Thanks, Robert, for your kindness and expertise in this which you are
offering to listmembers.  However, some like me are probably novices in
camper heating.  So could you give us a brief summary of how this heater
works, where it can be installed, a rough estimate of cost, etc.?

Jim Creech
87 Westy 2.1

----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Keezer <WarmerWagen@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2000 5:44 AM
Subject: Re: Vented Plat Cat Heater

> Hey - I have a Plat Cat also, on the closet wall. It is real nice to turn
a
> thermostat on and sit back-besides being warm and dry, you breathe easier
> also. the power venting makes several air changes inside the van per hour.
>
> I have been lurking&waiting to ask the list some questions about this very
> heater/Now that Harald and Nancy have warmed up the subject and
themselves,
> and since cold weather is actually here for most of us, here is what I
want
> to say.
>
>
>  I have been corresponding with Arnie Lind of A&L Enterprises for a year
now.
> I installed one of the last cats made by Thermal systems, which also
happened
> to be my first installation.
>  I bought and sold several used cats to Listmembers, and saved one for my
82
> Westfalia, which was installed earlier this year. It really heats well,
mine
> is the 6,000 Btu model. I believe this is a good choice for the Vanagon,
> considering the efficiency of catalytics, and the low power usage.
>
> Most of us need a camping heater, and the clay pot though cheap, is really
> not recommended (you know that label that says "not for comfort
heating"?)I
> must admit- I first used the stove to warm up the Westy-but boy was it
> dripping wet inside.
>  Many of our northwest winter days are 100% humidity as many Wetwesties
will
> testify, hence the name.
>  Not only do you get to pop the top like a clam, but you get to feel l
like
> one too!
>
> . So the stove or vent-less heater can make you as damp inside as it is
out.
> Not as big of a problem in a desert.
>
>   How many of us are interested in Plat Cat heaters?  Harald and Nancy
> mentioned these can be made to order -- which are 110 units that can be
> converted to 12 Volts.
> I believe it is a very fine product with a high degree of engineering in
> it-much easier to use than the Olympian that I started out on. Certainly
the
> Olympian kept me warm-and wet.
> How many Listmembers would like a Platinum Cat?
> I don't know a price yet, but when the minimum number of ten Listmembers
is
> reached that can be calculated.
>
> Please post to the list or to me-not to Arnie as he is very busy getting
> ready for a presentation to a midwest manufacturer. I am volunteering for
> this, so any one who wants to help you are very welcome.
>
> Though we are not the largest group of potential buyers, we do have enough
> members to be considered for "Vanagon Specific" production.
>
> If you have an idea for design or installation, I would like to know it. I
> will take this info to him when I go to Spokane later this month. I have
made
> some heat shields and I asked him to look at my installation to
> evaluate/study other locations/heater designs. We could have several
> different Vanagon models.
>
> Thanks for your ideas and interest. I have benefited much from this list,
so
> I would like to contribute also, and this is a unique opportunity to do
so.
> All I can say about the cat is-you'll like it!
> Savor those last moments of coldness.
>
> Robert
>
>
> 1982 Westfalia
> 1983.5 Sunroof Vanagon
> 1980 Westfalia