Since heat rises, hanging the heater up high will not heat down low in your vehicle to warm the entire area. Put the heater down by the floor and you will heat your vehicle more evenly.
Instead of going to the trouble of cutting those energy drink cans, just use a sheet of aluminum foil. It'll wrap easily, and you won't risk cutting yourself.
Very cool candle heater. I made a candle heater back in 1985 from 2 steel coffee cans. My shelter was made from pallets and a huge corrugated paper box that was a refrigerator cover. Painted it was waterproof. Inside the box keeping the temp comfortable at 65-70 F with an outdoor temp of 10 F was very easy.
@@timdillen was temporarily homeless. Surviving was tough but using my wits I made it without any serious issues. Everything was scrounged except for the 4 military surplus wool blankets. I bought them at a yard sale for 50 cents each. Picking up a few dollars every other day or so doing odd jobs kept me warm and fed. The following Summer my family found out I was homeless.
I have 4 of the UCO singles which I use in my tent or in my SUV and I love them. I do a lot of winter camping in the Northern part of Quebec in Canada and my UCO's keep me warm in even the coldest nights. -22c or -7.6f is my usual cut off. I won't go out in Temps colder than this and all what I use is my UCO system for heat. Thanks for sharing.
Popular Mechanics ran an article about 20 years ago that still influences me today. No RV but everyone who drives in winter cold needs to protect against long durations of cold weather in the vehicle. One of their ideas was to put a candle w matches inside an empty 3 pound metal coffee can. The idea was not to keep warm but make it survivable with a single candle holding a car at 40 degrees. Any more heat and one has to worry about oxygen depletion. This is but one tool to combat cold weather and would not replace proper clothing and blankets. Boy Scouts - be prepared!
@@scottfirman you got to leave the windows open so the cops can't identify a tell tale fogged windows. A cop and fogged windows is a marriage made in heaven but on the other hand when a cop sees open windows that a hookup made in heaven
I took mine and removed the candles and made four vegetable oil lamps using the little shot bottles that you get from the airlines You hot glue four of them to the base, fill with vegetable oil pop a small hole in the top for a cotton yarn Wick and now you've got 25% more light and a little bit more heat than 5000 BTUs Vegetable oil is cheap and available everywhere and you never have to buy those expensive candles again and you can light 2 if it's a warm night or three if you like. It's a nice adjustable way to have a variable heater
I recommend you do a little research on the byproducts of burning vegetable oil vs candle wax. The latter is much more healthy for you in the long run per my research. FYI.
Nice idea but why not use something wider and a metal plate with multiple holes then you just have to fill the lower chamber once plus you could run more flames
Hanging WOOL blankets to cover windows....I'm tellin ya, you will be so toasty warm in there. I did this in an apt I lived in, and I could feel the temp rise once those wool blankets covered the big windows in the bedroom.
this is true ... it is a practice in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries where a heavy material was hung over the window AND doors. hence where your modern curtains came from but was used for winter months for warmth, and summer for blocking the heat of the sun. FYI harbor freight shipping blankets work well but what ever you use hang them as close to the wall as you can. ON MY DOORWAY I mounted a blanket on a 1x3 and fasten a barn hinge on the right side of the 1x3, and then to the wall ....this hung from the top but swung open from left to right as a hanging door on an "arm".
Used the £2 ikea blankets the ones with holes across top top and bottom. Treaded a thin dowl through. Lined my trailer tent like the Bedouins do. Looked amazing and so toasty.
I use HRbor freight moving blankets. Not as good as real moving blankets but good enough. I think insulation of any sort retains heat like a battery Oh I found out that when fiberglass insulation get real hot formaldehyde is released. The hard way!
I knew someone who used an old phone book and scotch tape to paper over the old windows in his shack he was renting. Even the thin paper made all the difference.
have you thought about getting one of those thermo electric fans that you can sit ontop of the candle heater to circulate the air I think that would help increase the inside temp. The same thing works with the mr buddy and will circulate the air
From EARLY WINTERS about forty years ago I got a candle lantern exactly like the single only the metal was solid brass. It was cool , I still have it. I made a little metal cup holder that fit on the top. In my small tent it definitely made a difference on cold nights. At the times when I didn't bring a tent or make a fire (search and rescue we usually did not bother with a campfire ) it was a nice substitute for a campfire.
Super late comment on a 3 year video but I would have loved a baseline test. See how low your car goes without the heater vs heater. Get a sense of the heat loss. Great vid and idea though!
I use the same soda can slicing technique to make innocent covers for my beer cans when I have a drink in a public place like a beach or park. Don't roll up the edges and cut more carefully. Works like a charm. Put a rubber band around the pop can cover when not in use as this keeps it tight for the next beer-wrapping day.
Great video, I use 6-10 tealight candles a night during winter and have insulated my van with duvet inners. Very warm and dry through winter. Cheap and effective.
That's awesome! I just can't take the moisture from propane. I love how the condensation actually decreased by about half from not using any heat and just the moisture from my breath with the candles. Thanks for your comment and for watching!
shawn mcaraphy I do something similar. I have a 6 tealight holder that I place inside a cake tin. The holder is a Xmas tree shape, solid and sturdy, but having it inside another container gives me piece of mind. If it is snowing and I need to increase my candles, I have a another holder that fits 4, that also fits inside the cake tin. I have been doing this in tents, cars, and now a van for almost 20 years. Safety first.
Just giving you a heads up your fire extinguisher is on that National recall for kiddie extinguishers all you have to do is call up there recall line give them the serial number and model number of your extinguisher and they will ship you a new replacement free of charge
Several years ago we had the coldest winter in 25 years here, and my electric got shut off. I was amazed how helpful three candles could be especially when strategically placed.
Agreed. We lost electricity for 4 days, it came back on for 4 hours and then lost it again for 3 more days in 2012 I think, and I quite literally shut off all but the bathroom and living room then used tealights and 3 wick candles to heat the house, well, and boiling water for cleaning and cooking on the gas stove. Thank God for the gas stove and candles.
