Date:         Sat, 15 Apr 2000 15:51:15 -0700
Reply-To:     Steve Schwenk <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Schwenk <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon Plat Cat Designs - Portable
Comments: To: Davidson <wdavidson@thegrid.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

One of the two or three design proposals submitted will be a portable unit
regardless.  I find it to be a great set up and would not trade it for a
permanent set up (personal preferences & experience), unless it's one i haven't
heard yet.  The other proposals would be fiexed or permanent instsallations.
Once the coordinator for that project is assigned, send the permanent design
proposals to him.
steve

Davidson wrote:

> 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
>
>   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.
> >