Date: Sun, 30 Nov 1997 20:42:28 -0800
Reply-To: "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Sender: Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From: "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Subject: Propex v. Plat Cat
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For those still considering heaters:
I recently installed a Propex heater after having used a thermal systems
Platinum Cat vented 3000 btu catalytic heater for the past 3 years. I
have used the plat cat as a portable...i did not install it permanently.
This past weekend I went camping in the sierra and took along the plat
cat so i could do a product compairson. It only went down to about 30
degrees, so my data is limited.
The propex is more versatile since it is permanently installed (although
others have permanently mounted plat cats). No other heater is so
conveniently installed (under the seat) as the propex. It is always
ready when needed...even if for just a quick blastt of heat. It puts
out a good amount of heat and heats the pop top area to some extent,
which the cat heaters do not. it seems like it will do an adequate job
down into the teens, or lower if you do not raise the pop top.
The negatives include noise, dry heat, lots of on-off cycles when it is
cold out, the power draw is a little on the high side....The noise is
not too bad and you get used to it. The dryness of the heat is typical
of forced hot air heaters.
The Plat Cat does not put out as much heat (but they make a 5200 btu
model) and does not deliver heat as quickly since it provides radiant
heat rather than forced hot air. it cannot be mounted so completely
unintrusively like the propex. Nevertheless, the quality of the heat
the plat cat puts out is superior to the hot air of the propex. it
provides a more pleasant, deeper warmth, as it heats by warming the
surfaces and contents of the vehicle rather than by heating the air. it
is also much quieter and uses 1/3 the power of the propex. the air
quality in the van is noticably better with the cat plat since it is
constantly venting the interior air...the propex only recycles the
interior air without replenishing it, like the plat cat does.
i was hoping that i would retire the plat cat when i got the propex. i
could not find a permanent installation for the plat cat i could live
with, so i only used it as a portable and looked forward to the
convenience of the propex. After this weekend, however, it seems i will
continue taking the plat cat along, but only on winter trips where i
will be doing stationary camping for more than a day and it's below 30
degrees or so out. i ended up using the plat cat as the background
source of heat with the propex cycling on to give a boost when needed
and to keep pop top area warm. this way, the main source of heat is the
more pleasant radiant heat...and not hot air...and it is delivered by
the more efficient heater. using this combo, i kept the pop top area
about 55 degrees and the cabin area at 65 degrees (but could keep it
warmer if wanted)...with the quiet plat cat running pretty constant and
the propex cycling on occassionally.
i know...i'm crazy and this is over-kill, ..but the two work so well
together! and now that i got both...
The bottom line: the propex is more versatile and convenient and
definitely installs better. Rated at 5000 btu, it puts out more heat
than the 3000 btu plat cat. The plat cat puts out nicer heat, is
quieter, uses far less energy and gives you nicer air quality. the cat
plat is about $330 and my portable set up took me about two hours to
construct so that now i just plug the heater in and position it where i
want it when i use it. the propex costs about $460 (plus another $100
on tools and hardware) if you go in on a group buy, and took me about 6
hours to install. Get both!
steve
'90 syncro westy
