Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 17:21:58 -0600
Reply-To: Tom Buese <tombuese@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tom Buese <tombuese@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: catalytic heaters in campers
In-Reply-To: <20100503191207.KUCLE.236032.imail@eastrmwml33>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Dave, this is the same unit I sent you details of- try any RV store or
big propane vendor.
Pax,
Tom
On May 3, 2010, at 5:12 PM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
> Jim, where is this marvel described, available? Thanks, David
>
> ---- Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> This has been commented on so many times...
>>
>> Not all calalytic heaters are created equal. Some consume much more
>> oxygen per BTU than others. Those that do not only compete more with
>> the oxygen that the westy's occupants need, but they leave a lot more
>> sweat on the flocked ceiling and everywhere else.
>>
>> Some heaters are made to stand on spindly little legs and can get
>> kicked over. Others are made to mount permanently to a chosen
>> location. Those can't get kicked over, and since everyone always
>> knows
>> exactly where will be located at all times, it becomes easier to
>> avoid
>> getting something too close to them.
>>
>> The Olympian Wave III heater embodies the best of these
>> characteristics, IMHO. It is the size of a sheet of paper and less
>> than two inches thick. It can be mounted on the bulkhead behind the
>> passenger seat, facing into the cabin (to name one popular location).
>> It can be permanently plumbed with its own shutoff valve at the tank,
>> as mine is.
>>
>> It doesn't produce much condensation. It doesn't use much oxygen.
>> With
>> the top up, the breathing of the stock canvas provides plenty of
>> oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange. With the top down, cracking a window
>> to achieve the specified four square inches has never been a problem.
>>
>> Just one thing... don't allow a sleeping bag to flop over on it, or
>> the convection from the heat will fill a westy interior with goose
>> down in five seconds. Don't ask me how I know.
>>
>> Oh, and unlike the furnace, it uses no electricity.
>>
>> For those with the money, the battery, and the space to give up, one
>> of those plumbed-to-the-outside furnaces sounds great. But my little
>> Olympian sure is an efficient little appliance.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>> On Mon, May 3, 2010 at 1:40 PM, Tom Hargrave <thargrav@hiwaay.net>
>> wrote:
>>> I think that because of the limited space, the only really safe
>>> solution is a heater that vents to the outside world or a electric
>>> heater that runs off site power.
>>>
>>> Tom
>>> www.stir-plate.com
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On
>>> Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
>>> Sent: Monday, May 03, 2010 1:02 PM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: Re: catalytic heaters in campers
>>>
>>> Even if the oxygen depletion, CO problems were non-existent, how
>>> do you use a heater in a VW camper safely so far as the fire issue
>>> is concerned? Where can you put it and provide the necessary
>>> clearance and be sure you won't get up in the night and bump it?
>>> Seems a pretty risky device to me. DMc
>>>
>>> ---- W Monk <billmonk@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>>> Another huge issue with the Mr.Heaters is the amount of moisture
>>>> that
>>>> they generate. Use one for awhile and see how much more
>>>> condensation
>>>> collects on your windows and the flocking on the underside of your
>>>> poptop. I still say that my propex even though expensive was the
>>>> best
>>>> comfort item we have purchased so far. I did install an Atwood
>>>> furnace
>>>> into a friends Vanagon and it was less than half the price of a
>>>> propex. Installation was more complicated,draws more 12v
>>>> power,but the
>>>> btu's were double if not triple what my propex is. Can't recall the
>>>> exact numbers right now. I will say that I tried a Mr. Heater
>>>> before
>>>> the propex but like I mentioned above the moisture was
>>>> overbearing and
>>>> I would not sleep with it lit. I have seen more than one "safety"
>>>> sensor fail on various products costing thousands more than the
>>>> Mr.Heater. Just don't trust it.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> B
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, May 3, 2010 at 11:59 AM, Geo <ahwahneevw@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On 5/3/10, David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net> wrote:
>>>>>> The current versions of Mr. Heater have an oxygen sensor that
>>>>>> shuts the device down before the mixture changes enough to
>>>>>> generate significant amounts of CO...
>>>>>
>>>>> I have heard that the safety feature can be fooled by the
>>>>> reduced O2
>>>>> encountered above 9000' or so. Anyone had experience with this?
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes, I do often camp above 9K' and, of course, that is just when a
>>>>> heater is most welcome.
>>>>>
>>>>> Currently I use the simple Coleman catalytic with the battery
>>>>> operated fan but only when I am up & awake and (as noted) the
>>>>> Westy
>>>>> is leaky plus easy top venting thru the roof vent.
>>>>>
>>>>> Geo
>>>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> David McNeely
>>>
>
> --
> David McNeely
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