Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2015 15:43:01 +0000
Reply-To: Paul Freese <freese.paul@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Paul Freese <freese.paul@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Heat inside the camper.. No
In-Reply-To: <CACrM94LrDWW=ByPPEBZTO+44KY9DQeLtdP271HSs3Hhhuk_WyQ@mail.gmail.com>
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Could not let this go. In my old 84 I used an ice house heater (Uncle Joe brand I believe). I mounted it rear facing almost up to the "step" into the "cockpit". I cut plywood to fit into the drivers side window and put a pass through stove thimble there. I used a gas vent pipe with articulating elbows to vent the stove out the window. A smaller hole allowed flexible gas hose to pass through the same window. Propane came from a 12 gallon tank on the Westy luggage rack (accessed from the inside via tent screen). Stove pipe was stored in a ski bag and on the ski rack.
Mind you it could not be used while running. Always cracked a window. Never on while asleep (that's what hot water bottles and -20 sleeping bags are for).
Could set a tea pot on top to boil water for coffee. I camped many many nights in sub zero temps (with my wife) at altitudes up to 10,000 ft. It seemed to keep the van over 55 degrees no matter the outside temps.
Sorry no pics.
PaulTwo Harbors MN (-20 at my house this am)
P.S. I put the same heater in a 78 type 2 and cut a hole out the side to vent it. Tried to use this while driving....smelled terrible....not workable.
--And the vans always started --
From: Abel Longoria <houstonphotog@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 12:50 PM
Subject: Re: Heat inside the camper.. No
Dave,
The biggest selling point for me on the Webasto is that its gasoline
driven. Meaning at any given time I can get fuel to drive my heater no
matter what time of day it is and no matter where I'm at. Plus, I carry
jerry cans with fuel with me on long road trips so I always have that
reserve too.
It being gasoline based I always know how much fuel i have for my heater at
any given time. I just need to glance down at my fuel gauge and see.
I almost purchased a Propex heater as they make great products as well. My
concern with the propane driven heater was there was no real exact way to
keep track of your propane tank levels (my westy 3 gallon tank) so I could
possibly run out without expecting it. That plus the fact that finding a
propane refilling station can be tough during regular business hours as it
is much less after hours or in some off the beaten path locale.
Webasto AT2000: 7,000 btu
Propex HS2211: 6,500 btu
Heat output seems to be the same. The Webasto does cost more and it does
require more parts to be purchased to complete the install such as ducting,
vents etc. Having said that I am still very happy with my choice.
One thing worth noting... I believe the Propex will work at higher
elevations (5k-10+k) without issues or modifications. The Webasto is design
for elevations up to 5k and will work at elevations past that up to 10+k
but there is a hard set change that needs to be done to the heater in order
to adjust the fuel intake level lower in order to compensate for the
thinner high elevation air. Details on that procedure I posted here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7497250#7497250
Hope this helps...
Abel.
www.DasMotoClub.com
On Tue, Jan 6, 2015 at 11:00 AM, <ddbjorkman@verizon.net> wrote:
> Hi Abel;
>
> What made you choose the Webasto over the Propex. Do they work better at
> altitude, consume less fuel per BTU, less space, or ...? I am toying
> around with buying a heater and would like the results of your research.
>
> Dave B.
>
>
> On 01/04/15, Abel Longoria wrote:
>
> I have the Webasto Air Top 2000 gas version (benzine). Got it from eBay...
>
> http://m.ebay.com/itm/281214486217
>
> It's installed behind the passenger seat and I have a mockup cabinet built
> to house it. Final cabinet will have Westfalia doors, trim and laminate to
> match the rest of the Westy interior
>
> h
>
