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  • SteveAE's avatar
    SteveAE
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2013
    Piano,

    When I think minimalist heating, I think of chemical heat packs:
    Like these
    I suppose you could cover the walls, floor and ceiling of your rig with them for a minimalist sauna:)

    Keep warm and Happy New Year,
    Steve
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Dec 28, 2013
    the flower pot is supposed to be inverted and placed on the stove burner
    this traps the heat and the clay/ceramic becomes a radiant source similar to the ceramic burner on blue flame heaters

    YES open a vent let out the exhaust and let in fresh air

    for get the candle,

    no propane then try rubbing alcohol
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2013
    pianotuna wrote:
    ...I'd need 88 flower pots and 176 candles. Just where would I find room for those in a class c?


    Or you could leave the flower pots on the patio and just use 176 candles. The flower pots don't add any heat.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2013
    MrWizard wrote:
    skipnchar wrote:
    ANY heat source that includes a flame of any kind is a danger of asphyxiation in an enclosed space. Be sure to factor in the heat you'll loose from opening a vent or window to allow the air burned to be replenished. Another minimalist method of heating your RV is to lower the thermostat on your furnace and there is NO chance of a properly working furnace to asphyxiate anyone OR put dangers CO fumes into the living quarters.
    Good luck / Skip


    you forget where he is at

    an overnight snow storm could make a drift capable of blocking the heater exhaust

    people in snow drifts on the side of the road have died because they didn't get out and clear the exhaust

    now 'quite' so likely to happen in an RV with the heater exhaust, BUT still possible and has to be considered, TRAPPED fumes are a danger even when the furnace operates correctly
    If the exhaust were to get blocked by snow (which would take a pretty good sized drift on most RVs) then the burner chamber would heat up to the point that the overheat switch would shut the heater down..
    Of course it could fail, but that is unlikely as is the blockage of the exhaust. RV heaters are probably the safest way to heat a RV.
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Dec 28, 2013
    pianotuna wrote:
    Hi,

    This is a clever variation on the flower pot heaters. My guess is about 1000 to 1500 btu's.

    flower pot heater variation


    I have seen this "invention" mentioned on another website.

    Conclusion, no real "usable" heat would be given off by this method. Basically all this idea does is slow down the dissipation of the heat and traps the heat within the flower pots instead of the heat going all to the ceiling. Basically is is falsely giving you the feeling of heat.

    Winter brings out the cheapskates for sure, there is no free lunch (or heat). RVs do not have the best insulation (something like R3 at best) and therefore if you are planning to camp in freezing weather you should be prepared (or at least willing) to spend some money on heat.

    A fool and his life are soon "departed" when playing with unvented heating devices and throw in candles for good measure...

    Just another great way to get a "honorable" mention in the Darwin Awards...
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Dec 28, 2013
    skipnchar wrote:
    ANY heat source that includes a flame of any kind is a danger of asphyxiation in an enclosed space. Be sure to factor in the heat you'll loose from opening a vent or window to allow the air burned to be replenished. Another minimalist method of heating your RV is to lower the thermostat on your furnace and there is NO chance of a properly working furnace to asphyxiate anyone OR put dangers CO fumes into the living quarters.
    Good luck / Skip


    you forget where he is at

    an overnight snow storm could make a drift capable of blocking the heater exhaust

    people in snow drifts on the side of the road have died because they didn't get out and clear the exhaust

    now 'quite' so likely to happen in an RV with the heater exhaust, BUT still possible and has to be considered, TRAPPED fumes are a danger even when the furnace operates correctly
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Dec 28, 2013
    Hi,

    In the weather I camp out in, I'd need 88 flower pots and 176 candles. Just where would I find room for those in a class c?
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2013
    there are only 3500 BTUs in a pound of pure wax, How long does it take to burn a one pound candle?
  • skipnchar's avatar
    skipnchar
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2013
    ANY heat source that includes a flame of any kind is a danger of asphyxiation in an enclosed space. Be sure to factor in the heat you'll loose from opening a vent or window to allow the air burned to be replenished. Another minimalist method of heating your RV is to lower the thermostat on your furnace and there is NO chance of a properly working furnace to asphyxiate anyone OR put dangers CO fumes into the living quarters.
    Good luck / Skip

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