Van Conversion Week #3

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This post wraps up a short week as I head off to Detroit to watch my beloved Ohio Bobcats play in the MAC Championship game on Friday (college football).

The highlights from the week are linked below:

The big improvements are the wall between the cab and living space, a mounted TV, and a mostly installed propane furnace.

The TV is more or less an intuitive device. But some might be wondering about the furnace. I did.

Dickinson Marine P-12000

Growing up in a coldweather climate, I had no delusions of this van staying warm by itself. Some online recommend winter sleeping bags, or even plug in or gas space heaters. But I wanted something more legitimate (for lack of a better word).

I turned to boat furnaces.

Keeping a boat warm on the ocean (which doesn’t freeze) is one thing. Keeping a van warm below freezing temps is another. Relying mostly on the potentially untrustworthy word of mouth of internet posts, I’ve taken the chance that specific device will keep this van above 60 F on even the coldest days.

Youtubers and even tiny home dwellers have referenced the Dickinson Marine model as a practical solution for heating below 100 square foot units to standard room temperatures in freezing conditions.  And if you’re wondering about natural gas in this type of enclosed space, it’s common practice in this industry and has a proven track record of safe operation.

There’s no turning back now.

One of these days we will get the finished walls and ceiling up. Check back next Saturday for the update.