FIRST POST! Building my own campervan (E-250)

evy wrote:


I was planning on getting the Atwood excalibur 8500 IV 16 00btu unit which sells for around 570$ is that a good choice or another shrieking horror story?

I honestly don't know, having never heard that brand. But my natural suspicion would be 'yes'. I really think you'd be happier and sleep better in cold weather with a Propex or Espar.

My temporary solution for the year was to move the Tiger's thermostat to a place where it was reachable from the bunk, then sleep under heavier blankets. I warm up the interior, turn the furnace totally off, and sleep. Then in the AM or if the cold wakes me up, I can easily start the furnace to warm things up. This is good down to maybe 15-20 degrees F, and might be a viable alternative to the more expensive brands I mentioned for you.

Over the summer, I'm planning to some research on a way to use my existing water heater to provide a moderate level of heat at low amps for about $200. This'd be fine for warmer cold weather, and provide 'background heat' when it's really chilly, so the main furnace runs much less. Google 'water-cooled computers'. Dunno yet if it'll pan out or not.

Jim, "Yield to temptation. It may not pass your way again."