Date:         Tue, 14 Apr 2020 07:42:48 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: Chinese Diesel Heater for Vanagons
Comments: To: Harry Hoffman <hhoffman@ip-solutions.net>
In-Reply-To:  <CA+2G-yC1n7A=HRF9vTt5G5rMgiRV0vyvOKFxjUBWsvJc9JNp8A@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Harry,

These are my reasons I’m heading towards dropping the propane.

1. The number one reason - the fridge. I’ve kept with the propane fridge, making little mods to eke out as much cooling as I can. But if I find a good deal on an electric fridge I’ll take it. I have an aux battery well suited for that, plus solar panels.

2. During summer camping its the fridge and stove using the propane. If no propane fridge then I’ve got a big heavy propane tank just for the stove.

3. I want to reduce van weight. I’ve got the big aux battery onboard, I’d keep that and drop the propane tank. 

4. With diesel heater, Id only need to carry heater fuel when I need the heater. 

5. Can buy the fuel in more places than I can get my propane tank refilled.

Not one of the reasons has anything to do with any fear of having propane on board. Nor have I ever suggested carrying diesel or kerosene inside the van or in any other unsafe manner.

Alistair 


> On Apr 14, 2020, at 3:47 AM, Harry Hoffman <hhoffman@ip-solutions.net> wrote:
> 
> Is the concern over propane the fact that it's under pressure? Or is
> there some other concern?
> 
> I ask because I'm going towards propane, mainly because I see it as a
> plentiful fuel resource that's pretty easy to deal with and clean
> (from the messiness aspect not the emissions aspect).
> 
> Cheers,
> Harry
> 
>> On Tue, Apr 14, 2020 at 3:13 AM Karl Mullendore
>> <tdiguru@westyventures.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I still don't get why so many say they want to 'get rid of propane' yet then add another fuel source in place of it, sometimes in horribly unsafe locations. Buy an illegal, direct copy of a product developed over many years by a good German company (Espar), one that carries no warranty and barely any support from the sellers. If one already has a gasoline engine and tank installed, why not support a legit company that sells a superior [gas-fired] product with full warranty and support in the USA - Webasto? If a 4kw version is desired for larger vans, the choices then expand to include Espar (whose design the Chinese stole).