Catalytic Heaters

LarryG · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Oregon

Are catalytic heaters safe in trailers? Especially at night while sleeping if 1 or 2 windows are cracked. The new ones have low oxygen shutoff. It would save on battery power and probably propane over using the trailer furnace. Thanks

elh3946 · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1650 Location: Sioux Falls, SD

Personally, I would never use a non-vented catalytic heater during the night while I was sleeping, even with some windows cracked. If there were a problem, you'd never wake up to discover it.

Just get some down comforters or other warm bedding and pile it on. We never run any kind of heater during the night...but then we try not to camp where it's really cold (easier said than done recently, though...where the heck is this global warming everyone's talking about? Smile

).

royston · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 6:48 pm Post subject: Catalytic Heaters

We purchased a 2 brick Comfort Glow catalytic heater 5 years ago and have used it a lot, with ABSOLUTELY no problems. It's 100% efficient and we put three .5amp fans on the top that plug into 12 volt for circulation. Keeps us toasty warm on cold nights. There is always ventilation on the microwave oven. Course when we are in RV parks with electric hookup, we use electric heaters!

LarryG · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Oregon

Anyone else? I would like to get comments from many people, especially the catalytic heater users. And which brands and sizes they use compared to the RV size and outdoor temps. Thanks for any information you give.

Randy Doig · Joined: 04 Feb 2007 Posts: 1 Location: BC, Canada

I have been using a three brick, 30,000 BTU Legacy heater since Nov/06. This type of heater is excellent and I would not be without it now that I've tried them. I have had some problems and wish to bring them to your attention. This heater had a tendency to mislight the third brick on initial startup and sometimes on reigniting after a long wait between lighting cycles. After replacing the heater at the dealer, the second unit performed the same. This is a serious problem and creates carbon monoxide; my alarm awoke me a few times even with my window cracked. Reading the instructions, it called for 11" W.C. pressure at the heater which the heater regulator then drops down to 10" WC to operate. I hard piped a line into the unit (with a shutoff valve) and then had a 12' hose with quick disconnects for moving the heater around. I still have this arrangement. After the second unit had a problem lighting, I installed test points and checked my RV propane pressure inside the RV. I found the preset regulator was only delivering just under 9" WC and was not meeting the manufacturer's needs. I changed my RV regulator for one with a manual adjustment and found the max. setting was 11.2" WC which is where it is set today. I've installed a second carbon monoxide alarm at the bed's headboard also for peace of mind. The problem with the factory set regulators will be widespread and will affect how your gas feed appliances will operate. If and when you change your operating pressure, you will need to check your original gas appliances (fridge, heater, stove, etc.) pilot lights/burners for proper operations. Your dealer or a gas fitter may need to be consulted for your own safety. Hope this information helps. Randy
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alpenliter · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 30 Location: Olympia, WA

Randy is the cat heaters you use "Legacy" brand? I typed it into my browser and couldn't find anything on them.

elh3946 · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1650 Location: Sioux Falls, SD

Alpenliter, if you'll type in "Legacy heaters" into Google, you'll get lots of hits -- including a recall notice. Note that these are not catalytic heaters, but rather "infrared" heaters. We have one that's very similar, except it's a Kozy-World brand. Here's a picture and specs for the model we have.

alpenliter · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 30 Location: Olympia, WA

Thanks, elh. That looks like something I'd be interested in. Just installed a 110 wall heater, now I need something for when I'm not plugged in.

jerryriverguy · Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 57 Location: Could be anywhere

I've used a 3000 BTU Wave 3 in my 30' 5er for 2 plus years. Love it in the cold weather. I boondock and dry camp a lot, so want to minimize running the furnace.

Happy trails
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sunglass guy · Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 1 Location: washington

I've been using catalytic heaters in my motorhomes for 25 years and truly enjoy the constant warmth from them as a wood fireplace would give. Because I boondock a lot and they dont use electric, it's better on the batteries. I found that they are more fuel efficient than the furnaces and don't cycle on and off so always cozy warm. Definitely the ones with the ceramic wool pads are more efficient and seem to burn more completely. I leave a vent cracked as I'm a fresh air nut anyway. I've used them in 20 below and truly enjoy coming in to a cozy warm place. Good ones aren't cheap so get your pocketbook out, but they are nice. Cheap ones don't burn completely and they're for the carbon dioxide problem.

Bebop · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 21 Location: California

No furnace at night. Only an electric blanket 12 volt or 110 volt.
Bebop

tumbleturn · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 283

Instead of a catalytic heater, in my hunting buddy's first trailer, an 18-foot 1967 Fireball, the box itself was 15 feet long. It had a propane lantern that was mounted on the wall above the dinette. Not only did it provide heat, it also provided light early in the morning and again in the evening. Whenever he used it, he would crack the roof vent and always shut it off before going to bed. I would like to find one for my rig.

Mike
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As of 12/19/2008 I am a homeless unemployed bum YAHOOOO. Can you spare a dime? Currently Hanging out around Grass Valley CA

Alterego · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 596

kingrokon · Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Posts: 61

I used to have a heater in a small cabover shell-type pickup camper that went by the brand name of “THE CAT.” It was positively ventilated, as it had a fan that sucked air through the catalytic pad and exhausted it through a flexible tube to the outside. It was set up to be fail-safe so that if the fan went off, the flame would go out. It was controlled by a thermostat and only came on when it was needed. The fan only drew about half an amp while running, making it well-suited to a small vehicle without hookups. I think it was rated about 6000 BTU.

I still have the truck camper, but haven’t used it in years. The last time I tried the heater a year ago, it wouldn’t start up. I may try to get it repaired someday.

It was ideal for a small truck camper. Because of its ventilation fan and fail-safe features, it is about the only kind of catalytic heater I would feel comfortable going to sleep with it turned on.

They went out of production for a while. I think they may be making them again now under the name “PLAT CAT”. I think it’s now pretty much a small-time operation, apparently only doing limited production. I’m not sure if you can buy these through retail outlets or not.

Their website doesn’t state any price, you’ll probably have to talk to them in person, and see if they even want to sell you one. Try:
www.ventedcatheater.com

DocScott · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Westerly, RI

Our heater failed last spring and we bought a "Mr Heater" portable catalytic heater at Wal-Mart. It worked well for us in our 30-foot class A.
Now we have been dry camping on weekends since late October in CT and we use the portable heater all the time. Very Happy

Conserving battery power (of which we have 4) is the main reason we started using the CAT heater.

It's nice to move the heat where you are sitting, especially if you're reading or just lounging around.

Surprisingly, the best benefit is a quiet night's sleep without the furnace cycling on and off all night. Wink

Be Cautious: Some ventilation is necessary and you should check LP and carbon monoxide detectors for proper operation.

2007: I purchased the extension hose kit, 20 lb propane tank and a marine thrudeck fixture to replace the use of propane cylinders. Mounted the Heater Buddy on the wall near the entrance running the propane hose through the wall into the cabinet under the fridge and then through the outside wall. Sure is nice to run it all wekend and not have to change those expensive cylinders!
(it could have been just tapped into the RV propane if I felt more comfortable about it).

See this web sites:
http://www.mrheater.com
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=12176&familyName=Seafarer+Rope+and+Chain+Deck+Pipe+Fittings
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