Which Wave to go
#11
Posted 23 November 2011 - 07:20 PM
ref:http://www.ebay.com/itm/MR-HEATER-BUDDY-WALL-MOUNT-HEATER-VERY-NICE-/120804531334?_trksid=e17002.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4403879860709727263
A bit less expensive than the wave-
#13
Posted 24 November 2011 - 01:40 AM
From their manual:
• When operating the heater at altitudes over 7,000 FT.
above sea level, the unit may not burn as bright as in
lower altitudes. This is normal. At higher altitudes, the
heater may shut-off. If this happens, provide fresh air,
wait 5 minutes and re-light. Due to local atmospheric
conditions heater may not re-light.
#14
Posted 24 November 2011 - 04:29 AM
#15
Posted 24 November 2011 - 04:52 AM
On a related note -- and relating to using the Wave at higher altitude:Mr buddy has some altitude limits that the Wave doesn't. Depends on where you camp, I bought a MB but returned it because of this. Much of my camping is high, 9, 10, 11,000', not this time of year
From their manual:
• When operating the heater at altitudes over 7,000 FT.
above sea level, the unit may not burn as bright as in
lower altitudes. This is normal. At higher altitudes, the
heater may shut-off. If this happens, provide fresh air,
wait 5 minutes and re-light. Due to local atmospheric
conditions heater may not re-light.
Last month when I was camped at 11,000 feet in the White Mts I wondered if I should have vents open wider than when running my Wave 6 at lower elevations. Seems like the answer is "Yes!". The settings on the heater feed in a fixed amount of propane at any altitude, and for complete combustion the same amount of oxygen would be required at any altitude. But at higher altitudes there is less oxygen because there is less air (the atmospheric pressure is lower).
For example, at 10,000 feet the atmospheric pressure is only 2/3 of what it is at sea level...so to get a fixed amount of oxygen (that is, fixed number of "moles") to the heater, 50% more air volume is required.
So, I'm not sure how to ensure that 50% more air is vented through the camper...but I know that it means that the vents need to be open wider. Yeah, there's not a huge difference between, say 5000 ft and 10,000 (about 20%), but it still could be significant if you were already on the border-line wrt venting.
Something to consider, seems like.
This handy chart (at the really great handy website, "The Engineering Toolbox") gives atmospheric pressure as a function of altitude.
FWC Hawk (2005) on a Ford F250 Supercab, 6.8L V10 gas (2000)
#16
Posted 24 November 2011 - 01:26 PM
Thanks!, I guess I'll go with the wave also-
Due to local atmospheric
conditions heater may not re-light.
That is what got me, when at elevation is often when I most need the heat! Although one year in Big Bend, at 1800' by the river, it dropped to 9 . That was in my tent.
#17
Posted 23 December 2011 - 04:46 AM
We ran out last trip and had to refill at Lee Vining, then spent one night on the E. Walker.
I just tanked up today, preparing for five or six nights in DV. I was surprised when the tank took 1.1 gallons. I know we've been decadent, running the factory furnace and the Wave (on low, all night), but at a gallon a day I'm only good for four or five days out!
2021 RAM 3500 Crew 4x4, 6.4 hemi/8 speed trans with 4.10 gears, Timber Grove bags, Falken Wildpeak 35" tires.
OEV Aluma 6.75 flatbed, Bundutec Odyssey camper on order for 2024
For this year we're still using our 2008 FWC Hawk with victron DC-DC charger, 130w solar, MPPT controler
with 2000w inverter and external 120v output and 12v solar input with 100w portable solar. http://lighthawkphoto.com
#18
Posted 23 December 2011 - 07:20 AM
[What follows is off-topic, sorry, but it was prompted by Lighthawk's discussion of propane-tank emptying.]Anyone know what the consumption of the Wave 3 is? I've googled and haven't found out.
We ran out last trip and had to refill at Lee Vining, then spent one night on the E. Walker.
I just tanked up today, preparing for five or six nights in DV. I was surprised when the tank took 1.1 gallons. I know we've been decadent, running the factory furnace and the Wave (on low, all night), but at a gallon a day I'm only good for four or five days out!
Lighthawk: When you filled up your run-out tank in Lee Vining, did it take a full 5 gallons or close to it?
I'm wondering 'cause I don't recall my tank ever taking much more than 3+ gallons...maybe 4 (though I've never run out, so I had no reason to think it was empty). I started wondering if this always-taking-less-to-fill-than-I-expect was because it's supposed to be filled while on its side/horizontally, since it's intended to dispense while on its side -- made sense to me.
So -- when I went to have the propane tank filled before my most-recent trip I laid the tank down on its side next to the big source tank -- as if to suggest/prompt the propane guy to fill it horizontally. The propane guy -- the gas-station owner, not a dumb kid -- peered at the label on the top of the tank and saw something I'd somehow never noticed: In symbols the tank said (essentially) "use tank horizontally" and "fill tank vertically". Oh...well....I guess that's pretty clear, then. Nevermind.
I still am surprised that I've never used more than 4 gallons...
[Please resume topic, and I apologize for the interruption ]
FWC Hawk (2005) on a Ford F250 Supercab, 6.8L V10 gas (2000)
#19
Posted 23 December 2011 - 07:56 AM
It seems there's meant to be a percentage unfilled for expansion, but I have to beg off since I really don't know much about propane. I think this is valuable info for which Wave to go, i.e. how many nights can your Wave run before you are forced to drive to the nearest town for supplies.
The newer FWC carry two tanks, which can help you avoid running out. There are also gadgets to buy. I splurged on an adapter called Steak Saver, by Mr. Heater, which will let me adapt my one pound bottles to the acme nut of the main tank. At least I can make coffee in the morning and cook a dinner if I run out.
I also saw a tank gauge with a (plug in) remote readout that was expensive and aimed at the BBQ crowd. I wish we had more accurate ways to judge our propane levels. Which brings us back to the thread, Which Wave to go!
2021 RAM 3500 Crew 4x4, 6.4 hemi/8 speed trans with 4.10 gears, Timber Grove bags, Falken Wildpeak 35" tires.
OEV Aluma 6.75 flatbed, Bundutec Odyssey camper on order for 2024
For this year we're still using our 2008 FWC Hawk with victron DC-DC charger, 130w solar, MPPT controler
with 2000w inverter and external 120v output and 12v solar input with 100w portable solar. http://lighthawkphoto.com
#20
Posted 23 December 2011 - 01:03 PM
www.KuenzliPhotography.com
2012 Four Wheel Camper - The FWC Build
"If life was fair, Utah would be closer to home" DD
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