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Topic: Catalytic heaters, was Wintering in North Carolina? (Read 10 times) previous topic - next topic
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Catalytic heaters, was Wintering in North Carolina?
Yahoo Message Number: 58628
Quote
you might consider getting a catalytic heater.
Remember, of course, to read about opening a couple of windows while you're sleeping.

 Sarah, even with windows open (and we DO open windows when running our cat heater), I wouldn't run it at night while sleeping.  That's just me, but if there's ever a problem, you may not wake up to discover it.

Linda Hylton 2004 Red 23.5' TK From Mountain View RV Park Susanville, CA See where we are: http://map.datastormusers.com/user2.cfm?user=1167

 Sent via the WebMail system at mail.escapees.com
Linda Hylton
Re: Catalytic heaters
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58635
"even with windows open (and we DO open windows when running our cat heater), I wouldn't run it at night while sleeping."
 I agree. A catalytic heater is a wonderful thing, but I'm not so trusting that I would run ANY unvented heater while sleeping.

Andy Baird
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Catalytic heaters, was Wintering in
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58641
Well Linda, I understand your position, and in these days of litigation, I sure wouldn't insist that anyone else do anything that I do. However, I've used the two catalytic heaters at night when it's chilly for the past three years in two different LDs. Nary a headache. So, I guess I'll just keep on using them whenever I want to,  and if I don't wake up some morning, I'll just wave good-bye to you guys while I whistle, "On the Road Again" - destination unknown!

Sarah Englewood
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Catalytic heaters, was Wintering in
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58645
"Well Linda, I understand your position, and in these days of litigation, I sure wouldn't insist that anyone else do anything that I do. However, I've used the two catalytic heaters at night when it's chilly for the past three years in two different LDs. Nary a headache. So, I guess I'll just keep on using them whenever I want to, and if I don't wake up some morning, I'll just wave good-bye to you guys while I whistle, "On the Road Again" - destination unknown! "

Sarah

I think a lot of folks remember the catalytic heaters of years past that normally produced carbon monoxide. I passed out one night, years ago in Death Valley of all places. We were sitting in our pickup camper on a very cold night with our old Coleman cat heater running.
My wife was sitting on the floor and was sitting on the bench with my head near the ceiling, where the heat and gasses accumulated. Next thing I remember, I was laying on the floor. My wife opened the door and aired the camper out. The heater went into the trash the next day.
A lot a people have died using the old style cat heaters.
 Olympic's catalytic heaters use a different catalyst, which does not produce carbon monoxide as part of its normal process. Olympic's Wave series heaters also have low oxygen sensors that shut the heater off if the oxygen levels get too low. They do not work at high altitudes since there is not enough oxygen for them to burn properly.
 I still remember my experience so I will not leave it on at night but if it gets cold enough, I may change my mind.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Catalytic heaters-use at high altitudes
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58792
Quote
"Olympic's catalytic heaters use a different catalyst, which does
not produce carbon monoxide as part of its normal process. Olympic's Wave series heaters also have low oxygen sensors that shut the heater off if the oxygen levels get too low. They do not work at high altitudes since there is not enough oxygen for them to burn properly."

Quote
Larry
Larry, I guess you would have to define "high altitudes".  I just returned from 3 nights at Capitol Reef Natl Park which I believe is around 7,000 ft.  My Wave 6 cat heater worked fine.  The Camping World ad says the Wave 3, 6 and 8 work up to 12,000 ft.

This was the 1st time I have used my Wave 6 in our 30'.  It worked great!  I left it off at night and unfortunately woke up at 5 am several mornings and turned it on.  With the coach temp at 45 degrees, by 6:45 when I got out of bed, the temp was up to 62 degrees.  In the evenings, with outside temp droping into the 40s, it would hold the inside temp at 70 or so.  The nights got down to low 30s.
 Capitol Reef Natl Park is wonderful as many of you know.  We met Terry and Eloth Burnes there and spent 2 of the 3 days 4-wheeling both the north and south 4-wheel trails.  Perfect weather; spectacular scenery; absolute peace and quiet out on the trails.

Chris Horst
2002 30' IB
Denver
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Catalytic heaters-use at high altitudes
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58794
Quote
"...1st time I have used my Wave 6 in our 30'."

Chris Horst 2002 30' IB Denver
Chris

Where did you mount the Wave 6 in your 30'? And how is it plumbed?

Steve S.
Lazy Bones
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Catalytic heaters-use at high altitudes
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58804
Quote


"...1st time I have used my Wave 6 in our 30'."

Chris Horst
2002 30' IB
Denver

Chris

Where did you mount the Wave 6 in your 30'? And how is it plumbed?

Steve S.
Lazy Bones
Go here:  http://tinyurl.com/9h9tu  to see the installation.  (LD Enhancements; Photos; Catalytic Heater Installation)  The flexible hose is long enough that I can place the heater in the hallway between shower and toilet room.  I have the pullout dinette option which provided a perfect storage place for the heater (under the bench seat)- and it happens to be just above the propane tank/line into which I had the copper line teed.  About $180 at Camping World a year ago.  When in use on this last trip it sat between the passenger/driver seats on an old cutting board - about where shown in the photos.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Catalytic heaters-use at high altitudes
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58807
Quote
 
 

"...1st time I have used my Wave 6 in our 30'."

Chris Horst
2002 30' IB
Denver

Chris

Where did you mount the Wave 6 in your 30'? And how is it

plumbed?

