Portable Catalytic heaters

Hello Hickson,
Yes/no, it depends on your value of a good night sleep :).
We have the Coleman portable catalytic heater (without fan) in a camper trailer & I do not leave home without it as we have 2 kids under 3y/o that never keep their covers on, so we run this & it keeps the camper at approx 16c on 0 to 1c nights, & if they are warm then we all sleep well, so "yes" I think they are the better of the alternatives. During the winter / longer nights we find that we use 1.4 bottles per night (almost 12hrs) so this adds up to approx $10 per night therefore it is worth while getting the MacCoupler from the US & filling your own bottles as required & for the fraction of the cost.

Cheers Simon.

At then end of the day, even the catalytic heaters give off C02/C0 don't they so pose a asphixiation risk in an enclosed space ? No doubt they are effective at heating but I read some where that 300 people die each year in the US from C0/C02 poisoning.

Thoughts anyone ? We run ours as the kids get changed for bed but with adult supervision. We then turn it off.

A good hot water bottle, bed socks and beanie should be more than enough I reckon. I would not keep any heater going all night! Snuggle up close.

Peter

Received Mac Coupler today from US.
Read on another forum that someone fitted a C0 detector in their caravan, and after using the Colman Pro Cat heater nothing registered on the C0 detector.
I would still ensure that some ventilation was available.
However I would not leave it on whilst sleeping.
Barry

m'mm & US people die on the roads because they think cruise control will go into auto pilot while they go make a cupper in the camper, I would not base much on those statistics, but I can say we run ours all night for many many nights & have a CO detector, & zip nothing is detected. The obvious has to be said with any conbustable burning item that some base ventilation is common sense hence leave the window open a few inches.

now to duck for cover.
Cheers Simon

Hi. We got one last year but have not used it yet. Going away Sat for 1 month and
it is packed. Luckily we only got two gas cyclinders and herd about the
MacCoupler and got one of those.So I cannot give you any feedback on it but was
interested in your question. Brian

Guys, you can also use the standard LPG gas cylinders with Coleman gas hose
which just screws into the heater...

Also at the back of the Coleman there is a power connection, so you can use bigger 12v battery instead of D batteries.... Jcar got an adapter where you get 12v cigarette plug on one end and selectable power output for 1.5v, 3v, etc., on
and variety of plugs on the other end. Works very good with Coleman heater.

Now, can anyone point me where I can get the CO2 meter?

We have a Coleman Procat Tent heater, with fan, which we have used quite a few times in our camper, and although we were a little disapointed at first by the amount of heat it puts out, it does keep the chill down to a comfortable level.
It leaves no fumes what so ever and is very comfortable to live with, although I havent been game enough to sleep with it on yet, as one mistake could be fatal!!!
We set it up ready to go close by, and whoever gets up first, usually me, for that early morning call after 5 am, turns gas on and kicks it in the guts and the camper is pleasant to get up in, after a while.
Dont expect it to be like sitting in front of the fire at home, but it is adaquate.
We get around 8 hrs from a canister, but mostly use it with hose, $30, onto 4kg standard gas bottle, could use any bottle you have or like.
Wouldnt be bothered refilling throw away canisters
Fan booster is run by 2 d size batterys, which last a fair while, and I think fan is worth it. Think we paid $176 2 years ago.

Cheers Pesty

Hi all,

Noticed this on the JUGA Yahoo group...

6.1. Re: heating outback swan
Posted by: "Brett Christie" brettchristie@iinet.net.au patrolstl04
Date: Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:33 pm ((EST))

This is the latest reply from Coleman as of today re both of their
catalytic converters...I was pretty keen to purchase one but it now
makes me think twice.

Brett.

Hi Brett

The Catalytic heaters are not suitable for indoor use. There has
been a change to the saftey regulations and we now advise that you
do not use these heaters indoors as a safety issue. Thank you for
your email, if you require further assistance please do not hesitate
to contact me.
Kind Regards

Amanda Slight
Coleman Brands Pty Ltd
Ph: (02) 8762 5000 Fax 1300 550 285
Email: amandas@colemanaust.com.au
Website: www.colemanaustralia.com.au

we let our procat run overnight, no probs (in a tambo camper) someone on another forum suggested a generator and electric blankets, sounds a bit soft, but the baby daughter gets very cold overnight (blanket thrower) so im thinking..............mabey.