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Subject:Re: Winters in the van...
From:Edward Maglott
Date:Fri, 15 Nov 2002 21:28:24 -0500

Lots of ideas for solving problems roll around in my head all the
time.  Some are actually good, many don't ever get realized.  One recently
is for a westy heating system that uses the stove top, but vents to the
outside.    I have heard of this upside down flower pot on the stove
heating scenario.  What I picture is something like a 5 pound coffee can
turned upside down over the forward burner.  exiting near the top of the
can are some metal tubes, perhaps 1/2" electrical conduit.  (the tubes are
used instead of one big pipe to get more heat out of the exhaust.)  These
tubes go over to the window above the sink, and point out of it.    The
whole thing is black so it radiates a lot of heat.  Perhaps the tubes
coming from the upside down can make a couple of loops before going out the
window.  Perhaps the inside of the can has some baffles that cause the
rising heat/exhaust to swirl wildly and flow easily out the exhaust tubes
which are oriented to face into the swirl.  Perhaps the can portion has
fins of some sort on it to radiate more heat.  Perhaps a little fan blows
on the apparatus to distribute the heat.

Pluses:  Uses your existing fuel supply and burner.  No moving
parts.  Vents to outside.  KISS.  Others?

Minuses:  Will enough air flow through it to exhaust the exhaust?  Will the
exhaust be so hot it will melt the plastic window screen?  (replace it with
metal screen).  How could it be made compact for travelling?  How will the
wind affect the system?  Others?

Edward