I was walking through the local huge discount store when I spied the 3000 BTU Coleman "Black Cat" Heater for $44.96. Also available as the Coleman "DuraCat" at the local huge hardware store for $49.95. It's an appealing little thing - looks like a 12" round subwoofer and grille on a little bipod. Being the curious sort, I purchased one and tried it out as a "keep the van warm while fiddling around in the morning" heater while camping in Quebec this weekend. It worked just fine - the usual run-the-engine-'til-the-heat-comes-on ritual wasn't necessary to be able to move about the cabin in comfort. Definitely keep the window cracked as the little guy's emissions are quite reminiscent of something that sent me into a half-hour long coughing fit during a college chemistry lab. And yes - it certainly does nothing to dry things out. But if an unvented catalytic heater is what you want, you can get one for less than $50. Note that this is not something to leave on while you are sleeping or are likely to fall asleep. Doug Fitz-Randolph Yarmouth, ME '90 Syncro |
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