Karl, dead on.  I have many customers who come here with brand new motorhomes with those Atwood heaters who have me remove them and install a Propex.  More efficient and much, much more quiet.  The one in our Europa RV is very noisy but does heat the RV very well so I�m reluctant to change it, we shall see this winter how it goes.  As for the high cost, it�s all relative.  Of all the $s spent on my Westy over the years the Propex was the single best investment EVER !  It is used very often and it works and there�s no maintenance other than cleaning the dust from the face of it now and then.  It�s all relative to what you want to achieve and what you need.  I think a new engine for you van is expensive but if you want to drive your van and the engine is toast you really need to buy a new engine !  So��if you want reliable heat and little to no problems get the Propex and install it properly in a location that is beneficial for the long term.  See here:  <www.frankcondelli.com/propex.htm>

On Oct 31, 2013, at 12:00 AM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:

> This question comes up every year. Three basic options (well, truly safe
> options), from low to high in price, with my observations:
> 1) Atwood, been around forever, 75% efficiency = 9000 btu. Probably find one
> for $300-400. Does the job but doesn't fit so well in the stock Westy cabinets
> 2) Propex, been around a long time also, and continuously improved, 93%
> efficiency = 6500/9700 btu depending on model. Half or less of the physical
> size of the Atwood. $735-840.
> 3) Espar and Webasto gas/diesel heaters - well established design, multiple
> speeds and heater levels, efficiency good, half the size of a Propex, but
> 1.5 to 2 times the price. Yearly maintenance required, which the propane
> heaters usually do not.
> I've had vans with all of the above and all served the purpose. My favorite
> is the Espar diesel version as I usually install these in my personal diesel
> Syncros.
> What I wouldn't use is a catalytic or other non-vented heater. Sleeping bags
> are much cheaper. I'd sooner build a tiny wood stove. :-)

Cheers,    

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, 
June 05 ~ 08, 2014