@@Striveorsurvive the 100w would probably be enough, I've been down to about 35F and was a little cold, but it would be nice to not worry about water freezing and ruining the filter
At night time make a cardboard/blanket wall to half off your bed. Then use two of the small 250watt heaters. One under your bed, preferably with out a board base and have a blanet drapped around all sides. Use to do this with a sleeping cote and a 1500 btu propane little buddy at dear camp in a tent. The bed would stay like 100f + using a fan to circulate the air. Then use the other heater open air if you have the power.
Over time with many situations for experience I've found that the best way to stay warm is to reduce your heat losses; that way you can use less heat instead of throwing away part of more heat. There's a practical limit with this, but it's where your main focus should be. I do like the 'real world' testing but really the only difference with any electric heater of a given wattage is what it does with the heat it makes. A well-designed blower can make less heat feel like more by circulating the heat better than convection does. And since heat rises put the heat source low to better warm the whole enclosure and not just the upper parts. Below there's mention of candles for heat, and yes they can work but with each wick making about 78 BTU's you need a lot of wicks to do more than just not freeze to death. I like the jar-type candles with 3 wicks as they are more stable and safer plus the jar helps keep them from being blown out by wind or drafts. Far more efficient and useful than any 'stick' candles, even the big ones. The glass will get too hot to handle ungloved after awhile though and with all 3 wicks lit you get around 4-5 hours burntime. I isolated the kitchen of my camper with blankets and had plastic on the windows during an ice storm where it was 17F and very windy outside and it was roughly 45F in my 8' by 8' kitchen. It wasn't long ago that I was homeless, and after getting the old camper I still wasn't stable, moving it from job to job. I've finally got it on a friend's property where I'll be till I die and the feeling of peace and relief that brought me is priceless. I hope you can soon find an equal or better peace in your life in the way you want it. Subscribed.
Your 100% correct on trying to insulate and retain heat. I lived in an old trailer prior to this, the cost of living there was cheap and it was on beautiful property, nice place to set up a garden and live minimally. The furnace went out one year and it was costly to repair and at that time propane had doubled or tripled so I ended up blocking off 2 rooms to maintain warmth in with different methods other than the furnace. The winters were rough but I loved it out there, that scenario was attached to being in a relationship once that relationship ended I was out of that property and all I invested in it. Was so used to the low rent, it was like stepping into a new world getting used to the high inflation and cost of living. Even with 2 jobs and selling stuff on Ebay I found myself in this predicament. Not from a lack of trying of course... Somethings always seemed off but now a days the system seems more broke than ever. I feel for you, me and anyone else struggling right now. I also don't like the feelings of being used in a system like a modern day slave to make a peaceful living. This is why I pray I can make something from youtube or any means because working hasn't been working...
Also I'm glad you found a stable place to settle that's definitely a load of stress off you and wear and tear on the camper! Thank you for the subscribe and the kind words, I hope you the best!
@@Striveorsurvive I've got a lot of history of living cheaply, and now that I'm semi-retired and in less than great health that how-to knowledge is paying off. My situation is good, on my oldest friend's place in the hills that I love with a large garden which sadly we didn't get going well his year- that mistake won't happen again. Life sometimes seems like one disaster after another but you learn to manage and get through. Like you I had a great place and dirt cheap for 9 years, and then the landlord decided to sell it without even trying to work a deal with me. That was 10 years ago and though a friends had a spare room to rent it meant losing much of what I'd built up in life as there was no place to store anything. 4 years later I split a house with my sister which turned out to not work out at all and once again it was walk away from what was supposed to be my final home and losing much in the process again. In the interim I've had a mini-stroke and a heart attack and am waiting for my first social security check. I've been on the hill here about a year now and this has to be it; I have nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to. But my friend is true-blue, totally honest and open, and trustworthy with everything so I think I'll be good from here. As long as another tree doesn't fall on my camper and crush more of it, but that's a different story. Be well, keep your head up, and keep trying- sooner or later your luck will improve even if the world doesn't.
