It is a given that we must have heaters installed in our campervans for the winter months. With the temperatures reaching lower numbers outside, having a heater that can provide you and the other people inside your vehicle for long hours is a must. Now, 12 volts is not enough to heat up the entire campervan, especially if it is too big. It might be helpful in smaller areas such as the bedroom but you cannot fully depend on 12-volt heaters to get the job done. Here, I will talk about the different 12 volts campervan heaters that you can buy on the market.
Eberspacher Espar Airtronic D2 Air Heater: The User-Friendly Option
The Eberspacher Espar AIrtronic D2 Air Heater is a well-known model to campers since it is very easy to use, start, and install. If you are looking for a user-friendly heater for your van, well this one’s for you.
It is very compact, and although it is heavier compared to other heaters on the market it still maintains good all-around mobility. Since this model is small in size, you can easily fit it in tight spaces in your van. It also has an electronic control interface, which users can use to interact with the device.
This unit makes it easier to understand and control the heater properly. The Eberspacher Espar AIrtronic D2 Air Heater is diesel-powered, which gives it enough backup to generate as sufficient heat as required, to serve its purpose of keeping you warm and comfortable.
It is a diesel-fired self-regulating air heater that comes with electronic control and it does not consume a lot of diesel. You also have to be careful when keeping diesel around your campervan as they are highly flammable.
On the flip side, though, it is expensive compared to the other brands, a bit noisy when used, and the body of the heater itself warms up. Do not worry though as the heating body will not cause a fire hazard or an accident whatsoever. Other features include a push start, an electronic control, a temperature regulator with integrated diagnostics, and an optional seven-day timer.
The Eberspacher Espar AIrtronic D2 Air Heater is available on Amazon for $1120.
Webasto Air Top 2000 STC Heater Diesel Single Outlet 12V Kit: Compact
Compared to the previous one, this is smaller and it is very compatible. It comes with everything you would need to set up in a shorter time and it comes with a manual that you can follow. The Webasto Air Top 2000 STC Heater Diesel Single Outlet 12V kit is much lighter than the previous model, weighing only about ten pounds. This means that this will not add any significant weight when you bring it in your campervan.
It also allows you to fit it into tight areas, such as under a seat or wherever you would like it to be, depending on the amount of space you have in your campervan. Just like the first one, it is also diesel-powered, with consumption levels as low as 0.12 to 0.24 liters of diesel per hour.
Having said this, it consumes very little diesel so the cost of fuel is not a problem. The device has a button that allows the user to switch it on or off, with simple controls it is designed for easy operation.
Unfortunately, overheating is a problem using this heater but you can purchase a temperature regulator to solve this issue. The temperature regulator helps you limit the temperature to a much safer level. It also comes with an option for upgrading to a seven-day timer if you want to.
The device operates quietly, which is another pro compared to the previous one. You can also use it in conventional heating systems in campervans. One downside is that it is costly but it is worth every penny.
The Webasto Air Top 2000 STC Heater Diesel Single Outlet 12V Kit is available on Amazon for $1,349.95.
Happybuy 3KW Diesel Air Heater 12V Diesel Parking Heater: Ideal for Van Living
The Happybuy 3KW (3412 BTU) Diesel Air Heater 12V Diesel Parking Heater one also works using gas, which has a pretty small and compact design compared to the previous two models. This means that like the Westobuy model, this one is suitable for smaller spaces. Its small and compact size does not affect its performance in any way, because it still produces a good amount of heat production output of around 3KW (3412 BTU).
It also comes with a control knob which is used in adjusting the user setting to suit your specific needs. There is also a stationed filter at the outlet where it releases heat to remove contaminants.
The device has an LCD control- display which serves as a good HMI (human-machine interface). Other pros include being able to preheat engine coolants, low emissions, diagnosis function, and optional remote control.
The installation is effortless as well since it comes with full accessories such as one oil pump, ten liters tank, one LCD switch, two silencers, one mainline beam, one exhaust pip, and one installation kit. It can be flexibly installed in your passenger room, under the container, or trunk.
It also blows out warm air independently without causing any wear and tear or carbon deposits on your engine. With this feature, it can prolong the engine life of the unit by 30 percent.
Compared to the units that I have mentioned above, the Happybuy 3KW (3412 BTU) Diesel Air Heater 12V Diesel Parking Heater weighs a bit more. However, it won’t impact the total weight of your van as the total weight is 16.94 pounds (7.68 kg).
Also, other people claim that they receive incomplete parts when they have ordered the unit. Also, the diesel pump doesn’t work well and the instruction manual is a bit confusing.
The Happybuy 3KW (3412 BTU) Diesel Air Heater 12V Diesel Parking Heater is available on Amazon for $142.99.
Cabin Heater AH-200: Great for Heating Small Spaces
Made by Aqua-Hot, this is one of the industry leaders in the RV heating industry. It has a max of 6000 BTUs per hour. It also has a fan output of 200 CFM, which means that this can heat up a small cabin efficiently. It comes with a mounting bracket that can be rotated up to 180 degrees, and the installation process is very easy.
