Propex Propane Tent Heater in a Box
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ก.พ. 2024
- Advantages of the Propex propane heater and how I build it into a portable unit.
Revere Overland video on Propex • PROPEX HS2211 - How to...
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Van Cafe vancafe.com/propex-heaters/he...
Valiant Expedition Trailers Propex tent heater valiantexp.com/tent-heaters
Items used:
Renogy Power Bank a.co/d/hc3qwvh
Hose or Duct a.co/d/g9OKrxC
Thumb screw hose clamps a.co/d/iltOmrQ
Propane quick connect hose a.co/d/ek90awT
Hole Saw a.co/d/8Fz5Q5x
Duct connector a.co/d/9ozmTg0
Thru-hull fitting a.co/d/itOqYby - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Looks way more convenient than a diesel heater. More research needed!
Great set up! I've owned a propex for almost a year trying to figure out how to turn it into something useful, I think this is the route. Adventure Wagon has these "Aux box" boxes that I think would work prefect for this.
Thanks! Big fan of your channel. I have been happy with it so far. After watching your video on different size propane tanks I bought a 5 lb and 10 lb so I don’t have to lug the 20 lb tank. Trying to keep it simple and reduce weight.
@@carloszeigler thanks! Yeah I’ve recommended diesel heaters in the past but the leaking thing always has me worried it’s going to break open and spill everywhere while offroading. Got the propex December 2022 and haven’t been able to build anything. Might build this. Did the measurements on the ai box and it won’t fit so I’ll likely go this route.
Great setup and video! I have a diesel heater that I haven't set up yet, but I like this much better as a heater option.
Thanks! LMK if you have any specific questions.
I went with a similar idea. Main difference is my box is only a carrying case, not built as a complete unit, as I need the heater to be able to fit in both my pickup or use inside my Shiftpod tent. Also I went with the Propex HS2800 for more heating inside the tent. Headed out to try everything out on April 15. Testing out in the house, this heater performed flawlessly.
I have missed the prime weather for seeing how it would perform in truly frigid conditions inside the Shiftpod, but maybe next winter. I plan on putting the entire unit inside my Shiftpod 3. I would like to have seen some performance data on how it worked with your Shiftpod in cold weather. Things like outside temps and conditions and how fast it warmed your Shiftpod, and to what temperature you heated it too.
Still, I appreciate the info, especially since we have similar setups. I plan on making a video reviewing both the Propex heater and the Shiftpod as the main part of one of my camping kits. This setup, imo, is only good for when camping in the same place for several days at a time, the Shiftpod, the medium one, is just too heavy and bulky for overnight trips, where you are moving every day. For that, I needed a heater that I could put in my cramped 6.5 foot pickup bed and stay warm. Thanks for your video. Yours is the first I have seen using a Propex heater to heat a Shiftpod.
You are welcome! Thankfully the ShiftPod mini is easier and less bulky. I bought two Bluetooth connected temperature sensors by Govee, so I can log environmental data on my next trip. Their app plots temperature, humidity and so on vs time.
Great video!! Good info and great job on the build!! Will be looking forward to more as to long term in the cold as you know we now live in very cold.
Thank you!
Here is a video of it used in negative temps. th-cam.com/video/ntzt1O60xl8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=MxpCFumR5G5zzM5Y
Carlos: Thanks for this video. I was thinking of a smaller box but perhaps not now after seeing this. I decommissioned the same unit from a Tacoma install and now using a minivan am thinking of a box install. I’m wondering if you notice any excess heat inside the box when running it and do you close it completely when you do? I’m in the thinking stage and have a couple ideas for interior/exterior mount and use.
Happy Trails.
Rod
I had no issues with heat. The metal enclosure which makes up the Propex heater did not even get hot to the touch. The exhaust is the only hot area. Hope this helps.
For the wiring to the cigarette lighter plug, did you connect the negative dc of the plug to the neutral dc (white wire) of the propex? I’m not familiar with what is needed here. Never seen only a red positive and a white neutral. Any advice you could share on this would be great. I’m obviously not an electrician. 😂
Yes that is correct! Red is positive and white is ground or neutral.
Thank you my friend!
Nicely done 👌
Any issues with the shortening of the combustion intake/exhaust piping? The Propex documentation says not to modify the lengths of these or there could be operational issues due to differences in voltage calculations performed by the electronics.
Good question! I had the same concerns and asked around. I was told the exhaust duct length was not as critical as the intake. In my build I kept the intake duct longer which makes sure the flow is correct for combustion. So far it seems to work great.
@@carloszeigler thanks - appreciate the quick response! 👊
Do those air hoses give off any plastic smell when operating?
I have not detected any smell, and was looking for it since I know it can be an issue. They are intended for car heater ducting and seem to be better quality.
Karl, Like the video, I followed the link from my Expedition Portal post. How long does the portable power pack last, and any idea of how much propane you are using? Thanks Jeff Keep up the great work
Great question! I can go over the factory specs and then talk about the results of my limited field testing. For the power use, it uses 1.7 A (20 W at 12 V). So for my Renogy power pack, which is 72 Ah, it will last 42 hours of continuous running (more on that later). For the propane, the factory spec on consumption is 150 g/hour, which works out to 0.33 pounds per hour. If you had a 10 pound propane tank, it would last 30 hours of continuous use. Thing is, real world it will last longer because the unit has a thermostat and only comes on as needed to maintain the temperature of your space, and your propane and power consumption will be less or more depending on the set point of the thermostat. In my field testing, I set the temp for 65 degrees for a little over 12 hours using a 1000 Wh Jackery power pack and a 20 lb propane tank. When I was done I had used 23% of the battery or 230 W, and propane use seemed negligible for such a large tank. Hope that helps. I can do updates as I do more field testing.
Thanks for doing this great video. Are you adapting this for a truck camper?
You’re welcome! I use it for my ground tent but it will also work for a RTT. For a camper I would recommend a more permanent install.
What mount do you use to attach the thermostat to? My heater just arrived and I’m not sure what backplate to get to protect the circuitry on the back of the thermostat?
I agree the back needs protection. I mounted the thermostat to plywood. I finished the plywood with spray can bedliner. Let me know if this answers your question.
@@carloszeiglerThat does! Thanks for sharing. I’ll do the same!
Which regulator did you use to connect to the propane tank? And is there something between the hose you listed and the regulator or is the hose a direct connect to that regulator?
I purchased the regulator from VanCafe along with the Propex heater. You can choose it as an option. I believe it is made by Flame King and can be purchased from them as well. The hose fits and connects directly to the regulator without any adapters using Teflon thread tape.
Are you selling these? It looks like that other company may have went out of business.
Sorry, I am not a vendor, but just a DIY guy. Best of luck.