DIY Beeswax Candle Heater for my Teardrop Camper - Winter Camping

[@eclectic.elements11]

I just saw the same video you were inspired by and came here for inspiration on how to do on a smaller scale. This was very helpful, thank you!

[@johngoodin3445]

One thing you might want to consider. Use the ammo box and make a Giant Crisco candle out of it. You fill the ammo box 2/3 with vegetable shortening. Shove six to eight wicks down thru the shortening. Rather than using a heat sink use a Sterling heat engine. the Sterling heat engine looks like a small desk fan. it gets its power from the heat itself and helps to recirculate the heat without any electricity.

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Great suggestions!

[@tangobravo8889]

Great video, i used to do a fair amount of winter camping in the Rockies (cold). I used a quality 4 season tent and used the small candle lanterns for heat, it was amazing how comfortable they could keep the tent at night. That was a long time ago and it is crazy because I have been thinking about ways to heat my teardrop and watching your video turned the lightbulb back on😂 The usb fan is also a great idea👍

[@CallSignGino]

I have a Propex heater in mine. Works great.

[@Mity_Moose]

Dude! I have to comment here my concern about asphyxiation. I would definitely redesign that into enclosed box and have a vent tube off the top going through the roof or the wall and a vent tube out the bottom coming up tho the floor. That way there is no concern about the candles, noxious fumes in such a small space. Great idea, but please be careful.

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

That is why I went with beeswax candles. They actually purify the air. Four candles consume about the same amount of oxygen as a human, so I’m not worried about asphyxiation. I also have a carbon monoxide detector in the camper. I appreciate the concern! Thanks for the comment and for watching! Peace.

[@juhojohansson1716]

I would agree. If you are not venting outside, there is little point in adding additional stuff around the candles. The heat they generate is not going to disappear magically. Heat exhanger is usefull if venting outside. And a vented "fireplace" can be really good. For one there are no combustion fumes. And then, many don't know but combustion often generates moisture, because most fuels contain hydrogen. Burning hydrogen makes water. Personally I am looking for these videos for some ideas to crafting a candle fireplace of sort, and my goal is primarily to keep moisture in check, so unvented are not really what I am looking for anyway... But I am literally amazed at the number of projects that are essentially rubbish. I mean, you can slap a flowerpot on top of a candle, and it will get warm... But it does nothing to increase the amount of heat output.

[@SacredHeart0520]

You burn candles without sealing them in a box . Why can’t you do it this way

[@mariateresabissinger3035]

I created a tent heater out of ball jars and aluminum disposable baking pans. It sits outside the tent and the carbon monoxide sits outside the tent, too. The battery operated fan sits on top of the aluminum enclosure that gets heated by the candles and blows that heated air from on top of the candle enclosure into a tent opening through an aluminum tube at the bottom of the tent.

[@teripittman]

And for those folks concerned about ventilation, we put a cast iron lid from a cookstove on the burner in our Airstream. Cracked a window by the bed and slept fine.

[@pramodkumarmamidireddy5410]

Hi - really intrigued by this. Was wondering if you tested it out in the field, in say snowy conditions. How dod it work out?

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Yes I did, it maintained around 58 degrees Fahrenheit on a 25 degree night. That was with my dog, which is another heat source. That’s pretty good I think!

[@bigtom4709]

How ‘bout an Uco Candlier with a Stove fan on top?

[@teripittman]

Waypoint Survival has a heatingstove that uses sterno. Looks like there are commercial versions. Also Slim Potatohead used an ammo box to make a pellet stove forhis A-Liner. Just some other ideas. I like the candles!

[@stevepoole1953]

Pretty cool idea!

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Thanks Steve!

[@sameaston1301]

Really interested in seeing how that works in sub-freezing temps. I'm sure you are too! Very "cool" 😁👍

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Thanks Sam! 😎

[@teknoinformatika3885]

someone already did it two years ago in freezing conditions on a small camper, and he says it works. this video was certainly inspired by that video because the stove, fans and everything else are copied, except the heatsink. so nothing new. But saying it's patent pending is a long way off. Nice video anyway. The outsider è lo youtuber.

