Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 19:12:42 -0500
Reply-To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: catalytic heaters in campers
In-Reply-To: <20100503191207.KUCLE.236032.imail@eastrmwml33>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Here you go. Let me know if you want installation details.
<http://www.rvstuffusa.com/wave3catalyticsafetyheaterbyolympian.html>
Jim
On Mon, May 3, 2010 at 6:12 PM, <mcneely4@cox.net> 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
>
| 
