Date:         Fri, 15 Oct 2004 13:17:04 -0400
Reply-To:     Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Propane heater question - Portable Buddy Heater

Usually, when my wife and I camp, we pop the top and put all the stuff
that's "In the way" on the upper bunk.  I suppose we could just insulate the
square area from the edge of the upper bunk forward.

Mike


> Since I mostly camp by myself in winter here's my solution to loosing heat
> thru the poptop:
>
> I dont pop it all the way just enough to have enough headroom to stand
> which is about 13-14 inches at the latch for me, im 5'7".  I do this by
> placing a water bottle (1.5 liter juice bottle) in between the roof and
> poptop.  If you do this you will loose much less heat, you can bundle up
> the fabric which makes it more insulating, or you could cut some
> insulation which would be much smaller and easier and effective for the
> front section, than the whole poptop.  The only problem is hte bar which i
> though about removing for the winter but never did, maybe you could make
> the bar quick releasing.
>
>
> On Fri, 15 Oct 2004, Craig Oda wrote:
>
> > Doug,
> > thanks for the information.  After pondering life and the change of
> > the seasons in my driveway as I observed the leaves changing color and
> > falling on the roof of my Westy,  I came to the realization that thin
> > canvas on the Westy tent isn't much good at insulation.  So, I bought
> > a 4' by 10' roll of bubble foil from home depot and a 15' roll of
> > 2-faced velcro tabe.  I realize that I'll need another roll of bubble
> > foil, but Home Depot is close to my house and I thought I would add
> > the first roll of bubble foil first, then decide on the width of the
> > 2nd roll.   Do you have any tips for securing the bubble foil to the
> > tent?  I'm thinking about the exterior tops and bottoms, probably 3
> > inch long strips of velcro spaced out.
> >
> > I'm thinking about four pieces of foil bubble wrap:
> >    1) front tent window section and wrap around 2-3 feet on each side
> >    2) left side
> >    3) right side
> >    4) rear skinny piece
> >
> > I'm probably going to try this with a coleman powercat and see how it
goes.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Craig
> >
> > On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 22:32:37 -0700, Doug in Calif <vanagon@astound.net>
wrote:
> > > If heat is escaping out the top you will not get much in the lower
bunk even
> > > if you have a blast furnace going.
> > > Top insulation will help and you will be able to get by with a much
smaller
> > > heater.
> > >
> > > Insulating the sidewalls of the vanagon with bubble foil and doing
some type
> > > of window treatment, (cold curtains ect) will help allot.
> > >
> > > Doug
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Craig Oda" <craigoda@GMAIL.COM>
> > > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > > Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 5:51 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Propane heater question - Portable Buddy Heater
> > >
> > > > The Big Buddy is rated at 18,000 BTU and comes with a fan.  Think
this
> > > > more than required?  It adds about 3" each  to the height, width,
> > > > depth.
> > > >
> > >
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?deptID=&subOf=&skunum=2706
> > > 2&src=UPSE
> > > >
> > > > I have a Coleman Powercat rated at 3,000 BTU and it definitely is
not
> > > > warm enough.
> > > >
> > > > I have not put aluminum bubblewrap insulation around the upper tent
of
> > > > the Westy yet.  Someone recommended this.  However, I'm thinking
that
> > > > maybe it will be kind of inconvenient to set up  in actual use?
Maybe
> > > > a big heater will be more convenient?
> > > >
> > > > BTW, the standard place to put these things is on the main cabin
floor
> > > > in back of the two front chairs, right?
> > > >
> > > > I'm kind of deciding between getting a bigger heater and using the
> > > > Powercat with more insulation.  The advantage of the powercat is
that
> > > > I think it may be safer.
> > > >
> > > > Even the Portable Buddy has 3X the heating power of the Powercat.
the
> > > > Big Buddy has 6X.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 14:12:51 -0700, Sharon Mendonca
> > > > <bobonsharo@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> > > > > While we're on the subject of heaters, has anybody tried one of
these?
> > > They say they're safe for indoor use, but you never know.
> > > > >
> > > > > ===========================================
> > > > > Click on the link below to find out more about this product
> > > > >
> > > > > Portable Buddy Heater
> > > > >
> > >
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=19573&affiliateid=2
> > > 20&kcode=04991
> > > > >
> > >
> > >
> >