Wave heater reviews

[jmodge]

I have read with interest the wave heater installation, and the furnace lighting problems. Since I had furnace problems last night, fortunately I had my down mummy bag and eight pound cotton and flannel bags, I kept warm after my furnace quit at midnight. But it was plenty cold when I got out of bed to go hunting. I can start my Blazer and heat the camper in no time, but the whole idea of sleeping in the woods was to not spook the deer with vehicle traffic traffic in the morning.
My furnace seemed to have thermostat problems. It would continue to cycle constantly and get too warm, I would turn down the stat, and once the camper would cool off it would fire and keep cycling. Well, I finally fell asleep and awoke around midnight to a squeaking fan and a cold camper. The burner would not light, so I was po'd enough already so I just shut it off. It did not fire in the morning, but it did after I started the truck later in the day.
So after some strong wind, I will get to my point. I'm not sure I want to screw with the furnace, so I would like to hear some reviews on the wave 3.
Will it idle down low enough to run all night in 20 degree weather and not overheat the camper?
Will it keep a camper warm in zero degree weather without help?
What about efficency compared to a furnace?

I know MarkBC and Barko have them. There was a fella that did a total restoration on a Blazer model similar to mine. He removed his furnace and replaced it with a wave 3. I think his name was desertgeo. I would love to hear the pros and cons from you guys that have used them. Thanks.

Oh, and the fun didn't end there, I missed a nice buck at about 175 yards, and found ice on the way home and took my Blazer, with trailer and quad in tow, through a ditch and in to a corn field sideways at about 45 or 50 mph. All went well as I managed to get it in 4h and floor it out of there. I was a little gun shy the rest of the way home. I got home to a warm reception from the dog and the little woman(yes, in that order)and everything is good.

 

[BSS]

Will it idle down low enough to run all night in 20 degree weather and not overheat the camper?
Will it keep a camper warm in zero degree weather without help?
What about efficency compared to a furnace?



If adequately vented, yes.

yes. if you are dubious of this, the wave 6 will DEFINITELY fit the bill

Far more efficient, no precious electrical power required, uses ~1-1.5 lb. of gas per night

I don't own a Wave 3, but have installed a few. They're simple, light weight, take up less cargo space, and cheaper than buying a replacement furnace anyways. And FAR less likely to fail in the backcountry. The only real drawbacks I can think of are it can't be mounted recessed, and you do actually have to get out of bed to adjust the temperature (vs. just reaching down and flicking the thermostat.)

 

[Overland Hadley]

I have a Wave 3 waiting for my camper, in the mean time I am using it in my studio.

I am impressed with the quality of the heater. It heats at 99 % efficiency. The high setting puts out a lot of heat.

That is what I know at this point. I am glad I have one for my camper build.

 

[Overland Hadley]

The only real drawbacks I can think of are it can't be mounted recessed,


The Wave 6 and 8 can be recessed. The Wave 3 can not.

 

[BSS]

true.

But you can't really recess anything in the FWC without losing valuable storage anyways.

 

[MarkBC]

I used my Wave 6 for the first time on my October vacation to the Sierra-east and White Mts. and another weekend in November. I like it and recommend it...with a couple of qualifiers.

It's a great and powerful radiant heater, but not as great a way to heat up the cabin air in general, at least not quickly: Like, if the cabin started at 20° the Wave 6 could ignite my pant-legs before it thawed my ears. Ok, maybe a bit of an exaggeration

, but you get my point.

It's true that all of the propane energy goes into heat for the cabin, so that seems to make it super-efficient...but a stickler might say that since you have to have the cabin vented (to let in fresh oxygen, if nothing else) then some of that heat is wasted out the vent (and/or cold-air in), so that reduces the Wave's effective efficiency. The forced-air furnace wastes heat out it's flue, but it doesn't require venting the cabin. But, yeah, the Wave is probably more efficient than the furnace -- maybe a lot more, especially if you push the limit of minimum venting.

Yes, I've left the Wave 6 on all night (on purpose) while I slept -- on it's lowest (of 3) settings, with adequate venting -- I've done this a few times and I'm sure I will on my upcoming post-Xmas trip. How do I know the venting was adequate? I didn't suffocate.

