Re: Electric heaters & Inverters?...

A modest electric heater will be about 2kW, so allowing a bit for inverter loss you will be drawing 190A @12V,
Assuming you have a 110Ah LB, that would last (in theory) 35minutes.
And that is in theory, in practise a lead acid battery can't take such huge gulps without loss of capacity each time, so unless you have an enormous LB, LX heaters are strictly for hook-up only!
I don't know what power a hob draws, but expect it will be a similar story!
Go for gas!!
P

 

Re: Electric heaters & Inverters?...

Yep, as said, electric heaters just burn up the juice.

Hook ups for electric. Propex/Ebersprcher is the proper way to go, but not cheap.

Not normal gas heaters as danger with carbon monoxide.

It's a bit of a nightmare really. I even looked at catalytic gas heaters, but there you have a problem with reduced levels of oxygen.

So for me, a nice thick duvet/top quality sleeping bag.

 

Re: Electric heaters & Inverters?...

Sorry guys! i think i was having s drunken moment last night when i made this thread i didnt mean electric heaters at all. I meant electric hobs!

What an idiot, ill edit the first post but i dont think i can edit the title.

 

Re: Electric heaters & Inverters?...

hobs are just as energy hungry as electric heaters, just a quick google has shown them to be in the region of 2kw per hob, though better efficiency in halogen & induction hobs, but no more than 50% better, but I doubt these would be available in any other than a 4 hob unit. Only small electric hobs I seen tend to have one or two hobs and of the power hungry side. So, working on the above basis, a full battery would maybe heat up a tin of beans!

Turning 12v electric into heat is a really inefficient use of a battery, best stick with gas for heating and cooking!

 

Re: Electric heaters & Inverters?...

I have a 2 ring elecy thingy in the garage you can have to experiment with.T: Just promise me you wont try and get it to talk

 

Re: Electric heaters & Inverters?...

Title editted T:

 

Re: Electric heaters & Inverters?...

Title editted T:

Thank you sire! T:

 

Re: Electric heaters & Inverters?...

Gas is just a pain, want something smart looking and functional. A nice built in unit in my pod is the ideal but as the pod will be removable drop out vents will be impossible plus lifting a unit with a bottle in will be heavy/awkward.

The small gas burners will probably be the solution but i cant help but think ill forget to get canisters, and that after spending loads of money on a nice sink unit, eventually a pop top and god knows what else ill be putting in the van....a cheap plastic looking burner will be out of place.

Electricity seems to be the obvious solution. It will be on tap from an invertor or the leisure battery and readily available from a hook up.

Hmmmmmmmmph.

 

Re: Electric heaters & Inverters?...

To pull 2 kilowatts you'll need to fit 2 or 3 batteries otherwise they'll take a complete hammering.

There's an invertor / battery demo tool here...

http://www.antares.co.uk/gadgets.html

 

Re: Electric heaters & Inverters?...

Balls. 1000mile extension lead then.

If anyone thinks of anything in the mean time let me know...

 

Electric ring, 1KW, Now proper inverters that will handle that power for more than a few moments are few and far between and really expensive, never mind the batteries.

Find something else.

Fire

 

My brother has one of these Samsung 12v Microwaves in his T5 van he uses on the building sites http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-Portable-Roadmate-12v-Microwave-caravan-mobile-home-camping-12-volt-/400271010078?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item5d3202e91e

Connected up to 2 x 110Ahr batteries he can heat up his chilled ready meals (although his favourite food is the Rustlers Burgers)in a matter of a couple of minutes...sorted.

I should add he does run the engine at the same time to help out a little with reducing the current drain. T:

But it works for him, along with a 12V hot water boiler for his brews.

 

I don't know what layout you're proposing, but can you have the gas bottle 'fixed' in place with its vent, and have long gas hose that allows you to move the pod?
You'd need to protect the hose, a braided stainless one would be best.:*
P

 

i did think about a gas bottle mounted under the van somewhere but changing it would be a mightmare and id be worried about hitting it.

My pod will need to be completely removable to revert to work mode when its not a camper.

 

I would eat out or bbq, would work out cheaper - no pod required or washing up - an invertor to power the hob, and 2 lesuire batteries to cope with the draw your probably looking at 500 notes

 

I don't have any kitchen stuff or cupboards in my velle. Carry a table/stools/camp station/cooker/bottle for each trip and sling them out at home.
Not so ideal I guess in this country but if the weather's at all decent you want to be outdoors, not inside the van.

Simple TARP from decathlon with taxi sign magnets gives to attach to the roof gives an excellent £30 awning.

 

i frequently use my t5 overnight in winter temperatures, my solution for using any electrical equipment, kettle, heater, microwave etc, i have a yamaha 1kw generator that is very economic, about 2 litres per full night. its small and reasonably quiet, connected to the blue plug for hookup. no fumes internally and no need for floor vents. in summer i use the gas option for cooking as my gas cooker is in a slideout pod at the rear under the tailgate.

 

My offer stands. If you want an electric hot plate to play with to find out in practice what will and wont work, free is always a good price. T: