Vented Cat Heater

[byeceeya]

I found this after much research into the safety and efficiency of unvented heaters in vans had me a bit worried if I have to dwell in cold climates, which is entirely possible.<br>These are probably rather pricey, I haven't contacted the manufacturer yet, but they look like the safest way to heat our vans and easiest to install.&nbsp; Check it out.<br><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ventedcatheater.com">www.ventedcatheater.com</a><br>Hope this is helpful.<br>Jess<br>

 

[akrvbob]

I'm not familiar with that brand, but I lived in a box van for 6 years in Anchorage, AK. Due to the extreme cold I had to have heat. I used Olympian catalytic heaters the whole time and very highly recommend them. They are unvented, but because they are a true catalytic heater they produce virtually no carbon monoxide. They use a chemical process instead of a flame to produce heat so for all practical purposes there is no carbon monoxide. They do burn oxygen, so you must provide ventilation. If you follow the instruction manual for ventilation and non-combustible clearances, they are 100% safe. Bob<br>

 

[byeceeya]

Glad to hear that, bob.&nbsp; I had a bad experience years ago living in a remodeled "loft" over a tractor shed on a farm, a little too air tight, using a kero heater, got pretty sick, so you can imagine I'm just a wee paranoid.&nbsp; Hence the search.&nbsp; I enjoyed the RV furnace in my 28 ft class C, but it was a fuel hog, not to mention forced air which beat heck out of the house batteries. So, when I found this one I thought, hmmm, vented, exhaust blower, catalytic, compact.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Small model specs are 3k BTU, 12Vdc, 1/8 lb per hr propane consumption, operating cost about .04 per hr, Current draw at startup (2 minutes)is 5 amps, operating draw less than 0.5 amps, H=14",W=12", D=5 3/8".&nbsp; And thermostatic control.&nbsp; Might be a bit pricey, haven't heard back yet.&nbsp; But guess I'd rather be pricey and alive than frugally dead...LOL&nbsp;&nbsp; I believe the info page said something about zero emissions and zero condensation as well, which is a plus in such a confined space.<br>From their site..."<br><p align="left">THE PLATINUM CAT utilizes a power vent system which exhausts all combustion by-products to the outside of the living area, which automatically replace oxygen used for combustion. The vent system prevents buildup of unhealthy indoor air pollution and eliminates any chance of accidental asphyxiation.</p> <p align="left">All hydrocarbon- fueled heaters (kerosene, gas, coal, wood, oil, etc.) produce undesirable combustion by-products, regardless of how efficiently the heaters combust the fuel. These by-products can include carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water vapor. Unless vented outside the living space, these by-products can drastically increase the level of indoor air pollution. They are especially harmful to the elderly, small children, pregnant women, and those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. In addition, all hydrocarbon fueled heaters produce carbon monoxide. However, because of the low combustion temperatures at which they operate, catalytic heaters produce far less carbon monoxide than flame combustion heaters. The level of carbon monoxide produced increases dramatically when the oxygen level in the living space is reduced, because the lower oxygen level reduces the efficiency of the combustion process.</p><p align="left">5200 BTU<br></p><p align="left"><img alt="6P12B" src="http://ventedcatheater.com/images/6p12b.jpg?869" align="middle" border="0" hspace="0"></p><p align="left">3000 BTU<br></p><p align="left"><img style="FILTER: alpha(opacity=NaN); WIDTH: 171px; HEIGHT: 168px; opacity:NaN;filter:alpha(opacity=NaN);FILTER: alpha(opacity=NaN); WIDTH: 171px; HEIGHT: 168px; opacity: NaN" alt="_3P12B" src="http://ventedcatheater.com/images/_3P12B.jpg?869" align="left" border="0" height="473" hspace="0" width="600"></p>

 

[Wild_E]

Hey,<div>I used a Big Buddy all winter unvented, although I made sure I had a vent open and some airflow from the back of the Truck into the front of the truck.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Big Buddy is a fuel hog, costs a fortune to run, That being said, this winter it will be backup heater on a 100lb tank along with a smaller Sport Cat heater. If I could do it all over again, I would go with an Olympic style like Bob mentioned or buy one of the other ones that were mentioned in this Heating Thread.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Since I have the room I will be making a Rocket Mass heater or a used oil heater as were I am staying, living in my Truck on the back of a farm, there is about 600 gals of used oil there. Either way I go, I will be having a fresh air intake and letting the excess heat go out the roof top vent. Love that vent.</div>

 

[Wild_E]

Edit: Big Buddy on low setting it only ran for about 4 - 4.5 days on a 20lb tank so at $16.99 per tank it is much cheaper to fill up a 100lb tank for $65.<div><br></div><div>The little Sport Cat heater runs for about 7 days on the 20lb tank, it is not enough to heat the living area of the truck in the colder months, but will maintain the above 0cel or 32deg to keep things from freezing.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I plan to use it in the day time or when I am away, at night I will be using the Rocket Mass heater or the Oil heater. Now I am thinking if I build some mass around the Oil Heater, it will be similar to the rocket mass heater for warmth and residual heat.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In the next couple of months I will be making the heaters outside to certain sized&nbsp;guidelines&nbsp;of the space inside and will give them a go test. Not doing it inside as I want to live in there and not be in a Sauna! just way.. way to hot.</div>