87. A freezing night in the campervan!
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- Опубликовано: 18 янв 2024
- After installing my Autoterm diesel heater a few months ago but not yet having had any cold weather to test it properly, I took my chance to go for a night at a nearby campsite with overnight temperatures predicted to come down to around about freezing (0C / 32F)
The campsite is called Clay Farm, at Clows Top, Worcestershire, England, DY14 9NN
Phone: 07899 994466 or email clayfarmcaravans@gmail.com
If you liked the video and wish to leave me a tip, here's the link: www.ko-fi.com/davidjohns and thank you! Or join the crew every month at / cruisingthecut
Tools & Parts used for my campervan build
Autoterm diesel heater: geni.us/Van_Autoterm
Renogy 2kW inverter: geni.us/Van_RenogyInverter
Sink: geni.us/Van_NewSink
Induction hob: geni.us/Van_InductionHob
Portable toilet: geni.us/Van_Toilet
Fridge: geni.us/Van_CoolFreezeCDF26
Charger: geni.us/Van_MainsCharger
Solar Controller: geni.us/Van_SolarMPPT
Gas Alarm: geni.us/Van_GasAlarm
Old sink unit: geni.us/Van_SinkHob
Old heater unit: geni.us/Van_PropexHS2000
Old inverter: geni.us/Van_Inverter
DeWalt jigsaw: geni.us/Van_DeWaltJigsaw
DeWalt drill: geni.us/Van_DeWaltDrill
DeWalt mitre saw: geni.us/Van_DeWaltMitreSaw
DeWalt circular saw: geni.us/Van_DeWaltCircSaw
Web www.vandemonium.co.uk
Twitter / vandemoniumuk
Instagram: / vandemoniumuk
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Авто/Мото
I find the lack of Branston Pickle on those sarnies disturbing!
Ugh. A little black pepper is the way!
We had cheese and tomato sandwiches today with a smidge of salad cream. Very nice.
Indeed so.
"Very distantly in all that fog I think there's some hills over there" is possibly the most British phrase ever, at least to a Yank.
After a hard day at work, it is wonderfully delightful to view another of your thoughtful vlogs, David. Your sense of wry humour appeals very much and with a glass of red, shifts my mood to quiet enjoyment. Thank you.
Many thanks! 😀
Agreed✌
Only a glass lol a bit more is in order lol x
All those beans, who needs a diesel heater!😂
Lots of things shrink in the cold.
be more specific? ;)
But not on women 😀
Lol mine has turned into a snail only comes out for a scatter
*speech to text* I have been watching your videos for three years now and you are the most British person ever and I love everything about it
😀
American viewer here. Man was it trippy watching you drive down the wrong side of the road.
At least his steering wheel is on the right side.
We drive on the proper side of the road, it's you lot that drive on the wrong side.....................😄
That weatherstripping issue. As a retired dealership mechanic, I installed or replaced many of these. We always cut them long and then forced it into place when installing. We would distribute the excess over the full range to avoid noticeable buckling of the seal. One other thing that would cause the corners to do this is a window glass that is not full seated. Pushing on the outside corners would reseat the glass. In your case it is most likely the weatherstripping has shrunk, which is normal, hence that cutting it long that we did. You have the right idea of pushing it into place and filling the gap to seal it.
You are quite right in what you say, many will stretch the seals as they install and then trim off from the rest. It is a good idea to put the trim in a fridge for several hours so it shrinks, measure what you need and add a bit and then ensure that it is encouraged into place.
Surprised you haven’t put your electric cable in self adhesive trunking
Same with double glazing rubber. cut it to long and loose the excess on the striaght runs.
I was going to call it A Gasket.
Also hot days are not advisable for insulation unless needs must because you'll be surprised how much expansion and contraction will happen at different temps.
Id’ve been disappointed if a cheese sandwich hadn’t made an appearance! 😂
Me too!
Cheese and onion 👍
Made with toasted bread ?
I just love your videos, David. They really do bring a smile to my life and take me to a planet called "Normality ". Thank you so much. You're a fantastic bloke and I know I join many people who long for the good old values. 🎉
😀
I drove HGVs for 25 years, sleeping pretty much 5 nights a week in them. Obviously using a night heater, all over Europe and Russia in temps as low as -25c
The best tip I can suggest is crack open the two front windows half an inch, this will prevent your windows from steaming up and causing condensation.