Quote

Steve S.
Lazy Bones
 Go here:  http://tinyurl.com/9h9tu  to see the installation.  (LD Enhancements; Photos; Catalytic Heater Installation)  The flexible hose is long enough that I can place the heater in the hallway between shower and toilet room.  I have the pullout dinette option which provided a perfect storage place for the heater (under the bench seat)- and it happens to be just above the propane tank/line into which I had the copper line teed.  About $180 at Camping World a year ago.  When in use on this last trip it sat between the passenger/driver seats on an old cutting board - about where shown in the photos.

Chris
Try this tinyurl:  http://tinyurl.com/b7jvq

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Catalytic heaters-use at high altitudes
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58808
Quote
"I have the pullout dinette option..."

Chris
Chris
 I also have the 30'IB (2004) and the pullout dinette so our rigs are almost identical. Where you have a "Tee" which feeds you Cat heater, I have a "Tee" which feeds my BBQ.
 Wonder if I could adapt the hose for my BBQ to feed a Cat heater also?

Steve S.
Lazy Bones
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Catalytic heaters-use at high altitudes
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58818
Chris (and others),
 Which Camping World did you have do the installation?  I take it you were satisfied with their work?

Anyone know a recommended place for a catalytic heater installation near San Antonio, TX?

What did others pay for their installation?  Is the $180 typical?
 I take it most people are happier with the flexable hose rather than a fixed installation?  Where is the best place for the connector on a RB?

Thanks

Barry 01 r rb tx at (We're planning on Big Bend
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Catalytic heaters-use at high al
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58824
Barry, On our RB we have the connector under the reefer. The hose t's off the reefer outside and has a valve so it can be turned off when not in use.
The hose then runs under the reefer to the floor just where the bathroom door closes. We keep an extension hose to quick connect to it. Remember that the cat heater (like the reefer) use low pressure gas but a barbeque will need to tee off before the regulator in the propane compartment, it needs higher pressure.

Quote
I take it most people are happier with the flexable hose rather than a fixed installation? Where is the best place for the connector on a RB?
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Catalytic heaters-use at high altitudes
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58828
Quote
Chris (and others),

Which Camping World did you have do the installation?  I take it you were satisfied with their work?  DENVER and YES  (Chris)

Thanks

Barry 01 r rb tx at (We're planning on Big Bend in February, and the catalytic heater sounds good.)
  ....  About $180 at Camping World a year ago. ..
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Catalytic heaters-use at high al
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58829
Barry - The $180 sounds about right. I have both of my Wave 3 catalytic heaters installed on walls of my LD. This is the second LD that I have done it this way. I haven't had any installed with a flexible hose, so can't compare.

My reason for having the two Wave 3's installed in a fixed position is that I didn't want anything taking up more floor space, and the Wave 3's are only a couple of inched deep, which means that they don't stick out very much, and aren't in the way, ever. Other reason - I don't have to get them out, or pack them away.
 Other folks find it much more workable for them to do otherwise. This is probably just be one of those personal preference things.

Sarah - happily plugged in to electrons in Englewood, CO (local weather folks say 10"-12" of the white stuff's forcasted for later today.)
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Catalytic heaters-use at high al
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 58830
Quote
On Oct 9, 2005, at 1:21 PM, Sarah Blackwood wrote:
 Whoops - typo. . . . Wave 3's are only a couple of inched deep, . . .

Make that 'a couple of inches deep.  Sarah
Re: Catalytic heaters
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75719
Everyone keeps mentioning that they will not use their catalytic heaters while sleeping.  I inherited my first LD from my dad, a '75 19'.  He had removed the heater and replaced it with a catalytic heater.

I took 4 teenagers skiing many times and spent the night parked in the ski area's parking lot.  Trust me, when it's below zero outside, you run that heater all night and are thankful for it!   Being a cautious person, I always had two windows open at opposite ends of the rig and double the square inches recommended by the heater manufacturer.  All the windows in the coach would freeze up solid so you had to open the appropriate ones BEFORE they froze.

I think as long as you follow the heaters instructions, they can be operated safely.  And just because you are awake does not mean that you would notice carbon monoxide poisoning which can be quite insidious.  One simply nods off and never wakes up!
 Pay strict attention to the ventilation requirements all the time and you should not have any problems.

Lisa 92MB OR

"A 6000 BTU Wave is too big for a 22' LD.
A single Wave 3 is adequate for most conditions. In our 23.5' FL, we have two Wave 3s, one at each end of the coach. The two of them do a good job of warm things on winter days. Like most, we will not run them while we are sleeping."

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
2004 MB
Re: Catalytic heaters
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75721
"...Everyone keeps mentioning that they will not use their catalytic heaters while sleeping.  I inherited my first LD from my dad, a '75 19'.  He had removed the heater and replaced it with a catalytic heater.

I think as long as you follow the heaters instructions, they can be operated safely.  And just because you are awake does not mean that you would notice carbon monoxide poisoning which can be quite

Quote
insidious.  One simply nods off and never wakes up!
Pay strict attention to the ventilation requirements all the time and you should not have any problems"

Quote
Lisa 92MB OR
Ditto.  The cat heater works great all night long.

Chris Horst
Denver
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
 
Re: Catalytic heaters
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 75722
"Trust me, when it's below zero outside, you run that heater all night and are thankful for it!...I think as long as you follow the heaters instructions, they can be operated safely."

I won't argue with that. Personally, I don't run the cat heater at night unless absolutely necessary--and since I don't camp in ski resorts, that necessity very rarely arises for me. But with adequate precautions, they are safe.
 Just make sure everyone in the rig understands why those windows are cracked open. If in the middle of the night, someone were to say "I'm tired of this draft--I'm gonna shut that window," the results could be tragic.

Andy Baird

Oliver Lee SP, NM
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"