Heating the bus for living

84dime · December 08, 2009, 08:41:26 PM

So this old 1959 GMC 4104 is just like sleeping outside. It is freezing and insulated like crap. I have been living in it for 3 days now and i have been freezing. I have 2 electric heaters and i keep blowing the breakers. I have to turn off the heaters to run the microwave or electric griddle.

so enough complaining look at my new toy

Its a quadraflame pellet stove that is only installed temporary for the winter until i install it permanently in the bus. OH MAN DOES IT HEAT.

ruthi · December 08, 2009, 08:52:21 PM

Nice, that has got to keep ya warm. We have a pellet stove we got a couple of yrs ago, and it is still in the shed. Dont think we will be using it tho. Stay warm.

Dreamscape · December 08, 2009, 09:04:55 PM

Nice idea, but can I make a humble suggestion, put it on a fireproof surface. We want to keep hearing from you.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, I can appreciate how you must feel when you live in a freezer. Just be careful.

Paul

ruthi · December 08, 2009, 09:08:40 PM

There comes that dark cloud.....

No, really, good suggestion, dont want to hear no horror tales, be safe.

Van · December 08, 2009, 09:27:07 PM

Least we forget to let in some fresh air. I feel warm looking at it,we'll be using a 4 burner stove in Quartzsite if we need the warmth

Nick Badame Refrig/ACC · December 09, 2009, 03:31:01 AM

Hi 84Dime,

How are you venting the pellet stove?

Does it have combustion air from the outside?

If not, you maybe in big danger... causing negative pressure and burning too hot! Or eating up all your oxygen to breath...

Be Safe!
Nick-

WEC4104 · December 09, 2009, 05:01:38 AM

Joshua:

Glad to hear warmth has returned to your 4104. At the risk of sounding preachy, I'll just reiterate the comments that we want you to stay safe. If you haven't already, make sure you have the full compliment of air quality monitors (smoke, carbon monoxide, low Oxygen). Have multiple fire extinguishers readily available. Keep combustibles away. etc etc. We want to make sure we don't lose any busnuts.

On a different note, two years ago I installed a wood burning fireplace insert in our home. We absolutely love it. It burns conventional firewood, not pellets. It transformed a drafty fireplace that was rarely used, into something we enjoy regularly.

I found an interesting website with a handy spreadsheet that enables you to quickly compare heating costs for various alternative fuels. I am sure it makes some assumptions, but I found it interesting:

http://www.travisproducts.com/CostOfHeating_WkSht.asp

PCC · December 09, 2009, 10:40:47 AM

Mr. Nick is absolutely correct. Have you run a 'b-vent' (I think they are called) out the roof to also bring in fresh 'combustion' air for the fire.

There are possible enough air leaks in the 4104 to being in fresh air, but please do not count on that to eliminate the possibility of a problem.

Make sure the unit is on a non-combustable surface, so nothing can ignite there, and also make sure there is good outside air for the flames.

Then you can safely enjoy heat - heat is good when it is cold outside.

Be safe.

BG6 · December 09, 2009, 05:50:12 PM

Quote from: ruthi on December 08, 2009, 09:08:40 PM
There comes that dark cloud..... No, really, good suggestion, dont want to hear no horror tales, be safe.

You don't want to BE no horror tales!!!

84dime · December 09, 2009, 07:21:22 PM

sorry for not replying sooner. Yes i have ran the fresh air tube next to the exhaust. it is only positioned in the bus temporarily so it will get fire proof something in the final install. It is ran out of the drivers window for now but will be ran out the top. I do have detectors and 3 fire extinguishers.

Dreamscape · December 09, 2009, 08:15:09 PM

That's good Joshua, I just wanted to make I get to see you Saturday in person.

Bundle up, it's cold out there!

Paul