Reading the comments.The one time I used Sterno - I got one hell of a headache... I don't think its safe! Sterno most likely contains calcium acetate. Thanks for pointing out your saftey measures.
I'd make a silicone mold from those candles and buy cheap wax n wicks and see what kinda results ya get..maybe making your own fuel sticks would be cheaper and still effective
I have used heat but found it was a pain for me to keep it safe from other objects. I got a -32C (-25F) sleeping bag, as well as a liner and thermal pad. We are hovering around -31C these past few days but it has still been great.
Hi I would like you to try 2 other emergency heater modifications and let me know the results. The first is the Crisco candle mod in the UCO (you may need a different container than the Crisco tub to get it to fit inside the UCO). These are supposed to burn slow so you can probably use four (or more) wicks. The second mod I think will really keep the temp from dropping in a vehicle as it will circulate the heat for free. I would like you to adapt one of the thermoelectric fan stove heater, the kind you just put on your stove and the heat powers the fan. Tell me what you think. This might save a life if you are ever stuck in your vehicle. There is also a chance that with this fan mod it might actually warm a van interior.
Really neat idea. I was in Georgia few years back staying in a very thin walled room, and I used candles to help raise temp..so I do know this works. Putting them in a holder is a excellent idea!
While based at a USAF installation in the far north...the guards at the gate could stop you and check to make sure you had survival materials in you car. One such material was as at least one candle. We were told that if we had car problems between the base and the nearest town (30 miles away) and candle could save our life. I believe it.
I have a totally different way to stay warm. You know those old fashioned rubber hot water bottles? Each one holds about a liter. Get 2, fill them with hot water, and stick them into your sleeping bag. Put one by your feet, the other by your chest. It'll radiate heat all night, you won't believe how well it works until you try it.
Loving the channel, hoping your contract is going well and you keep cranking out the videos. I just found this channel over the weekend and binge watched all of your videos :)
Things are going well here - excited about being finished with work and traveling is 6 more weeks. Glad you are enjoying the channel. Will have a new video out on Saturday and looking at making one on a camper home theater, just getting parts together for that. Thanks for your great comments and for watching!
I remember in the early 60's commercially built emergency car heaters, a 8 x8 inch tin foil pan just like a brownie pan, full of wax with 30 or 40 wicks whit a removable screen over the top, these were meant to be used for heat if your car got stuck in a snowstorm, they may have cost upwards to $5.
I picked up a couple oil burners, but have used sterno cans filled with quilt batting scraps (recycling) then filled with 91% alcohol. Works a charm. They only last 2-3 hours, but I could use larger containers. I do not know the BTU, but one will warm a larger space. Your little wicked bottles could be used as alcohol burners also. One thing I like about alcohol is that I can make alcohol easily. Pressing oil is less productive. If you make wine, freeze it and pour alcohol off. Sugar beets are easy to grow and make sugar.
Stick with denatured alcohol from the hardware store paint section. It burns cleaner than the isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and will probably be cheaper as well.
they make "bees wax" candles for these. Bees wax has far less smoke. That's why they use bees wax candles in churches,,,,less smoke to ruin all the murals on the walls
@@inkey2 actually looking at them online it appears beeswax candles burn longer, 12hrs vs 9hrs but are much more expensive. // good to know about the smoke thanks//
Ok do I did a little experiment with a rack from a microwave with an old cast iron frying pan as a heat sink on it. Also put the stove fan from my log burner in the frying pan. Then heated it up with chafing fuel. I'm pretty impressed with the heat coming off. Was a little smokey but that was just oil used to season the pan. The chafing fuel gives 1200btus as apposed to 300/800 from a candle.
Say ..., those are some pretty good ideas you've got there! For those wanting additional "stealth" credits, it may be wise to paint the inner side of the top lid with flat black header paint. Ditto with the aluminum cans ... the side facing the inside (candles) can be painted black for further stealthiness I think ... just an idea!
PSC Camper Conversions I haven’t done a lot of truck or tent camping in a while but it looks like a interesting project. I already own 3 or 4 of those spring loaded lanterns in the single form different brand with my gear
I bought this after YEARS of searching for heat without condensation. Dry heat is so much better than propane. I will be awake while this is going, not asleep.
Great project! Thanks so much for sharing with all that detail. I really look forward to the next video you spoke of using bigger flames for more heat. Question: Are you using any insulation in your vehicle? If so, what do you use? I'm assuming that would help keep the heat in.
Thanks! I am using Reflectix inserts in the 3 sunroofs. I made insulated window inserts for the side and rear windows. I made a curtain to divide off the front of the cabin and don't cover the two front side windows or windshield to have a more stealth looks. Windows inserts: ua-cam.com/video/YfPYhDCbnG8/v-deo.html Divider curtain: ua-cam.com/video/zLK2_FaR5qc/v-deo.html Curtain Upgrade: ua-cam.com/video/0e3tbui1u0M/v-deo.html This video has some info on the SUV curtain: ua-cam.com/video/gre-C79dPno/v-deo.html Hope those are helpful. Thanks for watching!
I've used the single candle lanterns in my expedition tent for years when I was out ice climbing and I keep a candlelier in the bedroom for super chilly winter nights.
Lone van-lifer here. Hung wool over windows and doorways in small minivan. Works very well . Put your extra stuff that would be in your way, like duffel bags, big coats bags of food etc. to insulate the step area by the side doors, just stuff it in there and put a sleeping bag on the floor to insulate that. I use candles that are much bigger and more decorative, scented candles, oh yeah. Put all my candles on a wooden chopping block on top of my homemade entertainment center/cabinets/pantry/with handrails and light them close but not too close as they will melt if you let them touch. Make sure you do a sweep of that area around the candles, pin back curtains, push other items out of the way. Boom. You have heat. Disclaimer: Kids don't try this at home. Stay sober and watchful, never go to sleep with them on.
You can. Big can, inside it a little can, a candle or 2 inside and put them on top of ceramic tile or a couple bricks in a safe area. That is a trick if car stranded in winter. Cans heat up and warmth. Carefully.. I like this.
