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Date:         Sat, 15 Dec 2001 18:37:07 +0000
Reply-To:     Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Plat Cat Heater Installation Update
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Now that I've had a chance to use it, I thought I would post an update on my Plat Cat heater installation.

The Plat Cat has the advantage of being vented, so you don't have much of a worry about CO, CO2 or too much moisture from the combustion process. I bought the 5200 btu 6P12 model, and mounted it behind the front passengers seat.

For a picture of the heater see - http://www.omnicast.net/arnie/

It's angled a bit toward the center of the van, which gives enough space to run the flexible vent pipe out of the back and down through the floor, and points the heat a bit away from the sliding door. You can still rotate the passenger seat, but have to angle it a bit towards the sink.

The best place I found to run the vent was down through the middle of the C-channel bracket that runs across the vehicle and has the jack point at the outer end. Using a 1/2" drill and a heavy-duty 1 1/2" hole saw, I was able to cut a hole through the flooring and the steel support without too much trouble. Unfortunately, I didn't measure carefuly enough, so I had to open the hole up a bit to move the vent closer to the pedestal the battery box is in.

I made a wooden base to attach the heater to, routing and fitting it so the heater was supported and the front panel could still be removed. Two metal L-brackets were attached to the sides of the heater and screwed to the base. The propane fitting was rotated to come out the back.

We ran a 1/4" line from the gas lines under the sink, across the floor right at the base of the step up to the front seats. It has a shut-off valve next to the heater. The thermostat was mounted on the piller behind the drivers seat, close to the upper connection for the seat belt, and the wire run under the carpet to the heater.

Power is provided by a 10g wire with an in-line fuse run directly from the battery. Because I haven't yet found a good price for a second propane tank, I installed an Extend-a-Stay Tee which allows me to attach portable propane tanks when I want more than the 2 1/2 gallons the on-board tank provides.

I ran out of nice weather, so I haven't yet built a wooden surround for the heater, both to look nicer and support it more firmly.

Last weekend I went to a Christmas party out of town, and slept in the van. The temperature during the day was about freezing, and it got down to about 25 at night. I left the top down.

The heater has a small exhaust fan running all the time, which will take a little getting used to, but isn't a real problem. It warms the van really quickly, and keeps the center quite comfortable. I actually woke up about 4:00 AM, and found it to be too warm, so I shut the heater off.

This is a radiant heater, so it heats the area in front of it really well, but the heat doesn't spread as well as a forced-air system. I had the sink lid up, and the thermostat was partly behind the lid, so it was cold, and wasn't shutting down. Next time I'll leave the sink closed.

I also think I'm going to make some window insulating covers, like Harold and Nancy have. Putting those in place will make the van really cosy!

So far I'm well satisfied. Most of the time this will be used to take the chill off in the morning when I'm camping in the mountains, but it will make early spring and fall camping more comfortable.

Now for a second battery?

-Mike Finkbiner '87 Westy Moscow, Idaho mike_l_f@hotmail.com

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