Yep, trial-and-error doesn't seem like a good way to determine adequate venting...so make your own decisions on this. (Remember, I'm the guy who travels unarmed among grizzlies and humans, so don't necessarily follow my example of caution.

)

I'm glad I got the Wave: If nothing else, it's silent and doesn't draw on the battery: recommended.

 

[jmodge]

Hey Mark

I heat my home with wood, so I know how long it takes to warm an area with radiant heat. Sometimes hours. Once it is at that point it goes right through the bones and feels great. I have venting in my mechanical room and sometimes leave windows open.
I have a Blazer so it is open to the cab, I can heat with my truck heater initially if needed. How many btu output is that wave 6, do you know? I take it the low setting did not bake you out. I have been thinking of where I would put it, and the most logical spot would be hanging above the door or from the door pointing to the front. I imagine my camper is smaller and may be adequately heated with a wave 3.

 

[Barko1]

I would like to hear some reviews on the wave 3.
Will it idle down low enough to run all night in 20 degree weather and not overheat the camper?
Will it keep a camper warm in zero degree weather without help?
What about efficency compared to a furnace?


I don't know about zero, 20 I think would be fine. Zero might require a wave 6. The 3 on low keeps my Grandby plenty warm at least near outside freezing temps. While you do lose a bit of efficiency from keeping some ventilation I was doing some of that anyway for moisture. Feel the very hot air blowing outside from the standard furnace and you'll know about relative efficiency
I'm fixing up a smaller toy hauler I got and one of the 1st things will be to add a line for the Wave 3 even though it has a 16,000 btu furnace. Efficient, quiet, reliable.

 

[MarkBC]

1)How many btu output is that wave 6, do you know? 2)I take it the low setting did not bake you out. 3)I have been thinking of where I would put it, and the most logical spot would be hanging above the door or from the door pointing to the front. 4)I imagine my camper is smaller and may be adequately heated with a wave 3.



1) The Wave series is named for the maximum BTU output: Wave 6 = 6000 BTU, 3 = 3000 BTU, 8 = 8000 BTU
2) No it didn't at all...and you can always just open vents more to regulate the temperature of the cabin
3) I kept mine free-standing on the optional legs. I wanted the ability to change the direction/location that the radiant heat is pointed depending on where I am in the camper, etc. When not in use it fits out of the way (almost) pushed up-against/under the overhung zone under the built-in furnace.
4) Seems like most people get (and are happy with) the Wave 3 for campers my size (Hawk), but I got the 6 as a better guarantee to meet my needs. I really do winter camping every year in cold places (i.e., not just winter in Arizona or Death Valley) and it has gotten down to single-digits more than once when I've been out there. Very cold temperatures reduce the capacity of the battery, so running the main furnace in those very-cold temps draws down the battery even faster. The 6 may be a little bigger than I need, but the downsides of the larger size (it takes up more space and it costs more) are worth it to me. YMMV.

 

[SunMan]

I'm loving mine so far. I think I would have to agree with Barko on a Wave 6 if you are camping at zero or below, but I say that not having an arctic pack myself with my Wave 3. That said, I've slept comfortably in the mid-low 20's without any type of insulation and couldn't be happier with it.

The main plus for me is the propane efficiency, we took a 2 week Baja trip this summer (with the Wave 3 removed) but we used the stove quite a bit. Then we followed that up with a week trip up to the Lost Coast using both the stove and the Wave 3 every night. I thought I should fill up my propane tank just to be safe before my last trip and my tank surprisingly only took 1.9 gallons. I probably ran my Wave 3 for 30 hours on my recent trip and the tank still feels full. Very efficient.

 

[jmodge]

"The 6 may be a little bigger than I need, but the downsides of the larger size (it takes up more space and it costs more) are worth it to me. YMMV."

I hunt the December muzzleloading and late doe in Michigan. Also do a winter camp out in January. We can easily have below zero temps. Most likely mid teens to low twenty nights in December.

 

[MarkBC]

One more thing I'll mention that happened to me...even though this probably never needs to happen: I had the CO detector go off -- alarm -- when using the Wave.

