Van heating options?

[Spenard]

If you have a furnace or use a Mr. Buddy, be sure to have a working CO detector in the van and note that the CO battery will likely have a shorter life if exposed to frequent extended low temperatures when the van is not heated. My CO detector battery did not last a year, I assume because of outdoor winter storage of our van in AK. Stay warm!

[redtop]

What about Wave heaters? Anyone used these? They look like a good heater with no fan noise.

[E350]

Originally Posted by MrHenrietta

I think they have a low oxygen sensor that shuts off at sometimes at high elevations. Other peoples concerns were CO poisening.. I'm reading another forum where people didn't have any trouble with them at 10k. I just guessing it would be fine as long as you have a couple good CO detectors and have a vent in your van.

I personally experienced this many times at 7800 feet. Also sleeping with a Mr. Buddy scared me because it does not vent outside, so I would crack the window. Eventually went with the Webasto Dual Top and the high elevation adapter which I believe is standard now.

[mikracer]

Originally Posted by Spenard

If you have a furnace or use a Mr. Buddy, be sure to have a working CO detector in the van and note that the CO battery will likely have a shorter life if exposed to frequent extended low temperatures when the van is not heated. My CO detector battery did not last a year, I assume because of outdoor winter storage of our van in AK. Stay warm!

So even an installed furnace is a safety hazard and windows should be cracked when in use? I've only used ours a couple times, but I thought with the external vent, it would be safe to use with windows closed.

[daveb]

Originally Posted by mikracer

So even an installed furnace is a safety hazard and windows should be cracked when in use? I've only used ours a couple times, but I thought with the external vent, it would be safe to use with windows closed.

It's rare but they can if not working properly.

[Waterski02]

Technically speaking any "Fuel Fired Appliance" has the potential for CO issues.

Even the "vent free" catalytic heaters say they should have some venting, not really for the CO, but to ensure proper combustion by allowing replacement of the oxygen consumed in combustion.

I'm still torn as to what I want to do as well, really like the look of the Propex, don't like the cost. There are some wall mount vent free catalytic heaters that look like the may work.

So many choices, not so many dollars.

[stanw909]

Love my Little Buddy for my big 33 ft class A rig and my Coleman Black cat for the van. Must have ventilation and CO monitor.

[LanduytG]

Espar D2 with high altitude kit will work great.

Greg

[jage]

Originally Posted by mikracer

So even an installed furnace is a safety hazard and windows should be cracked when in use? I've only used ours a couple times, but I thought with the external vent, it would be safe to use with windows closed.

Safe is relative, this can also happen in your home. One of our good friends fiance's mom passed about two years ago from exactly this. The really messed up part is she'd gone to the ER complaining of disorientation, headache, weakness- and they sent her home to rest. Very sad.

I just gave my dad our Walmart battery powered CO detector since we swapped out the gas furnace here, and he has an older truckbed slide in- scares me because it's a lot more common in trailers and RVs, I think due to the small spaces.

Our SMB has the sensor on the house battery but I might have to double up with a battery powered now that we have kids- any good options out there, not too big, quality manufacturer?

[mikracer]

I installed a new battery operated CO detector since the factory installed one wasnt working at all. I'll have to remember to keep some ventilation going when using the heater througout the night.

Here is a link to the one I installed. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SS ... UTF8&psc=1