Date:         Wed, 22 Oct 1997 20:29:30 -0700
Reply-To:     "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Subject:      Cat Plat Heater Stats
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

My apoligies for not having done this right the first time... the
following info was requested by numerous people:


Manufacturer:   Thermal Systems, Inc.
                2757 29th St. S.W.
                Tumwater WA 98502
                (206) 352 0539
                (206) 943 6442  (fax)

Heaters:

Model:  3p12A: 3,000 btu, .5 amp. per hour, 1/8 lb. fuel per hour;
14"x12"x51/2" designed to be installed in a cabinet but i       attached legs
(made from 2x4)and small platform (1/2 inch ply         wood 6x12) so it is
free standing or props nicely on steering       wheel. PRICE: was about $300
3 years ago when i bought mine.

Model:  6p12A: 5,200 btu, .5 amp per hour, 1/4 lb. per hour, about 30%
larger in size (i have seen them but do not own this size).

                .5 amp is equivalent electrical draw of a flashlight            bulb.

                1/8 lb. fuel consumption per hour means that a standard
                1 lb. fuel bottle like they sell in sporting good stores                for
portable butane lamps for from $1.65 (costco) to                $3.00 (gas station
mini marts) lasts 8 hours if the                heater runs constantly.

I love the heater.  It uses so little power, gives of such nice heat, is
vented and is totally safe.  However, I use it in a way it wasn't
intended to be used.  It is made for a more permanent installation.
There are several things that you must be careful about...and it does
take some initial handy work to make it a portable.  Once you get it the
initial installation stuff finished, though, it is simple to use and
takes less than 5 minutes to pull out of  its storage/travel box and set
up for use.

Here's the stuff you need to know before deciding whhether to get one:

STAND & VENT:  It is a hassel to build the stand and the insert for the
driver's window for the exhaust vent i previously described.  If you do
not have tools and some basic skills, you will need help with this part
of it.

ELECTRIC:  It comes with a wire harness you connect to the battery.
This includes the thermostat, which you mount permanently on the wall (I
put mine up by where the passenger shoulder harness comes down from its
high point).  The heater has a plug that plugs into the harness when you
use it, and you just unplug it when you aren't using it.  You can tuck
the harnesss under the seat out of the way when not in use.

FUEL:  Mine did not come with a regulator or fuel hose.  I bought these
used for $5.00. I got a standard hose for use with those camping propane
canisters.  (You could also use a hose hooked directly to your camper
tank with a couple in it).  There is a DANGER here.  As you may have
seen on the list, you cannot let a propane canister tip over or upside
down while the heater is in use, or you will ruin the heater and could
cause a fire.  I put mine in the little well area down by the driver's
door (the step that is lower than the carpet area.)  It is out of
the way and has never come close to tipping over in 3 years of use.  You
could building a little box to sit the canister in to be extra safe.

THE PLATINUM BLANKET:  The front of the heater has a blanket-like
material that contains the platinum...this is what causes the low temp.
combustion (lower than a fire, that is) and what heats.  You have to be
somewhat careful not to let dirt and such to contaminate it or for other
things to touch it directly (which is easy since it is behind a gaurd).
I left my heater outside once when a dust storm blew up while we were in
the desert...never seen anything like it....anyway, my platinum element
got ruined as it was full of sand and dirt. I had to buy a new element.

PERFORMANCE:  If you regularly camp in temps below 25 - 30 degrees and
must have inside temp of more than 60-65 degrees with the pop-top up,
the 3,000 btu may dissapoint you.  With the pop top down and two people
inside, 60-65 degrees can be maintained at temps down around 20 degrees.
We camped with poptop up at 6 degrees outside (at teton village ski
area) and we were very comftorable down in the main cabin but once my
friend climbed up top to his winter bag (cold up there) and i retired to
my feather bed downstairs, and our body heat no longer contributed to
the heat, the temp inside dropped to around 45 degrees (on that cold
night), but nether of us were cold, and all i had was blankets...we
camped like this for a week.

DISCLAIMER: the propex may be a better deal...if (1) it heats better,
(2) does not draw so much power that you have to recharge the battery
frequently, (3) fuel consumtion is not too high.  They are very
different set ups ... and the price difference does not seem that great
($300 for cat plat $450 for propex, according to list group purchase
price).  The cat plat is probably better for more remote situations
where fuel and battery life are more impt. or if your under-seat storage
is important, or if you want a portable set up that you only take along
when you need it. It's hard to judge as i haven't heard a performance
review on the propex.  I love the cat plat...it is a joy to have along
on winter trips even day trips....has performed reliably for 3 years and
makes me smile...

thankfully i have nothing more to add...hope this answers your
questions...