Home made diy heating will it work

So I've had and idea for heating in my camper as all heating has been removed from my bus, but need advice on weather it's stupid or not. I've drawn a crude drawing of the plan.

1 very well insulated 2.5l water tank with 200 watt element

2 thermostatic controller setting the temp of water to 70 then off till 50 then back on again

3 water goes to an after maker heating matrix .

 

200W isn't much power (but will be a huge draw on your battery), and 2.5litres of water doesn't sound like much. I'd doubt it would heat anything - it's the power of a few lightbulbs. The stock heating from the exhaust, or a Propex or Eberspacher puts out heat in the order of kilowatts.

What's missing from the original heating?

 

Thats a good point, as it's not going through the engine and I have complete control of the temperature I didn't think I'd need one but I guess it best to be on the safe side

 

I have no idea but insulate as much as possible using the correct insulation

 

There is zero left of the OG heating controls exchange piping all gone.

Also 200watt element wouldnt be the sauce of the heat it would be the matrix, like in my head the the element is acting like the engine. But i know well little.

I have propex but don't wanna use it driving

 

just run too pipes off your heat exchangers into the cab screwfix have some nice ducting
job done
thank me later

 

simple flap to divert heat into cab or onto road

 

The best one i've seen is on youtube it involves a wood burning stove. If i was converting the right van it would definitely have one with a back boiler in it.

 

What would be the source of the heat?

 

put a candle in if it get cold sit round it ,if get to cold light it simples

 

The element according to his picture!

 

I think I'll build it give it a go give me something to do. Just ordering the parts

 

Sorry the element will heating the water. But the matrix will be blowing the hot air in

 

So the element is the source of heat? 200W is nothing, really.

 

From my understanding the size of the element will only determine how long it takes for the water to heat up not the heat off of it

 

Maybe I misunderstand. To heat the van, you'll need a continual source of heat. Air blowing over the matrix will subtract heat from the system, which will need topping up, rather like your boiler at home. As above, a 200W source is nothing for a heater. You'd need ten times that for proper heating.

 

And the recovery time, once the matrix has pulled the accumulated heat from the water you are blowing cold air while 200 watts heats 2.5 ltrs of water. how long does a 3kw kettle take to warm 1 liter of water. Your water is going to be cold for a long time.

 

What if I coil the hose around the exhaust pipe as well that might solve things?

 

Your issue is heating as you drive?

But you have propex.

What good reason prevents you using it on the move?


I observe your current thinking is theoretically sound, in practice it would take so long to heat the van that any trips of less than 1/2 hour would be made in a cold van.