Thank you, I've used a number of different heaters over the years and am blown away that I've only just recently seen those diesel heaters. I am interested in one, I have a old Mr. Heater buddy till I can budget one in.
@@Striveorsurvive oh I should mention I don't care for the all in one units. Look into the vevor one with blue tooth. Just ordered one myself, will have to give my old one away or keep it as a spare.
I have one the 12v fan and element heaters. I was very impressed by it. I use while in shed to knock off chill but, def not enough to heat in my large shed.. I do see they sell several wattage options now. I plan on getting a few. I am think but not sure you can use them with 12 and 24v setups I have to test if I don't get a answer which I asked ebay seller. AS powered heaters just draw to much power and with the conversion dc to ac you lose so much power specially on my little power units. I am starting to look at 12V heated Blankets to take camping.
It is pretty impressive for the size, I wanted to test the smallest unit but I was curious of the higher watt ones. Mine shows only 12 volt but I do see some advertised as 12v/24v that should double the power.
If it were I, I would use a 12 volt electric sleeping blanket. I would also have my vehicle rigged with a remote starter and an auxiliary hot water heater time to get out of your warm, cozy bed? Just hit the remote start and wait until it is cozy inside the space.
Alot of recommendations on the heated blanket. My vehicles Manual transmission and the emergency brake is broken so I have to leave my truck in gear. I could get a remote start but I would just have to wedge the tires so I don't roll away on unlevel surfaces lol
I use a kerosene stove it puts out a good amount of heat while cooking, also 2 oil lamps for light and bonus heat. Kerosene is cheaper and easier than 1lb propane cylinders
1,000 watts at 12v dc is nearly 100amps. Not happening with a dc plug. Good stuff, though. Good luck in the cold. Amazon has a 200 watt thin oil heater you might want to check out. I have a couple ac heaters, but plan on going with the oil heater for safety.
@@Striveorsurvive I didn’t either, which is why I bought the ceramic blow through heaters. I know oil heaters take longer to heat up, but they hold that heat once they do.
So which do you recommend for overall efficiency to use when you only have a 1000 watt generator? Looking forward to more reviews like this so I subscribed!
Definitely the 12 volt dc heater as far as efficiency and run time, it also puts out a decent amount of heat. I will say the heat bud is best for overall output. If you have a solar panel defiantly the heat bud. I will be trying out candles and other methods later. I appreciate the sub!
I have a 1,600 watt, actual output, generator. I have 300 watts of solar, a 280ah lifepo4 battery, and a 1kw Anker power station. The solar and two 40 amp battery chargers are for the big lifepo4 battery, and then the battery goes through a 12v to 48v 10 amp step up converter to charge the Anker at around 500 watts. The generator charges the lifepo4 battery at around 1kw. With that setup you can run any electric heater up to 500 watts. But there are some options that are better than others.
Forget about electric heater setup. I See that Mr buddy heater but that heater will run you out the camper, or you will play that game turn it on and off all night. Look into Kovea Cupid Gas Heater it’s perfect for smaller applications such as your camper shell. Plus butane is by far the cheapest fuel option.
That is true, the heater buddy easily would heat the back up. I havent needed to use it yet. I seen a brand "flame king" that has a thermostatically controlled propane heater that turns off and on. As far as that Kovea butane heaters I really like that Cubic design and have also considered moving over to butane.
ecoflow...you better build a nice big lifepo battery bank at 12v and only use 12v devices and only run an inverter when there's no other way. resistive heaters have an close to 100% efficiency, the upconversion from battery voltage to ac kills your efficiency. as long as your inverter is in the same place, it'll convert the electrical losses to heat too :D
Yeah I'm going to need one! Running these heaters really puts some perspective on power consumption even with small appliances they completely drain batteries. If I can find it in my budget those diesel heaters seem promising and would be in good demensions for travel.