[@BackcountryNomad]

What a dynamite idea I have seen other people do candle heaters with terracotta pots I just subscribed looking forward to seeing more

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Thank you!!

[@edzehnpfund7458]

Your heat will diminish as the candles burn down.so in about 2 hours of burn time you heat will fall off. How are you going to compensate for this. I built one and am trying to figure out away to fix this. I thought of a movable platform, but not sure. Any ideas on this??

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Interesting. When I use them I tend to let the heat build up in the camper and it just maintains. The key is to leave the doors shut as long as possible. I will open it once or twice during the night for a few seconds just to let some fresh air in. A platform could be a good solution.

[@scottbradford192]

cute project. why not use a buddy heater or a mini butane heater?

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Thanks! Buddy heater is too hot for such a small space. Can’t really let it run all night. I haven’t tried mini-butane, I might look into it!

[@DustinHawks_Gradient]

Another great video! thanks for sharing.

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Thanks Dustin!

[@johngoodin3445]

One safety recommendation I would make would be to tape it down with some kind of miracle tape. The same kind as shown on TV that advertises to hold up to 40 pounds.

[@jessys9868]

Interesting concept, not sure if it would be warm enough for me but pretty cool!

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Thanks!

[@mikem2055]

I know its four months since you posted this video but hopefully youll see this. May I add a suggestion, install a flat head screw to screw in the candles so that the box will be stabilized. Great video and I will try this out since I dont have to use fuel and buy lots of candles for cheap!

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

That's a great suggestion! The box is actually recessed on the bottom center so the self-tappers had plenty of clearance to keep the bottom flat. Thanks for watching!

[@Louise-m1s]

Oh i need one!

[@larchlarch9851]

Great idea

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Thanks!

[@Nomadiccamping]

Have you tried the buddy heater on pilot only

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Yes I have!

[@dannybaumback3923]

Hi, Great idea, can you tell me where you purchased your heat sink please? Thanks Danny

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Thanks! I bought it on amazon, just searched for “heat sink”.

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Wingostore Heat Sink Cooling... www.amazon.com/dp/B07L76F6SR?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@dannybaumback3923]

Great thank you mate much appreciated

[@elelegidosf9707]

There is no point in adding the aluminum heat sink. The final objective is to heat the air in the camper, and all the heat sink does is add an extra, unnecessary step - the heat from the candles heats the heat sink, which in turn heats the air. Without the heat sink, the heat from the candles would simply heat the air.

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

I respectfully disagree. While the heat from the candles does radiate, the heat sink transfers the heat to the air molecules more efficiently by providing more surface area for the air to contact. That’s the theory anyway (I haven’t tested it). Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!

[@elelegidosf9707]

The heat sink does indeed convect heat out into the air around it. But where did that heat come from in the first place? Answer: it came from the hot air under the heat sink, which rose from the candle below. The transfer is air-to-heat sink-to-air: we might as well skip the intermediate step and remove the heat sink from the system so that the heat simply remains in the air. To explain further, from the conservation of energy, we know that energy cannot be created or destroyed. And we know that the _only_ source of heat for the heat sink is the candle. Due to the conservation of energy, the heat sink _cannot_ emit more heat into the air around it than it received from air around it. If it did, then you would have discovered an infinite supply of free energy and you would have solved the world's energy crisis. Alas, ye cannae beat the laws of physics, Jim. Given that the heat sink cannot give out more energy than it received (if it did then its temperature would decrease until it reached absolute zero), its net effect on the heat in the system is zero. The heat sink cannot transfer more energy into air around it than it received from the air around it. It's as simple as that. An analogy would be pouring the water from a full 1-gallon bucket into a second 1-gallon bucket, and then pouring the water from the second bucket into a third 1-gallon bucket. The first bucket represents the hot combustion gases of the candle, the second bucket represents the heat sink, and third bucket represents the air around and above the heat sink. By pouring water from the first bucket into the second bucket, and then from the second bucket into the third, I would not be adding any more water into the system, and the water would not be transferred more or less efficiently - all I would be doing is transferring water from one container to another. I could eliminate the second bucket (the heat sink) from the process, by pouring the water from the first bucket into the third bucket, and the result would be the same. No water (heat) is added, anywhere, to the system and, two buckets or three (heat sink or no heat sink), the amount of water (or heat) in the system is the same. Bottom line, the heat sink cannot output more heat from itself than was input into it. I'd love it if it could (I would split the discovery of unlimited free energy with you and we'd both be trillionaires), but unfortunately it's not possible.

