doors 

Gas heater for heating a caravan. Mobile home heating. Camper electrical system

Having built the camper, it bothered me a little that it could not be used in the off-season. Cold.

After looking at specialized sites, I found several solutions. But none satisfied me. Either insanely expensive heaters Webasto, Planar and the like were offered ... from 30,000. Or Chinese analogues from 25,000. All this was powered by fuel such as diesel or gasoline. And mercilessly sucked out the battery. Required permanent installation and costly maintenance. For branded motorhomes, this may be good, but given the cost of my camper (50,000), the price of the heater is too high ... There were also options like Truma. On gas. But the size of a battery)) is also not an option. I have only 2.5 m2))


In general, after digging through the sites, I found a simple and ingenious solution. Heat exchanger for winter tent.

What it is? This is a steel box, with tubes welded through. From below in the combustion chamber there is a hole for the burner, from above - an exhaust pipe. The fan sucks in air from a 12V computer.

Schematic, but understandable. The burner heats the tubes, the air, entering from one side cold, heating up, exits from the other side hot. And CO2 exits through the exhaust pipe to the street. As a result, the air in the cabin is clean and warm. There is no risk of fading and poisoning. The photo shows a heat exchanger without a fan.

The gas burner can be any. Tourist Primus, infrared, gas stove and so on.

Since I wanted to use it more or less permanently (but with the ability to rent it on summer period) I integrated the burner completely inside the combustion chamber. Thus, I completely eliminated the burnout of oxygen in the cabin.

At the bottom of the door I have an inflow fresh air, and from above under the ceiling there is a forced exhaust. The same fan from a 12 V computer. The consumption of such fans is 0.3 A. It is simply negligible.

I moved the exhaust pipe to the side wall. Because I needed to get her under the seat.

Thus, I also freed the plane from above. And now it has become possible to heat food or tea on it.

But it was still dangerous. You could accidentally get burned. And I covered everything with a simple shield. It has become more civilized and safe.

By the way, about safety. Burner with valve. In the absence of a flame, it shuts off the gas. It also has a gas leak and CO2 excess sensor.

In case of a leak, it screeches like a cut one)).

The exhaust exits under the seat. The temperature of the pipe in this place is still hot, but the hand is already suffering. But still, I decided to make the first knee out of stainless steel. Just in case.

Well, summing up what we have.

The cost of the heater is 3000 with all works and spare parts. Dimensions 25*25*35. Fuel gas. Consumption 100g / h at full. Works from 5 l of a cylinder. Warming up from zero to 20 degrees in 10 minutes. Then you can set it to the minimum. Or even turn it off for a couple of hours.

In the summer, you can remove it so as not to interfere. You can take it with you to campsites. Set up in a tent. Use on winter fishing. There's just nothing to break. Of the minuses - you can not set the temperature. Not aesthetically pleasing.

Heating systems in motorhomes and trailers are divided into several types:

By power source: gas, electric, liquid fuel.
By heat carrier options: air and liquid

Gas heaters include Alde, Truma, Primus trademarks.

The advantages of gas heaters are that natural gas is more economical than electricity and liquid fuels, as well as energy efficient. Autonomy indicators are also on top here. Of the minuses, it can be noted that Russian butane gas, which is part of the propane-butane mixture (which is called natural gas in our homeland), does not evaporate at very negative temperatures and passes into a liquid state. As a result, the heater stops working when it is so badly needed. It is also worth noting the explosion hazard, the possibility of leaks, as well as harmful carbon monoxide vapors (if not everything is in order with the exhaust system of the heater). Not present everywhere in Europe common standards on the gas equipment and this can be problematic.

Electric heaters are usually built into Alde and Primus gas heaters as a back-up option, and are also sold separately in huge quantities. In addition, there is an option with electric mats built into the floor.

Here, the heat is transferred by means of a high-resistance wire embedded in the mat. All these devices are easy to operate, not flammable and their cost is relatively low. Only here the consumption of electricity turns out to be very costly, and there is no question of autonomy here (a liquid-fuel generator does not count).

Liquid fuel heaters are mainly represented by Webasto and Eberspächer.

The advantages of these heaters are the autonomy and availability of liquid fuel (gasoline or diesel, which, unlike gas, can be found in the most hidden nooks and crannies of our vast), which is taken directly from the car tank. The heating system is mounted under the floor of the camper, which saves interior space. Also in winter time the heater can also work as a pre-heater, first warming up the engine, and then the residential unit and water. Of the minuses, it can be noted that, until recently, all liquid heaters were noisy and had bad smell. Liquid fuels are more chemically inert than gas.

Now we will analyze the principle of operation, the pros and cons of systems with air and liquid coolants.

Air-cooled heaters produce trade marks Truma, Carver, Webasto, Eberspächer.