Also don't ever run the hearer while driving, as the vibrations can damage the fan inside.
One final tip, run the heater at least once a month, all year round. Otherwise your pumps and bits inside can seize up.
The trim has contracted due the cold weather. A caravan we had did this, and we were told it was due to temperature changes causing it to expand and contract.
yeah, I do this in my wagon too
Mine hasn't been started for 7 years. Now I know why it won't start.
To stop condensation, Get a pair of old socks half fill one with cat litter, tie it up to seal it, then put it into the other sock and leave on the front window,
Now this is the kind of tip that I like. Simple yet practical.
Thanks for sharing this 🙂
Yes. Thank you for the tip…😃
I needed that. Of course, here in Canada I’m chuckling at your idea of cold. I’m also a touch envious.
Right ?
I'm no expert on weather stripping but as a man who has taken a cold plunge in a chilly swimming pool I know about shrinkage. 😁
😳
🤣
What fun. Hot water bottle!! Old fashioned but keeps your feet warm!! 😄
Tip for rice. I use the microwave packs. It says on them that you can also heat them with a little water. What I do though is to heat the tin of chilli, curry or whatever and then add the rice into the mix half-way through and finish heating it all together. It's a double result as you only use 1 pan and you can eat it straight from the pan so no need for a separate plate so no extra washing up!!
Love this idea ! I don’t think I’ve ever seen microwave packs of rice, is it just in the rice aisle or does it have to be refrigerated?
@@katherinekelly5380 in the rice aisle. Lots of different ones.
It a bit expensive but I do this too
@@katherinekelly5380 they're in the rice aisle. Various makes, I tend to use supermarket own brand as much cheaper than Tilda or Ben's.
@@katherinekelly5380i love them ..1 min in the microwave
Now isn't that so much better than the Madness of a Cruise Ship
rather not see it in the cut tho 😂😂😂
'The madness of a cruise ship'.......................... I'm sure that both have their pro's and con's.
Welcome to Sweden to really test the heater, today we only have -18°C but last week it was -43°C, it was mosquito free!
window gasket material but that's what us ungrateful colonists who play with trains call it. Thanks again for a pleasant video to consume.
Seeing your superb cooking effort, (beans and tinned corn beef) reminded me of your Cruising The Cut video when you made bread - which I still think is THE funniest video RUclips!
No. The scones making is genius. You have buy a separate scone pastry cutter
Shiny mylar coated bubble wrap is pretty decent for insulation and quite cheap. It also works as a pad to sleep on under a sleeping bag or blanket.
For rice in the van we use Uncle Ben's rice in a bag. Boil in the bag, lift the bag out of the pan of water and let it drain. Open bag and onto the plate. A lot less mess.
Not only is the price right, there are fresh eggs on offer!
Loved the Gordon Ramsay joke. Still chuckling about it. Thanks for the laugh on this cold and snow covered day.
"Rice is messy".
I am amazed you have not discovered the delights of a rice cooker. Produces perfect rice in an easy to wipe out container.
But as a fellow electric only van owner, I found it is also a brilliant low power one pot cooker. I have used mine for scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, salmon on rice with veg, bacon and eggs, miso soup and porridge. Probably ok for heating anything tinned as well. Draws a miserly maximum of 300W.
Just be sure to get one that has a keep warm function and a non-stick liner. For the two of us I use the Lakeland mini for about £35.
I have to say, those yummy sandwiches are just crying out for some crunchy lettuce.😊
Tea....What !! No Biscuits!!
Corned beef and baked beans!! In this vlog you have surpass your legendary culinary skills.
Ha ha! spellcheck just changed that to baked jeans maybe there's an embryo of an idea there for future trips.
I think Field Marshal Montgomery would approve.
You are truly the king of video titles i laugh when i see the latest vid, thanks so much for your videos so enjoyable
Glad you like them!
