Caliheat

Soton Campers · Apr 11, 2019

Just wondering if people have seen Caliheat and what you think of it? https://www.caliheat.de/ I tried to make my own version and had mixed results. What do others do about keeping upstairs warm? I know hot air rises but I've still found it chilly upstairs. Obviously the bellows is not thermally efficient but just keen to hear what others do.....other than sleep downstairs

Hotel California · Apr 11, 2019

Heating the top tent

Couldnt find the topic. Forum not very esy to navigate. But some people asked about photos for our tent heating.

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Velma's Dad · Apr 12, 2019

Darryl said:
Obviously the bellows is not thermally efficient but just keen to hear what others do.....other than sleep downstairs

A good down-filled duvet, plus a spaniel for really cold nights.

That's good enough for us but you could consider the following options, sorry if stating the obvious:
1. A ducted hot air system (as above or DIY).
2. 'Topper' type cover, and/or internal Isotop system for the bellows.
3. If on electric hook-up, rig up one of the very small fan heaters to direct warm air upwards into the 'tent'.

Sp0_0k · Apr 13, 2019

Insanely happy using this DIY for 2 years https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/heating-the-top-tent.21678/
I don't like 2 things about caliheat design.
1) Getting just a portion of flow vent. Even with my tube covering whole vent, there is enough leaking to warm up downstairs.
2) Top of the tube is connected above the bed.
After some experiments, I find that mounting a top of the tube slightly lower under the bed lets part of the airflow to warm the bed from underneath. And half of it goes upstairs.
Running even on 2-3 level heater at -10 outside, you might get too warm upstairs due to a tent is a small airpocket.
So we open the windows's zips in order to have warm but fresh air.