilated locker.
Heater and pump are all inside the luggage storage.
Cheers

Sounds like your tank is in a different spot - theirs was hanging down under the van I believe. It was -7 the night it stopped. We only had 2 Pugs to keep us warm in the back of the 101. [biggrin]

[trout1105]

camping in the cold Sucks.
The best thing to do to keep the tent warm is to drive further North [bigwhistle]

[Don 130]

This mob (http://www.dieselheat.com.au/belief/) from Tassie supply diesel heaters. I've spoken to the bloke, he says the Chinese units they sell, are more reliable than webasto that they used to sell.
If you want to get one direct, they are available here (https://www.aliexpress.com/store/416052'spm=2114.search0104.3.161.PWqdJ4)

Don.

[DiscoMick]

I don't think anyone has mentioned silk liners for sleeping bags but I can say from experience they are awesome. In fact, I have been too hot with the liner in the sleeping bag and have stripped off clothes, although the air temperature was minus.
It's also important to reduce heat loss from the head, either with a beanie or by pulling the sleeping bag flap or a blanket over the top.
If in a tent use a stretcher to get off the cold ground - it makes a big difference. I have slept on a stretcher outside under an awning in a sleeping bag with liner and been warm despite a cold wind, so it can be done.
Hot water bottles are also good for an initial warm, but the bedding has to hold the heat.