Fun vlog, thanks for bringing us along! I love the running commentary as if it is an Olympic event or a murder mystery! As for your chilly feet… here in far North America where we deal with some serious cold for many months on end, may I suggest something you might really like: re-chargeable boot heater inserts. Do not get put off by the “boot” part. These are generally wafer thin pads that can be charged up via USB then put into shoes, boots or trainers (as I believe you Brits call casual athletic style footwear) and the pads give off a gentle heat for several hours. Alternatively one can get full booties that have permanent wiring in them that are plugged in, charged up, then worn for toasty joy for many hours. Might be just the ticket … a pair for the van and a pair for at home! Think of them as little electric blankets for your feet! They are marvelous! ❤
Wear leggings and sweatpants, if necessary. Jeans are the idiot's way of keeping warm in winter. Looped weave material vs flat weave
Oh, and I put my waffle syrup in a cup(not much) and dip pieces of waffle in. That way I don't end up with syrup all over the plate that I unsuccessfully chase around with waffle pieces. MUCH less waste.
Gee that's a strong cup of tea
David you should have your own comedy show i find your vlogs very amusing and occasionally informative😅
I think he went full "Partridge" on more than one occasion....😂
You could also use an electric blanket for alternative heating overnight.
Dead right! My single lecky blanket draws 30 watts on low, can't think of anything cheaper to keep warm...
@@EelingStudiosTeddy Bear Bedding. Game changer.
Pre cooked sachets of rice are ideal for camping, put the bag in boiling water and heat up for 5-10 minutes. Alternatively boil in the bag rice as its self straining. Cold feet need goose down slippers, you look a sight, but your feet are warm and you don't go outside in them so who cares!
Microwave sachet rice. Much easier :)
and you can get small portions of rice veetee 2x125g stir fry or microwave, at most supermarkets.
I would avoid keeping cooked rice around for long - isn't that how botulism works?
hog roast is better
David thanks for the vid, the issue with the window gasket maybe your van is growing.
🤣 Beautiful observation.
Maybe he needs to take the van on longer runs, more often, to keep it trim and fit.😁
Corn Beef Hash, nothing wrong with that. You just need some good old Smash potato. Lovely video. enjoy
Ran a espar heater in my peterbuilt and was comfy at minus 35f no problems at all.
for the feet I have the same problems , what I discovered is: if I am ready to stay inside then I have socks for inside (cozy ones) and I put on 2 or 3 pairs and it is still cozy and yet so warm that sometimes I didn't realize that my feet were the problem, not the heating.
'Perfecto luncho' - sounds like a spell that I would like to learn to cast anytime, any place.
😅😅🎉
Another immensely enjoyable video, David. Best wishes.
Many thanks!
As a last resort, read the destruction manual🤣
I suspect the window seal has contracted with the cold - if it’s like car trim the metal inside it will contract in the cold.
I would keep the heater on overnight, just at a lower temperature. The required load of energy to go from slightly uncomfortable to comfortable will be easier in the morning. The idea is to maintain a thermal load in the vehicle you top up.
I hope you have a CO2 monitor!!
I like your style of videoing - relaxed and somewhat humorous!
I dig the tiny kettle!!
20 degrees is a bit high - I would aim for 18.
glad you survived the night thanks again
So enjoyable for which I thank you.
This has made my day David . Just got home from work, couldn't think what to have for a late lunch and behold you are making your legendary cheese sandwich. So I had the same. Thank you 😅
Glad to hear it 😀
An ex hgv driver. I could not sleep with heater on. 20oC is very warm.
The way you stated in the video, making the gap of the seal at the bottom of the window larger so you can rearrange the seal back into the corners is the best way to fix your window seal. Sometimes they shrink like that, and sometimes they expand and you get them deforming out of place.
Buy a mini rice cooker! I love mine..quick..simple..easy clean...and finally decent brown rice as well as white...definitely van worthy...
You could use a tumble dryer tube to move the heater outlet in the van over night
I have an autoterm and I don’t like using the thermostat because I don’t like it ramping up and down, pumping out cool air and restarting etc. cause I feel the restart uses the most power.
I use it via the power settings. Put it on flat out to warm the van up, then lower the settings down to minimum to maintain the temperature. It’s also quieter that way as the fan is slow, the ticking slows right down and it doesn’t wake you up.
