Date: Tue, 21 Oct 1997 13:35:09 -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: Re: Questions on your cat heater?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Vince:
i do not have the exact dimensions with me, but the heater is about 10"
x 14" x
3''. it is designed to be installed in a wall or box. i built a frame
with
two leg-like things on the bottom to make it free standing. i either
just prop
it on the steering wheel, or i set up the front table so that it is
basically
over the driver's seat (with the seat rotated) and place the heater on
the back
end of the table. there is still plenty of room on the table to use it
as a
counter for cooking, etc. you can really put it anywhere, including the
floor.
I made an insert for the driver's window the length of the window and
about 6"
wide out of 2" thick styrofoam (heavy duty) and formica (sandwiching the
styrofoam) for the exhaust vent. I drilled a hole in it and permanently
attached the exterior vent contraption (kind of like the one for the
refridgerator) to the insert. When I use the heater, i just lower the
driver's
side window, insert the insert and close the window on it to make a
tight
seal. then i connect the vent hose from the heater to the exhaust port
on the
insert.
the cat plat is incredibly stingy with power and gas. i think it uses
.4 amp
or something as the fan is only used to vent the spent gases, not to
blow out
hot air. the heater radiates heat rather than blowing it, which is why
i like
to position the heater at a higher level. it gives off heat the same
way a
fire does.
i use a 1 lb. gas bottle (about $1.65), which usually lasts about 8
hours with
the heater on nearly the entire time. (I have not gotten around to
running a
line directly to the main propane tank and i actually like having the
option of
using a separate gas source for heat) i have let the heater run 16
hours or
more without starting the engine...no problem. however, whether you can
do
this will depend on what other electrical stuff you use and the
condition and
quality of your battery. a second battery is a good idea unless your
primary
battery is one of the deep cycle batteries that can be drained and
charged all
the time. the battery i used (just replaced it) was a standard piece of
junk
that lasted me 3 years even though i abused the hell out of it. i plan
to add
a second battery, not because of the heater, but because of other
appliances i
am adding such as a small tv/vcr for the kids, additional reading
lights,
laptop ports, etc...
the cat plat costs about $300. it comes with all wires needed, a
thermostat,
and all necessary hardware. i built the frame and the insert for the
window
for the exhaust hose. installation took me about 4 hours, most of which
was
spent on the frame and designing and building the window insert. now,
it would
take me 1.5 hours.
it is a completely different type of set up than the propex. the
benefits are
portability, no need for permanent installation, the most efficient in
terms of
power and gas consumption, it gives off a really nice quality of heat,
it
produces no carbonmonoxide or other toxic gases (only water vapor and
carbon
dioxide tht are vented outside), it has no flame, no gas smell, cannot
start a
fire (unless wires short), cannot cause serious burns, keeps the lower
cabin
in the bus warm even when it is 15-20 degrees out, and keeps the
mositure
level in the bus way down since it is always venting (the air quality
inside is
noticably better when the heater is running than when it is not). in
fact, my
windows usually have little or no condensation on them inside in the
morning.
you can also use it outside if your bus breaks down and you need heat
while
working on it, or if you have a side-tent. also, the company that
manufacturers
it is great...they treat customers well and will answer questions and
provide
diagnostic help over the phone. (the cat platnium is a far superior
design than
other catalytic heaters i've seen)
the down side is that it does not instantly heat the bus, it would not
make for
as nice a permanent installation as the propex, it is not powerful
enough to
heat the upper bunk in sub freezing weather much higher than about 40-45
degrees, and even less as the temperature outside drops. Also,
installation
work is required, even if you use it as a portable as i do. (i would go
with the propex if you want a premanent installation)
it does a fine job for me here in northern california and during my two
or
three annual camping trips to harsher winter climates. the propex seems
to be
more like a mini furnace than an auxillary heater. i finally found a
picture
of the propex and am very impressed, although i wonder about utility
consumption, noise and the quality of the heat (dried out sinus, etc).
the cat
plat is not in the same league....and if you can afford it and have the
time to
install it, the propex seems like the better way to go (assuming it does
a good
job of heating the interior to a comftorable level at cold outside
temperatures),
unless you want a semi-portable heater that you only take along when you
need it.
I can get the name and phone numbber of the company that makes the
cat-plat if
anyone wants it
steve
'89 syncro westy
san francisco
vince_pappalardo@om.cv.hp.com wrote:
> Item Subject: cc:Mail Text
> Hi Steve,
>
> I have a couple of questions for you about your cat platinum. How
> much did the cat platinum cost you? How big in inches is it? What
> portable size propane bottle do you use? Do you notice a gas smell
> when you use it? How long have you used it with out starting the car
> to charge the battery; and, ever noticed even a hint of problems
> starting the Van while using it?
> The 100 or so postings I have read in Vanagon archives basically
> says that the propex is the most compact ("the size of a spaghetti
> box"), fuel efficient, vented heater. This translates into being able
> to mount it in the Westy rear seat bed storage box while providing a
> safe system. The main draw backs are it's cost ($500-600 not
> installed) and it is strongly recommended you have a second battery to
> avoid running down the engine battery. I would love to hear about
> your cat heater as another option.
>
> Regards,
> Vince, 85 Westy GL
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