Is there a way that you could create or make your own candles ? I knew candle light can create some heat but i like it because you added a lantern type of gadget to help burn and reflect the heat.
this was a great review. you didn't get much sleep. but we could see how it worked. outside temps were cold. I could tolerate inside temps of 55 easy. we use a cabin tent and once the stove goes out we are in the same as the outdoor temp. the tent is 16x14 so we may need a couple of heaters. good vid
Thanks for your kind comments. I think this would work great in a tent hung from the ceiling where it wouldn't get bumped. I like that there are 3 candles so you can start with 1 and then light the others when it get colder. That is a big tent!
Neat idea - THX. I noticed your Carbon Monoxide monitor was mounted high, it really should be on the floor as propane is heaver than air, if you get a leak the monitor won't register it & warn you, if it's not on the floor. And, if you're using propane I wouldn't recommend you put the candle heater on the floor, just in case of a leak.
Nice! Seems a little risky having open flame in the camper - but I guess we all have to decide what risks we take or not. We have a pop up, and I don’t think this would put out enough heat to keep it warm. Probably we need to think about some insulation like reflectix to start with.
Insulation will be time and money well spent. I have several videos on the topic. Reflectix is an easy way to get started and the stuff works quite well. A high quality sleeping bag like the Kelty Comic Down bag is lightweight and very warm, packs up very small. I also found that just hanging blankets and comforters over the walls makes a huge difference. You can make use of curtain rods (shower curtain rods) and Velcro. Thank for your post and for watching!
I like the reflector/block that you made! Using a metal cup I can heat water on my candlelier, but I place mine on a sturdy flat table top rather than hang it.
The next video will have the oil conversion, you might try that out and see if the water heats/boils quicker. If you do, let me know. Would be a good test. Thanks for watching!
Wonder if a small fan could be made to run of the radiated heat similar to the ones used on top of wood stoves. Just sit it on the top and let it spin away.
something to 'consider'!..No worries of Carbon monoxide!!!...something Cool ( in Road Safety Kit..) just to have in your vehicle if it breaks down on side of Road on wintery night....
I live in alaska.i was on my way f To work.800.miles away The heater gave up.I used a old coffee can.candle Aluminum foil It heated up the vechile.kept the windows from freezing from inside..so now you have this lantern Look better than a old coffee can and candle
I hung a single candle lantern from a plastic handle (used to raise and lower the outside antenna) in the ceiling of our camping trailer. In one use, the heat/soot blackened the handle and it softened to the point that weight of the candle bent it down. I'd be careful of any plastic hooks or car parts above the candle.
I predict your channel will be in double digits in a short period of time. Just a amazing channel. Educational for sure. Best regards. And thanks again for sharing your talent. 👍
@@mikel9567 bull. uco's candles are nothing special, just not a standard candle shape and are overpriced because of that. that said, i do like my uco lanterns but i mold my own candles for them using paraffin canning wax which is cheap and easy to find.
Amazing gadget Ive been making candles and teaching men the art but that thing is very cool, we live homeless off grid the free'er it is the better Also have 100's of those little liquor bottles we collect along the highway to keep salt, seasonings dry and even wet items to keep from leaking. But never used for liquid candle great ideal I do make oil style candles various ways. Thanks for the info
One thing that will keep you super warm is a Mylar blanket, cost less than 1.00 at Google! or 10 blankets for less than $7.00 Great to give away to help others!
Very very very nice is the guy who builds little mini mini survival shacks and he had a vented heater that he used with the with the wicks in the oil and all that you might want to check that out
I am way in the future i could have used this in February 2021 i have candle lanterns it gave me light in this blackout in Houston Tx on the 15 th n 17th nice
Have to hand it to you for the overnight, sleepless testing and efforts!!! Assume the interior space and select other variables and the noted interior temp increase by 4-5 degrees with 4th candle could be quantified to any referenced assumptions regarding manufactu. Ref to 1 or 3 candle btu... assume a metal oven tantalum bake tray with lip / other is mandatory for tip over drops, other. Looking at the little square one bottle mr. buddy i own and 4,000 btu on low seems to suggest the btu output is Farrrrr.... less than 5,000. .. .2,000 ?
Finn Blu I’m definitely not sure on the actual BTU rating. I could not find a video on anyone testing the unit independently. I figure I’ll mess with it till I get enough heat to sleep comfortably. I don’t plan to camp in temps below 30 deg but will be nice to know I could.
Just came across your channel, watched this video and subscribed. Could you make a video about a diy lantern that doesn't require buying the original lantern?
Funny you mention that...I was pondering other possibilities and did some searching on the net. Putting some ideas together for another project but just in the planning phases. Thanks for watching and subscribing!!
Would of been a bright idea to put your lantern as low as possible if your using it as a heat source. Heating the top of your area when your lower down is the best idea.
Fascinating video and a great idea that I have never seen before. In the Prius, where you you put this thing? On your microwave? Since the top gets very hot, and warm air rises, wouldn't the inside roof be at risk for damage? Super job on the video. Always enjoy seeing what you have up your sleeve next! Thank You!
Thanks and very good questions. I thought about magnates on the microwave but since the oil burner setup is so tolerant of being smacked I will hang it above the microwave. The heat problem above was solved by aiming my fan above the unit - helped circulate the hot air and kept the ceiling cool. Thanks for your kind comments and for watching - can't believe this video put the subscriber number over 1,000! Thanks crazy!
Well, you said it yourself, it did run a little long, but thank you for the information. I almost got that UCO candle lantern last year, and now I'm wishing that I did after seeing this.
I'm curious as to what effect there would be if you put a (generic) CPU heatsink on top the metal plate. Would there be more consistent ambient radiant heat rather than a hot spot on your vehicle's ceiling?
You can buy non-UCO candles that fit the lanterns, but they will not last 9 hours. Maybe you could radiate more evenly if you put the reflective surfaces facing out.
