Portable heater

can anyone suggest a portable heater that would keep fairford warm till my heating is fixed? 

Thankyou, I need it tomorrow lol

D`ongi  sp oil heater, mine is on all the time . find it very good, mine is only a 500 but larger ones available

If you only need it for a few days, I would probably go with a small fan heater. You sould never leave one on unattended, but they heat up a small space like that quickly enough that it shouldn't really be an issue. Long-term they are not ideal, because they have the potential to cause smoke damage or even a complete burnout if they go wrong - though with current manufacturing techniques that's unlikely (they should all now have two separate over-heat cutouts).

The best type (IMO) for longer term use are the non-oil-filled fanless convector heaters (oil filled really just adds weight that you don't need in a van, and they have been known to leak oil). They are more bulky than a fan heater, but provided you don't drape stuff over them they are very unlikely to go wrong. I've used Dimplex Coldwatcher greenhouse heaters in the past, or for a slightly more elegant finish the Dimplex Eco Chico works well - but relatively expensive compared to a fan heater!

Thankyou, I like the idea of oil less, and Thankyou too daisy mae

You can make the Eco Chico smaller - e.g. cut the feet down like I did on mine!

But yes, I agree that oil-filled is a compromise that most would probably be happy with.

The smallest Dimplex Coldwatcher is probably smaller than any oil-filled - but they do look a bit industrial! My Coldwatcher has been relegated to the garage, on frost stat setting.

Never had an oil filled radiator before, where do you get the oil, how much is needed and in a small heater how long does the oil last

Do you want it warm while in occupation? If so, a small fan heater stood on a firm floor (not your carpets). If for unattended use, a small convector heater, again, not stood on your carpets.

Both should have a thermostat included. A plug-in timer is useful, also.

Lol ok I feel like a right chump now. Daisy mae what is your model? What model of delonghi?

I don't think a 500w oil heater will make your van warm enough if you're going to be living in it. As said a fan heater will be better for that. You haven't said why you want it.

My heating isn’t working. There’s a fault with it and it needs to go back to the dealer. I am in Scotland, they are in England. The weather will stop me going to my appt I think and I have a trip starting next weekend. I don’t think it will be fixed in t8me so I’ll need a temporary source of heating.

rose49f wrote:I don't think a 500w oil heater will make your van warm enough if you're going to be living in it. As said a fan heater will be better for that. You haven't said why you want it.

I'd agree - a 500W heater at these temperatures in a van that big probably won't be enough. I would think 750W would be a minimum and certainly you're likely to need more for comfort tomorrow (hence the suggestion of a small fan heater in the interim).

Does the problem with your on-board heating prevent its use on gas?

cheers
Roger

Yes roger  I still get the same error message.

Agree with others, if connected to 240v we carry a small fan heater , gets van up to temp quickly but dries the air giving itchy eyes if used for long periods we find. Would not leave the van unattended with it on though. Even use it in place of heating system as van heating parts very expensive to repair if faulty but a new fan heater 10 -20 quid  go figure....
         For overnight , we have a 500w oil filled rad , most are chinese clones , ours is branded Silentnight from  the' Original factory shop'  outlets with 3 yr warranty,  sat in a baking tray from the oven  kept on overnight quite  safely and silent in use.  Never had or seen one leak but you never know.

Been think8ng that too kaspian, fan for instant day heat and oil for overnight, keep the chill off. Good plan

Lorfal wrote:Lol ok I feel like a right chump now. Daisy mae what is your model? What model of delonghi?

Mines a 500w. It was dearer than some other oil heaters, but it has good reviews, is solidly built, easy to move and fits behind passenger seat when travelling , I am dubious of cheaper makes as I have heard bad results, sooner pay a bit more and be safe, for that reason wouldn`t consider a fan heater, if fan stops and you are not in the van, overheating a concern,  possible a fire risk.

At night when sleeping in the van it is on and in the cab, well away from clothing and make sure nothing can fall on to it, worked really well this February when at the coast.

My van is 6.88metre , not small, left on middle setting overnight , was warm and toasty when I went in the van, there are 6 settings thematically controlled,  usually it is left on frost setting, as I am working in the van in these temperatures I put the heat up.


Regards,
Margaret

Oil heater

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hd907-7q-freestanding-oil-filled-radiator-1500w/7166p

Can recomend and they deliver

Peter

I purchased two Screwfix oil filled heaters when they had an offer on, one is currently on in the van at a low setting, however too big to travel with in the Duetto, also have fan heaters .
Boaby

Why don’t others just use their onboard heating when it’s cold? Ours is switched on permanently during cold spells like this when on the driveway and just set it to low on the thermostat...

CC wrote:Why don’t others just use their onboard heating when it’s cold? Ours is switched on permanently during cold spells like this when on the driveway and just set it to low on the thermostat...

Because if the heater gets a fault or breaks down it is cheaper to replace a portable heater than it is the on board fire.