BUT -- I think this was due to a combination of factors that can -- and should -- be avoided.
I had the heater off overnight (both the furnace and the Wave)...and I had all vents closed as I frequently do when it's cold out. I got up pre-sunrise to check the photographic potential and to step outside for the usual morning ritual. After deciding that it was too cloudy for worthwhile photos I got back in the camper, opened vents to what I believed was enough, fired up the Wave 6 on High, and went back to bed to catch some more sleep while the camper heated up.
I woke up (maybe an hour later...don't remember) to the shrill beep-beep, etc. of the CO alarm! Yikes! But the good news is that I learned that the CO detector works and that it's loud enough to wake me.

What I think happened: Maybe it was just that I didn't have the cabin vented sufficiently to let in enough oxygen to permit complete combustion of propane by the Wave 6 running on High (6000 BTUs) -- so some CO was being produced rather than all CO2. And/or the fact that I had been in the camper all night unvented meant that my consumption of O2 had reduced the O2 concentration enough that some CO was being produced rather than all CO2.

Anyway, it annoyed me more than it scared me -- mainly because I now have to assume that I need to open vents quite a bit if the heater is on High. Or I could just assume that my biological consumption of oxygen (unvented overnight) was the cause. But I probably won't need to have it on High much anyway...we'll see.

 

[n0izh]

We have a Wave6 we use in our Granby. We've only had the opportunity to really enjoy it in real cold (for us) weather twice, but now we're hooked. I sleep light and every time the furnace kicked on I'd wake up. We first used the WAVE6 sitting on the floor, and wasn't liking it. It was in the way and I was worried about the cats getting too close and burning some fur. Next we tried above the icebox...a little better but still in the way a bit and still not cat proof. The final solution works well for us. I use a couple pieces of coat hanger wire and fasten it right above the door. It only takes a minute to hook it up once we make camp. Now the surrounding cabinetry, and most of all the cats
don't get too hot from the heat. I have a couple different ways to hook up the propane. First, I have a small(3 L tank we carry with us for the BBQ, and now the Wave6. I haven't bought an adapter for the main tank to allow a second hose outside for the grill yet, so we carry the second tank. This method requires a separate regulator because the wave is a low pressure devise. I have a couple of them for applications I've used on the sail boat, but I think you can buy a hose with a regulator for about $40. I run the hose out through the right rear turnbuckle hole and put the tank outside. The second hookup is to connect to the refrigerator propane. We still have the crappy icebox, but an Engle front load is on the list. I've been lazy and haven't drilled the hole in the cabinet for the hose yet, I have all the fittings I need but it's still not done. We put up reflectix inside eveytime we make camp. It makes a huge difference in heat retention. On our recent trip to the Grand Canyon we had overnight lows at 9 degrees above zero. The Wave6 was set on Medium, had the top vent open 3/4 of an inch and the turnbuckle hole about 2 inches. Inside temps stayed at 69-70 all night. In the morning when we open the vents up more to exhaust cooking moisture we turned it to high, you can only do that for awhile before it gets too hot. Here are a couple pictures of my setup. The Wave6 is mounted right above the door (reduces amount of heat warming the ceiling), the small fan helps circulate the air so your head isn't cooking while your feet are cold. I put the aluminum over the top when I run it on high so the ceiling doesn't get hot. The Wave6 stores above my battery bank(always in a plastic bag to keep road dust off the membrane)

 

[MarkBC]

We have a Wave6 we use in our Granby....


n0izh -- Great helpful post/description/photos!
I think I'll try a version of your approach to mounting the heater.
I couple of months ago I bought a couple of 12v 120mm computer fans with the idea that I might use one of them as a little blower/fan for the Wave -- on top of it or next to it...something like that. They're cheap and very quiet and low power draw. I haven't yet rigged up a way to mount them/it, but I think I will before my next trip.

 

[n0izh]

n0izh -- Great helpful post/description/photos!
I think I'll try a version of your approach to mounting the heater.
I couple of months ago I bought a couple of 12v 120mm computer fans with the idea that I might use one of them as a little blower/fan for the Wave -- on top of it or next to it...something like that. They're cheap and very quiet and low power draw. I haven't yet rigged up a way to mount them/it, but I think I will before my next trip.