Just give it a blast to clear it out once the trip is over and the heaters not gonna be used for a while.
I’ve found that method uses the least power because it uses minimum power to tick over and maximum power to keep starting up.
Try it, you have nothing to lose. It’s also quite fuel efficient ticking over compared to ramping up and down
Cheers - I'll have to try to see if I can find that mode!!
I am impressed by your battery, solar and inverter. I am watching my own Victron plugging away with blazing sunshine on the panels, but my old battery is saying, enough already and wants to retire.
What a robotic presentation. Mesmerising pedantry. I actually like it!!
Rice is easy with the absorption technique. Twice as much water as rice by volume and heat slowly until all the water absorbed. Lovely fluffy rice, works every time no washing or rinsing. Use basmati though.
I love that you did not remember how to work the heater (sounds like what I am like with gadgets).
And then left that part in the video.
BTW - I have no interest in fishing either.
☮
Another great video and a perfect lunch.
David, my mouth watered at the sight of your cheese sandwiches. The buns were beautiful, English cheese is delightful, and the tomato was perfect. I'm a bit jealous as I've not slept more than 4 or 5 hours for some time.
Agreed!
Glad to see that you made it through the night without too much going wrong.
That diesel heater seems to be the genuine article.
Happy Camping!
Wonderful as always
Thank you! Cheers!
The window gasket is too short and has shrunk in the cold weather.
All gaskets suffer from "Reversion" that ensures they shrink in length, we used to extrude a nylon cord within small section nitrile rubber window gaskets to reduce reversion.
"Tempering" the gaskets by exposing them to multiple cycles of hot/cold and ageing the gaskets will help as well.
From a practical standpoint ilength
I feared a remake of Ice Station Zebra, I needn't have!
I find myself continually wondering what our ginormous 48,000 lb. American Class A diesel pusher would look like in one of those campgrounds. It's embarrassing to even contemplate, if I'm being honest. How uncouth! Another excellent video, David. Something to be savored. Thank you.
Probably wouldn't make it around the roads!!
So good to see common sense and simple meals. So many “roughing it” videos of people camping with no tents end up making gourmet meals. Nice video, thanks
Sounds like you’ve been watching Mav.
You ought to get hold of a "5 season sleeping bag". That will keep the cold away as you sleep, and you can also sit in the sleeping bag as you have your coffee and toast in the morning, before getting into the front and turning the vehicle heating on.
Cheers, I have a suitable sleeping bag but prefer sleeping under the duvet
@@Vandemonium
Aha. I posted my comment response to the vid title, and before I saw you have a good duvet. These can be as good.
However I keep a five season bag with at home (!!) whether for waking, sleeping or both, which is my security in case the power goes off! Even if there is still oil central heating @ home, the system to turn it on relies on the electricity working!
So it could be one to keep handy for the minus fives to come if your diesel heater would ever pack in. Watching van life people it seems those little heaters tend to be very reliable, but I'd be failing in my comment purpose if I gave you a false sense of security now! 😂
Of course there's little room in a van to store a large sleeping bag just for emergency. Still there are some small ones. I think Snugpak is a maker - around 23cm x 23.
I hope the big freeze living in my head never happens to you. (Though preparation helps any stress living in some part of the head.)
I use rechargeable usb hand warmers. Chuck them in the bed . Nice warm bottom. Sheet that is. Vid soon. Old George
David, there are mountaineering gear suppliers that sell down booties with a substantial footbed for short jaunts in the night. Exquisitely warm, take it from someone who can't live without them on cold winter nights out on the three-season porch! Regardless, enjoying this channel of yours immensely as always. Cheers.
I definitely consider that as camping in a van, compared with Motorhoming in an 'A' Class
I think one concern you should be aware of with the thermostat mode is that each time it turns on it is probably having to heat up a glow plug of sorts. When it does that it pulls a lot of power from the battery in order to get it hot enough that the diesel will then ignite. In the other mode it only does that when you first turn it on. After that the only power being used is for the fan and pump... which isn't that much. The extra power probably won't be a problem for one overnight. However, if you were staying in it for days on end you could end up running the battery too low if you don't have enough solar, etc to keep topping it off. Just something to be aware of.