Good thought but curling the alum the wrong way takes skill . I've tried it on other projects. There is too much spring in that aluminum can sheet metal
I just order this for my RAV4. Where do you think I should put it? Should I hang it? How and where? Or put it on the floor for the back seat that will stay up. Thanks for your help.
The human body autonomous nervous system responds to (2) environmental cues for getting sleepy: getting darker and the temperature dropping. If you have a good sleeping bag, it is not a problem at all to sleep in really cold conditions.
I made a video on just that topic which has received good feedback. You might enjoy it ua-cam.com/video/YfPYhDCbnG8/v-deo.html Thanks for your comment and for watching!
The UCO candles did not end up putting out any smoke. They seem to have the wick problem solved. The wick never gets too tall that it smokes. I would think however that if you were outside in the wind that would be a possibility.
Sure don't know where you found the glass liquor miniatures...everything now is plastic lil' bottles, Maybe 'gold slauger'(sp)? Miniatures?? In the '80s I was a Bartender/package liquor store. Thanx for the useful information! Vaya con Dios
You needed a "Control" van. What would the temperature have been, in the van, without the candles? You really needed a van next to yours without candles to really get an idea of how much the candles would heat the van.
With proper clothing one can sleep snug as a bed bug out in the open snow or sleeting rain. Im a tree climbing hunter who is in stand from 3 am until 5:30 pm on very windy rainy 12° days, i do not get chilly until i dive into my thermos of piping hot chillie .
those would be good if you are traveling. put them in an emergency kit that you keep in your car in the event you are stranded in a snow storm..Keep food, water and extra blankets along with extra warm clothes in your car so if you are traveling home from work during a blizzard and get stranded on the highway you will be able to stay warm til help arrives or traffic starts moving..
You might want to look into a catalytic heater that runs on propane. I used one in my van for years. Crack a window, and they are 99% efficient. I used less $$$ than what you are burning in candles. No smell, no open flame.
Thanks for the tips. I own a Buddy Heater and Camco Wave catalytic heater. I just don’t use them because I can’t control the temperature. I would wake up sweating then freezing. I came up with a way to modify a DynaGlow propane thermostat heater with a Digiten digital thermostat controller. I have not published a video on it yet but if you click on the Dealing with Condensation video I posted yesterday you will see it and I talk about it briefly. Really cool set up. 10,000 BTUs but have modified the beast to cycle on/off quickly for pinpoint temp control and no wasted heat.
Good video, these things are like a best kept secret. They are cheap and functional. I like the mini the best, it uses tea lights (very cheap) and you can purchase taller tea lights (amazon) that last 8 hours. I keep at least one (with spare candles) in all my vehicles.
As an update, I have purchased both the small and larger one and have them in the back of my Suburban. Very nice product, can't wait to use them. Thanks again
Since heat rises, hanging the heater up high will not heat down low in your vehicle to warm the entire area. Put the heater down by the floor and you will heat your vehicle more evenly.
Instead of going to the trouble of cutting those energy drink cans, just use a sheet of aluminum foil. It'll wrap easily, and you won't risk cutting yourself.
Very cool candle heater. I made a candle heater back in 1985 from 2 steel coffee cans. My shelter was made from pallets and a huge corrugated paper box that was a refrigerator cover. Painted it was waterproof. Inside the box keeping the temp comfortable at 65-70 F with an outdoor temp of 10 F was very easy.
Wow! Glad you stayed warm. Sounds like a tough way to live through the winter.
@@timdillen was temporarily homeless. Surviving was tough but using my wits I made it without any serious issues. Everything was scrounged except for the 4 military surplus wool blankets. I bought them at a yard sale for 50 cents each. Picking up a few dollars every other day or so doing odd jobs kept me warm and fed. The following Summer my family found out I was homeless.
@@magicdaveable good story
Huge respect x. Ps no relation 😉😊
Wow, that's amazing! Thanks for sharing!
I have 4 of the UCO singles which I use in my tent or in my SUV and I love them. I do a lot of winter camping in the Northern part of Quebec in Canada and my UCO's keep me warm in even the coldest nights. -22c or -7.6f is my usual cut off. I won't go out in Temps colder than this and all what I use is my UCO system for heat. Thanks for sharing.
Popular Mechanics ran an article about 20 years ago that still influences me today. No RV but everyone who drives in winter cold needs to protect against long durations of cold weather in the vehicle. One of their ideas was to put a candle w matches inside an empty 3 pound metal coffee can. The idea was not to keep warm but make it survivable with a single candle holding a car at 40 degrees. Any more heat and one has to worry about oxygen depletion.
This is but one tool to combat cold weather and would not replace proper clothing and blankets. Boy Scouts - be prepared!
Simple as cracking a window. You should Always crack a window
I use a candle and coffee can in my hunting blind all the time and sit it under my chair, works great!
@@scottfirman you got to leave the windows open so the cops can't identify a tell tale fogged windows. A cop and fogged windows is a marriage made in heaven but on the other hand when a cop sees open windows that a hookup made in heaven
I took mine and removed the candles and made four vegetable oil lamps using the little shot bottles that you get from the airlines
You hot glue four of them to the base, fill with vegetable oil pop a small hole in the top for a cotton yarn Wick and now you've got 25% more light and a little bit more heat than 5000 BTUs
Vegetable oil is cheap and available everywhere and you never have to buy those expensive candles again and you can light 2 if it's a warm night or three if you like.
It's a nice adjustable way to have a variable heater
I recommend you do a little research on the byproducts of burning vegetable oil vs candle wax. The latter is much more healthy for you in the long run per my research. FYI.
Nice idea but why not use something wider and a metal plate with multiple holes then you just have to fill the lower chamber once plus you could run more flames
Be sure to watch the video starting at 19:37 where he shows that idea... and has created another video with the actual demonstration...
Hanging WOOL blankets to cover windows....I'm tellin ya, you will be so toasty warm in there. I did this in an apt I lived in, and I could feel the temp rise once those wool blankets covered the big windows in the bedroom.
