My take on adding heat inside the RSI cap with Hcalory

[svc707]

Made a pass through just need a couple more things to finish sealing it from rain and snow

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[A 2]

Made a pass through just need a couple more things to finish sealing it from rain and snow

Nice work.

 

[nanook12]

What is the potential for carbon monoxide with those Chinese heaters?

 

[Thunderspud]

What is the potential for carbon monoxide with those Chinese heaters?

Essentially none unless you choose to vent the exhaust inside your space. They work by forcing air over a heated radiator. The combustion chamber is completely separate.

 

[rharr]

DId you cut a hole in tempered glass or remove that glass panel for something else?

 

[svc707]

DId you cut a hole in tempered glass or remove that glass panel for something else?

just slide it open or closed and my pass through is designed to sandwich the glass between with a rubber seal against the actual glass .

once I get all the kinks out and test it I might order thicker abs plastic or aluminum and fine tune it.

 

[nanook12]

Essentially none unless you choose to vent the exhaust inside your space. They work by forcing air over a heated radiator. The combustion chamber is completely separate.

so if the combustion chamber develops a crack or leak, you’re going to be gassed to death in your sleep? We use this type of heater (larger size), in Alaska. These heaters all develop combustion leaks over time. If you are using this type of heater while sleeping, and it starts leaking carbon monoxide into the fresh air hose…you won’t wake up. Much safer to use a small generator outside and an electric heater inside.

 

[capncking]

a residential gas furnace can develop cracks in the heat exchanger as well! Just add a carbon monoxide detector inside your topper if you are worried about that.

 

[Jaxmax]

Nice job Steve, at first glance I thought "WTF STEVE! " but it is great idea! It is the very best use of the RSI slider window I have seen. put it in when ya need it and leave it home when ya don't. Only thing I could suggest is putting a downward facing ninety degree elbow leaned towards rear at about 45 degrees less chance or wind noise and rain if you drive around with it it at times, and a CO2 alarm of course.....Jack

 

[svc707]

Test run preheating without anything but whatever inside it. Added nutserts and knob screws for easier install. Used a partial weather seal I had. But I’ll run it for an hour and see where it sits temp wise.

another thing to think about is. The rsi cap has a vent which since there’s not actual flap or door. If there’s too much pressure inside it’ll just vent out the top. If it’s too hot I can regulate by opening window(s) for a cross draft. And this Hcalory unit it Bluetooth so I can turn it down while inside

 

[svc707]

Roughly 40 minutes went by. You can feel the cap on the outside is warming up already. So with air flowing circulating if you will. Just by touch the opposite side of the vent is warmer when touching the steel cap. And yup we’ve got a 10 degree change already. Figure once all the interior warms up and the cap itself warms up, I don’t have any insulation stuck to cap, it’ll be nice and toasty. Oh and yes I already use an electric blanket inside too. I’m thinking I’ll get one of those tubes to seal of the two windows from cap to inside gladiator too so I can reach in there or run extension cords from the Jackery.

 

[kb5zcr]

Lot of folks are using these Chinese heaters and they seem to be safe. I would use a carbon monoxide detector just to be safe, but this is a good idea.
Project Farm has a good video on them.

 

[svc707]

Camped out in the snow , zero carbon monoxide readings. At first start up though it was reading 10 points. But definitely could smell it was still heating up. But enough about, enjoy the outdoors!

 

[svc707]

couldnt upload here so posted on YT to link and share

Heater temps and carbon readings, outside was 17 degrees

 

[Mules]

Nice setup! These diesel heaters are great for cold camping. I installed mine inside and routed the exhaust through the 120v accessory hole at the back of the bed. It's next to the tailgate, so it is easy to fill with diesel. Since it has a remote control, I turn the heat up or down while in bed.

Just remember to have a CO monitor if you install it inside.

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