12v fan and 12v heater
 

So, the missues suffers from the cold (eat more pies I say) and I suffer from the heat (eat less pies she says!).

Can anyone recommend a 12v (clip on) fan or 12v heater.

The fan is for the cab and roof tent. the heater jsut the cab of our 200tdi landie. I was looking at this which is perhaps too cheap (?)

Force 4 Clip-On Fan - Only £14.95 - Force 4 Chandlery

In previous lives I have had rubbish versions of each. I would guess you must be able to get a good 12v fan, but I think we might have to look for another solution for the heater.

As usual eternally grateful for peoples opinion. Hopefully I won't have to end up buying a compressor this time though :)

(see http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ight=12v+drill )

I had one from a truck stop years ago it did stop oscillating after a while but for the rest it was good and cheap. as for 12v heater try to get an auxiliary heater from an old mini bus they link in to your colling system and have a 12v fan. Does the landy heater not work good enough?

Graeme

My wife is a bit the same, we bought a 12V heated blanket which she wrapped around her legs and that did the trick.

Seat heater
 

Ahh that gets me thinking - maybe a seat heater. Does anyone know if they are any good? Only £15 so cheap enough .........

fan
 

Fan,
We used one of those cheap fans during a year in Africa. It still works!! You have to handle it with care but they are fine. For sleeping too, but very noisy. The misses could'nt stand the noise and slept outside in a tent when it was so hot that you needed the air.

Heater,
I think you drain your batteries in record time when you use electric heating. I am going to instal a webasto diesel heater for cabin heating because we always sleep inside the car. Look on e-bay. You do not need to buy a new one.

Cheers,
Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl

Plumping
 

.........

Those heaters look like they need some professional plumbing in? What's the story?

Thanks for the answers BTW ........

Go to the A B Butt stand at Billing and buy one of their expensive fans - all black plastic, made by a well known company that slips my mind at the moment. They are used by truck drivers etc

Expensive (£50), but as quiet as you will get - I can sleep with one on the low setting with ease and they are very good quality and have a long warranty. Or take a chance on a cheap and cheerful, but you might go through 2 or 3 of them etc...

One of the advantages of travelling is that you will find excessive weight will drop off and you will get fitter, so don't worry too much. After a few months it will all seem much easier.

And you will be eating mostly local food which is often well suited to the local temperature (ie: there won't be loads of imported foods, what grows locally in season is what is good for you to eat as a general guide). Avoid the temptation to stock your fridge with cheese and booze and other such things, eat fresh local food, go about your travelling day and you will never have been as fit or as happy.

I say this having just been forced to eat a disgusting pizza on my 13th hour of work today stuck in a bloody mf office! ;-)

(PS: A trip to a good Chinese herbalist will sort out any excess heat or cold that you feel - highly recommended)

On the heating ...
Heating the inside of a 4X4 .. too much power requied to do the lot ..

The blanket would be better (less power and warmer). 'We' motorcyclist use heasted vests .. put them close to the skin and layer over that .. you need a controller .. not just off and on .. overwise they are too hot! But they will keep you more than happy .. they work on the bike with snow falling so no worries inside the 4X4!!!

diesel heaters
 

Ollie,
It requires normal electrical and pipe fitting work. There is a diesel supply connection from outside, a 1" combustion air connection from outside, a 1" exhaust pipe to outside and the usual electrical stuff. Any junior car mechanic can do the job plus the installation manuals are clear. It provides independent heating which might be usefull when your navigating e.g. the Karakorum Highway and other chilly places on your way to Oz!

I have seen arrangements where the heater was installed in the car and the hot air was channeled into the roof tent through a hose! Very comfortable indeed.
For me its easier, my LC 75 is setup as a mini campervan with a pop-up roof and we sleep 100% inside.

Cheers,
Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl

webasto diesel heater
 

Didn't realize staying warm could be so pricey. :-( when in the mountains here, I'm burning the 96% alcohol they sell here for a while (I have a few openings in the van so I don't suffocate, then drag both dogs inside the bed with me when in the mountains. Cheaper. But not ideal. Any other options??
Lorraine

Ooooh
 

My dearest wife would love dogs with us! Or cats .......

Thanks for more answers. Darrin I think I might well go an see a hebalist. All my life I have had an overheating problem, even when fit. The Cornish Herbalist just increase or decrease pasty consumption! And it looks like my first thing on my billing shopping list. THats going to be a big one this year .....

Still mulling over the heater ....

Thanks all :)

Maybe I should see a herbalist too for always 'underheating'! You might want to suggest to your wife, (since there's no dogs and cats with you) to change socks often. I'm finding just a little bit of dampness on my feet, and I'm miserable.

Still reeling from that price. Surely, there's a cheaper option!
Lorraine

webasto
 

There's someone selling webasto thermotops on ebay
for £199 - seems a good price

I have seen gas heaters with catalitic converters, no fumes so safe in the tent.

Are they the ones then?

Still think we will end up witha heater car seat and a picnic blanket, but still would like to consider all possiblilities .....

And Lorraine, thanks for that. Will be nice for once to tell my wife to change her socks!