Cold weather kills lithium batteries. He's already going to have to figure out how to keep his ecoflows warm enough to safely charge. A auxiliary battery is great, but a step up converter is a must for fast charging a power station. Then just charge the auxiliary battery with a 20 or 40 amp charger, or two 40 amp chargers like I do.
Duly noted. I do own one, I didn't utilize it because it's extremely cramped and awkward to move around in the back of my truck, but I will work on that.
Thanks for making this, I’ve been looking into almost the same kind of setup for my tent
Appreciate the positivity! Stay tuned I have more coming pertaining this. Which heater were you thinking would be enough for your tent?
@@Striveorsurvive the 100w would probably be enough, I've been down to about 35F and was a little cold, but it would be nice to not worry about water freezing and ruining the filter
Everyone's a critic , but you're doing real world testing, and on a budget , don't let the commenters get to you.
At night time make a cardboard/blanket wall to half off your bed. Then use two of the small 250watt heaters. One under your bed, preferably with out a board base and have a blanet drapped around all sides. Use to do this with a sleeping cote and a 1500 btu propane little buddy at dear camp in a tent. The bed would stay like 100f + using a fan to circulate the air. Then use the other heater open air if you have the power.
I was thinking the same thing making a wall for the bed, would definitely help! Thanks for the advice and appreciate the comment!
Love that you are testing this out. Many of us have the same questions you do.
Thank you for the positive feedback!
Over time with many situations for experience I've found that the best way to stay warm is to reduce your heat losses; that way you can use less heat instead of throwing away part of more heat. There's a practical limit with this, but it's where your main focus should be. I do like the 'real world' testing but really the only difference with any electric heater of a given wattage is what it does with the heat it makes. A well-designed blower can make less heat feel like more by circulating the heat better than convection does. And since heat rises put the heat source low to better warm the whole enclosure and not just the upper parts.
Below there's mention of candles for heat, and yes they can work but with each wick making about 78 BTU's you need a lot of wicks to do more than just not freeze to death. I like the jar-type candles with 3 wicks as they are more stable and safer plus the jar helps keep them from being blown out by wind or drafts. Far more efficient and useful than any 'stick' candles, even the big ones. The glass will get too hot to handle ungloved after awhile though and with all 3 wicks lit you get around 4-5 hours burntime. I isolated the kitchen of my camper with blankets and had plastic on the windows during an ice storm where it was 17F and very windy outside and it was roughly 45F in my 8' by 8' kitchen.
It wasn't long ago that I was homeless, and after getting the old camper I still wasn't stable, moving it from job to job. I've finally got it on a friend's property where I'll be till I die and the feeling of peace and relief that brought me is priceless. I hope you can soon find an equal or better peace in your life in the way you want it. Subscribed.
Your 100% correct on trying to insulate and retain heat. I lived in an old trailer prior to this, the cost of living there was cheap and it was on beautiful property, nice place to set up a garden and live minimally. The furnace went out one year and it was costly to repair and at that time propane had doubled or tripled so I ended up blocking off 2 rooms to maintain warmth in with different methods other than the furnace. The winters were rough but I loved it out there, that scenario was attached to being in a relationship once that relationship ended I was out of that property and all I invested in it. Was so used to the low rent, it was like stepping into a new world getting used to the high inflation and cost of living. Even with 2 jobs and selling stuff on Ebay I found myself in this predicament. Not from a lack of trying of course... Somethings always seemed off but now a days the system seems more broke than ever. I feel for you, me and anyone else struggling right now. I also don't like the feelings of being used in a system like a modern day slave to make a peaceful living. This is why I pray I can make something from youtube or any means because working hasn't been working...
Also I'm glad you found a stable place to settle that's definitely a load of stress off you and wear and tear on the camper! Thank you for the subscribe and the kind words, I hope you the best!