Thanks for the great tip and thanks for watching!
this is true ... it is a practice in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries where a heavy material was hung over the window AND doors. hence where your modern curtains came from but was used for winter months for warmth, and summer for blocking the heat of the sun. FYI harbor freight shipping blankets work well but what ever you use hang them as close to the wall as you can. ON MY DOORWAY I mounted a blanket on a 1x3 and fasten a barn hinge on the right side of the 1x3, and then to the wall ....this hung from the top but swung open from left to right as a hanging door on an "arm".
Used the £2 ikea blankets the ones with holes across top top and bottom. Treaded a thin dowl through. Lined my trailer tent like the Bedouins do. Looked amazing and so toasty.
I use HRbor freight moving blankets. Not as good as real moving blankets but good enough. I think insulation of any sort retains heat like a battery
Oh I found out that when fiberglass insulation get real hot formaldehyde is released. The hard way!
I knew someone who used an old phone book and scotch tape to paper over the old windows in his shack he was renting. Even the thin paper made all the difference.
Wow, thank you so much. Your valuable information has made the prospect of living in my car in the winter less frightening!!
I'm getting one of these, for sure. I survived living in my 2005 Mazda 6S last winter in Central VA.
have you thought about getting one of those thermo electric fans that you can sit ontop of the candle heater to circulate the air I think that would help increase the inside temp. The same thing works with the mr buddy and will circulate the air
This company is really proud of this product. I remember seeing these for about 39 dollars
Now they are around 75 dollars. Must be new and improved🤑
Or demand got ahead of production?
Thanks Charlie 39 not too bad 75 would buy a lot of propane
From EARLY WINTERS about forty years ago I got a candle lantern exactly like the single only the metal was solid brass. It was cool , I still have it. I made a little metal cup holder that fit on the top. In my small tent it definitely made a difference on cold nights. At the times when I didn't bring a tent or make a fire (search and rescue we usually did not bother with a campfire ) it was a nice substitute for a campfire.
Super late comment on a 3 year video but I would have loved a baseline test. See how low your car goes without the heater vs heater. Get a sense of the heat loss. Great vid and idea though!
You can use regular emergency with the UCO lantern by cutting them in half. They work just as well and are much less expensive.
People say these things dont work. Crazy. 50 degrees on a 20 degree night is heaven to me
Reflectix panels on the windows while allowing a gap on one for air circulation would significantly help to retain much of the heat. Did you try that?
I use the same soda can slicing technique to make innocent covers for my beer cans when I have a drink in a public place like a beach or park. Don't roll up the edges and cut more carefully. Works like a charm. Put a rubber band around the pop can cover when not in use as this keeps it tight for the next beer-wrapping day.
Great idea. I cant belive nobody else liked this comment
Great video, I use 6-10 tealight candles a night during winter and have insulated my van with duvet inners. Very warm and dry through winter. Cheap and effective.
That's awesome! I just can't take the moisture from propane. I love how the condensation actually decreased by about half from not using any heat and just the moisture from my breath with the candles. Thanks for your comment and for watching!
KuraQueen Cheep and effective is perfect!
Can you specifically explain the details of duvet inners?
KuraQueen Tea lights inside a muffin cooking pan is the best and safety method.
shawn mcaraphy
I do something similar. I have a 6 tealight holder that I place inside a cake tin. The holder is a Xmas tree shape, solid and sturdy, but having it inside another container gives me piece of mind. If it is snowing and I need to increase my candles, I have a another holder that fits 4, that also fits inside the cake tin. I have been doing this in tents, cars, and now a van for almost 20 years. Safety first.
Just giving you a heads up your fire extinguisher is on that National recall for kiddie extinguishers all you have to do is call up there recall line give them the serial number and model number of your extinguisher and they will ship you a new replacement free of charge
WOWOWOWOW!!!! I had no idea! Thank you so so much - and good eye. Thanks for letting me know and for watching the video.
PriusStealthCamper Adventures no prob I had to replace the one I keep in my Jeep plus I'm a volunteer firefighter
Kevin Turner good eye👍
Several years ago we had the coldest winter in 25 years here, and my electric got shut off. I was amazed how helpful three candles could be especially when strategically placed.
Agreed. We lost electricity for 4 days, it came back on for 4 hours and then lost it again for 3 more days in 2012 I think, and I quite literally shut off all but the bathroom and living room then used tealights and 3 wick candles to heat the house, well, and boiling water for cleaning and cooking on the gas stove. Thank God for the gas stove and candles.
Reading the comments.The one time I used Sterno - I got one hell of a headache... I don't think its safe! Sterno most likely contains calcium acetate. Thanks for pointing out your saftey measures.
Ive done the car sleepover in 28* overnight. Just saying 50* would have been heavenly! Great vid thumb up.
I'm with you on the 50 deg! Thanks for your comments and for watching!
I'd make a silicone mold from those candles and buy cheap wax n wicks and see what kinda results ya get..maybe making your own fuel sticks would be cheaper and still effective
I have used heat but found it was a pain for me to keep it safe from other objects. I got a -32C (-25F) sleeping bag, as well as a liner and thermal pad. We are hovering around -31C these past few days but it has still been great.
That's very cold! What brand and model is your sleeping bag?
Great idea. I've been thinking about adding an internal reflector to my small unit as the outside add-on one is whack and not very packable.
Hi I would like you to try 2 other emergency heater modifications and let me know the results. The first is the Crisco candle mod in the UCO (you may need a different container than the Crisco tub to get it to fit inside the UCO). These are supposed to burn slow so you can probably use four (or more) wicks. The second mod I think will really keep the temp from dropping in a vehicle as it will circulate the heat for free. I would like you to adapt one of the thermoelectric fan stove heater, the kind you just put on your stove and the heat powers the fan. Tell me what you think. This might save a life if you are ever stuck in your vehicle. There is also a chance that with this fan mod it might actually warm a van interior.
Really neat idea. I was in Georgia few years back staying in a very thin walled room, and I used candles to help raise temp..so I do know this works. Putting them in a holder is a excellent idea!
Thanks you! Glad you enjoyed the video and found it interesting!
