57 replies to this topic

[MarkBC]

Well, kind of. Hot Air rises, but heat will conduct in all directions across a surface, moving from hotter areas to colder areas. Also, that hot surface will radiate heat in all directions regardless of gravity...

 

Sure... but the fact that hot air rises is the main effect (that's why cookware is placed above the flame).

Those other modes of heat transfer could matter, if they were large enough.  But since nothing has happened in years of opportunity then apparently the heat transferred to the hose is small.  I know it seems like I was guessing -- but I've gotten good at that.  The danger is small enough for me.

[van isle]

The 3pinners did it...http://www.wanderthe...-camper/page-17

That is the kind of bracket I was thinking of. Got it on my Amazon wish list and will add it into my shell build.

[mpoliver]

Question about Wave 3:

I have a Wave 3 that I purchased new this fall to put in our Bobcat camper. We do not have a factory installed heater in our camper. From reading through posts about the Wave 3 it sounded like it did an adequate job heating up a camper of our size, therefore we decided it was a better option for us than the forced air furnace. 

After using the heater several times this fall we haven't been very satisfied with the heat output. What I am trying to determine is if our Wave 3 is functioning normally and my expectations were to high or if the heater isn't putting out heat as it should. Currently we do not have a cold weather pack and we do keep windows/vents cracked for ventilation.

Last night i tested it here at our house. I turned the the Wave 3 on about 7:30 or 8 and kept it on high till about 9. I slept in the camper with the heater on low all night. When I got up this morning around 6:00 it was 37 degrees in the camper and 27 outside. I put the heater back on high and used a MSR pocket rocket stove to boil water for tea. After about an hour the temperature in the camper was 42 degrees and the outside temp was still 27. 

Obviously the temperature in the camper was better than outside but it still wasn't exactly comfortable.

My question is does this sound about right to other people who are using a Wave 3 as there sole heat source in sub-freezing temperatures?

I realize that getting the cold weather pack will out some.

 

 

[Lighthawk]

The ten degree difference between outdoors and indoors matches our experience with the Wave3.

It's not really meant to toast up the interior, but is perfect for all night, keep the chill off, performance.

I would guess that your unit is working normally.

 

The obvious benefits of the catalytic heaters are zero watt consumption, with silent performance and low gas consumption.  That said, when we first come in and it's chilly we kick on the loud, but highly effective factory blower furnace.  

[MarkBC]

The forced-air furnace has something like 5 times the heat output of a Wave 3 (depending on the model of furnace).

And so, not only does it take longer to heat up the camper with the catalytic heater -- and lack of fan contributes to that delay -- but the maximum temperature is going to be quite a bit lower.  The maximum temperature is reached when the rate of heat loss through the walls/ceiling (and vent) equals the rate of heat added by the heater.  The warmer it is in the camper the greater the rate of heat loss to the outside.

The forced-air furnace also has the advantage not requiring venting (since it exhausts combustion products outside), so you're not required to let in cold outside air when you're trying to warm the camper.  (on the other hand, venting combustion products to the outside means that some of the energy from the propane is being blown outside)

 

That said, I like my catalytic heater for the same reasons as Lighthawk mentions, and use mine like he uses his.  I have a Wave 6, so that pushes up the comfort level in colder conditions -- at the cost of a bigger heater taking up space in the camper.

[Shadyapex]

We used to have a Wave 3 in a Ford camper van and were pretty disappointed with it. Cooking a meal had more effect than running the heater. Now we're using a Mr. Heater Portable Buddy and it's way more effective. It sits on the floor of our Eagle facing backwards and with outside temps in the 30s we can be in T-shirts with the heater on low. We only ever use the high setting first thing in the morning for a short time. It also has a low oxygen safety shut off. Keeping the little cans handy is kind of annoying though. Haven't gotten around to plumbing in propane from the main tanks yet.

[mpoliver]

Thanks for the responses about the Wave 3. I sort of figured our's was normal but wanted to check. We may end up getting a forced air furnace installed and use both it and the Wave 3 as suggested by several.

Before we go that route I may see if can borrow a Buddy heater and see how that works for a night or two.

Shadyapex - any chance you want to loan me yours for a night so I can try it out? I'm in Bishop.

[Shadyapex]

Thanks for the responses about the Wave 3. I sort of figured our's was normal but wanted to check. We may end up getting a forced air furnace installed and use both it and the Wave 3 as suggested by several.

Before we go that route I may see if can borrow a Buddy heater and see how that works for a night or two.

Shadyapex - any chance you want to loan me yours for a night so I can try it out? I'm in Bishop.

Sure, I'll message you my number.