Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2006 16:01:11 -0800
Reply-To: Aaron <lists@MYCOMMUNITYNET.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Aaron <lists@MYCOMMUNITYNET.NET>
Subject: Re: Propane heaters
In-Reply-To: <CAEOIPKOOCKNBBDDDMBPMEGMIPAA.jeff@vanagonparts.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
Power consumption is an issue in many cases. I could run my Plat-cat
heater for around a week in subfreezing temps off of my starting
battery and my van would still start. Most of the time it was running
on the auxiliary though. It's fairly quiet with just a click as it
ignites and a small exhaust fan running while on. It heats the van
well even in the cold and the infrared heat is nice to sit in front
of right away.
One thing to consider about the Plat-cat vs. the other heater is the
exhaust fan in the Play-cat. It's worth the $150 extra! To me it
makes a HUGE difference to have the combustion products exhausted
outside. Not only is it safer, but with propane heaters you put a lot
of moisture into the inside of the van. With the Plat-cat, that
moisture gets exhausted to the outside. So you shouldn't need to
leave windows open, your papers will still crinkle and your interior
surfaces will not be coated with moisture. Perhaps if it's just for a
weekend it's not a big difference, but when you are in it for more
than a day or two, the moisture can really build up and make things
unpleasant. I had an unvented one and was very happy with the
difference the Plat-cat made.
Oh, I did a very un-scientific test of how quickly it heated the van.
When it was around 12 degrees (fahrenheit) outside, I was getting
around 1 degree every minute or so. So it's not going to instantly
heat the van, but with the infrared heat, it will heat you (at least
on one side). When I was living in the van, I would leave it set to
60 during the night and fill up weekly on propane with low temps from
around -5 to 35. over a 3 month period
Aaron
On Mar 8, 2006, at 2:44 PM, Jeffrey Schwaia wrote:
> Other than space, power consumption is the main reason:
>
> Plat-Cat: .5 amp/hour
>
> Suburban Furnace: ~5 amp/hour
>
> If you're always plugged into 110V power, the furnace is better.
> If you're
> going to be using 12V, the plat-cat wins.
>
>
> BTW: You don't have to pay $450 for a Plat-cat. Here's a link to a
> nice
> looking 6000BTU model for $300:
>
> http://www.northstarflameless.com/new/rec-6000.html
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jeff
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of John C...
> Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 2:13 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Propane heaters
>
>
> In a message dated 3/8/2006 9:03:32 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> jjolson@GWTC.NET writes:
> I've been looking into heaters/furnaces for my Vanagon. Is there any
> reason to spend $450 for a Plat-Cat heater that shows up on
> Thesamba.com
> periodically
>
> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=251970
>
> rather than for a Suburban furnace with twice the btus for half the
> price that shows up on ebay?
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BRAND-NEW-SUBURBAN-LP-GAS-RV-
> FURNACE_W0QQitem
> Z4
> 618095170QQcategoryZ50073QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
>
> If the reason is space, that's not an issue for me as I can build the
> cabinet to fit the furnace.
>
> Curious minds want to know???
>
> Jeff
> Martin, SD
> Hi Jeff & all,
> I couldn't come up with any that swayed me,
> So, I picked up a Suburban 12,000btu NT.
>
>
> best,
> John C...
> SLC, UT...
> 85 Westy ( Dinky Dau )
> 90 Carat ( Number 9 )
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