While based at a USAF installation in the far north...the guards at the gate could stop you and check to make sure you had survival materials in you car. One such material was as at least one candle. We were told that if we had car problems between the base and the nearest town (30 miles away) and candle could save our life. I believe it.
I have a totally different way to stay warm. You know those old fashioned rubber hot water bottles? Each one holds about a liter. Get 2, fill them with hot water, and stick them into your sleeping bag. Put one by your feet, the other by your chest. It'll radiate heat all night, you won't believe how well it works until you try it.
Loving the channel, hoping your contract is going well and you keep cranking out the videos. I just found this channel over the weekend and binge watched all of your videos :)
Things are going well here - excited about being finished with work and traveling is 6 more weeks. Glad you are enjoying the channel. Will have a new video out on Saturday and looking at making one on a camper home theater, just getting parts together for that. Thanks for your great comments and for watching!
I had one of those and I used it to heat up my coffee every morning.
I remember in the early 60's commercially built emergency car heaters, a 8 x8 inch tin foil pan just like a brownie pan, full of wax with 30 or 40 wicks whit a removable screen over the top, these were meant to be used for heat if your car got stuck in a snowstorm, they may have cost upwards to $5.
Sounds like a very warm setup! Thanks for posting and thanks for watching!
I think if you mount some sort of thicker metal to the top plate, the heat output might be more efficient. Just think of it as a radiator heater.
Thank you! I just did it with my new candlelier and used a big beer can instead of an energy drink can.. makes it even more suitable for camping! :)
Awesome! I love the personalization angle - excellent! Thanks for the tip and for watching!
Foster lager beer cans ...ARE THE BEST FOR ANY PROJECTS, and the beer isn't half bad either..lol
I picked up a couple oil burners, but have used sterno cans filled with quilt batting scraps (recycling) then filled with 91% alcohol. Works a charm. They only last 2-3 hours, but I could use larger containers. I do not know the BTU, but one will warm a larger space. Your little wicked bottles could be used as alcohol burners also. One thing I like about alcohol is that I can make alcohol easily. Pressing oil is less productive. If you make wine, freeze it and pour alcohol off. Sugar beets are easy to grow and make sugar.
Lots of good information in your post! I was thinking about alcohol burners. There are some good vidoes on UA-cam about them. Thanks for the post!
Stick with denatured alcohol from the hardware store paint section. It burns cleaner than the isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and will probably be cheaper as well.
they make "bees wax" candles for these. Bees wax has far less smoke. That's why they use bees wax candles in churches,,,,less smoke to ruin all the murals on the walls
Good to know! Thanks for posting this information.
Off hand I don't think the bees wax ones burn as long.
@@farstrider79 they probably don't burn as long
@@inkey2 actually looking at them online it appears beeswax candles burn longer, 12hrs vs 9hrs but are much more expensive. // good to know about the smoke thanks//
Bees wax is better on many levels. In candles it ionizes and cleans air unlike the paraffin type that soot up the place.
Hot water bottle with a wool cover..good to keep u warm at night and have good luke warm water for face wash or coffee.
Ok do I did a little experiment with a rack from a microwave with an old cast iron frying pan as a heat sink on it. Also put the stove fan from my log burner in the frying pan. Then heated it up with chafing fuel. I'm pretty impressed with the heat coming off. Was a little smokey but that was just oil used to season the pan. The chafing fuel gives 1200btus as apposed to 300/800 from a candle.
Cool!
Oil hurricane lamps work great too !
I great improvement would be if you have a tiny solar chargeable fan because you sleep at the lowest level of the room and the heat builds at the top.
used an old Cole man
lantern for heat in a tent. worked good .big knife close by in case i needed to get everyone out ...fast ...
Say ..., those are some pretty good ideas you've got there! For those wanting additional "stealth" credits, it may be wise to paint the inner side of the top lid with flat black header paint. Ditto with the aluminum cans ... the side facing the inside (candles) can be painted black for further stealthiness I think ... just an idea!
I’ve truck camped in the Canadian Rockies and this would have helped. I like that oil conversion. Neat
Thank you! It’s a handy thing for having around. Glad you liked the videos!
PSC Camper Conversions I haven’t done a lot of truck or tent camping in a while but it looks like a interesting project. I already own 3 or 4 of those spring loaded lanterns in the single form different brand with my gear
Neat idea & Ill have to look around for that type of candle heater. Watching fr.Manitoba here.Thanks
Hi Manitoba from BC. Formerly from Manitoba
I bought this after YEARS of searching for heat without condensation. Dry heat is so much better than propane. I will be awake while this is going, not asleep.
Great project! Thanks so much for sharing with all that detail. I really look forward to the next video you spoke of using bigger flames for more heat. Question: Are you using any insulation in your vehicle? If so, what do you use? I'm assuming that would help keep the heat in.
Thanks! I am using Reflectix inserts in the 3 sunroofs. I made insulated window inserts for the side and rear windows. I made a curtain to divide off the front of the cabin and don't cover the two front side windows or windshield to have a more stealth looks. Windows inserts: ua-cam.com/video/YfPYhDCbnG8/v-deo.html Divider curtain: ua-cam.com/video/zLK2_FaR5qc/v-deo.html Curtain Upgrade: ua-cam.com/video/0e3tbui1u0M/v-deo.html This video has some info on the SUV curtain: ua-cam.com/video/gre-C79dPno/v-deo.html Hope those are helpful. Thanks for watching!
I was going to mention a CO1 detector, and then you did. Good.
To avoid the light, just use a tubular stretchy bandana or shemagh wrapped around your eyes. It keeps out ALL light and won't slip off.
I've used the single candle lanterns in my expedition tent for years when I was out ice climbing and I keep a candlelier in the bedroom for super chilly winter nights.
Nice! I hate being cold and this really helps. Thanks for your post and for watching.
Worked good for me in the Rockies last June
Lone van-lifer here. Hung wool over windows and doorways in small minivan. Works very well . Put your extra stuff that would be in your way, like duffel bags, big coats bags of food etc. to insulate the step area by the side doors, just stuff it in there and put a sleeping bag on the floor to insulate that.
