Catalytic Heaters

[Jeep]

I just bought one of these, http://www.northstarflameless.com/new/rec-9000.html seem to have a flawless reputaion and the manufacturer was great to deal with. Is there any down side to using a catalytic heater? I like the no power useage feature and no wasted fuel but does anybody have any negatives to using one? Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Northern Explorer]

I just bought one of these, http://www.northstarflameless.com/new/rec-9000.html seem to have a flawless reputaion and the manufacturer was great to deal with. Is there any down side to using a catalytic heater? I like the no power useage feature and no wasted fuel but does anybody have any negatives to using one? Thanks in advance guys.

That looks like a nice unit. The only down side that I can see is that you need to have open venting for the unit to "breath". This 9000 btu unit requires 9 square inches of open fresh air. On a really cold day a 9 square inch opening will let in a lot of cold and will minimize the overall heating ability of the unit.

Also, most catalytic heaters don't have thermostatic controles. You can set it for high or low but you will not be able to set it up to turn on or off to hold a specific temperature.

 

[hugh]

take their warning about the vents very seriously. If the O2 level drops catalytic heaters will start producing carbon monoxide. Invest in a battery powered carbon monoxide detector, I have one in my small trailer and it's cheap insurance.

 

[Northern Explorer]

take their warning about the vents very seriously. If the O2 level drops catalytic heaters will start producing carbon monoxide. Invest in a battery powered carbon monoxide detector, I have one in my small trailer and it's cheap insurance.

Most catalytic heaters have automatic low o2 shut off (not sure if this unit does or not) but I wouldn't bet my life on that working.

x2 on the carbon monoxide detector

 

[mhiscox]

Also, most catalytic heaters don't have thermostatic controls. You can set it for high or low but you will not be able to set it up to turn on or off to hold a specific temperature.

I don't know why I was so fortunate, but my Sprinter's Olympian (now Camco) Wave 8 cat heater has a sliding thermostat which sort of worked--the cool end wasn't cool enough; it didn't usually shut off if it was under 65-70.

However, a quick search of the internet did not uncover a current Wave 8 with the thermostat. If it's important, you could search more extensively.

 

[Byrdseye]

The only downside that I've experienced is the amount of water vapor produced .......That being said, I think it's the next best thing to a diesel fired system.(frugal on fuel and battery power) Do go with a CO alarm though.

 

[Jeep]

Thanks guys. I think a CO alarm should be mandatory in any heated environment and rightfully so, it's deadly. Byrdseye, anything to compare the water vapor issue to that I might be familiar with, like a propane stove?? My old (and not that old) holiday trailer probably has 48 squre inches of air leaks so I should be OK with up to 9 square inches, I'll try to figure out the air vent locations for max efficiency, I'll have to think about that though.