I've found that a small propane bottle will keep me warm for about 6 or 7
days in my tintop.  The low setting gets it too warm in maybe one minute,
then I turn it off... Depending, of course, on the outside temperature, the
Vanagon remains comfortable for some time, then I turn the knob and the
heater does it again.... another minute or two.
  I started with a barbecue-size bottle and the hose, and with it below
freezing in a blizzard, I ran it on "low", shutting down for only short
periods till it got uncomfortable, (no curtains or windshield cover)

On Dec 15, 2016 4:34 AM, "Ryan Perry" <rjdperry@gmail.com> wrote:

> Good point and only a propane heater meant to be used indoors should be
> considered. Luckily these being discussed are catalytic and meant for just
> that with O2 and Tip over sensor. The most dangerous part about it is
> accidently burning yourself. Also, our vans are leaky and airy enough that
> I would wonder if lack of O2 would ever be an issue?
>
> On Thu, Dec 15, 2016, 7:18 AM Mark Milby <obxmilby@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > *Danger Will Robinson! Danger!*
> >
> > I hope everyone is aware of the dangers of propane heaters indoors. Some
> > are OK, most are not. I was at the F1 GP camping in Indy when the three
> > guys died heating there camper with propane. It was an ugly scene.
> >
> > Be very careful, or better yet find another heat source.
> >
> > Mark
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Dec 15, 2016 at 7:12 AM, Michael McSwain <
> michaelmcswain@gmail.com
> > >
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I think I agree.  For size,  heat and propane consumption I'm going to
> > > exchange it for the smaller one.
> > >
> > > Thanks for the input
> > >
> > >
> > > On Thu, Dec 15, 2016, 5:14 AM David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > At the high setting of 9,000 BTU/hr, Don, the one you linked will use
> up
> > a
> > > pound bottle of gas in two hours and change.  The lower setting is
> around
> > > 6,000 BTU/hr, should run around three and a half hours.  In my
> experience
> > > as well as getting expensive quickly with the pound bottles, it would
> be
> > > better in the van if the high setting were around 5-6000 BTU/hr and the
> > low
> > > setting half that.
> > >
> > > They make a smaller unit that stands on top of the bottle that Harry
> > > Hoffman has been very pleased with in his van.  One setting, rated 3800
> > > BTU/hr -- should go over five hours on a pound bottle.  However it
> would
> > > need modification to be able to work with an external hose as it simply
> > > screws to the bottle top.
> > >
> > > Michael, I think you'd be happier with either one of the smaller ones.
> > >
> > > Yrs,
> > > d
> > >
> > > On Tue, Dec 13, 2016 at 3:56 AM, Michael McSwain <
> > michaelmcswain@gmail.com
> > > >
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > I just bought the larger version with two burners,  but I'm thinking
> > about
> > > returning it in exchange for the smaller one.  Has the smaller version
> > left
> > > anyone wanting for more heat or does it seem to be adequate?
> > >
> > > On Thu, Dec 1, 2016, 10:42 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Don,
> > > > I am fully in agreement with your choice of Mr Heater.  I have the
> > Little
> > > > Buddy heater; same principle as the bigger one, just smaller.  Works
> > > > great.  ESPECIALLY in low humidity and low elevations like you are
> now
> > > > dealing with in the Southern California deserts.  I was amazed and
> > > thrilled
> > > > first time I used it.
> > > >
> > > > Yes, the issues are getting rid of carbon monoxide and water vapor; a
> > > > generous crack in the side windows, both sides, and a passage for
> stuff
> > > to
> > > > go out the vent upstairs, and you've got a nice, tidy, comfy little
> > > Vanagon
> > > > world.
> > > > Word is that it fails above 7,000 feet....but that is not the
> situation
> > > > where you are now, in the low desert.  Actually, I've never tried
> mine
> > > > above 7,000 feet.  Like in the Eastern Sierras at late Spring or
> early
> > > Fall.
> > > >
> > > > Yeah, pretty nice to be warm and comfy; my Little Buddy Heater from
> Mr
> > > > Heater is packed and ready to go with a couple green propane
> cylinders
> > > from
> > > > Walmart, you know, the little ones.  Might go this weekend.  Vanagon
> > > > comfort at its finest.
> > > > The desert out there is starting to look mighty nice; couple more
> > > > rainstorms and we are in good shape.
> > > >
> > > > RichSan Diego
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >       From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
> > > >  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > >  Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2016 6:50 PM
> > > >  Subject: Mr Heater
> > > >
> > > > I just came through a few days of cold weather in my tintop/westie...
> > The
> > > > wind howling, snow blowing at elevation, and cold rain elsewhere.
> This
> > > > trip, I have along a Mr. Heater, a catalytic propane unit that uses
> > those
> > > > small green propane  cylinders or  connects to a normal tank with a
> > hose.
> > > > I can't believe I've camped and traveled for so long without any real
> > > > heat...
> > > >   The heater gets the van comfortable in a few minutes, it has two
> > temp.
> > > > settings and a pilot light, a low O2 shutoff and a tip over switch.
> > I've
> > > > not timed how long the small cannisters will go.  Pretty compact when
> > > using
> > > > the small size propane, which tucks into the housing nicely.  These
> > heat
> > > > soundlessly, almost..  fairly reasonable.... I gave $60 + 20 for the
> > hose
> > > > to a bigger refillable tank.  Pretty cheesy construction, but it
> works
> > > > great ..and no more diving right into a sleeping bag as soon as
> dinner
> > > has
> > > > cooked, to keep from freezing...
> > > >     A thumbs up.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/395472-mr-heater-
> > > portable-buddy-propane-heater.html?feedsource=3&gclid=Cj0KEQiAsf_
> > > BBRDMpoOHw4aSq4QBEiQAPm7DL-2y2en3ABEpOhxnGay7WV5678qK_
> > > u51FhG-6Cy1HdcaArlf8P8HAQ
> > > >
> > > > Sheesh, big link there.. sending by Android from the desert
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Mm
> >
>