Heater Reviews
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[edit] Heater and Furnace Reviews
[edit] A note about catalytic heaters and carbon monoxide.
Unlike heaters which use a flame, catalytic heaters do not burn propane but rather convert propane and oxygen to heat through a flameless catalytic process. Byproducts are carbon dioxide and water vapor. There are plenty of opinions about whether such heaters are actually safe to use in enclosed spaces, but as of 2003 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has only one documented death attributable to carbon monoxide poisoning from such heaters [1]. The report found that, "the catalytic heater does not appear to pose a serious CO hazard to healthy adults when the CO concentration is considered by itself," but found that it cheerfully depleted the oxygen in the room "from an ambient concentration of 20.9 percent to 8.8 percent. Because the catalytic heater can deplete the O2 concentration to such low levels, the heater poses a serious risk of hypoxia. The degree of hypoxia is further exacerbated by the moderate CO concentration and by an increase in the carbon dioxide concentration that accompanied the depletion of oxygen."
So, as with anything where there is a risk of death, it is advised that you proceed with caution. A carbon monoxide detector, properly mounted, can help provide peace of mind. Some heaters, like the Heater Buddy clone (reviewed below) have a built in oxygen-depletion safety system (ODS), but since that heater is not a catalytic heater, it generates carbon monoxide and should never be used in an enclosed space anyway -- which makes the inclusion of an ODS oddly pointless.
[edit] Coleman Black Cat
(Not a full review, just a mention). Costs about ~$70. The Black Cat is smaller to store, and does not produce carbon monoxide because it is catalytic, unlike the Heater Buddy, but I went with the Lowes Heater Buddy clone because it cost less than a Black Cat, and because I like the shape of the Heater Buddy clone better. But since catalytic heaters are not altitude challenged and do not produce carbon monoxide the Black Cat is superior to the Heater Buddy for altitude applications [Jon Slider, January 2008]. (Loren Busch added that "I agree with Jon that the Black Cat works very well, I used the version previous to the model Jon shows for about a year before installing a Propex. BUT, the Black Cat can be very dangerous because it gets VERY hot, not only on the surface that radiates heat but around the exposed edges of that heater element. I would not recommend it for more than one person in the van, especially with kids. And it would ignite anything flammable that came in contact with it. Otherwise compact and puts out quite a bit of heat, just be careful using it.")
[edit] Coleman Sport Cat
I have a Coleman Sport Cat. It is the 1000 btu model. It works very well as a personal handwarmer. But won't really get the whole van warm, even with the top down, but it will take the edge off. Rated to last 20 hours on a 1 gallon propane bottle. I paid $25, and it uses 1 gallon propane bottles. I keep this unit in one of my vans that has no Propex heater, as a backup to running the engine heater. I like the compact size, it stores easily under the rear seat. I also like that as it is a catalytic converter, it does not produce carbon monoxide. It also does not produce any smell. If I run it with all vents and windows closed in the van, I risk using up the oxygen, so I don't use it when sleeping, and periodically I have to open a window and replace the oxygen with fresh air [Jon Slider, January 2008].
[edit] Mr. Heater Buddy clone
I have a clone (left, above) of the Mr. Heater Buddy (right, above) from Lowes. It has a 4000-7000 btu output. I paid ~$50 at Lowes. It uses a 1 gallon propane bottle, Rated to last 3.5 hours. This heater has an automatic shutoff is oxygen levels get low, so it says on the box that it may not work above 7000 feet. I tried it yesterday and it worked for me at 10,000 feet. It will get the van warm with the top down. (Photo which shows my bare feet in front of it, with Propex heater outlet also visible). 
This heater is effective and convenient for after skiing as a hand and toe warmer. I don't like the fumes and it is not safe to sleep with it on as it produces carbon monoxide because it is not a catalytic heater -- it is important to have fresh air coming into the van when using this (or any non-catalytic unvented heater). The piezo lighting[2] is a bit problematic for me, but a cigarette lighter works well. I like its shape, as it conveniently fits behind the front passenger seat. Costs ~$85. Best heater for warmth after skiing [Jon Slider, January 2008].
[edit] Olympian 3100
This is a small catalytic heater which mounts nicely behind the passenger seat. It needs to be plumbed to the Westy LPG tank. It has been discontinued (the replacement Olympian Wave 3 seems to be very similar with a smidge more output). I bought a used 3100 on eBay and have used it for a few seasons. This is not a true winter heater, only putting out 1600 btu/hr on Low and 2800 btu/hr on High. Like all catalytic heaters that I've used, it is a radiant heater, so you need to park yourself in front of it to feel its mighty power. I've used it up to 9,000 feet. With night time outside temperatures in the upper 20's (F, a bit lower than freezing in C) this heater, aided by a couple of Dietz oil lanterns, keeps the inside of the Westy at a balmy 55F (13C). Rough calculations say that a full 2-gallon Westy propane tank will run this heater for 60 hours on High, and 110 hours on Low. Note that catalytic heaters do not put out carbon monoxide, but do consume oxygen, and generate carbon dioxide and water vapor. Common advice is to crack a window. Does a small catalytic heater consume more oxygen and generate more carbon dioxide and water vapor than a person, say -- a wife? Research is presently underway to answer this important question, but at bed time I count on Mrs Squirrel to keep the bed warm -- the heater gets shut off [Mr Squirrel, January 2008].
[edit] Propex
I have a Propex heater that is rated for 6500btu of heat output. It works OK with the top down in freezing weather. It is loud, like a hairdryer, and makes a conversation a bit harder, you have to raise your voice. I love the thermostat feature, and I love knowing it has its own intake and exhaust, so I don't have to worry about waking up dead from carbon monoxide poisoning. This is the only heater I know of that is safe to use while sleeping. Cost is over $700, installation by someone competent to work with propane gas lines required. In some cases these heaters don't work above 7000 feet unless you increase the propane pressure at the regulator. Best heater for thermostatically controlled sleeping option [Jon Slider, January 2008]. (Note that the Propex's fan draws one amp when running, so if you're depending on a battery figure that into your Vanagon's Energy Budget.)
Additional information, from Karl Mullendore, US Distributor or Propex Heatsource:
Noise level is a matter of opinion. No Propex I have installed or repaired has a sound level approaching a hair dryer. Very quiet units overall, but if you are a light sleeper consider sleeping head away from the heater. Altitude issues have been addressed, there was some production form Propex that had improperly-adjusted ignitors and/or incorrect gas jet, these items corrected result in reliable performance to 10,000 feet, as has been reported to me by customers. Actual power consumption is 1.4 amps for the HS2000, 1.9 amps for the HS2800.
[edit] Using the Engine for Heat
I sometimes run my engine for heat, but Westy heaters can be problematic. In one of my vans, the front heat is very strong, but the rear heater core does not work. In another of my vans the front heater is very weak, but the rear heater works OK [Jon Slider, January 2008].
[edit] Notes
[edit] Propane Consumption
A gallon (3.8L) of propane packs around 96,000 btu of energy. So divide the amount of propane you have by the heater's btu rating to get the answer in hours. For example, a 2800 btu heater: 96000/2800 = 34 hours on one gallon of propane, 9 hours on a liter. Rough calculation only, for entertainment purposes only. Propane weighs 4.2 lbs per gallon (500g/L).
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