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<P>I have the Black Cat as well. I agree it does cause a lot of condensation inside the van. I was camping in Ouray Colorado last Feb. and it was real cold. The next morning we had 1/4 inch of ice on the windows inside (no kidding!). I would recommend this heater if you don't plan to camp in temps below the mid 30'sF. Otherwise it can't keep up and causes way to much condensation.</P>
<P>Randy Charrette</P>
<P>87' Syncro<BR><BR></P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>&gt;From: Gerald Masar <AZSUN99@EARTHLINK.NET>
<DIV></DIV>&gt;Reply-To: Gerald Masar <AZSUN99@EARTHLINK.NET>
<DIV></DIV>&gt;To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
<DIV></DIV>&gt;Subject: Re: Cold-weather camping/propane heater report
<DIV></DIV>&gt;Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001 17:04:42 -0700
<DIV></DIV>&gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt;I have the Coleman Black Cat with the igniter, but can seldom get it to light from it
<DIV></DIV>&gt;, so I use an aim'n flame type of lighter, which has save a lot of singed hands from
<DIV></DIV>&gt;doing it with a match.
<DIV></DIV>&gt;The biggest drawback I have seen is that it puts out a lot of moisture and fogs up the
<DIV></DIV>&gt;windows, even with a window opened a little and the roof vent up a little. Even though
<DIV></DIV>&gt;they are considered to be safe, I don't use it while sleeping.
<DIV></DIV>&gt;I have used it several times in the last year (winter), and I made a holder for it
<DIV></DIV>&gt;utilizing the arm which normally holds the front table. I reported it on the list last
<DIV></DIV>&gt;year, but there wasn't much interest. It works great. If anyone is interested this
<DIV></DIV>&gt;year, p-mail me and I should have some photos shortly.
<DIV></DIV>&gt;Jerry
<DIV></DIV>&gt;'90 Westy
<DIV></DIV>&gt;----- Original Message -----
<DIV></DIV>&gt;From: "Chris Stann" <CHRISS@INFORMS.COM>
<DIV></DIV>&gt;To: <VANAGON@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
<DIV></DIV>&gt;Sent: Monday, October 29, 2001 5:10 PM
<DIV></DIV>&gt;Subject: Cold-weather camping/propane heater report
<DIV></DIV>&gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; Hi List,
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; I'd like to pass my observations based on my recent purchase and use of the
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; Coleman PowerCat portable catalytic heater.
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; Past weekend I traveled from the Saint Paul, MN, area to the 'Norwegian
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; Riviera', or the North Shore of Lake Superior. I camped at the Gooseberry
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; Falls State Park. A beautiful area with a nice 'rough' camping site, as in
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; no shower, no electricity, and a first, a non-smelly outhouse. The area is
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; covered in gorgeous Aspen-birch trees and has lots of hiking to offer. Do
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; not forget the falls and the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior.
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; This is the first time I got to test the Coleman PowerCat heater. It's a
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; platinum catalytic heater with a built-in battery-powered fan and built-in
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; ignition. As the temperatures dropped to mid 20s, I lowered my pop-top,
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; opened my screen-windows about 1/2 inch on each side and opened my skylight
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; slightly to ventilate the interior. The heater ignited with no problem and
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; soon the interior temperature reached comfortable levels. The smell of the
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; burning gas was barely noticeable, and eventually disappeared all together.
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; I slid into my sleeping bag and fell into a comfortable sleep. Later that
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; night, I awoke, as I was too hot. I attempted to regulate the heat output,
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; but to no avail. The knob in the back of the heater seemed to have little
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; effect on the heat output. The only solution was to open the windows more
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; to allow cold air in, or to raise the pop-top. I decided to stay hot, but
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; at about 4 am the gas ran out. I closed the windows to conserve the heat,
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; and went back to sleep. At about 5 am it was too cold, so I changed the gas
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; bottle and fired up the heater. Soon, I was sweating again. Is there no
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; end?
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; To sum it up:
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; -- nice heater, minimum smell
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; -- seems to have little heat control
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; -- more than adequate heat output at minimum setting at 27-degree exterior
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; temps.
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; -- seems adequate at minimum setting for sleeping with the pop-top opened
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; -- two 'D' fan batteries last a few nights
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; -- one bottle of gas lasts about 6 hours based on my experience. Claimed
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; "up-to 8 hours" by manufacturer. Personal note: Put in a new bottle before
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; going to sleep.
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; SIGHTINGS: At Emily's Restaurant near Knife River I parked next to a
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; Eurovan Camper.
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; Thanks,
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt;
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; Chris.
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; '85 Westy
<DIV></DIV>&gt; &gt; 'Da Luv Box'
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