You can also lock the rotation using a switch and can use the same switch to increase or decrease the heat levels. the Cabin Heater AH-200 is a water-based 12V DC heating system, which is a perfect choice for side-by-side UTVs or campervans.
Most customers swear by its ability to keep the campervan warm even when the temperature outside was below zero. The only downside is that it can be a bit noisy when the fan is at 100 percent.
The price for the Cabin Heater AH-200 is $237.47 with free returns and is available on Amazon.
Lasko MyHeat Personal Space Heater: A Personal Unit
The Lasko MyHeat Personal Heater is not designed specifically as a car heater, but rather, it is a personal space heater. It is a compact and portable heater, that comes in four different colors (black, purple, blue, and white), which is better for a single person. You just have to plug it into a power outlet and then switch it on using the provided switch.
The exterior does not get too hot, as it is cool-touch, meaning you can use this for longer hours without worries of you burning your fingers accidentally. It also comes with an overheat protection feature and needs only 200 watts of power. Aside from that, it is just 6.1 inches tall yet it can generate enough heat to keep you warm inside your vehicle.
It can warm up to about two feet away according to some users, but it is not suitable for heating up larger spaces.
You can get this on Amazon for only $19.95 with free returns on.
Honeywell HHF370B 360 Degree Surround Fan Forced Heater: Lightweight
The Honeywell HHF370B 360 Degree Surround Fan Forced Heater is a very compact and lightweight heater that is perfect also as a personal space heater. It comes with a 360-degree design which allows it to heat the room all around without much work to do.
It turns off automatically once it gets overheated, and the exterior is also cool-touch. You can touch it while working and it will not hurt you in any other way. It also has a tip-over protection feature, meaning if you accidentally tip it over, it will turn off automatically, which is a good safety feature to have in every campervan heater.
It also has an “auto-off” timer option, you can control the heat levels, and it also has a handle to carry around, making this a portable heater too. On the flip side, it might be a bit noisy when set on high heat.
This one is available for only $45.11 with free returns through Amazon.
Things You Should And Remember When You Consider Buying A 12V Van Heater
Before heading out to do your heater shopping, there are a couple of things that you should keep in mind. The following will talk about the different factors you should keep in mind when you are looking to buy a 12V van heater.
12V Heaters: It Will Not Do Much For You
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A lot of these 12V heaters are not very powerful, and it can be useless when you camp somewhere colder than the usual, for example in Alaska or the places near the Arctic Circle. This is because while there is a decent amount of heat produced if all the voltage is wasted thermally, they divide this power between the fan and the heating coils, as both require power to function.
Poor design can also be blamed for this, as it can eat a lot of power that should have been used in producing more heat. In short, you are just wasting power which can cost you more. If you really want to have a heater that can heat your RV real quick and efficient, 12V heaters are not the option.
Consider The Size Of Your Campervan
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You should calculate the total area of the space you intend on heating before buying a heater for your campervan. After computing and once you have the total volume, find a heater that can efficiently heat up the space. Do not use heaters that have low capabilities in heating larger areas since it is just practically wasting your money on fuel and energy.
This goes the same on the flip side. Do not use powerful heaters if you are just trying to heat up just a small space. It makes you uncomfortable due to the powerful heat it releases and it is also a waste of your money.
Consider The Sources For The Heater’s Fuel
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Search the Internet to find out where to find places that can service you with your fuel concerns. If you need to chop wood, do it in advance so that you will not find it hard to actually do it. Look for nearby gas stations within the area where you are camping so that it will not take you long just to buy a refill of diesel for your heater in the middle of the night. Most places have the infrastructure for your fuel supplies but still do your research.
Consider The Amount You Have To Spend On Fuel
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Make sure that you will choose a heater that will not cost you a lot in terms of the fuel. Remember that you also have to buy fuel for your vehicle, among other things and if you choose to use a heater that consumes a lot of fuel, it might be an unwise choice for you.
If you are going to call your campervan your home, you will need more fuel obviously. Factor the fuel costs in deciding which heater to buy because it can potentially hurt you in the long run if you choose unwisely.
Consider The Installation Costs For Your Heater
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Installation costs are also important, especially if you are installing a heater that has complicated makeup, or has a lot of parts to attach to your vehicle. If you are a newbie in doing all of this, it is the best choice to ask someone to install it for you since it reduces the chances of you getting hurt.
All heaters require installation of some sort, from wood-burning stoves that require minimal installation, down to a full gas multi-cylinder system powered by LPG. Be wise enough to ask someone for help since it can be tiring for you, and they know what they are doing.
Think About The Maintenance Costs As Well
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Having a heater that is well-maintained will keep you and the other people inside your campervan safe. It will also provide you with the much-needed heat by running at its optimum condition. Some heaters require more regular maintenance than others. Regardless, you still have to maintain these in order to function normally and last for longer.
Research on maintenance costs too as it will also take a chunk on your budget, especially if you plan on living in your campervan on a more permanent basis.
Conclusion
Campervan heaters are very important for campers since this will make your stay in your vehicles much more comfortable, especially in the winter months, or if you go to places with frigid temperatures. One thing you need to remember is that 12 volts will not take you to church so use these as back-ups and not your main sources. If you are also looking for the best water heater, here is an article that I have written for you.
