Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 11:50:10 -0700
Reply-To: Ty Graham <tyg@OZ.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ty Graham <tyg@OZ.NET>
Subject: Re: Vented Plat Cat Heater
In-Reply-To: <005301c03c4c$f48f7fc0$ea1da2d1@wd1000086onem>
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So folks are talking about using bottled propane rather than running a line
from the existing tank per Dave Garth? I assume you could also use some
sort of QD fitting and a flex hose?
Seems like bottles might be the way to go for flexibility, though I wonder
about run time.
Anyone thought about putting the plat cat up in the extended poptop and
directing it downward into the living space? I guess this might not work
for most folks as it would for me; I only use half the upper berth to
maximize head room.
Back of the passenger seat location is not so good for me, I really use the
rear facing passenger seat. Also I have my ARB fridge in this location;
things could get too jammed up.
Since I'm thinking about pulling the dometic completely out, I'm wondering
if there might be some cleverness I can do with a swinging cupboard door
mounting a plat cat.
Ty Graham
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Bill Davidson
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2000 10:25 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Vented Plat Cat Heater
Robert,
I don't have a PlatCat and haven't used one, but I have thought of buying
one and given potential locations some thought.
Rear Closet Location:
It seems to me that the rear closet location has the advantage of being out
of the way but the big disadvantage of not being 'pointed' at the area where
you would normally sit or stand... as I understand it a big factor in the
heat is the radiant infra red which is received when the heater is facing
you.
Behind the Passenger Seat Location:
This spot is great in that the heater does face the sitting/standing area
and thus you get the full benefit of the infrared radient heat... but has
the disadvantage of limiting the use of the passenger seat... I find it very
useful to turn the seat around where there are two people.
Also both of the above locations are more or less permanent installations.
It would be nice to be able to remove the heater for summer camping trips to
gain the extra space.
Steve Schwenk has posted a description of his portable set up for his
PlatCat in the past.... As I remember he built a stand/legs for it and sets
it up on the front table swung between the driver's and passenger's seat...
or more in front of the driver's seat... has the vent going out though the
driver's window (window rolls up to seal against a foam insert that houses
the end of the exhaust tube)... and power via an plug in 12 volt set up.
I like Steve's idea of portable, but this seems to me to be a pain to set
up... and I'm not really a fan of taking along the front table.
So here's my thought/wild musing:
Between the Seats Location:
How about a portable set up where the mount is simply an insert into the top
of the tube that holds the front table leg/pipe. This insert would, I guess,
be some sort of rigid tubing that would fit vertically right into the top of
the front table holder. The vent could possibly be routed thought this same
mounting tube... then a flexible tube out the bottom of the front table
mount and through the floor. Also, it might be possible to design the mount
such that the whole heater could pivot on its mounting/exhaust tube like a
gate so that you can have access between the front seats. The 12 volt power
would be via a cigarette lighter plug... and the thermostat could be
permanently mounted some place with a jack for hooking it up when the heater
is set up.
If this design could be executed it would allow the advantages of easy
removal and easy set up (no legs to attach, no vent to run through a window,
no front table to install... or any need to take it along), infrared radient
heat well directed to where you will feel it, and use of the passenger seat.
For those who want a permanent installation this design could likely be such
that it could be installed permanently too... so people would have a choice.
The disadvantage would be for those that find their front table useful...
but I think a lot of us don't even take it... and for those that do this
design could be installed behind the front seat or on the rear closet as
well.
In any case, I would vote for something that is easily installed and
removed... plug 'n play...
Just my 2 cents,
Bill
90 Westy Syncro