HEAT!!! HEAT!!! I need HEAT!!!

[MBurke]

As I have stated before, I do Hotshot trucking with my 3500 quadcab. With winter approaching, I have a problem. HEAT!!! I am freezing to death while parked in a truckstop for 6-8 hours sleep. Many Cummins mechanics have told me that excessive idleing is very bad, and I know there have been many posts about this, so without rehashing that issue... .

I need to come up with some idea for heat with the engine off. I have been looking into a Buddy personal heater that runs on propane (catalyst type). That is supposed to be safe in vans and campers. (Not so sure about this one for many obvious reasons)... What I would really like to do is run a 12 volt 250 watt heater like they sell at truck stops off of a marine battery that I can charge when I am home. (My trips are rarely more than 1 to 2 nights. ) Not looking for a lot of heat, just something to take the chill off.

 

[pcorssmit]

Espar makes diesel powered heaters that heat the engine's coolant. Then you can use the truck's stock heater to keep warm. Pretty pricey, though.



Pete

 

[illflem]

Any type of electric heater will run a battery down very fast. You might be better off with a low wattage 110 volt heater and one of those small generators that you can pick up with one hand. Insulating the cab will also go a long way and make for a quieter ride.

 

[JohnE]

ESPAR and Webasto make forced air heaters for sleepers. I'm not sure if your quad has room for one of them, but it is worth a look?



I think Bill may have the better idea. A small Honda powered generator is very quiet and should be enough to warm the cab with an electric heater. If you stop for an extended time away from an electric source the engine block heater needs a friend, too.



-John

 

[fest3er]

Get yourself a 4" thick piece of furniture foam for a mattress. Then get a down comforter (such as used on a waterbed, about 5' wide and 80" long).



I did this in my old F150. With the comforter bunched up over me, I was sweating at -17F.

Of course, scraping the ice off the inside of the windows was a bit of a bother, but at least I was warm!



You could probably get away with leaving the windows open so the moisture can escape. Of course, you will also want to bring lots of water to drink. You might also want to put something over the foam to keep it from absorbing moisture; it loses its cushioning once it gets wet and starts freezing.



Fest3er

 

[Steve Campbell]

About 16 tyears ago, I bought a "mattress heater" (Looked kind of like an electric blanket) for all of the drivers for Christmas. (I was actually trying to get them to Idle the truck less in the winter. ) Yes it is a draw on the batteries. I carried an extension cord and usually could find a place to plug the engine heater in while using the cigarette lighter powered mattress heater (kept the engine warn for restarts with semi-drained batteries. ) I really did not increase my battery problems significantly. The Espar (or some variation thereof) is probably best for general cab heat. PS high idler, exhaust brake or the "new" TSB on ecm high idle may help. Good luck

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Espar air heater

Go to the earthroamer site. he gives a good description of them. I call Espar of Michigan and they quoted about a $1000 for one of the smaller ones. Comes with thermostat.

 

[Komik]

Known to work

I'd find myself a girlfriend if the wife won't go along... .

 

[Patriot Diesel]

A really good "mummy" style sleeping bag will keep you warm in even sub zero temps. I believe you can get a really good one for under $200

 

[moparguy]

I read a post on one of the Big Truck sites last year about using a 110v inverter in conjunction with two deep cycle batteries to power an electric blanket. The driver said he was trying to reduce his fuel cost and of course stay warm.



You've got to do a bit of math to size everything, and install some type switch so the primary battries aren't drained by the blanket. It'd be a bad deal to wake up in really cold weather with drained battries.



Good luck.

 

[MBurke]

Fast engine idle

OK... . I took back the propane heater, and have been thinking about the 12v electric heater with a marine battery. Still not sure how well this would work. I would only need it to run 12-16 hours total per run. about 1-2 runs per week.

I am starting to think maybe I should just fast idle the truck and run it at night. Any suggestions on a fast idle kit other than a broomstick???

 

[Steve Campbell]

Practical Solutions has a good one. I saw another thread where someone took a part off of a carbureator and adapted it to their TPS to increase the idle speed. Good Luck!!!

 

[Forrest Nearing]

sounds like you could just rig up a choke cable and set your own fast idle from the cab...



Forrest