Date:         Sun, 12 Jan 1997 09:27:31 -0800
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Lawrence Johnson <ljohnson@halhinet.on.ca>
Subject:      Re: NEED HELP Olympian Catalytic heater installation

Mark Howser wrote:
> 
> -- [ From: Mark Howser * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --
> 
> Hello from frozen Montana,
> 
> I purchased an Olympian 6100a catalytic heater yesterday.  I installed it in
> my Westy, but I'm dissatisfied with it's performance.
> 
> To install the heater, I placed a flared t at junction where the gas was
> coupled to my stove unit.  Part of the t included a swivel type extender.
> B/c of the swivel the connection dropped from a 3/8 to 1/4 for that
> particular fitting.  From the T, I ran 6ft. of 3/8 inch flexible hose that I
> had the local propane co. fabricate.    Approximate length of the hose is 6
> feet.  The install was extremely easy.
> HOWEVER, I'm still cold.  .
> 
> The owner heater manual says "the heater is designed to operate with a
> manifold pressure(the gas pressure down stream from the appliance controls)
> of 10.5" w.c.(0.38 psig). A gas supply pressure of 11" w.c. (0.40 psig)
> minimum is required at the heater controls.  The supply line must be
> equipped at the cylinder with a listed regulator set to deliver the
> specified pressure."
> 
> Questions.
> Is the regulator on my bus the proper size regulator?  1980 VW vanagon Westy
> 
>   Is the swivel fitting that reduces the t from 3/8 to 1/4 causing a loss in
> pressure?

Not significantly at low flow rates. 

> 
> The heater has a maximum output of 5,800 BTU/hr.  Is this adequate for
> heating the interior of the bus?

With about 3.4 B.T.U. per watt, your 5,800 BTU/hr is equivalent to 1700
watts. The propex heater 1600 produces 5,200 BTU/hr or about 1500 watts.
A base board heater is usually 1500 watts. All are good and warm so you
should be toasty.
> 
> Any and all info would be beneficial....thanks for the time...
> 
> Mark
> --
>  Mark Howser                  Business (406) 226-5572
>  Hole in the Wall, Ltd.       Home     (406) 226-4412
>  PO Box 318                   Email    mchowser@3rivers.net
>  East Glacier, MT 59434
>  Preferred Lodging and Dining near Glacier National Park
> 

Life is uncertain ... eat dessert first.
 
Larry