Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2000 15:15:20 -0700
Reply-To: Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject: Re: Vanagon Plat Cat Designs - Portable
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Steve,
I have a set up like that with my Olympic 3,000 BTW heater... I use quick
connect hose connections to get my propane from under the sink.
But my experience is that even without the exhaust hose and the electrical
hookups that will be needed for a 'portable' Plat Cat, I have found that
just the propane hose makes moving the Olympic heater a bit cumbersome...
(the hose is fairly stiff)
...and there really are few practical places it can be placed on the
floor...
...I seems to boil down to behind the passenger seat or between the seats.
That's why I think a plat cat set up with a pipe/tube attached to the left
side that slips down into (or clamps to) the front table holder is a good
set up.... it's out of the way of the door and the front seat... it points
back to the bench seat... it's out of the way of the cabinet door (I
think)... and all the hoses and wires go off to the left into the cabinet or
behind the drivers seat so they are out of the way of tripping over them...
....perhaps it could have legs too if you wish to move it over in front of
the door/behind the passenger seat... but I don't see why you would want
to... especially if it can swivel on the pipe/tube mount so you can step
between the seats.
Bill
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Schwenk <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, April 15, 2000 2:53 PM
Subject: Re: Vanagon Plat Cat Designs - Portable
>I think i have someone to take on the
>heater design project who is well
>credentialed for the project. Stay
>tuned. (please do not p-mail arnie
>directly or we will become a burden on
>him) It might make the most sense to
>submit three design proposals. One
>protable set up and two permanent, or
>maybe one for the pop top, too.
>
>Here's my criteria for a portable:
>
>My proposal is to design a heater
>specifically for the way i have been
>using my Plat Cat. Here's a photo,
>along with an
>explanation of the set up:
>http://www.concentric.net/~Sxs/PlatCat.html
>
>The design would include:
>
>- 4000-4,200 BTU (my guess based on the
>3000 btu 3P12)
>
>- not too tall (3p12 height, not much
>more), low center of gravity,
>
>- designed as a "portable" with a stable
>base/stand so it can be set down
>anywhere, and enclosed back. tilted the
>appropriate angle 10 degrees, easy to
>carry (a
>handle), easy to store (protective cover
>for front?) and sturdy and light.
>
>- quality quick release gas fittings for
>fast, safe hook-up to a "T" in the
>vehicle gas line under the sink. (I use
>high pressure gas hose, which may or may
>not be "legal." It almost has to be
>able to use hose since it is a portable
>or semi-portable set up.)
>
>- a window insert made of rubberish-like
>material to be inserted in the car-door
>window, which is then closed on the
>insert. The flue would be inserted
>through a hole in the insert, snug fit,
>and the heater vent hose would slide
>over the flue pipe for venting.
>
>If there are no legal/safety hurtles
>for a semi-portable design, building the
>heater iteslf will not be too much
>different than the 3p12.
>
>BENEFITS: can be placed anywhere...for
>most effeicent heat delivery...or for
>the most convenient location at the
>moment, even outside to heat a side tent
>or free standing tent (they are that
>safe, BTW, no CO, temp is below point of
>combustion of paper, safety shutoffs if
>tipps over or malfunction). In
>addition, you only take it when you need
>it. Does not require cutting the van to
>instal, only tap into gas line, attach
>the thermostat to the wall and wire it
>to power and the harness w/plug for the
>heater. Then, just plug it in, quick
>connect the gas line, and the flue to
>the insert in the window, and fire it
>up.
>
>Disadvantages: No instant flick of the
>switch heat.
>
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