I use candles that are much bigger and more decorative, scented candles, oh yeah. Put all my candles on a wooden chopping block on top of my homemade entertainment center/cabinets/pantry/with handrails and light them close but not too close as they will melt if you let them touch.
Make sure you do a sweep of that area around the candles, pin back curtains, push other items out of the way. Boom. You have heat. Disclaimer: Kids don't try this at home. Stay sober and watchful, never go to sleep with them on.
You can. Big can, inside it a little can, a candle or 2 inside and put them on top of ceramic tile or a couple bricks in a safe area. That is a trick if car stranded in winter. Cans heat up and warmth. Carefully.. I like this.
Is there a way that you could create or make your own candles ? I knew candle light can create some heat but i like it because you added a lantern type of gadget to help burn and reflect the heat.
this was a great review. you didn't get much sleep. but we could see how it worked. outside temps were cold. I could tolerate inside temps of 55 easy. we use a cabin tent and once the stove goes out we are in the same as the outdoor temp. the tent is 16x14 so we may need a couple of heaters. good vid
Thanks for your kind comments. I think this would work great in a tent hung from the ceiling where it wouldn't get bumped. I like that there are 3 candles so you can start with 1 and then light the others when it get colder. That is a big tent!
Sure hope you guys have Mylar blankets, they weigh about an ounce, but reflect 90% of your body heat back and can keep you hot!!!Can get at Google!!
I used to work for the company that makes those. I'd cut the tubes, and form them in die press machines. I miss that job.
Do they sell these at REI?
Neat idea - THX. I noticed your Carbon Monoxide monitor was mounted high, it really should be on the floor as propane is heaver than air, if you get a leak the monitor won't register it & warn you, if it's not on the floor. And, if you're using propane I wouldn't recommend you put the candle heater on the floor, just in case of a leak.
Nice! Seems a little risky having open flame in the camper - but I guess we all have to decide what risks we take or not. We have a pop up, and I don’t think this would put out enough heat to keep it warm. Probably we need to think about some insulation like reflectix to start with.
Insulation will be time and money well spent. I have several videos on the topic. Reflectix is an easy way to get started and the stuff works quite well. A high quality sleeping bag like the Kelty Comic Down bag is lightweight and very warm, packs up very small. I also found that just hanging blankets and comforters over the walls makes a huge difference. You can make use of curtain rods (shower curtain rods) and Velcro. Thank for your post and for watching!
Maybe try checking humidity in the morning, I'm just courious. Inside the sleeping bag etc. And ideas on drying out the humidity.
I like the reflector/block that you made! Using a metal cup I can heat water on my candlelier, but I place mine on a sturdy flat table top rather than hang it.
The next video will have the oil conversion, you might try that out and see if the water heats/boils quicker. If you do, let me know. Would be a good test. Thanks for watching!
Wonder if a small fan could be made to run of the radiated heat similar to the ones used on top of wood stoves. Just sit it on the top and let it spin away.
something to 'consider'!..No worries of Carbon monoxide!!!...something Cool ( in Road Safety Kit..) just to have in your vehicle if it breaks down on side of Road on wintery night....
That was more impressive then I expected. !
Thank you - glad you liked it!
Is there any concern that the glass might shatter from the heat increase by putting the aluminum light shield around the glass?
I live in alaska.i was on my way f
To work.800.miles away
The heater gave up.I used a old coffee can.candle
Aluminum foil
It heated up the vechile.kept the windows from freezing from inside..so now you have this lantern
Look better than a old coffee can and candle
I hung a single candle lantern from a plastic handle (used to raise and lower the outside antenna) in the ceiling of our camping trailer. In one use, the heat/soot blackened the handle and it softened to the point that weight of the candle bent it down. I'd be careful of any plastic hooks or car parts above the candle.
I predict your channel will be in double digits in a short period of time. Just a amazing channel. Educational for sure. Best regards. And thanks again for sharing your talent. 👍
Thanks! It's a fun adventure!
Exactly what I've been looking for...
Great in depth video buddy!
5 stars!
Just got yourself another subscriber!
you can make a mold and make your own candles
allison chang that’s a wonderful idea! And easy!
@@mikel9567 bull. uco's candles are nothing special, just not a standard candle shape and are overpriced because of that. that said, i do like my uco lanterns but i mold my own candles for them using paraffin canning wax which is cheap and easy to find.
Amazing gadget Ive been making candles and teaching men the art but that thing is very cool, we live homeless off grid the free'er it is the better Also have 100's of those little liquor bottles we collect along the highway to keep salt, seasonings dry and even wet items to keep from leaking. But never used for liquid candle great ideal I do make oil style candles various ways. Thanks for the info
Glad you liked the idea and found it helpful. Thanks for watching!
One thing that will keep you super warm is a Mylar blanket, cost less than 1.00 at Google! or 10 blankets for less than $7.00 Great to give away to help others!
use to carry an metal coffee can and candles for emergency heat in my semi
Very very very nice is the guy who builds little mini mini survival shacks and he had a vented heater that he used with the with the wicks in the oil and all that you might want to check that out
Sounds neat - will try to find that. Thanks for posting and for watching!
ua-cam.com/video/AwswJ4IObEU/v-deo.html
I am way in the future i could have used this in February 2021 i have candle lanterns it gave me light in this blackout in Houston Tx on the 15 th n 17th nice
Have to hand it to you for the overnight, sleepless testing and efforts!!!
Assume the interior space and select other variables and the noted interior temp increase by 4-5 degrees with 4th candle could be quantified to any referenced assumptions regarding manufactu. Ref to 1 or 3 candle btu...
assume a metal oven tantalum bake tray with lip / other is mandatory for tip over drops, other.
Looking at the little square one bottle mr. buddy i own and 4,000 btu on low seems to suggest the btu output is Farrrrr.... less than 5,000. .. .2,000 ?
