What is best way to insulate and heat a Toyota Alphard please?

[Donm]

😀

[wjvh]

A woolly jumper

[Donm]

Thanks for making me laugh, 😬but aren’t there any other practical answers?

[Rojie]

 

 

Eschbacher diesel heater, maybe dometic/weaco too.

 

Diesel heater needs separate small tank as no Alphards are diesel.

[pcous]

Hi Donm,
Our campervan converter put in an MV Airo heater (made by MV Heating UK, Southampton) - runs off petrol and is installed under the front passenger seat. It needs a 12v power supply for the fan (leisure batttery/EHU/Solar?) Fan isn't too noisy, but for quiet operation we normally use a small oil-filled radiator when on EHU (i.e. mains voltage, rather than 12v).
Can't say re insulation - we have a pop-up roof, so no effective insulation when it's up....
Regards
pcous

[Donm]

Thanks for your post. I have been exploring the use of a Webasto or Eberspacher small petrol unit which are described as ‘shoebox size’ but I hadn’t heard of the MV airo before. 
A friend suggested the small oil filled radiator when on ehu, found loads  advertised but not sure yet what size or make would be best for the Alphard. My wife agrees with the ‘warm woolly jumper’ view of wjvh but I would like to find a petrol solution despite being told by a supplier that a diesel heater with an extra tank would be safer! 
Thanks for suggestions.

Donm

[ThuMentaliss]

Not sure of your circumstances as to why a heater should be necessary?  Alphard's did not start life as a van such as VW Transporters etc, having already converted my Alphard into a camper van I can categorically tell you that the rearflooring as well insulated with 20mm thick padding  if you don't have a Pop-Top you could line the roof panel.    When we owned  a VW we used an electric oil fire heater off mains hook up,  I'm not sure that petrol  heaters are legal and type approved within the scope of motor vehicles as you would be fitting a highly inflammable fuel cell

[Donm]

Both Erbespacher and Webasto sell 2and4 kw space heaters but I assumed they would be suitable and safe to buy and have professionally installed.Maybe the old saying about ass of you and me applies😊. I need to check. Why install one? To stop at non campsites and keep warm in autumn/ winter. Any further comments or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks Donm

[ThuMentaliss]

You could always use a hot water bottle😁😎

[Pritch]

Going to assume you mean heating/insulation, as in keeping warm in the colder nights/months, and can share what we have done in ours, that has a pop top.

 

There is a thermal cover that you can buy to wrap round the outside of your pop top, but in our opinion, too much faf (and add'l storage need).

Be your choice on how you cover your front windows, but we have a external wrap that is insulated, but again haven't been out when there's white on the ground, so cant 100% report on its efficacy yet. It does however seem to work well thus far.

We had a gas heater fitted to ours at conversion stage (Propex gas heater that runs of the vans gas bottle), but in all honesty we will be on sites with EHU, so will use only in emergency. It is very effective but unsure as to how long you can run it on gas, though it is thermostatic operation

We bought a 'Kampa Diddy' fan heater, which sits on the worktop (sink top), which is EHU powered. Very efficient, doesn't keep us awake at night, but has kept us lovely and warm when needed.

Works well in an evening as well, when sat down watching tv/playing cards. Will of course work off the Leisure Battery.

I am thinking that if were away and its VERY cold, we may well close up the pop top, and pull the boards over, but still cracking the windows open a small bit to assist with air circulation and condensation.

When we get up, open up the pop top, move heater location.

 

As has been mentioned before, this is an MPV that has been converted, but think the insulation etc is pretty good, given its not meant to work as such when stationery.

 

A wooly jumper is also a brilliant suggestion.

HTH

 

[tony madgwick]

hello donm you  could have alook at the propex hs 2oo0 heater  which would run on your gas supply i think you will be happy with this allthe best  be safe    tony  m

[Jeza]

Hi, I don't have gas onboard as I have a hybrid and cook using induction hobs. I have a Webasto petrol heater connected to the fuel tank, the unit sits under the cabin floor taking air in from the cabin then the warm air is ducted back into the cabin. It is very good, sounds like a jet engine when starting up, thermostatically controlled we just use it to take the chill off in the evening and morning. 

[Donm]

Thanks Jesa. That sounds a very good option. One company I have already asked said that fitting a petrol heater was too dangerous! I can’t see the problem if it is professionally fitted. Donm

[Vellfire1]

I have fitted a discreet and all external diesel heater ( much safer than petrol )( also separate hidden diesel tank ) that works via remote control from up to 100m away.

The ducting is connected to the original ducting, so you see nothing at all.

It works wonderful on these cold mornings, you can also check the car cabin temperature from the remote, you then decide to switch it on or not all from the warmth of your house...

Edited October 28, 2021 by Vellfire1

[Dazzerm]

On 10/28/2021 at 10:11 AM, Vellfire1 said:

I have fitted a discreet and all external diesel heater ( much safer than petrol )( also separate hidden diesel tank ) that works via remote control from up to 100m away.

The ducting is connected to the original ducting, so you see nothing at all.

It works wonderful on these cold mornings, you can also check the car cabin temperature from the remote, you then decide to switch it on or not all from the warmth of your house...

On 10/28/2021 at 10:11 AM, Vellfire1 said:

I have fitted a discreet and all external diesel heater ( much safer than petrol )( also separate hidden diesel tank ) that works via remote control from up to 100m away.

The ducting is connected to the original ducting, so you see nothing at all.

It works wonderful on these cold mornings, you can also check the car cabin temperature from the remote, you then decide to switch it on or not all from the warmth of your house...

Hi , please could you give me more details please.

I'm not particularly handy , so will need to explain to a installer.

What external heater ? 

Where is external located?

Existing ducting location?

How is it attached ?

Is it permanently attached ?

 

Thanks in anticipation .

On 9/18/2021 at 12:00 PM, ThuMentaliss said:

You could always use a hot water bottle😁😎

 

On 10/28/2021 at 10:11 AM, Vellfire1 said:

I have fitted a discreet and all external diesel heater ( much safer than petrol )( also separate hidden diesel tank ) that works via remote control from up to 100m away.

The ducting is connected to the original ducting, so you see nothing at all.

It works wonderful on these cold mornings, you can also check the car cabin temperature from the remote, you then decide to switch it on or not all from the warmth of your house...

 

On 9/18/2021 at 10:58 AM, Donm said:

Both Erbespacher and Webasto sell 2and4 kw space heaters but I assumed they would be suitable and safe to buy and have professionally installed.Maybe the old saying about ass of you and me applies😊. I need to check. Why install one? To stop at non campsites and keep warm in autumn/ winter. Any further comments or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks Donm