Date: Thu, 11 May 2000 12:41:12 -0700
Reply-To: Steve Schwenk <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steve Schwenk <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Subject: Re: [Fwd: [Fwd: [Syncro] Westy/vanagon floorplans? + heater!!]]
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
The heater Arnie would build, if he builds it, would be the safest on the
market...just like the Plat Cat, which is the ONLY heater to have UL approval for
use in a camper...or maybe the only catalytic heater. They are vented. They
automatically shut of if current drops below 12v, if there is an interruption in
the gas line, or if the temp gets too high, i believe. Plus they are power misers,
perfect for the vanagon.
We do not know yet if he will build any. He likes the portable design specs I gave
him as he has had boaters asking for a portable set up, too, so they can take only
when needed. My guess is the heaters will be priced close to the plat
cats...aroung $400-500, but that's a pure guess at this point.
steve
Per Lindgren wrote:
> ThingGuy@aol.com wrote:
>
> > In a message dated 5/11/0 5:35:13 PM, lindgre@ONLINE.NO wrote:
> >
> > <<> The reason I ask is that I'm trying to help out in the prep/design stages
> > of
> > > a catalytic heater for us folks. Steve Schwenk found a guy who makes them
> > > professionally, and he'd like a peak. Steve got this started, kudo's go
> > > there,>>
> >
> > The catalytic heaters are just heaters, and not furnaces. They do not
> > include a method to circulate warm air through your van. Also, unless they
> > are vented, they are not safe to use in an enclosed space.
> >
> > Now that Carver is no longer, the other current ideal heaters would be the
> > Truma propane furnace, and the Webasto diesel or gas furnace.
> >
> > The Truma is even a bit smaller than the Carver, as they have outboarded some
> > of their controls. The Truma can even be mounted under your van, as the case
> > is weatherproof. The downside to the Truma is the cost. These would be at
> > least $1,200 with the controls and fittings.
> >
> > Next would be the Webasto heater in either the gas or diesel version. This
> > also mounts under your van and with controls and fittings, would run you
> > around $1,500.
> >
> > Truma E 2400 outputs 2400 watts, the Webasto 2000 watts, or 3500 watts.
> >
> > I wouldn't consider any product that didn't have the built in safety features
> > that the above heaters have. They have pressure sensors, flame sensors, and
> > heat sensors that shut off the heater when something goes wrong. They are
> > also designed and tested to be used in small campers, and will even shut off
> > when your voltage drops too low to operate the fan and controls, or if the
> > intake or exhaust pipes become clogged. Both of these heaters carry the
> > approval of independant testing labs.
> >
> > The cost to design, build and test a new heater would be extremely excessive,
> > and certainly beyond my resources and in my opinion beyond feasible cost
> > recovery, if designed for just a Westfalia Vanagon. To take on the liability
> > of manufacturing a product that does not meet these standards is foolish, and
> > obtaining product liability insurance would be impossible.
> >
> > With all of this in mind, I hope the guy is successful and comes up with the
> > perfect heater.
> >
> > Now it may be possible to adapt an existing tested safe heater for use in a
> > Westfalia, and this may be what he is trying to do. A custom mount that
> > doesn't interfere with the heaters operation, and a kit that makes it easy to
> > install in the Vanagon is a good idea.
> >
> > I know we can't all afford, or even want to spend the money for the ultimate
> > Westy furnace, so safe low cost alternatives, are always welcome.
> >
> > Steve Lashley
> > '66 Westy
> > '74 Campmobile
> > '93 EV MV
> > <A HREF="http://eurocampers.com/">http://EuroCampers.com</A>
> > 314-614-0750
> > Importing German Side Tents, Carver Propane Heaters and other Accessories for
> > Bus, Vanagon and EuroVan
>
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