Date: Wed, 4 Nov 1998 12:18:57 EST
Reply-To: Iaonbb@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Mm Bitner <Iaonbb@AOL.COM>
Subject: catalytic heater comes full circle
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Wow! I must admit that when I posted about my Olympian NON-VENTED heater I
never expected such a stong response...I've seen less heated (no pun intended)
debates over much larger issues. Needless to say, It's been very interesting
reading all the different, and in some cases, very educated opinions over the
use of these different heaters...Who knew we had so many chemists and
physicists on the list? as well as volks who actually worked for some of these
companies! I just have to say again that I've used mine on numerous occasions
with no prob's and very little concern about it's overall safety. It works
extremely well for me and my needs, maybe not as well for others. Simply put,
It's cheap, easy to install/remove, and it keeps me warm. Most of the
responses I've seen have revolved around the safety of operating ANY heater
which burns fossil fuels, and the inherent dangers associated with each. These
concerns by no means should be taken lightly, however to each his own. One
topic which has popped up lately that does concern me is all this talk about
condensation and it's affects on the life of the van. I love my VW, family,
and friends (not necessarily in that order!) and really would never knowingly
do anything to harm my baby(VW). However, when winter camping I have observed
large amounts of condensation buildup with AND without the heater. Now, I
don't want to step on any toes but I have a hard time believing that the
occasional use of this heater is going to cause my bus to rust from the inside
out? Here in Colorado, the relative humidity is extremely low and I would
think that once I return to my home elevation, that any moisture would then
dry up? I'm originally from Iowa, so I don't need to tell all the Midwest
folks about the humidity there in the summer. Wouldn't that cause condensation
also? I've woken up to Iowa mornings feeling very moist to say the least,
maybe that's not even the same kind of condensation?...chemists? What about
all the coastal folks and the salt air? Salty roads in the winter? My point is
that if we want to take all the fun out of owning these vehicles by second
guessing everything we do in them, just because it MIGHT cause a problem
someday, then they might as well never leave the garage.The spirit behind
these wonderful vehicles is deeply rooted in functionality, so go with what
werks and enjoy...nothing lasts forever! Besides, since when do steamy
windows indicate something bad is going on inside!!!
If this vans a rockin...
Marc & Monica Bitner
Ft. Collins, CO
'80 westy
'72 bus
'93 Passat glx wagon
'86 (subaru wagon)
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