Author Topic: Do you use a Portable heater? Suggestions for little kids (Read 5672 times)

maphew_gq · « **on:** March 03, 2011, 07:08:22 AM »

Hi, we would love to use the camper all year round but in some of victoria's high country and alpine regions it gets pretty cool, particularly that morning snap! With young children, does anybody use a portable heater off main power. Off course a tarp and insulating blanket go down but my youngest doesn't seem to like sleeping under a blanket.

Thanks for the ideas.
Matt

Roysta · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2011, 07:21:18 AM »

Any type of electric heater within a tent can be dangerous.

While have not used one, an option would be to use a diesel power heater that can be kept outside and the warm air piped into the tent through a hose.

GGV8Cruza · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2011, 07:22:48 AM »

We camp all year round and we just layer up the kids, thermals are a good investment and they have good sleeping bags, when it does get too cold they just hop in with us

GG

D4D · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2011, 07:32:03 AM »

We bought an electric heater (can't remember the brand) it is shaped like a ball and if tipped over rolls back to a standing position, it also has an overheat cutout. Used to take about 10 mins to heat the Tambo up toasty.

MC 031 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:51:15 AM »

Hot water bottles with covers are GREAT for the kids (adults too) coupled with thermal unders, socks, beanie and gloves

DO NOT use a gas heater under any circumstances.

JCOJ · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2011, 12:42:03 PM »

For our boys we have snow rated Exped self inflating mattresses and then we purchased a rentangle wool blanket thing (which we got from an ugg boot shop), which we then lay on top of the mattress and under their protector and base sheet, then on top they have a sheet, a wool blanket, and a down sleeping bag opened out. Not once had they complained of being cold.

We've thought about a portable heater of some sort but don't want to risk it.

maphew_gq · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2011, 02:34:30 PM »

Good replies, thanks...will look into alternatives.

kiva · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2011, 03:28:48 PM »

We just layer the kids up. Last winter our little boy had just turned 12 months old and was happily camping in his portacot (within a tent) with outside temperatures of about -5 or so. He was fine, but looked a bit like the Michelin man with all the jumpsuits

Our little girl (3 at the time) just did the thermals/fleece thing. She also slept in my wife's sleeping bag which is rated to about -10.

Alloy C/T · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2011, 03:37:16 PM »

Gas heaters , such as the Coleman catalytic convertor models are PERFECTLY safe as long as you follow the instructions to the letter concerning airflow , you must have fresh air intake and exhaust.

speewa158 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2011, 05:49:05 PM »

I use a 1000w fan heater on an inverter just on low setting to take the edge off , seems to go well

. Also when you get into bed the Lecky blanket on low also through the inverta . If your not moving the next day run the genny to top up the deepy

baldheadedgit · « **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2011, 06:03:11 PM »

What a bunch of sooks,,, hot water bottles, elec blankets, heaters.

? go eat some concrete and toughen up...

I love waking up on a cold winter morning with ice on the inside of the canvas.. trouble is i cant find many people to go camping with me in winter. ! :'(

coffs camping · « **Reply #11 on:** March 03, 2011, 06:11:33 PM »

Cant go past layers. I dress my kids in tomorrows tracksuit, with a skivvy and singlet. They wear beanies to bed also. Socks and gloves if they want. They have good bedding. In the morning they get up and are ready to go, so no complaining about having to strip off to get dressed. They peel the layers off during the day and start over in the evening ...

J

speewa158 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 03, 2011, 06:18:19 PM »

BHG can you find anybody that will go camping with you in the warm weather ? Or do you pay them by the hour ?

baldheadedgit · « **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2011, 06:21:11 PM »

Quote from: speewa158 on March 03, 2011, 06:18:19 PM

BHG can you find anybody that will go camping with you in the warm weather ? Or do you pay them by the hour ?

PAY...

? i'm a tite arse Spee, you know that.. thats why i camp alone all the time.

speewa158 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2011, 06:35:04 PM »

Wouldnt shout if you were bitten by a shark A !

Sixtys Guy · « **Reply #15 on:** March 03, 2011, 07:41:48 PM »

Quote from: Alloy C/T on March 03, 2011, 03:37:16 PM

Gas heaters , such as the Coleman catalytic convertor models are PERFECTLY safe as long as you follow the instructions to the letter concerning airflow , you must have fresh air intake and exhaust.

It depends on what your definition of PERFECT is. If you forget to have fresh air intake you could die. Not my definition of PERFECT. Not for me or my children, but it obviously works PERFECTLY for you!

MC 031 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 03, 2011, 07:46:32 PM »

There was a whole family bar one of the children perish a few years ago here in SEQ under these very circumstances.....gas heater in a tent with little or no ventilation.

It is amazing how many people are still not aware of the dangers.

eatMYdust · « **Reply #17 on:** March 03, 2011, 08:01:02 PM »

yes it is dangerous my fathers best Friend accidental killed himself years ago using his gas BBQ to warm his tent up at night it had a small leak and he never woke up

Jon · « **Reply #18 on:** March 03, 2011, 08:32:29 PM »

No heater that uses hydrocarbons as fuel is safe for internal unventilated use. The only possible exception is for flued indirect heaters such as Webasto types.

All will release CO and deplete oxygen within the space.
Not peachy conditions for the old brain.

We have a slow combustion fire at home and we turn this off at night and open the windows slightly in the bedrooms while sleeping. Makes for a better sleep anyway.

When camping hot water bottles are the go for the kids. Special cuddles for the adults

SteveandViv · « **Reply #19 on:** March 04, 2011, 09:36:18 AM »

I used the Colman heat in the Camper for 6 Months or so but ONLY while we were getting ready for bed or in the case of up the Tanami when we camped over night we all snuggled in to watch a movie on the Laptop. It was the middle of winter so quite cold. I would leave it running until we all go into bed and then of it goes.

When we got to a powered camp site we have a small electric fan heat with auto shut off stuff in case of blockage, tipping , over heating etc.

All our last few years trips have been up here in the Kimberly - Just enjoy the cooler conditions then

coffs camping · « **Reply #20 on:** March 04, 2011, 09:58:48 AM »

Quote from: Jon on March 03, 2011, 08:32:29 PM

When camping hot water bottles are the go for the kids. Special cuddles for the adults

I agree with both recommendations above.

However, as the parent of a child with a severe scald requiring medical intervention please be aware of the dangers associated with hot water. Also, as a nurse, hot water bottles and hot packs are used with extreme caution (if not banned) in most institutions for the same reasons. It just comes down to safety and common sense I guess.

No comments on the special cuddles for adults ...

J

MC 031 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 04, 2011, 03:15:23 PM »

Use hot water bottles with lambswool covers for preference....keeps them hotter longer and protects one from the extreme heat of the rubber as well.

Replace when needed.

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Author Topic: Do you use a Portable heater? Suggestions for little kids (Read 5672 times)