Date:         Thu, 11 Oct 2001 18:40:55 -0700
Reply-To:     sheng <sheng@SEANET.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         sheng <sheng@SEANET.COM>
Subject:      Propane heaters - Olympian
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Here's another propane heater option.

I use an Olympian propane heater, the standard for RVs.  They have three
sizes, and I use this one...

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=19332

Why use an Olympian?...

- well made, no parts/service worries across the US (go to Camping World,
etc)
- plumb it directly into the Westy's propane tank
- very efficient....uses little fuel
- noiseless
- small...only about the height/width of a piece of paper
- it mounts permanently, out of the way, behind the co-pilots seat
- it has more upfront cost than other options, but will be good for the life
of your Westy

What about safety?  I use it with a sidewindow partway open, and the roof
vent open a little.  *And*  I put a CO detector (the generic household kind)
up in the back top shelf of the Westy, so if there should ever be a problem,
I would be rudely notified.  Having a detector is probably a good idea, no
matter what heat source you use.

The biggest problem I have with some of the other options is that they don't
mount out of the way.  Space/clutter is always an issue with a Westfalia.
The Platinum Cat seems way too large for a Westy, makes the co-pilots seat
hard to use, and just generally is clunky.  And I don't want something that
needs to be stored, requires more disposable stuff, etc....

If you decide to get an Olympian, my advice is to stick with the small one.
The medium size will fit, but will put out too much heat for a small RV like
a Westy (unless you camp in the snow a lot...8~)

Steve Hengeveld
'91 Westy
Seattle, WA