Andrew wrote: "If [that is] true than why have so many people died while using an unvented catalytic heater in a tent or vehicle?
Andrew, the key to your question lies in the word "unvented", as the Coleman heaters clearly state that the user must provide PROPER VENTILATION. When proper ventilation is supplied, as specified in the instructions, I believe these catalytic heaters do not produce dangerous levels of CO. The instances of death you describe were likely not the first time a consumer failed to follow the instructions for a product, resulting in injury or death. I can see why Coleman, from a liability standpoint, would not encourage users to run the heater while asleep, nor introduce the unknown quantity of a third-party CO detector. My personal experiences are exactly that; not suggestions or recommendations, and I can certainly understand why fellow Vanagoneers might in the interest of safety choose to completely disregard my personal experiences and instead simply wear an extra hat to bed. On a related note, some small space heaters now have an "ODS", or Oxygen Depletion System, which shuts off the heater before ambient oxygen drops to a dangerous level. I have found only one such "ODS"-equipped model in a compact size suitable for Westy camping, the Mr. Heater "Portable Buddy Heater", Model No. MH9B. About $80 http://www.mrheater.com/productdetail.asp?id=678 There is a good article by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding such heaters at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03021.html Unfortunately, even at its lowest output setting of 4000 BTUs, it consumes a standard 16-ounce LP cylinder in about six hours. It should also be noted that "oxygen depletion" is not the same as "dangerous CO levels". Draw your own conclusions. Jeffrey Earl 1983 diesel Westfalia "Vanasazi" http://www.vanthology.com/
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