Would any of the oil-filled radiators be a viable option ?? I seem to remember a tube version , somewhere , but no idea of cost/sizes ...

 

I wanted to mount it under the drivers seat so it was out the way all neat and tidy.

Maybe a fan heater, would that be safe under the seat? That way it could blow the air out and around the van

anyone done this?

 

This was my first thought, but I couldn't find a fan heater low enough or a kitchen plinth heater that wasn't too wide. I've got swivel seats and there is JUST enough clearance, so it was never going to fit underneath.

 

Only suggested Oil-Filled , cos less susceptible to probs with stuff in the way ... !!

 

We use an oil filled. sits between swivel seats in use and stores in cupboard. Toasty in van T:

 

I put a 500w skirting radiator and a 1200w fan heater built into a console fitted between the front seats and across behind them. The fan heater has dual settings 1200w/2400w, but it's fixed to the lower setting to ensure it runs cooler than it's designed to allowing for it to be enclosed. I took the fan heater apart and found a thermal fuse rated at 117 degrees. After testing the unit at the lower rating and measuring the maximum temperature inside the housing (85 degrees if I remember rightly), I put a thermal cuttoff switch rated at 90 degrees in front of the fan (3rd photo, twin red wires). We use the fan heater as a booster to warm the van & after 5 minutes or so turn it off and leave the 500w radiator to provide constant low level heat. It's not shown in the photos, but there is a 6" metal speaker grill on the top lid that provides ventilation to the inlet of the fan heater.

 

I use a fan heater when on site just sits on work surface, u can get tubular heaters easily and would take chill off van could be mounted neatly and u could run off an inverter if u got a goosd size battery

 

thanks for the suggestions guys, Alan.surry that's a great idea and use of space, very neat and just what I'm thinking.

I've also found this plinth heater

http://www.screwfix.com/p/winterwarm-wwfh20-plinth-fan-heater-2kw/42217

this looks like it would fit under drivers seat base judging by the dimensions, thoughts?

 

ebay tube heaters, they come in 1, 2, 3 and 4 ft

would be very easy to mount anywhere in the van

 

I've been looking at the tube heaters, do they give off a decent amount of heat??

 

My skirting radiator is rated at 500w and it's warm enough inside at a couple of degrees below zero outside. A 4 foot tube heater is rated at 180w, so I suppose the answer will depend on how well your van is insulated & how cold it is outside. I reckon you will be wasting your time on anything smaller than 180w though.

 

ok cheers for that, gives me a decent idea of what I'm looking for now T:

 

i use a fan heater ,only use it on 1000w setting ,sometimes the kids use it through the inverter whilst driving ,but in the winter i put it on hookup for the frosty mornings ,inside the house is a timer so in automatically comes on so we are defrosted for the school run

 

I just use a oil rad but I only have 1 unit it my van so can put things anywhere really..

 

I looked at these for under seat heating - should work OK and there is a 900w available


Check it out on eBay!

 

I have a fan heater under the passenger seat for quick blasts of heat and a small oil filled radiator between the front seats for quiet warmth overnight. They work well together.