

| Subject: | winter and heaters |
| From: | William Dummitt |
| Date: | Fri, 10 Dec 1999 09:59:29 -0500 |
This thread comes up every year about this time. I like to camp in the winter and have tried a number of heaters. Here's one guy's experience: 1500 watt ceramic heater- by far the best dollar value- usually around $20. 5000 btu output, no condensation, takes up little space, but of course you have to have electricity available. Platinum Cat- The only catalytic heater I'd recommend because it is the only one that is vented. No condensation, tiny fan uses minimal battery juice. The 3000 btu size is too small for serious cold. The 6000 btu size runs a little under $400. Drawback is that is takes some fabrication to install and takes up plenty of space. You can, however, put it at an angle behind the passenger seat in a Westy and STILL turn the seat all the way around. Comes with a thermostat. See www.geocities.com/yosemite/gorge/1706/vw. Propex (now Carver)- Very pricey (I think Steve Lashley is getting around $700 for them?) but a fine heater, installs under the rear seat and doesn't take up much space there. Uses a heat exchanger so no fume or condensation problems. 6000 btu output. It does use a fair amount of electricity to run the fan, much more than the Platinum Cat. With the Cat I didn't even bother to install an extra battery, but the Propex or Carver will definitely require an aux. battery. Noisier than the cat, too- but that out-of-sight installation is nice. Comes with a thermostat. Even 6000 btu is small for 20 degree F or colder. When it is this cold, I don't pop the top and this makes a big difference in the heat needed to keep the camper tolerably warm. Bill St. Louis, MO
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