That's a good timer, but team it with a heater meant to pre-warm a car interior, like a 'little buddy':
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/little-buddy-110v-car-warmer-0303405p.html#.UvrKWF8o5Mt
 
James
Snowy, cold Ottawa ON
 
> Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2014 00:03:36 -0500
> From: psdooley@VERIZON.NET
> Subject: Re: DIY windshield de-icing solution?
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> Yeah, that's the idea.  Run a cord to the house and get one of these:
> 
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WQIDHY/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UT
> F8&psc=1
> http://tinyurl.com/lm98bod
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TonyCollin [mailto:tonycollin@gmail.com]
> Sent: Sunday, February 09, 2014 11:46 PM
> To: Project Pat
> Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: DIY windshield de-icing solution?
> 
> Pat
> 
> Do you use any old type of space heater?
> 
> I could see something like this working to heat up the interior of a tin top
> and making it more pleasant before take off.
> 
> T.
> 
> On Feb 9, 2014, at 9:18 PM, Project Pat <psdooley@VERIZON.NET> wrote:
> 
> Sorry I didn't read the whole thread, but has anybody mentioned a space
> heater inside the van?  Set on a timer to turn on 20 min before you leave
> the house.  The inside will be toasty warm and hopefully the ice on the
> glass will melt.