Lpg Heaters

[bombero]

Before next winter, when we do lots of dry camping in the Southwest, I am going to purchase a vent free LPG heater. I been looking at the ones in the 10k to 15k BTU range. There seem to be at lease three types available: !. A blue flame heater where you can actually see the "blue flame". 2. A ceramic type that has no flame. 3. A "wave heater" as sold by camper world. Anyone who has any experience with these your thoughts will be appreciated

 

[Eric_77]

I hope you are not talking about using this in an enclosed space. Even though they burn really clean they use up all the oxygen in the air and should not be used without an outside air source.

I have the Mr. Heater brand heaters three of them 1 two burner and 2 3 burner they work great very directional and work outside fairly well. The wind will blow them out at about a 15-20 mph gust and even when aimed downwind they seem to go out fairly easy. I also found that in cold temps the thermocouple gets so cold it shuts it self off. A large tank is a must as in temps under 50 degrees the 3 burner units would dain tank the fuel so fast the tank freezes up and hardly gas would flow so thermocouple closes the 2 burner was good to about 40 but at 40 degrees you really need the 3 burner unit. I found by going to a 60 pound tank it would operate at full power for about 5 hours at 40 degrees.



Edit boy I had some typos

 

[bombero]

Eric; Ya I'm talking about using inside my trailer. Lots of people have these type of heaters and I think most of them are still alive. The ones I am considering are not like a Mr Heater. They are made for perminate installion although I want to have mine portable. Look in a Camper World or Northern Tool catalog and you will see what I mean.

 

[ropinfool2]

I have a catalytic in mine. Takes the chill off the main part of the trailer, but will not heat it comfortably. I got caught in a snow storm in July last year (Montana), the main furnace wasn't working (who would've thought you would need a furnace in July??) so I lit up the catalytic, put it on high, moved my daughter into the bedroom with the wife (seperate furnace up there) and slept in the back. Good thing I had lots of blankets. Good luck. John

 

[DrJC]

Bombero,



I've used an Olympic 4-6 thousand b. t. u. catalytic hearter (from Camping World) for several years in a 23' trailer w/o slide and now in a 26' trailer w/slide.



It is an excellent little heater that gives off constant heat, with very little propane consumption and without the annoying blower that accompanies all RV furnaces.



I have used it in Michigan's upper peninsula while deer hunting in November. The front 2/3 of the trailer (I placed the heater near the front entry door) was very comfy. The rear 1/3 was chilly. This is due mostly to the lack of a blower to force warm air all the way to the rear.



Temps when described above are in the high teens to low 30s.



I have the mid-size heater. A smaller and a larger size are available to accommodate larger/smaller rigs.



It was fairly easy to install and has proven very safe to use. I would follow the direction of cracking open a window as a make-up air source, even though there is a built-in safety shut-off in case of oxygen depletion below a set level.



All in all, it was a very good investment that has seen use now for about 6 years in my two most recent trailers which see service on a year-round basis from Michigan to Florida to California and points between.



Dr JC

 

[Texas Diesel]

Another question on unvented heaters: I've read that they produce moisture when operating, have you noticed any extra sweating on the windows? And what about the O2 supply? I'm thinking about getting one too.

 

[Midnite]

Just crack a top vent and open another vent (or window) as low as possible. You should have all the airflow you need.



Mike

 

[DKlimas]

More info

For reference here is a link to some more information on unvented heaters.



Dave

 

[ropinfool2]

They produce LOTS of moisture, window were sweating real bad. I just keep a roof vent open for additional o2. John