Propane "wood stove" or fireplace

[Sasquatters]

There's a lot to consider when debating heat source and fuel type. We live in MA and have both a Jotul Wood stove and a Dickinson Marine Propane Heater. Our bus is moderately well insulated but with original bus windows. The Dickinson heater would NEVER ever be able to keep our bus comfortable by itself once the outside temp drops below say 40F. Once is gets freezing or below I dont think anything other than a good hot wood stove would keep us warm. We do use the Dickinson to keep the bus above freezing when we are away for more than several hours at a time, and we sometimes even use it in conjunction with the wood stove on very cold nights. The Dickinson stove is nice, but realistically does not put out that much heat. I think you would need a very very very well insulated bus to rely on it alone.



my 3 cents

If you're referencing my post/stove, it's the Dickinson wood stove. Not propane. They are good for 200sq ft and our bus is 168sq ft. Original windows but I'd like to replace them eventually. Maybe? I like the bus because it looks like a bus. If you start taking out windows, putting in rv windows, etc., you lose some appeal. Right? I don't know. Maybe not.


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[lucasd-SKO]

If you're referencing my post/stove, it's the Dickinson wood stove. Not propane.

I think that might have been in reply to me talking about the Dickinson propane units. They are small and rated at 5,000 btu, but apparently not everyone feels they're up to the job of heating a whole bus. I'm a little surprised by that. I used a 5,000 btu rated kerosene heater to keep a 34ft motorhome toasty in the single digits. It makes me wonder if the 5k rating on the Dickinson unit is a bit optimistic. Either that or the RV I used the kerosene heater in was better insulated than I thought.

Original windows but I'd like to replace them eventually. Maybe? I like the bus because it looks like a bus. If you start taking out windows, putting in rv windows, etc., you lose some appeal. Right? I don't know. Maybe not.

That's all up to you as far as appeal goes. Some people really try to preserve the original lines of a bus as much as possible.

My plans involve stripping away most anything that makes the bus look like a school bus. The bus windows will go because of heat loss issues, but I'd want to ditch them anyway for aesthetic reasons. Round lights near the roof, accordion doors, rub rails - all are on my list to chop and/or replace. I am going the skoolie route because I like the mechanical platform and safety advantages, but I plan to make it almost unrecognizable by the time I'm done.

It's not as if I'm planning to lie and claim it's a Prevost or anything... but on the other hand, if I make a custom manufacturer's logo for it like, oh, say:

And people just happen to read it wrong... How is that my fault?

 

[Carytowncat]

Hi,

So i am full time living for 9 months now. Been in the bus in 100 degree July and 6 degree January. I think more than the home made wood stove, propane direct vent fireplace, and a radiant propane garage heater, is how i dress for the cold.

I also used plastic to seal off a 8ft bedroom area where the propane fireplace is. That stays as cozy as i set the thermostat, but gets a little stuffy it is so well sealed and insulated.

So i wear lots of layers and have made my bed so cozy that i can sleep well with NO heat source in 40 degree weather. Unless i have the wood stove fired up, i almost always have on a coat and fuzzy winter hat.

Always options.

Good luck!

 

[Dapplecreek]

...

It's not as if I'm planning to lie and claim it's a Prevost or anything... but on the other hand, if I make a custom manufacturer's logo for it like, oh, say:

And people just happen to read it wrong... How is that my fault?

Or you could just print up and mount one of these:

 

[DoubleO7]

A cheap box fan or any stand alone fan will help push the warm or cool air around your bus. Otherwise the heated air or cool air only spreads out so far.
Especially helpful if you were to have the source of heat or cooling at one end or the other.

 

[Carytowncat]

A cheap box fan or any stand alone fan will help push the warm or cool air around your bus. Otherwise the heated air or cool air only spreads out so far.
Especially helpful if you were to have the source of heat or cooling at one end or the other.

Great point here, when the wood stove is fired up i often sit with a piece of poster board and fan the heat into the bus. The difference is big.

I can use a fan but then i am listening to a fan instead of my crackling fire

 

[lucasd-SKO]

Or you could just print up and mount one of these:

Ha ha! I like that. It looks like a good one to stick on near the manufacturer's information tag.

I still like "Provost" for a hood emblem, though. It's actually kind of a pun. See, a Provost is typically an administrator at a school or university, and this is a school bus, so... Ok, maybe it's less funny when I explain it, but I like it. lol

 

[Dapplecreek]

Ha ha! I like that. It looks like a good one to stick on near the manufacturer's information tag.

I still like "Provost" for a hood emblem, though. It's actually kind of a pun. See, a Provost is typically an administrator at a school or university, and this is a school bus, so... Ok, maybe it's less funny when I explain it, but I like it. lol

I got the Provost gag - and appreciated it! With the 3D printing capabilities, I would think you could easily make a very professional looking emblem. Go for it!

 

[WhiteWhale]

Hi,

So i am full time living for 9 months now. Been in the bus in 100 degree July and 6 degree January. I think more than the home made wood stove, propane direct vent fireplace, and a radiant propane garage heater, is how i dress for the cold.

I also used plastic to seal off a 8ft bedroom area where the propane fireplace is. That stays as cozy as i set the thermostat, but gets a little stuffy it is so well sealed and insulated.

So i wear lots of layers and have made my bed so cozy that i can sleep well with NO heat source in 40 degree weather. Unless i have the wood stove fired up, i almost always have on a coat and fuzzy winter hat.

Always options.

Good luck!

Well Said! I would also add that one of the most economical upgrades to our level of comfort in the bus was a high quality goose down comforter! We haven't been cold in bed since!