Catalytic heater install March 21, 2001, 06:23:19 pm Yahoo Message Number: 2777Steve: The Olympian factory tells me that the smallest cat heater (Wave 3; 1600 to 3000 btus)is not adequate for my l995 23 1/2 LD since it only heats up 130 square feet, or a 12' RV. Ours is the front lounge model and our camping is usually in Nor. Cal. We get some freezing temperatures in the spring and fall. How does that compare with your experience? I would prefer the smallest model if it is adequate. Les.
Catalytic heater install Reply #1 – March 22, 2001, 09:13:50 am Yahoo Message Number: 2791Les, ours is 2800 Btus max, and we find it just about keeps up with freezing temps outside. As a comparison of raw heat output, a cat heater in this range is about equivalent to a 1500W small electric heater. Note two things about the cat, however:- As a radiant heater, if mounted on feet and a flexible hose so you can orient it to point at you, it will warm you up even if the air is cool.- You still have the furnace to make up any difference.If it is really cold inside when we start the heater, we will run the furnace for about 10 min. This can also be done occasionally as a booster.About 80% of our camping is during seasons and in places where nighttime temps when we are indoors and awake are between 30 and 50 degrees. The heater worked fine for us one very rainly and blustery El Nino trip over Xmas up to Crescent City and down the coast to the Bay area, for instance.Cat heaters produce moisture in the air as a by-product, so expect condensation issues when it is cold and damp out. The condensation is mostly on the window frames and glass, but it pays to keep an absobent chamois or such handy. Running the furnace doesn't create this problem, and can help reduce it. Running the Fantastic Fan on low will reduce heating efficiency, but can cut way down on condensation.Steve
Topic: Catalytic heater install (Read 6 times)
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Topic: Catalytic heater install (Read 6 times)
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