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Date:         18 Apr 97 01:31:33 EDT
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Clark M. Carr" <75716.763@CompuServe.COM>
Subject:      RE: Auxillary Heater  (Long)

I've now received several requests for these notes so I'm posting them to the list.

On Wed, 16 Apr 1997 Matt Michael Lamar wrote:

> Clark,

> I would appreciate it if you could find your plans and post them either > to the list or directly to me.

OK it goes to the list 'cause I've been really pleased with the way it works for me. However the entire design and original idea belongs to David Garth. A really nice guy, who even helped talk me through it since I'm not as handy as most of the Listees. :) You guys impress me with what you know and are able to do all the time. Really. Anyway, I didn't reach David to ask about sharing this but it was posted in a Compuserve forum and I know he published it on his Wep page with pictures at one point. He has done a bunch of goofy things to his Westy but he had a very nice custom second battery installation that I saw and he even worked a copper coil from the rear heater core that acted as an imersion heater in his water tank. Claimed he could get 12 gallons of water in his water tank to "shower temperature" by idleing the engine for 20 minutes. :)

Sorry for rambling. Here is his original post:

#: 86 S0/CompuServe Mail [MAIL] 28-Sep-94 07:29 PDT Sb: heater review Fm: David Garth [76176,762]

Catalytic Heater Review for VW Vanagon Camper

I have just completed the installation and testing of a catalytic space heater in my 1986 VW Westfalia, and with winter coming up, I thought my results might be of some interest. (Special thanks to Derek Drew for information and inspiration.)

Two critical decisions must be made before proceeding with this project: 1. What type of heater. 2. Where to put it.

After a great deal of research, I decided to buy a vented catalytic heater from Thermal Systems, Inc. (2757 29th St. Tumwater, WA 98512, 206-352-0539) I chose a catalytic heater because it is much more efficient of both propane and 12 volt current than any other type. Catalytics provide radiant heat, and most of the energy in the propane is turned into useful heat. Typical RV forced-air heaters consume about 4 amps of 12 volt current when running, and send a lot of the heat out through their vent. Most catalytic heaters are not vented. These unvented ones don't meet the RV or any building codes, and, cause the user to keep at least one window open for safety ventilation. Carbon monoxide really does kill several thousand people a year, and I would rather not take the chance. In addition, products of combustion include a lot of water vapor. With an unvented heater, the water vapor is trapped inside the vehicle, making it uncomfortably clammy, and causing ice on the inside widows and condensation which eventually causes body rust. (To the vehicle, not you.)

The Cat from Thermal systems is a different type of animal. It uses a small, quiet 1/2 amp motorized blower to collect the products of combustion, and then vents them outside through up to 12 feet of 1 1/2" flex hose or ridged ABS plastic pipe. The 12 volt connection also powers a microprocessor controlled safety system that is really slick. If the vent is obstructed, there is no gas supply, or there isn't enough oxygen, or the heater gets too hot, or fails to light, or the 12 volt supply loses voltage, the unit shuts down automatically. The unit is remotely thermostatically controlled, and lights itself automatically. When the thermostat calls for heat, an electric heating element lights the gas without flame or spark. (The presence of the platinum catalyst allows gas to react with oxygen at less than normal flame temperature.)

Where to put it? I choose the larger 6000 btu unit because Derek convinced me that the 3000 btu unit (both $279) would be too small. I built a small cabinet, 28 inches high, 16 inches wide and just 4 inches deep. I covered it in Formica (Desert Beige is a perfect match) and installed it behind the passenger seat.) This height lets the passenger seat fully recline even when all the way back. The seat can still swivel, but the cabinet will be slightly in the way when facing 100% backwards. The heater is semi-recessed into this cabinet. The cabinet also hides the vent hose, which goes up, left, down and through the vertical sheet metal panel below the battery. The gas I tee'd off at the tank, and ran 3/8 tubing over the gas tank to the right side, through the same panel. I ran a new 12 gauge wire from the auxiliary battery to the heater. Even though it only takes 1/2 amp when running, it draws about 10 amps for about a minute when starting. This isn't the only place one can put it, but I felt it was a good compromise.

How well does it work? GREAT! It hasn t gotten cold enough here in California to tell for sure, but the unit throws out LOTS of radiant heat, with no odor and very little noise. Flick the switch on the thermostat, wait about 2 minutes, and enjoy lots of clean heat. Radiant heat is like a fireplace or camp fire, and seems more pleasant than warming all the air in the vehicle. I would rate the quality of the unit's construction and engineering as excellent, except the sheet metal case is light gauge and somewhat flexible. After installation this doesn t seem to matter.

--David Garth San Luis Obispo, CA

(I have no connection whatsoever with Thermal Systems or any of its emplyees.)

I must also report that my experience has been excellent with no problems at all.

> Also, what was the cost of the heater?

It was about $350 including shipping when I bought it

> What year bus/vanagon did you install it in?

"Hilly" is a '90 Westfalia. Hope this helps and isn't too long for the list.

Regards, -Clark

pacocarr@mcimail.com


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