We need a guinea pig at JK!

[Josh_JK]

Hi All,

We're offering one of you the opportunity to have a new type of Propex heater fitted to your Bay here at JK HQ before they're even in production!

This is an all new style of heater which is fitted underneath the vehicle and will feed into the original VW front to rear heating ducts so will give you screen demisting and heating when you camp!

Ideally you need to be local, as we need the vehicle for around two days so we can develop mounting brackets, and metal 'Y' shaped connectors etc.

While you'd have to pay for the unit itself, the labour is completely free in exchange for the sample heater being fitted.

Please note we will need to remove and replace the centre belly panel, so no rusty buses please as we are not offering a full resto!

Cost to customer would be a very subsidized £400.00.

We'd need to see the vehicle again a few weeks after fitting, just to check it all works as it should, before we go into production

Drop me a PM if this sounds like it would be of interest to you!
(I've posted this up on Late Bay too, so it's first come first served)


Here's an admittedly slightly rubbish photo of the unit, just for your reference:

photo by Josh_JK, on Flickr

 

[Trikky2]

How do you intend to overcome the back pressure from the existing system if the owner runs the propex whilst driving? Or are you intending to disconnect it?

 

[Haveacamper]

i presume this is different to the HS2000 model - i.e. higher hot air flow rate.

I have indeed connected a HS2000 into the stock heating system but by the time the hot air reaches the "angel of the North" and dash vents there is no pressure left in the system....

p.s. its unusual for a guinea pig to have to pay to be part of a trial!!! i've done a few trials and never had to pay - both medical and otherwise! :roll: plus JK is a worldwide company so cant be doing that badly :mrgreen:

 

[69billy]

I don't get it, ours has been outside all its time in our van and used on the go, just over a year now. its contained in an isolation panel, draws air from inside as slightly warmer , why do propex make this unit? are we doing something dodgy? when I fitted I didn't know of this site much and placed outside as it made sence. but id like to be safe so whats the difference please. how are you dealing with the gas bottle in use re insurance? im aware of it and my risk etc but im sure it has to be highlighted to future buyers as my insurance wont cover.

 

[stuif]

To bad i'm in Holland.
I would be happy to let you guys have a go on my bus as a guinea pig

 

[Mike F]

Wouldn't let them anywhere near mine even with a freebie offer like this! Prejudice or experience?

 

[TakeLifeEasy]

How quiet are these when running? What can I say, I am light sleeper :roll:

 

[easy]

If it was free and i could supervise the fitting i would be in, but at that cost, im out as im sure are many others.

 

[r73]

JK you want a guinea pig to pay for the product!!! Errr no thanks.
Just a bit arrogant I'd say :roll:

 

[rockandrollcamper]

JK you want a guinea pig to pay for the product!!! Errr no thanks.
Just a bit arrogant I'd say :roll:

Agree. Hardly a generous offer for such a big company. I wonder how it was received over on latebay.

 

[StuF]

JK you want a guinea pig to pay for the product!!! Errr no thanks.
Just a bit arrogant I'd say :roll:

Agree. Hardly a generous offer for such a big company. I wonder how it was received over on latebay.

Was given a very positive reception over on the late bay

http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/jks-first-guinea-pig-needed.27785/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Haveacamper]

Out of interest, it this simply just not the new propex heater....

http://www.propexheatsource.co.uk/heaters/hs2211-external-gas-air-heater" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

already designed for fitting externally under the vehicle???

NaFe

 

[Josh_JK]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the replies, and sorry for the delay in getting back to you - unfortunately I've been away sick since Tuesday.
I'll reply to the PMs you've send in after I've addressed some of the points here

With regards to the actual mechanics of the unit itself, I don't myself know about the workings of it but I'll send an email to Propex and find out

I don't get it, ours has been outside all its time in our van and used on the go, just over a year now. its contained in an isolation panel, draws air from inside as slightly warmer , why do propex make this unit? are we doing something dodgy? when I fitted I didn't know of this site much and placed outside as it made sence. but id like to be safe so whats the difference please. how are you dealing with the gas bottle in use re insurance? im aware of it and my risk etc but im sure it has to be highlighted to future buyers as my insurance wont cover.

As far as I'm aware the existing Propex unit isn't designed for use outside the vehicle and was intended to be fitted inside in a cupboard or similar, so there may be safety concerns there - best to contact Propex and find out more from them.
With regards to your insurance concerns, and you'll probably need to contact your insurance company directly and discuss it with them as I imagine it varies between policies.

How quiet are these when running? What can I say, I am light sleeper :roll:

One of my colleagues here has one of the internal units fitted and has no problems sleeping with it running, so I'd assume the external one would be even quieter than that

Sorry to hear that a few of you think it's unfair to pay for the unit, but thanks to everyone who's sent in a PM about this
Josh

 

[easy]

Thanks for the reply Josh, i feel that you would get a much better response and rep if things like this were offered free. Im sure JK could waver the cost of one unit to a lucky camper and everyone else would feel that little bit better about it and willingness to promote. If its good and its free then you will get the benefits of free advertising of a very happy customer :mrgreen:

 

[Haveacamper]

lets be honest about it, even if it was "free" then this would just be baked into the cost of unit price based on an estimate of how many units you forecast to sell.

that way, as you say Easy, better reputation of a massive company with more than enough sales/income to pay for this.

Please do not think I am having a go Josh, but think it would have been a better way of going about it.

NaFe

p.s. I would be interested to know the details of where this is going to be plumbed and whether it generates more air flow/pressure than the HS2000 as propex don't advertise the flow rate of their new unit