Such systems take cold air inside the motorhome, heat it up, and then conduct it back to the accommodation unit either directly or through a duct system. Air heating is the leader in mobile home installations primarily because of its attractive cost. The air in the cabin is heated much faster than with a liquid coolant. Also, in the first 10 years of operation, air heating does not require any special service.

Of the minuses, compared with a liquid heater, it is worth noting the higher gas consumption, the uneven distribution of heat.

Fluid-cooled heaters are produced by Alde, Primus, Webasto, Eberspächer trademarks.

Such heaters heat a liquid (water or antifreeze) circulating in a closed circuit inside the cottage trailer, which transports heat to the heating elements (batteries), where it is given off as thermal radiation to the living space of the motorhome.

The advantage is the uniform distribution of heat throughout the cabin, lower gas consumption, the ability to increase power simply by putting an additional battery in the circuit.

Of the minuses, it is worth noting the high cost of the device and its technical complexity, slower heating of the cabin, more complex Maintenance(periodic leak test, air pressure, coolant replacement every 2-3 years).

Also, systems such as Alde and Primus are equipped with built-in heat exchangers that allow you to heat tap water.

Motorhomes are specially designed for autonomous life support in conditions of temporary residence outside stationary dwellings: when driving on the road, in parking lots in nature. Their full cycle life support serves a complex of equipment and devices included in the water supply system, electric or gas. These systems have both centralized management, and local through the mechanisms of inclusion and settings of specific equipment. In the first case, this is a common electronic control panel, present in all modern motor homes.

Systems life support motorhomes

Camper electrical system

In addition to lighting fixtures and electrical outlets, the operation of equipment of other systems depends on the electrical network: a water pump, a refrigerator, an air conditioner in a residential area, a piezo ignition of a gas stove, a heater, etc. The internal electrical network of motorhomes is provided with power from both the passenger compartment batteries and from the external power source in the parking lot when connected via corresponding cable connected to an external electrical port . The electrical network can operate both from 12 V (batteries) and from 220 V (external power). In the latter case converters voltage will be applied to electrical equipment the right voltage.

If parked in a campsite mobile home connected to 220 V, then 220 V will be supplied to the internal sockets, thanks to which you can use the usual household appliances taken with you from home. In modern models often installed and reverse converter from 12 V to 220 V, thanks to which you can use the same appliances without resorting to an external connection.

Batteries can be charged both when the engine is running (in motorhomes) and when the motorhome is connected to an external power source. In offline network operation in a parking lot without connection, with normal non-power-intensive battery consumption, the batteries will last about two days. When driving a motorhome to a campsite for the night, if there is no energy-intensive equipment, then there is no special need for an external connection - the engine will recharge the batteries the next day. For lengthy parking spaces beyond the possibilities of external electrical connections can not do without a fuel generator. It is important that it does not take up much space and fit in the garage compartment.
Water supply system

The main task of the system is to supply water to plumbing equipment . At the same time, it is necessary to provide the bay and storage of clean water, as well as the storage and discharge of waste water.

The camper's water supply system consists of:

  • clean water tank
  • water pump
  • hot water boiler
  • flexible plastic water pipes
  • plumbing devices
  • waste water tank.

Clean water is supplied using a flexible hose and poured into the tank through the outer neck (located on the sides or in the stern). Depending on the size and layout of motorhomes , the volumes of clean water tanks vary . But there is never enough water. A tank with a volume of about one hundred liters with the usual consumption of water with the use of a shower is enough for two or three tourists for no more than one day. Therefore, the logic of installation in motorhomes is clear additional the second tank, although this entails an increase in the load by tens of kilograms.
Tanks of clean water in caravans can be both stationary and removable . To install clean water tanks, as a rule, use the space under the sofas inside the living area.

Waste water tanks fastened outside under the bottom. Branch pipes with drain taps depart from them. The standard of civilized countries is to drain waste water only in special places in campsites or campsites that provide it direct drain into the sewer.
Under the action of a water pump, cold or hot water is supplied through the faucets to the shower, washbasin and kitchen sink. Still water comes to drain the toilet bowl of the dry closet. The dry closet cassette is removable - for this, an external hatch is arranged on one of the sides or the stern. The cassettes are filled with special chemicals diluted with water. The filled cassettes are drained in special service areas, equipped with special wide toilet bowls ( it is forbidden to use a regular toilet) or sewerage holes . After draining the contents, the cassette is rinsed as clean as possible.

Camper gas system

The gas system solves the most important tasks life support: residential area heating , hot water supply , cooking . Gas stored in gas cylinders is supplied through a gas supply to household equipment, functioning on it: heater, stove, refrigerator (in gas mode), hot water boiler.

In motorhomes for gas bottles a separate compartment is provided outside along the board. In caravans, gas cylinders are usually established at the front in the luggage compartment above the hitch . The cylinder is connected to the system via a flexible hose. Then, through the supply pipeline (copper pipes), the gas is distributed to the sources of consumption.

gas compartments designed for two gas cylinders. The presence of a second additional balloon is of great practical importance. This will not allow you to suddenly be left without gas (which is especially important - in winter) in the event that the connected cylinder runs out. The moment of full gas flow in a cylinder cannot always be determined accurately, especially without special filling level sensors, which, for some reason, are rarely used. When one cylinder runs out, a full second is connected to the system. A rule of thumb should be to always carry a full extra bottle and fill (or exchange) an empty one as soon as possible, without delay if possible.

