Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2005 06:44:49 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Heaters: Propane vs. Gasoline vs. Diesel
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Chris Turner's ad for a BA-6 Eberspacher brought this to mind.
The only experience I have had with gasoline aux heaters has been with
the aircraft type.
Aircraft types are similar - tubular or basically cylindrical, closed
system in that they have a combustion can or chamber, fans that draw in
combustion air and a fan that pumps the exhaust overboard outside, fans
that circulate the heated air so as not to burn the thing up. Overheat
switch as a safety shut off, etc, etc, etc. Burns gasoline off the
aircraft fuel system. Typically found on piston engine aircraft. On the
small aircraft the heater is usually under the back seat. On turbine
powered aircraft heat generally comes from the bleed air system off of
the compressor section of the turbine, be it a jet or a turboprop type.
Hot "bleed air" is also what is used in a "hot wing" de-icing system
also. Again, comes off the compressor section.
Diesel types that I have been exposed to but not really familiar with
were much like the gas aux units but ran on diesel fuel.
Propane Heaters: In my '68 bus I had a 30,000 btu propane fired
Suburban furnace ( I didn't consider this thing to be just a "heater" -
to big for that) that came out of a motor home. I had it installed to
sit on the floor right behind the driver seat. It had electronic
ignition, and I mounted the thermostat on the door post about ear height
on the driver side. I mounted a regular Westy-type propane tank
underneath and had the air intake/exhaust mounted through a hole that
had to be cut in the side panel on the driver side. It was one of those
Neutral air pressure types that allowed the heater to be running while
the vehicle was in operation. On the iciest and snowyest of days, all I
had to do was turn on the heater for 1/2 hour and all the ice and snow
would be melted off by the time I got ready to go. It was the greatest
for Alaska. While it took up some room on the floor, it was not
obnoxious for the space it used. It was also a safety item because when
stuck in a blizzard somewhere, one could have heat for two or three days
if the aux batteries were fully charged. But it definitely needed the
extra batteries to operate the blowers when the engine was not running.
I am curious what the list thinks is the best heating arrangement in a
vangon/westy - propane/LP type heaters or the gasoline types that tuck
neatly out of sight somewhere in the van.
Would appreciate hearing it, guys and gals!
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
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