Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2005 15:22:04 -0700
Reply-To: Doug in Calif <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Doug in Calif <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Subject: Re: Heaters: Propane vs. Gasoline vs. Diesel
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
Just noticed using "perportional font" button (second from right "jkl")
keeps the text from running off the side of the screen when reading from the
vanagon archives.
http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0411C&L=vanagon&D=0&P=13540&F=P
Doug
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug in Calif" <vanagon@astound.net>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2005 3:07 PM
Subject: Re: Heaters: Propane vs. Gasoline vs. Diesel
> John,
> It was last year about this time that I decided since I could not afford
> the
> heater I really wanted, the Espar, a nice little heater new (around
> 12-1500
> bucks).That I would design and build my own for my 87 syncro westy.
>
> Since finding one still new in the box about 20 years ago, I have owned an
> old Stewart Warner gas heater designed for the 63 Corvair
> I have been modifying that heater to fit into every camping vehicle I have
> owned since. It
> produces lots of heat, I est about 30,000 btu, also draws lots of amps
> too!
> (about 7). I can install it under the back seat for winter but it still
> takes up almost 1/2 of that space.
>
> My "design from scratch" for my westy, had to meet the following.
> ZERO emmissions inside the van.
> Super low battery and propane use.
>
> So far the little heater has exceeded my own expectations in the van and I
> have been very happy with its out of the way design and ability to take
> the
> chill off the back sleeping area.
>
> Heres the link of my post from last year, the links for the pics are still
> working
>
> http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0411C&L=vanagon&P=R5653
>
>
> Cheers and safe warm nights in the vanagon,
>
> Doug
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2005 4:44 AM
> Subject: Heaters: Propane vs. Gasoline vs. Diesel
>
>
>> 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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