Date: Wed, 4 Nov 1998 03:25:07 -0600
Reply-To: "Robert S.Williams, MD-laptop" <rwill@DIGITECHS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Robert S.Williams, MD-laptop" <rwill@DIGITECHS.COM>
Subject: Catalytic Heaters
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Just as an aside, I have used an ELECTRIC heater in my westie and got
condensation on the inside of the windows... I don't think codensation is a
good measure of the relative advantages/disadvantages of vented vs unvented
catalytic heaters. I could see where condensation might be a problem if you
were living in your van year round without ever ventilating the vehicle....
but this is rarely the case.
I intend to get an UNVENTED heater for my Westie... it is easier to
install, it draws no 12 Volt power and is safe enough for me. Carbon
monoxide is a byproduct of INCOMPLETE combustion .... the platinum catalyst
pretty well ensures that combustion will be complete and therefore minimal,
or no, carbon monoxide will be formed.
Most of those horror stories you hear about entire families being found
dead in their vehicles are the result of using KEROSENE heaters... these
burn with a flame and are incomplete in their combustion. Also I have heard
of trouble with charcoal heaters used in closed vehicles; again incomplete
conbustion. Oddly, I have never heard of a problem related to the use of a
propane powered heater except for gas inhalation from heaters that had
blown out during the night or burns from fire when bedding came in contact
with the heater.
I think my main advice is NEVER SLEEP with a heater going in a vehicle. If
the flame should extinguish, you have the potential for gas inhalation. if
it should tip over or come in contact with bedding, then you might be
burned severely. When you are unconscious, get ya a good sleeping bag and
use that for warmth .... use the heater when you are awake and can defend
yourself in case of malfunction.
I see the U.S. Catalytic heater is 11-3/4 H x 10-1/4" W x 3-1/2" D a
perfect fit for behind the passenger seat facing rearwards without
protruding up and blocking seat rotation. It costs $233.89 and puts out up
to 2800 BTU. Yes, it is unvented but sure would be easy to install and
should be safe if used only while awake.
Robert S. Williams, MD
PS: nitpicking comments about my spelling or typos will be cheerfully
ignored.