Finn Blu I’m definitely not sure on the actual BTU rating. I could not find a video on anyone testing the unit independently. I figure I’ll mess with it till I get enough heat to sleep comfortably. I don’t plan to camp in temps below 30 deg but will be nice to know I could.
Truck House Life does a really good install video of a webasto heater
I'm so glad I watched till the end; genius!!!
Just came across your channel, watched this video and subscribed. Could you make a video about a diy lantern that doesn't require buying the original lantern?
Funny you mention that...I was pondering other possibilities and did some searching on the net. Putting some ideas together for another project but just in the planning phases. Thanks for watching and subscribing!!
Would of been a bright idea to put your lantern as low as possible if your using it as a heat source. Heating the top of your area when your lower down is the best idea.
Fascinating video and a great idea that I have never seen before. In the Prius, where you you put this thing? On your microwave? Since the top gets very hot, and warm air rises, wouldn't the inside roof be at risk for damage? Super job on the video. Always enjoy seeing what you have up your sleeve next! Thank You!
Thanks and very good questions. I thought about magnates on the microwave but since the oil burner setup is so tolerant of being smacked I will hang it above the microwave. The heat problem above was solved by aiming my fan above the unit - helped circulate the hot air and kept the ceiling cool. Thanks for your kind comments and for watching - can't believe this video put the subscriber number over 1,000! Thanks crazy!
...That's crazy! (dang fingers).
Well, you said it yourself, it did run a little long, but thank you for the information. I almost got that UCO candle lantern last year, and now I'm wishing that I did after seeing this.
I'm curious as to what effect there would be if you put a (generic) CPU heatsink on top the metal plate. Would there be more consistent ambient radiant heat rather than a hot spot on your vehicle's ceiling?
That is an interesting idea - especially if you could mount one of the tiny pc fans to it.
Very informative video. Thank you. A delta T of 30 degrees F is not bad really.
You can buy non-UCO candles that fit the lanterns, but they will not last 9 hours. Maybe you could radiate more evenly if you put the reflective surfaces facing out.
Good to know - thanks!
Good thought but curling the alum the wrong way takes skill . I've tried it on other projects. There is too much spring in that aluminum can sheet metal
I just order this for my RAV4. Where do you think I should put it? Should I hang it? How and where? Or put it on the floor for the back seat that will stay up. Thanks for your help.
The human body autonomous nervous system responds to (2) environmental cues for getting sleepy: getting darker and the temperature dropping. If you have a good sleeping bag, it is not a problem at all to sleep in really cold conditions.
making sure all glass in the vehicle is covered also.....whether with curtains of some sort or reflectix would retain some heat as well.
I made a video on just that topic which has received good feedback. You might enjoy it ua-cam.com/video/YfPYhDCbnG8/v-deo.html Thanks for your comment and for watching!
How was the smoke coming off these candles? Did it cause any discoloration on your ceiling?
The UCO candles did not end up putting out any smoke. They seem to have the wick problem solved. The wick never gets too tall that it smokes. I would think however that if you were outside in the wind that would be a possibility.
@@timdillen 👍
Do you think the adding a thicker top would retain or distribute heat better. Like a cast iron or a diffuser.
I think that is a great idea. The top would also hold more weight like a larger pot to heat water. Thanks for you comment and for watching!
Very helpful video. I was entirely unaware of this heating option. Thank you.
Sure don't know where you found the glass liquor miniatures...everything now is plastic lil' bottles, Maybe 'gold slauger'(sp)?
Miniatures??
In the '80s I was a Bartender/package liquor store.
Thanx for the useful information!
Vaya con Dios
You needed a "Control" van. What would the temperature have been, in the van, without the candles? You really needed a van next to yours without candles to really get an idea of how much the candles would heat the van.
Looks like you might be better off with three of those single candle heaters? Put them on the floor in the front?
That is so awesome that someone else was thinking like me so I'm not crazy LOL fabulous fabulous
With proper clothing one can sleep snug as a bed bug out in the open snow or sleeting rain.
Im a tree climbing hunter who is in stand from 3 am until 5:30 pm on very windy rainy 12° days, i do not get chilly until i dive into my thermos of piping hot chillie .
New sub. also.Waiting to see the next build.Did you crack windows for fresh air?
I did, thanks for asking. Thank your for watching and subscribing!
Netto, fantastic idea....trying to find the glass bottles now!
Glad you liked it - Tito's Vodka bottles worked. I found at my local liquor store. Thanks for you comment and for watching!
those would be good if you are traveling. put them in an emergency kit that you keep in your car in the event you are stranded in a snow storm..Keep food, water and extra blankets along with extra warm clothes in your car so if you are traveling home from work during a blizzard and get stranded on the highway you will be able to stay warm til help arrives or traffic starts moving..
Rather than cut up cans, wouldn't
aluminum tape work the same.?
You might want to look into a catalytic heater that runs on propane. I used one in my van for years. Crack a window, and they are 99% efficient. I used less $$$ than what you are burning in candles. No smell, no open flame.
Thanks for the tips. I own a Buddy Heater and Camco Wave catalytic heater. I just don’t use them because I can’t control the temperature. I would wake up sweating then freezing. I came up with a way to modify a DynaGlow propane thermostat heater with a Digiten digital thermostat controller. I have not published a video on it yet but if you click on the Dealing with Condensation video I posted yesterday you will see it and I talk about it briefly. Really cool set up. 10,000 BTUs but have modified the beast to cycle on/off quickly for pinpoint temp control and no wasted heat.
Good video, these things are like a best kept secret. They are cheap and functional. I like the mini the best, it uses tea lights (very cheap) and you can purchase taller tea lights (amazon) that last 8 hours. I keep at least one (with spare candles) in all my vehicles.
I liked the mini - looked really neat and quite inexpensive. Good information, thanks for posting and for watching!
Nice video, and I just might go out and get one of these. Thanks for posting, saw part 2 as well, like the conversion :)
Glad you like the videos. Thanks for your comment and for watching!
As an update, I have purchased both the small and larger one and have them in the back of my Suburban. Very nice product, can't wait to use them. Thanks again
What if you used thick aluminium foil?