Here is some info about the plat cat heater and dual propane tank setup:

First of all they dont make the plat cat anymore but the guy that
makes them sells refurbished ones for about $500 thats how i got mine.
plat cat has some advantages including:
-low electricity use
-low propane use
-vented and safe

and some disadvantages:
-only 5200 btus which is less than some other heaters.  in very cold
weather you may not be able to use the poptop and may want to do some
extra insulation.

I got my second propane tank off a junked vangon.  it is easy to install
be removing the bench seat tracks and replacing the screws with long
bolts.  second propane tanks can also be bought for around $200.

The plat cat uses so little propane though that you can get by with one
tank which will run the heater for few days nonstop!

if you're going to go with dual propane tanks consider a suburban prpane
heater.  they are used on all the RV's. The smallest is 12,000 btu.  uses
more propane and electricity though.  about $500 new as well.  Ive seen
one mounted under the rear bench in a vanagon with vents coming out on the
side of the van by the sliding door.  The suburban is a forced air so heat
distribution will be better than with the plat cat.  its also warmer.

see for plat cat info:
http://www.geocities.com/harald_nancy/plat_cat_heater.htm
and:
http://www.omnicast.net/arnie/  for contact info on plat cat sales

adding the heater is my most valuable improvement to the westy.  i now
camp all year round and use the van for ski trips on weekends here in
colorado.  $500 is a lot to spend but increasing your camping season from
6 months to 12 is well worth the investment.  It should also be noted that
most of the heaters have excellent resale values.

Feel free to contact me if you need more info.

Andrew Fox

On Tue, 14 May 2002, Derek Krueger wrote:

> Andrew -
>
> Do you have any information you can send, or point me in the direction of
> as far as how you setup the Plat Cat and dual propanes?  This is what I am
> looking to do.  Where did you the heater from?  I am having a hard time
> locating them and they seem to be exactly what I am looking for.
>
> If you have info in the archives I'll search there.
>
> Thanks,
> Derek
>
>