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

@@elelegidosf9707 I understand what you are saying. However, I believe the heat sink distributes and radiates the heat into the air around it more quickly and evenly than just the candles alone. Again, just a theory, but that is the reason that I chose to use it. The difference might be marginal but it was worth trying!

[@elelegidosf9707]

​ @NowhereBoundAdventures The difference between not using a heat sink and using one in terms of the air temperature inside the camper will not be marginal - there won't be any difference at all, for the reasons mentioned above. There are 2, and only 2, methods of increasing the temperature in a space: (1) by increasing the amount of heat created in / transferred into the space and (2) decreasing the heat lost from the space. Adding a heat sink does neither of these (because it is not a heat source and it does not prevent heat loss) and therefore it has no effect on the air temperature in the space. Neither does the heat sink transfer the heat into the air more quickly. In fact, it does the opposite, given that the heat has to be transferred _from_ the air into the heat sink in the first place in order to heat it up. The heat sink will distribute the heat to the air slightly more evenly, but only in the small area immediately around the heat sink, and there will be no effect on the temperature in the room. Consider the fact that a large saucepan (which is, in fact, a heat sink) will distribute the heat from a gas burner over a slightly larger area than just the burner alone. However, in terms of heating up the kitchen, it makes no difference to the room temperature if you put a large saucepan on a lit stove, or a small saucepan, or no saucepan at all. The reason? Putting the saucepan on top of the burner adds no extra heat to the system. You may be getting confused because of the fact that radiators _are_ effective at transferring heat from one medium to another for example from water to air in the case of central heating systems, or in the case of vehicle radiators, by means of enlarging the interface area between the water and the air. However, there is no benefit in transferring heat from air into a radiator and then reversing that heat flow back out of the radiator into the exact same air. Again, there are only two ways of increasing the amount of heat in a space: (1) by increasing the amount of heat created in or transferred into the space or (2) decreasing the heat lost from the space. Adding a heat sink does neither of these, and therefore has no effect on the heat in the space.

[@danielsmith7105]

@@elelegidosf9707 correct, utterly pointless design.

[@Rickswars]

Use a big can of crisco make candela for pennies

[@astrodoc4163]

How fast do the candles burn?

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

They claim to last 12-15 hours. We’ll see….

[@Fortins406Garage]

I agree about wind chill not being relevant here, just using it as an example of how so many people view only temp and not other outside conditions that affect the human body and how it perceives hot/cold, and I acknowledge that tests about these types of things/heaters are mostly about room temp so the 2 don’t really coincide. I don’t put a lot of faith in manufacturers producing things that are maximum efficiency if they haven’t been regulated to do so….not trying to go down a dark tangent rabbit hole there, but I see where logic would make a person think if they increased efficiency all heaters would have them( I feel that way about a lot of things in the world) I also don’t think many or any heater manufacturers are targeting what he is doing because it is easily dangerous so maybe the type/level of efficiency isn’t on the table for manufacturers, buddy heat and Mr heater are the closest I think but they both recommend so much air floor for safety (and rightly so) that anything you do to help heater warm you and the lower area/floor is negated by thermodynamics. Anyways thanks for discussion best be on my way

[@TheStarcruiser]

It probably smells nice too!👍

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

It does!

[@erichmmiiiable]

I would add steel cable and hang it from the ceiling out of the way and no tip over risk

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Great observation! I’ll be adding a board to the bottom for that purpose. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!

