Info On Olympian Wave 3000 heater

[Auto360]

Greetings,

In a couple weeks I'll be ordering the Wave 3000 heater from Olympia to keep me warm during the Utah winters in my van which I'm living full time in. I have done the research that I could, but I do have a couple questions that I didn't find sufficient answers to.

1) Is there any reason that I can't drive down the road with it on? I'm not sure if I will be be doing a wall mount later on but for the time being I will order the "feet" so it is free standing. (All my tools and shop are in Az so I can't really do much modifying at this time). Of course I'll make sure it is sufficiently stable for transit but I understand that some will say that this inadvisable but please save that discussion for a different time.

2) I saw that Bob, Mr. Wells, has said that he left his on when he was in Alaska. I have a brand new 5g/20 lb propane tank for this set up already installed. My question is that if I leave it set on low, approximately how long will my propane tank last?

I feel it would be easier to just leave it on even when I'm not in it because the fact is I'm always in and out of it throughout the day and with this style of heater I think that they don't warm the inside up quickly, but once warm its easy to maintain. I'm a pretty frugal guy but I must be warm in the winter so I don't mind spending a little extra on propane even if it's "wasted" when I'm not in it. 

Also, I know that it is important to protect the "heating element" from dust/dirt as it will eventually decrease efficiency. If its "on" is this still a concern? 

In a few weeks I will also update my findings and pass anything along once its purchased and used. Thanks in advance for any help on this.

Matt

 

[akrvbob]

Yes, I had both sizes, the biggest and the Wave 3 and the Wave 3 ran 24/7 from October till sometime in April or May. The average winter temps in Anchorage aren't that cold, mid-20s during the day and teens at night. Of course a cold snap could come in at any time and it would well below zero for weeks on end. At -30 I ran both heaters on high, and barely stayed warm, I used my coleman stove top as a supplement. At normal temps the Wave 3 on low was just right.

For stability i build a little plywood box with a nice angle on it and put heavy items in it so it couldn't fall over. Be aware, if something with fabric falls on it, it will catch fire, and if it's fireproof it will smolder and produce smoke like you can't imagine. Don't ask me how I know that!!!

Sorry, I stopped using it in 2001 and I don't remember if I ever checked for propane usage. It just was what it was, and the weather varied so much. During the day during a chinook it could be 50 or it could be -30. Hard to say how much you used on "average"

The heat coming off it when it's on wouldn't allow dust to settle on it, so no problem then.

They are extremely excellent heaters!!! Highly recommended.

 

[VanGuy6678]

I sold my Wave 3000 after its first use. It was slow to create heat, but quick to produce condensation, which can cause lots of problems and discomfort. Especially when the sun hits your windows in the am and starts converting window ice into vapor. Steambaths as my alarm clock = not my fav. Not to mention the damage that condensation can cause to metal, behind wall panels, etc.

But if you commit to constant ventilation, you may be just fine. Cold, but minimal condensation.

 

[Auto360]

Thx Bob and vanguy,
I'll keep my eye on condensation. In a few weeks when I get it I'll give an update.

 

[rvpopeye]

I really liked the Wave 6 I had !
It gave off plenty of heat in my 29' moho.
I usually started it on high and then turned it down to low.(3000btu=Wave3 on high)
I used it in Tennessee and Vermont .
Leaving a roof vent open a little kept the moisture away.

 

[Auto360]

I got my Wave 3000 last week...but I'm waiting on my hose. I bought a 6ft hose and realized it's too short so I ordered a 12ft, which is too long...
Anyway, I'll have it tomorrow. I'll be sure to update how it works. Weather is gonna be a bit brisk this week so perfect timing.

 

[ccbreder]

The vehicle must be vented while using these heaters. Moisture and low oxygen and possibility of CO. They are inferred heaters and warm items and people more than warm the air. But a small muffin fan helps.

 

[Auto360]

I have a CO2 detector and a small dehumidifier on my wish list at Amazon.

