Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (January 2015, week 1)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Sat, 3 Jan 2015 10:09:33 -0800
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: Heat inside the camper.. No
Comments: To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAFnDXk0hoCS255jUzPHmogn25qzoGUzXHnmHeEwduxe3=MpVkA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Haven't done the numbers to determine what you ask Jim, it might be a complicated calculation.

But.... You might not realize that lower oxygen levels not only have the obvious effect on occupants, but also has an effect on the propane combustion.

With complete combustion, you'll be getting water and carbon dioxide as the combustion products. As an aside, approximately 1.5 lbs of water for every 1 lb of propane burned.

However, low oxygen levels produces more carbon monoxide during combustion. The combustion products then being water, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. I think this is the bigger danger.

Alistair

> On Jan 3, 2015, at 7:13 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote: > > Good save there, Don. Seeing is believing! I have run my propane heater in

> my westy without worrying about it as I can feel the breeze through the > canvas with the top up. A sunbrella or nylon "canvas" would be a while > different deal. Since VWs are considered to be among the tightest bodies of > their era, I don't think I could get away with it in a tintop without > ventilation. > > A question for one of the more physics-minded on the list might be how long > you could burn the volume of oxygen contained in a Vanagon at a certain > altitude and still leave enough for yourself? Watching a single candle > flame extinguish itself in a mason jar makes me think it isn't as long as > you might think. > > Jim > >> On Sat, Jan 3, 2015 at 8:50 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Over many years and different vans, the majority VW, I've often used my >> cook stove for quick heat. I've believed that my vans "leaked" enough >> outside air that asphyxiation wasn't going to happen. This is probably >> wrong, at least in my tin top camper. Just now, it being around freezing

>> in the pre-dawn desert SW, I brewed coffee and left both westie stove >> burners on high for some heat as I watched the sunrise .... I saw my >> burner's flame diminish and get thready. Thought I was out of propane...

>> But I discovered that a kitchen match, the "strike and light anywhere" >> kind, that would not light! No O2 or too much co2....whatever, pretty >> scary. I ran back the slider and let some air in, things burn normal >> again. >> >> So I believe the warning against using the cook top for cabin heat.,..now. >> I just saw why. >>


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.