I'm going to do the same thing. I have several 24v cell site fans similar in size to yours. I run them on 12v so they turn half speed and are even more quiet. I plan to mount a small hinge on the metal portion of the lifting mechanism so the fan will lay flat against the wood when not in use. The fan that I use now is just a proof of concept to see if it kept the roof cool and circulated the air. I have a full size O2 fan that fits into the overhead vent. I can leave it up to blow the air out the vent, or let it swing down to blow air on the bed. The big fan was way to much so that's how the little one came into being. There is 12v wiring already in place at the vent for the fantastic fan option from the factory, so it will be easy to run a 12v tap along the wood slat out of view.

John

 

[jmodge]

n0izh,
I see we both have birthdays this month. Best wishes with that, you old fart . I like the back wall setup, worthy of imitation.

Mark,
What type co alarm do you use? Thanks for the detailed info also.

SunMan, Barko1,
Most of the temps I deal with are similar, ocassionaly dipping below the teens.

Thanks for all the reviews. I am leaning toward the wave 3, as my camper is quite small and I have the furnace plus my truck heater to warm things up quickly if needed. I prefer it cool when I sleep. CO alarm and dust cover are must haves. I have co testers so I will monitor the air quality just out of curiosity. Some type of ceiling shroud I will have ready if needed, and the fans I will hold off on until I test it out.

Happy Travels

 

[n0izh]

n0izh,
I see we both have birthdays this month. Best wishes with that, you old fart . I like the back wall setup, worthy of imitation.

Mark,
What type co alarm do you use? Thanks for the detailed info also.

SunMan, Barko1,
Most of the temps I deal with are similar, ocassionaly dipping below the teens.

Thanks for all the reviews. I am leaning toward the wave 3, as my camper is quite small and I have the furnace plus my truck heater to warm things up quickly if needed. I prefer it cool when I sleep. CO alarm and dust cover are must haves. I have co testers so I will monitor the air quality just out of curiosity. Some type of ceiling shroud I will have ready if needed, and the fans I will hold off on until I test it out.

Happy Travels

I don't have a CO monitor for the camper yet. But when we first got the Wave6 for the camping trailer I was quite paranoid about using it. I had already set the trailer up with 2 CO monitors. One was in the bedroom, and one was right next to the Wave6. I tried all different heat settings, and vent combination's to try and get the alarm to go off, but it never caused a problem. I know the camper is a much smaller space, which is why I always crack the top vent and open a turnbuckle hole a bit. Once the camper is warm you cam feel positive air movement coming in at the hole and going out at the vent. But that having been said, I'm actually making a trip to Arizona today where I store my trailer and I'm going to look at bringing one of the monitors home with me. Even though I now trust the Wave6 I think it's important to have a monitor.
John

 

[MarkBC]

Mark,
What type co alarm do you use? Thanks for the detailed info also.


I have the CCI 3400 CO detector that came with my 2005 Hawk.
When the alarm started alarming on my October trip I noticed on the front plate that the unit should be replaced Aug 2010...so I guess I'm living on borrowed time.

I'll replace it before my December trip.

 

[MarkBC]

ONE MORE THING:
The Wave also gave me the opportunity to test my LP Gas detector:
I was doing the Wave start-up procedure when the LP gas detector (which was inches from my Wave) started alarming. I opened the camper door immediately, and the loud BEEP BEEP, etc., sound caused flashlights in neighboring campsites to point in my direction

...kinda embarrassing. Anyway, I discovered that the connection of the propane hose to the heater was slightly loose (probably had gotten that way in moving my free-standing heater around, twisting the hose into position, etc.). I tightened the connection and all was well.

This LP Gas detector is also probably officially expired...and needs to be replaced like the CO detector.

 

[leadsled9]

I noticed on the front plate that the unit should be replaced Aug 2010...so I guess I'm living on borrowed time.


MarkBC,

I guess I'll have to replace my CO detector in a few years. I remember reading a post that said the company that made ours (mine is a 2008 Hawk) is out of business. I recall someone posted a replacement unit that would barely cover the existing hole. If you find out which one that is could you please post it? Thanks.