@@Striveorsurvive I've got a lot of history of living cheaply, and now that I'm semi-retired and in less than great health that how-to knowledge is paying off. My situation is good, on my oldest friend's place in the hills that I love with a large garden which sadly we didn't get going well his year- that mistake won't happen again. Life sometimes seems like one disaster after another but you learn to manage and get through. Like you I had a great place and dirt cheap for 9 years, and then the landlord decided to sell it without even trying to work a deal with me. That was 10 years ago and though a friends had a spare room to rent it meant losing much of what I'd built up in life as there was no place to store anything. 4 years later I split a house with my sister which turned out to not work out at all and once again it was walk away from what was supposed to be my final home and losing much in the process again. In the interim I've had a mini-stroke and a heart attack and am waiting for my first social security check. I've been on the hill here about a year now and this has to be it; I have nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to. But my friend is true-blue, totally honest and open, and trustworthy with everything so I think I'll be good from here. As long as another tree doesn't fall on my camper and crush more of it, but that's a different story.
Be well, keep your head up, and keep trying- sooner or later your luck will improve even if the world doesn't.
The most efficient heat source is a diesel heater.
It's a dry heat and draws very little power.
You can pick one up for a hundred bucks.
Thank you, I've used a number of different heaters over the years and am blown away that I've only just recently seen those diesel heaters. I am interested in one, I have a old Mr. Heater buddy till I can budget one in.
@@Striveorsurvive it also works great to heat up a can of soup, open can set in front of the heater and in 15 to 20 minutes you have hot soup. 👍😂
@@Striveorsurvive oh I should mention I don't care for the all in one units.
Look into the vevor one with blue tooth.
Just ordered one myself, will have to give my old one away or keep it as a spare.
@@dangeroustomanThat's doubles the usefulness, plus having that tiny muffler hanging out could be hilarious!
@@dangeroustoman What if it will be no diesel available???
I have one the 12v fan and element heaters. I was very impressed by it. I use while in shed to knock off chill but, def not enough to heat in my large shed.. I do see they sell several wattage options now. I plan on getting a few. I am think but not sure you can use them with 12 and 24v setups I have to test if I don't get a answer which I asked ebay seller. AS powered heaters just draw to much power and with the conversion dc to ac you lose so much power specially on my little power units. I am starting to look at 12V heated Blankets to take camping.
It is pretty impressive for the size, I wanted to test the smallest unit but I was curious of the higher watt ones. Mine shows only 12 volt but I do see some advertised as 12v/24v that should double the power.
Positive Comment!!!
Thank you for the literal positive comment! Lol
If it were I, I would use a 12 volt electric sleeping blanket. I would also have my vehicle rigged with a remote starter and an auxiliary hot water heater time to get out of your warm, cozy bed? Just hit the remote start and wait until it is cozy inside the space.
Alot of recommendations on the heated blanket. My vehicles Manual transmission and the emergency brake is broken so I have to leave my truck in gear. I could get a remote start but I would just have to wedge the tires so I don't roll away on unlevel surfaces lol
Good to know! Thanks 👍
Thank you for watching and I appreciate the comment!
@@Striveorsurvive 👍😺
An Olympian Wave 3 uses no electricity and they're on clearance at Camping World's website right now.
Thank you appreciate the feed back, I don't have a budget so I'm going to have to make due with what I have! Although that is a nice looking unit!
Out of this guy's price range, it's obvious.
I use a kerosene stove it puts out a good amount of heat while cooking, also 2 oil lamps for light and bonus heat. Kerosene is cheaper and easier than 1lb propane cylinders
Appreciate the feedback. I have a kerosene heater as well but it's one of those large 23,000 btu ones a bit to large I'd say
I think a buddy heater is the only one for camping with no electricity. Cause those smalls can't keep up and you need a big power bank.
You probably get better heating with better camper insulation.
I definitely plan on redoing that eventually, most materials for the build was stuff I acquired for free.
1,000 watts at 12v dc is nearly 100amps. Not happening with a dc plug. Good stuff, though. Good luck in the cold.