[@susie9893]

​@@NowhereBoundAdventuresI feel like you addressed that pretty well with the screws that hold the candles in place, but I don't have any pets that might knock it over But the wood platform would address any issues with melting the resting surface

[@susie9893]

I think having this as close to the floor is the best option - don't forget that heat rises so pretty useless having it up near the ceiling. That's where you put aircon (cos cold air sinks)

[@in2thewyld131]

How did u stick the glass

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

Heat resistant caulk

[@shannonswyatt]

Good try, but by time you crack your window to bring fresh air in and expel the CO2, you are probably going to be colder. On the other hand there is a psychological effect of having a fire, and this would help with that. I was in cold weather survival training a long time ago and the trainer recommended a slow burning candle since you will feel better when you have a flame to see. Make sure to use a CO2 detector. CO2 is going to be more of an issue that CO. 12v electric blanket along with a warm hat to wear at night will keep you pretty warm, particularly with some nice warm blankets or a cold weather sleeping bag. There are folks that sleep on the ground with a sleeping bag alone. Having something to warm the camper up first thing in the morning is probably more important, since it is hard to get out of bed when it is 40 degrees colder outside of the covers.

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

All valid points! When I did some research I learned that 4 candle flames consume about the same amount of oxygen as a human being, and likewise produce the same CO2. Therefor I'm not too concerned about CO2. The ambient light definitely adds a comfort level. Between this heater, the dog's body heat and my own, plus the other items you mentioned, I think we'll be in good shape. We'll be testing it out in the wilderness about a week from now, and I'll be making a video of that trip. Stay tuned and thanks for watching!

[@george0r510]

tHE HEATER IDEA IS WONDERFUL. IT REALLY DOES WORK. A SUGGESTION, USE A TRAY-STYLE PAN UNDER YOUR HEATER. IT WILL KEEP YOUR STOVE FROM FALLING OVER, AND IT WAS KEEP A MESS OF BEES WAX GETTING EVERYWHERE. IT WILL ENSURE YOU DO NOT HAVE A FIRE ALSO, AS IT WILL CATCH THE WAX IN A SITUATION IF IT SPILLS.

[@susie9893]

Really like this idea but please do a video testing it's performance in sub zero camping conditions. Thanks

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

I certainly will, but it's going to have to wait about 9 months 😃

[@susie9893]

@@NowhereBoundAdventures thanks. I'll keep an eye out

[@NazNazan-u9z]

❤❤❤❤❤❤👌👌

[@williamradleyjr2577]

Question carbon monoxide safety

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

The only concern is carbon dioxide. And it’s not a major one. Three candles produce the same amount of CO2 as a human. Another benefit of beeswax is that they are very clean burning. Great question!

[@stevemueller7376]

winner winner

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

😁

[@SacredHeart0520]

This seems like a project. Just to make a video cause he ran out of real iseas

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

I assume you meant “ideas”. And yes you are absolutely correct. I haven’t made a single video since then 😁🙄 thanks for the view and the comment!

[@janieterrel681]

Cool idea, but pretty flawed and unsafe presentation. You didn’t mention the need to keep a window cracked for a fresh oxygen source,,,,,your candle heater will use up all the oxygen in your tiny bubble camper and kill you. You also placed your heater on a flammable mattress,,,,geese Louise,,,,I hope some kid doesn’t follow your lead ,,,, very unsafe procedures here Sparky.

[@NowhereBoundAdventures]

I appreciate your concern and I agree it isn’t 100% safe hence the disclaimer at the beginning. However 3 candles produce about as much CO2 as a human so that really isn’t a concern and it certainly won’t come anywhere close to killing you. From experience I know that a quick open and close of the door freshens the air right up. I also mentioned in the video that I stabilized it with boards on the bottom. The ammo case is not going to catch on fire. I think it’s many times safer than burning a candle without the case. Calling it “flawed and unsafe” is a bit of a stretch, with all due respect. However I appreciate the view and the comment!