Hi List,

I'd like to pass my observations based on my recent purchase and use of the
Coleman PowerCat portable catalytic heater.

Past weekend I traveled from the Saint Paul, MN, area to the 'Norwegian
Riviera', or the North Shore of Lake Superior.  I camped at the Gooseberry
Falls State Park.  A beautiful area with a nice 'rough' camping site, as in
no shower, no electricity, and a first, a non-smelly outhouse.  The area is
covered in gorgeous Aspen-birch trees and has lots of hiking to offer.   Do
not forget the falls and the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior.

This is the first time I got to test the Coleman PowerCat heater.  It's a
platinum catalytic heater with a built-in battery-powered fan and built-in
ignition.  As the temperatures dropped to mid 20s, I lowered my pop-top,
opened my screen-windows about 1/2 inch on each side and opened my skylight
slightly to ventilate the interior.  The heater ignited with no problem and
soon the interior temperature reached comfortable levels.  The smell of the
burning gas was barely noticeable, and eventually disappeared all together.
I slid into my sleeping bag and fell into a comfortable sleep.  Later that
night, I awoke, as I was too hot.  I attempted to regulate the heat output,
but to no avail.  The knob in the back of the heater seemed to have little
effect on the heat output.  The only solution was to open the windows more
to allow cold air in, or to raise the pop-top.  I decided to stay hot, but
at about 4 am the gas ran out.  I closed the windows to conserve the heat,
and went back to sleep.  At about 5 am it was too cold, so I changed the gas
bottle and fired up the heater.  Soon, I was sweating again.  Is there no
end?

To sum it up:

-- nice heater, minimum smell
-- seems to have little heat control
-- more than adequate heat output at minimum setting at 27-degree exterior
temps.
-- seems adequate at minimum setting for sleeping with the pop-top opened
-- two 'D' fan batteries last a few nights
-- one bottle of gas lasts about 6 hours based on my experience.  Claimed
"up-to 8 hours" by manufacturer.  Personal note:  Put in a new bottle before
going to sleep.

SIGHTINGS:  At Emily's Restaurant near Knife River I parked next to a
Eurovan Camper.

Thanks,

Chris.
'85 Westy
'Da Luv Box'