Personally, I keep mine on nonstop, but on the lowest setting. If it is still too hot I will crack a window and open the ceiling vent. Even running non stop those heaters barely use any fuel. Just remember to run it on high for a few minutes before you shut it down. That helps to burn off soot that may have formed while it was on low. Or so I have been told.
David, I'm of no practical use to you, DIY wise, but I love your films and watch you at breakfast, lunch, and dinner because you bring normality and balance into this mad world. Bless you. Enjoy life and keep bringing joy to us out here please. 🎉
Thank you :-)
Nice to have been with you all night.
It's not only that they are driving on the wrong side of the road, also the eating habits of the English are keeping me on the mainland for the time being.
I can always take the night boat when the crisis comes to close.
Wow for an older gentleman you sure can make lunch super fast
i honestly think the king would have that for desert
As to the window rubber gasket lining, that happens. I had two different VW Camper Vans, and that is a routine thing to replace. Both VW Vans were a 1978 Transporter version (converted to a Camper) and then a 1986 Vanagon.
You know how to eat well........I am sure the packet micro type rice can be heated in a pan with a little water . Much easier style .
Hi love your video's (van and narrowboat). May I suggest cutting the cornbeef into cubes and heating in the beans .
wow! @7:03 i thought my tea was dark :-)
@8:29 that's not a lake, more like a pond. living beside lake huron, we would call that a puddle :-))
Miniature van, Miniature lake. All good in a Miniature world. 😉👋
That's not dark!
😂😂😂 Also, a friend used to joke that I would just “wave a tea bag” over my mug…I like it very weak, and nothing added.❤
The trim should be cut ever so slightly too big, and the window bond bead should touch it all the way round. So when you press the glass on, the bond also holds the knock on trim in place. It stops any movement. As you can tell by my name its what we do for a living. :-)
David, nice Friday video. Thank you
Oh it's so good to be on the road again.
This video is pure vandemonium
many a cosy night I've had in my camper with the gentle ticking of the diesel heater pump :-)
A very enjoyable and entertaining video David. 👍
love my diesel heater....
Always entertaining and informative.
Great video and not to bad meals as well....lol!
Thank you 😋
The black strip is to be weather stripping and is not supposed to shrink. You may want to contact an automotive dealer with a parts shop.Good luck.
nice one David. On my victron smart solar, I set the absorb to 13.8v and float to 13.4v for my LifePo4. Once or twice a year I adjust it to take the battery to 14.4v absorb, 13.8v float to give it a full blast. I settled on 13.4v for the float after realising that the battery tends to sit around that if left alone for a while. I need to get one of those heaters for my van and I will have to watch your install video again. What a lovely quiet (at this time of year) camp site that was. HNY ! cheers. Oh, and as you well know, things do shrink in the cold.. hehe :)
Hi David, I also have a Planar heater... The start-up / shut-down cycle uses about 2 amp hours of power (I have measured it). This is equivalent to 2-3 hours running on minimum power. In "Temperature Mode", the heater will reduce power as the set temperature is reached, but it won't turn off - just keeps running on its lowest power (to reduce electricity consumption). It's therefore possible that the temperature will go above the set point in this mode. "Thermostat Mode" turns the heater off once the set point has been reached, as you would expect. I prefer "Temperature Mode" as the heater keeps running quietly on low power so you don't get the noise of it starting and stopping at night.
I was a HGV driver who spent nights out in the wagon. Over the years I got used to the hum of the heater unit and now sleep with a ventilator fan at home! It's very soporific.
No explosions! That's a good start!
Jolly good shakedown cruise, David. Thanks for sharing!
As an idea: on one side of the diesel container attach a piece of paper and mark the level and date it (time it as well perhaps). Each time you use it it will give you an idea of how much was used in what space of time.
Seems like a great place to camp - very clean and neat!
Well done with the heater ❤❤❤❤
hey i’d just put some black silicone round the whole window about 3\4ths of an inch
Another great video. Keep 'em coming. Thanks
I enjoy your videos as audio only while working, then rewatch onscreen in the evenings. Great content!
nice little road trip & test 👍