Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 10:02:27 -0700
Reply-To: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Subject: Re: Vented Plat Cat Heater
In-Reply-To: <000501c03c14$7a586600$404297ce@jimc>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I have the 3000 BTU unit and I have installed it so it can be removed in
less than 2 minutes.
Basically I installed a removable piece of plywood on the rear of the
passenger side battery tray. The heater is attached to this a faces towards
the rear. The power supply comes from the battery less than 10cm away and
the thermostat is attached to a long 3m cord so I can set it down where ever
I want. The vent is the really neat part - I used 2" sump pump hose and
just stick it out the passenger window with the end resting between the
mirror and body of the van. I used that green packing foam (two pieces)
that goes around computers when they are packaged in their shipping boxes to
seal the outside from the inside - very good for keeping the cold and
mosquitoes out!
When it is done, I unplug the power supply, haul in the hose, lift up on the
piece of plywood and out it comes.
David Marshall
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of James Creech
Sent: October 22, 2000 3:40 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Vented Plat Cat Heater
Thanks, Robert, for your kindness and expertise in this which you are
offering to listmembers. However, some like me are probably novices in
camper heating. So could you give us a brief summary of how this heater
works, where it can be installed, a rough estimate of cost, etc.?
Jim Creech
87 Westy 2.1
----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Keezer <WarmerWagen@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2000 5:44 AM
Subject: Re: Vented Plat Cat Heater
> Hey - I have a Plat Cat also, on the closet wall. It is real nice to turn
a
> thermostat on and sit back-besides being warm and dry, you breathe easier
> also. the power venting makes several air changes inside the van per hour.
>
> I have been lurking&waiting to ask the list some questions about this very
> heater/Now that Harald and Nancy have warmed up the subject and
themselves,
> and since cold weather is actually here for most of us, here is what I
want
> to say.
>
>
> I have been corresponding with Arnie Lind of A&L Enterprises for a year
now.
> I installed one of the last cats made by Thermal systems, which also
happened
> to be my first installation.
> I bought and sold several used cats to Listmembers, and saved one for my
82
> Westfalia, which was installed earlier this year. It really heats well,
mine
> is the 6,000 Btu model. I believe this is a good choice for the Vanagon,
> considering the efficiency of catalytics, and the low power usage.
>
> Most of us need a camping heater, and the clay pot though cheap, is really
> not recommended (you know that label that says "not for comfort
heating"?)I
> must admit- I first used the stove to warm up the Westy-but boy was it
> dripping wet inside.
> Many of our northwest winter days are 100% humidity as many Wetwesties
will
> testify, hence the name.
> Not only do you get to pop the top like a clam, but you get to feel l
like
> one too!
>
> . So the stove or vent-less heater can make you as damp inside as it is
out.
> Not as big of a problem in a desert.
>
> How many of us are interested in Plat Cat heaters? Harald and Nancy
> mentioned these can be made to order -- which are 110 units that can be
> converted to 12 Volts.
> I believe it is a very fine product with a high degree of engineering in
> it-much easier to use than the Olympian that I started out on. Certainly
the
> Olympian kept me warm-and wet.
> How many Listmembers would like a Platinum Cat?
> I don't know a price yet, but when the minimum number of ten Listmembers
is
> reached that can be calculated.
>
> Please post to the list or to me-not to Arnie as he is very busy getting
> ready for a presentation to a midwest manufacturer. I am volunteering for
> this, so any one who wants to help you are very welcome.
>
> Though we are not the largest group of potential buyers, we do have enough
> members to be considered for "Vanagon Specific" production.
>
> If you have an idea for design or installation, I would like to know it. I
> will take this info to him when I go to Spokane later this month. I have
made
> some heat shields and I asked him to look at my installation to
> evaluate/study other locations/heater designs. We could have several
> different Vanagon models.
>
> Thanks for your ideas and interest. I have benefited much from this list,
so
> I would like to contribute also, and this is a unique opportunity to do
so.
> All I can say about the cat is-you'll like it!
> Savor those last moments of coldness.
>
> Robert
>
>
> 1982 Westfalia
> 1983.5 Sunroof Vanagon
> 1980 Westfalia
| 