 

[ccbreder]

Ventilation is free, dehumidifier takes lots of power. Low oxygen is also bad for humans. I hope you mean a CO detector.

 

[Auto360]

Hey ccbreder,

Oops, yes, I meant CO. In class we have been discussing CO2 so much it was an automatic response.

There is a small dehumidifier that can be made to work on 12volt apparently. From what I gather, the plug part is actually a small converter and converts 110 down to 9 volts. If you cut the plug off you can simple add a 12v adapter and run it in the cig lighter. This is all according to a youtube video done by an electrician. 

So, apparently the reason CO can kill you is that it creates carboxyhemoglobin. As you probably know already, we take in ( inspiration) oxygen and exhale CO2. But, CO mimics oxygen and will attach itself to the four hemoglobins in one red blood cell. Therefore, instead of the body getting oxygen, its getting CO which causes acidosis within the blood...and then all your internal organs go kapoot... Anyway, just thought I would share.


The good news is my heater is on right now as I type this and it is working great. I have it on the low setting and I guess I'll wake up early to turn it back on before I fully get up. I'll order my CO detector in a couple days.

 

[Auto360]

UP DATE:

I've been using my Wave 3 here in Utah for over a month now. If you look at the weather for SLC, you'll see it's pretty dang cold at night. The heater works well but my van is only insulated so much. Last night it got down to the teens and my inside thermometer said 45 degrees by morning. But, I have a super warm sleeping bag so I'm never cold sleeping and in the morning I can just let the van idle a bit and supplement with engine heat. Then when I cook that also warms the inside. Takes no time to be 80+. But, my van loses heat quickly. The heater so far is very reliable and sips propane. Hard to say how much because I'm not keeping track of the time I use it, but lately it's on "high" and I use it alot. Most of the time it starts on the first try but every once in a while it takes three different start ups to get it to stay on. Not a big deal, doesn't happen often. I bought the optional legs and I have a long hose so I can move it around to face me. I have a brand new 20lb propane mounted between steal cabinet legs. My passenger seat is on a swivel so if I'm reading or something, I turn the heater towards me. For a cover when I'm not using it, I just use the plastic bag that it came in when it was packaged in the box. Yes, it does produce condensation but I guess I don't really care. Although, and it's kinda funny, in the morning the condensation will drip from the edge of my ceiling and, without fail, lands somewhere on my head. I'm not even sure why I find it funny because I can imagine it would drive others nutty. When I'm home for break I'm gonna make my own stand that also has a handle so I can turn accordingly with more ease. A CO detector is apparently going into my stocking...

 

[DannyB1954]

A 20lb cylinder of propane contains 430,000 BTU of heat, so If you are running a 3,000 btu heater divided by that. Comes out to about 143 hours, divided by 24 is about 6 days. Not sure what the cost is, depends on if you get your tank filled or just do an exchange. and they usually sell refills by the gallon not pound at fuel depots. Say it cost $20, that would be about $80 to $100 a month for heat.

 

[Goshawk]

A 20lb cylinder of propane contains 430,000 BTU of heat, so If you are running a 3,000 btu heater divided by that. Comes out to about 143 hours, divided by 24 is about 6 days. Not sure what the cost is, depends on if you get your tank filled or just do an exchange. and they usually sell refills by the gallon not pound at fuel depots. Say it cost $20, that would be about $80 to $100 a month for heat.

24 hours heating ? Are you inside that long ? Maybe adjust to eight hours heating per day?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Auto360]

Hey Goshawk,

DannyB was just saying that if I did run it 24 hrs that would be an estimated time of how long it would last.
I always have my tank refilled. Those places where you exchange them are not going to be a good deal. I just ran my tank out and it cost $11.40 to refill. I forget the price per gallon. Staying warm is a priority for me so I don't skimp on spending on propane. Generally I'm pretty frugal but I can't stand being cold in my living environment.