Amazon has a 200 watt thin oil heater you might want to check out. I have a couple ac heaters, but plan on going with the oil heater for safety.
Yeah I figured that was a bit of false advertising, appreciate the positive feedback.
Cool didn't know they made them that small!
@@Striveorsurvive I didn’t either, which is why I bought the ceramic blow through heaters. I know oil heaters take longer to heat up, but they hold that heat once they do.
I have so many questions!
@the.malinski Questions such as what?
So which do you recommend for overall efficiency to use when you only have a 1000 watt generator? Looking forward to more reviews like this so I subscribed!
Definitely the 12 volt dc heater as far as efficiency and run time, it also puts out a decent amount of heat. I will say the heat bud is best for overall output. If you have a solar panel defiantly the heat bud. I will be trying out candles and other methods later. I appreciate the sub!
@@Striveorsurvive Thumbs up
@@Striveorsurvive Those ones you just screw on to the top of propane tanks seem like they would work good .
I have a 1,600 watt, actual output, generator. I have 300 watts of solar, a 280ah lifepo4 battery, and a 1kw Anker power station.
The solar and two 40 amp battery chargers are for the big lifepo4 battery, and then the battery goes through a 12v to 48v 10 amp step up converter to charge the Anker at around 500 watts. The generator charges the lifepo4 battery at around 1kw.
With that setup you can run any electric heater up to 500 watts. But there are some options that are better than others.
What about a 12V blanket?
That's a good idea, I'm cautious of heated blankets they can put you in a sleep coma. Last time I used 1 I slept for like 18 hours
Thumbs up
Appreciate the thumbs!
Forget about electric heater setup. I See that Mr buddy heater but that heater will run you out the camper, or you will play that game turn it on and off all night. Look into Kovea Cupid Gas Heater it’s perfect for smaller applications such as your camper shell. Plus butane is by far the cheapest fuel option.
That is true, the heater buddy easily would heat the back up. I havent needed to use it yet. I seen a brand "flame king" that has a thermostatically controlled propane heater that turns off and on. As far as that Kovea butane heaters I really like that Cubic design and have also considered moving over to butane.
Diesel heaters are the way to go.
And when there is a crisis or SHTF......what gas Station you going to?😂😂😂😂
@@godzilla6490 Gas station for a guy living in a truck? If there is a crisis or SHTH there is not going to be a power grid to have electricity
If any crisis situation occurs, that takes the legal restraints off anything goes. For me that really opens up some doors.
@@Striveorsurvive 😃😃
ecoflow...you better build a nice big lifepo battery bank at 12v and only use 12v devices and only run an inverter when there's no other way. resistive heaters have an close to 100% efficiency, the upconversion from battery voltage to ac kills your efficiency. as long as your inverter is in the same place, it'll convert the electrical losses to heat too :D
Yeah I'm going to need one! Running these heaters really puts some perspective on power consumption even with small appliances they completely drain batteries. If I can find it in my budget those diesel heaters seem promising and would be in good demensions for travel.
@@Striveorsurvive disel heaters are great for rvs. once there running they use very little power.
@@gogereaver349Yeah I'm definitely interested! Getting a lot of recommendations
Cold weather kills lithium batteries. He's already going to have to figure out how to keep his ecoflows warm enough to safely charge. A auxiliary battery is great, but a step up converter is a must for fast charging a power station. Then just charge the auxiliary battery with a 20 or 40 amp charger, or two 40 amp chargers like I do.
@JV-io3nn sense most are kept inside cold normally isn't a problem
Dude, by a tripod, stop hand " thinging it "
Duly noted. I do own one, I didn't utilize it because it's extremely cramped and awkward to move around in the back of my truck, but I will work on that.
Honeywell small but mighty. 150 watt low 250 high. 0 degree sleeping bag with will blanket can handle most could days
It is a nice balanced unit, getting hard to find I managed to find one on ebay finally and that was during the summer that I looked.
Unfortunately it has been discontinued by Honeywell.