Gas consumption depends both on the intensity of use of gas - powered equipment and on the season of the year . In the warm period of time, one cylinder of 11 kilograms is enough for an average of a week. In the cold period, with constant gas heating, one cylinder will last no more than three days.

Gasnew cylinders for motorhomes belong to household, are filled with propane and by weight. It is officially forbidden to fill them with liquefied gas per liter, as happens at gas car filling stations. However, this prohibition is often circumvented by using special adapters and filling the balloon incompletely.

With air heating, hot air from a gas heater is distributed through pipes to different parts of the living area. With water heating, heating elements - radiators are distributed throughout the residential area. Air and water heating have their pros and cons. The determining factor here is the power of the gas heatersufficient for the operation of a mobile home in cold winters. In Europe, where winters are mild, and motorhomes are generally not used in winter, in reality there are not so many warm models.

Until recently, in Europe it was forbidden to use gas-powered equipment while driving, as mentioned in the instructions for using the equipment. The ban was related not so much to the design limitations of the equipment, but to safety issues - to avoid gas leaks that shaking could lead to. Now such a ban has been lifted provided that a special blocking device is installed in the gas compartment. In the CIS, such a ban did not exist at all. To find yourself without heating a residential area when driving in winter in Russia is unthinkable.

Features of winter operation of motorhomes

In winter time water supply system needs special actions and measures to prevent freezing of water in water tanks and water pipes at sub-zero temperatures.

First of all, waste water tanks, being outside the heated residential area outside under the bottom, are exposed to the air temperature. There are a number of design solutions (often offered as an option) for insulation and heating of waste water tanks. But even the installed heating element has a limit of its effectiveness up to -5 - -7 degrees.
In the case of a lower temperature or when the tank is not heated at all, proceed as follows: keep the waste water tank drain valve open all the time; turning off the faucet every time they use water, immediately after they rush to drain the water.

Other measures apply to the residential area when it is no longer heated when the motor home is parked. The water must be drained from the clean water tank and the boiler tank. AT water pipes and the water pump should also be free of water, for which the system is purged with a short-term idle operation of the water pump.

From the well-coordinated work of heating in the camper, it depends how comfortable the participants of the rally will feel in cold period time, not to mention severe frosts.

Gas cylinders and their location

The living compartment is heated with gas. For this, a special compartment is provided on board the motorhome, accommodating one or two gas bottles. In mobile homes, only one cylinder can be connected and the second is a spare. When one cylinder is empty, the next cylinder is switched manually. In the warm season, you can travel with one cylinder.

The principle of operation of the Truma gas heater in a motorhome

Special gas heater by Truma, is located inside the living compartment under the wardrobe. The flow of gas into it is carried out through a reducer. Outside, air is taken in, burning gas through the hole provided for this from the left side of the trailer, and the spent combustion product exits through the “chimney” that goes to the roof of the motorhome. In this way, only heat is released into the living compartment, when both carbon monoxide does not come into contact with the living compartment, provided that the system is in full working order. At the same time, the necessary oxygen from the passenger compartment is not lost for gas combustion.

Ignition of gas in the heater

The Truma heater ignites gas from batteries. Apparently, the system was originally designed for autonomous trailers, where even 12 volt power was not provided. It is not clear whether this is good or bad, but just in case, it is better to have AA batteries in stock.

Heating level adjustment

The level of heating or air temperature in the living quarters of the motorhome is regulated by a special knob located on the Truma heater itself. The regulator has the same principle of operation as in a gas stove: to add gas, you need to turn the handle more. In a motorhome, with the help of a working gas stove you can also warm up the air, but the downside is the large loss of oxygen, and the heat will mainly remain only in the kitchen block.

The operation of the fan that drives air through the heat exchanger

In the living quarters of the motorhome, there is a special fan that blows air through pipes two inches in diameter through a Truma heat exchanger. It works quite quietly and its task is to supply warm air to various angles motorhomes, for example, heated air is supplied to the bathroom under the threshold front door, and in the far corners - under the sofas. The fan is powered by 12V in the living compartment. With the help of a special remote control, you can adjust the strength of the air flow by changing the fan speed. For every exit warm air an adjustable damper is provided, which makes it possible to redistribute flows. For example, if necessary, send more heat to the bathroom or close the air outlet completely.

Stationary electric heater

For heating the camper from the network, a stationary electric heater is not provided. But you can connect a small oil cooler, corresponding in size to Truma. It will distribute heat with the same fan used when gas heating.

The question of how to feel in the cold in a motor home, I think, is still being solved.