Heating and Powering the Van

[BproofOG]

After looking at many options for heating the van I think I have settled on an external gas generator.

Here is the rough plan:
1. Purchase a 1000 or 2000 W inverter generator (most likely a Honda or a Yamaha).
2. Purchase and install a 5-7 gallon auxiliary fuel tank and external fill-up housing. The tank will go where the spare tire once was (I am looking at mounting my spare on a roof rack).
3. Modify the generator fuel cap as shown here (http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels ... 0tank.html) to extend the fuel capacity of the generator.
4. Wire my external outlet that currently powers my coolant heater pump and block heater to a 6 switch panel (I still need to buy) to allow me to turn off items not in use such as the block heater, or coolant pump.
5. Install an oil pan heater, battery blanket and a power bar and wire them to the 6 switch panel.
6. Install a 3-500W electric heater/fan combo to provide quiet and safe heat over night.
The heater will be wired directly into the 6 switch panel as well.

This should allow me some flexibility when travelling we do not plan on doing a lot of winter camping but we do spring and fall which can be -10 C overnight.

any thoughts or comments?
I’ll post photos as I start this mod, but for now I am still planning and looking for any input.

Thanks
Dave

[madmazda]

Damn I had roughly the same idea.... lol I was going to purchase a trailer hitch rack from princess auto and build a box around the generator and fuel to keep the weather out... and connect the block heater to the generator and an inside fan / heater if possible....and among this was going to build a water heating unit as well that will fit into the space all connected to a shower that can be used out back..... still brain storming ideas but will be great when done.....