Wave 3 Catalytic Heater?
Anybody here use one of these? I read that they don't have to be vented (as long as you crack a window), are super quiet & very efficient. Thinking about getting one for our small pop-up, the stock...
Forum Discussion
I have a Wave Catalytic Heater, love it and wouldn’t be without one in my TC.
That said, you need to consider if this is something best for your use, not how others might find it works for them. What works well for summer season, might not work for heavy winter use. My use often is for 2 months without ever turning it off, as I am a 4 season user of my Wave Heater.
With use of my TC in weather below freezing and sometimes below 0F, I elected installing a Wave 6. During the real cold season, I don’t extend the Slide, so the argument of needing a bigger one if you have a slide, is moot. What I find is helpful is knowing the limitations.
As stated before, you can turn down a Wave 6 heater, but you can’t turn up a Wave 3 heater when it gets colder. Well, when it is chilly, like 55 degrees F, you might find it difficult to modulate a Wave 6 and prefer the smaller BTU of a Wave 3, without opening windows and doors. Also, Wave 6 use propane at a higher rate at it’s lowest setting than a Wave 3. All things to consider in picking what best is for you for your intended use.
Wave Heaters are not as effective when the temperatures begin to creep below 20 degree F. Not because of the mechanical issues, but the limitations of the Truck Camper to have enough insulation to ward off the cold infiltrating through. They just don’t produce enough heat to keep up with the outside drop in temperature. That is when a TC’s furnace is a boost and also for getting ducted heat into recesses of your camper and tanks (there is a reason for installing the Furnaces in close proximity of the kitchen sink!)
Also, Wave Heaters produce large amounts of moisture (by product or burning propane) the higher the setting and lack of transfer of outside dryer air, through door and window openings (normally a “tight” truck camper is a good thing, until cold season when you need a living space to “breath” more with outside air). So Wave Heaters create an issue with condensation inside cabinets, walls, ceilings with constant cold temperatures. This is one of the plusses for installing a Plat Cat Heater (like Sleepy did), beyond the obvious safety of a catalytic heater being used in a living space.
The best pricing for purchasing a Wave Heater is in the Spring season when heavy Discounting occurs for them on Amazon.com and other sites. Sort of like buying a winter coat during the summer season and swim suits during the winter. I saved $85 by buying mine in April.
No need to have adjustments for the typical regulators found in TC propane systems. But, you should have a disconnect or ball valve installed close to where you are using it, to allow quick access to shut it off if in an emergency. I have two. One within inches of my permanently installed Wave heater and the other one outside the camper at the point of connection to the propane source for this dedicated line.
I agree with the earlier poster, get a cover and use it when the Wave heater is not being used.
Would I have a Wave heater and recommend one? Yes.
Am I aware of the dangers and have taken steps to mitigate these dangers? Yes.
Would I recommend a Wave 3 or a Wave 6? Yes, but purchase one that best fits YOUR needs, not what someone recommends works for them.
What is the range of temperatures do you think the Wave Heaters excel in? I like using mine when the weather gets nippy, usually in the mid-50s. Mine works well until it gets down into the 20s and I then begin to use my Furnace to supplement the Wave’s inability to keep up with the increasing cold.
Have fun and Safe Camping!
b
That said, you need to consider if this is something best for your use, not how others might find it works for them. What works well for summer season, might not work for heavy winter use. My use often is for 2 months without ever turning it off, as I am a 4 season user of my Wave Heater.
With use of my TC in weather below freezing and sometimes below 0F, I elected installing a Wave 6. During the real cold season, I don’t extend the Slide, so the argument of needing a bigger one if you have a slide, is moot. What I find is helpful is knowing the limitations.
As stated before, you can turn down a Wave 6 heater, but you can’t turn up a Wave 3 heater when it gets colder. Well, when it is chilly, like 55 degrees F, you might find it difficult to modulate a Wave 6 and prefer the smaller BTU of a Wave 3, without opening windows and doors. Also, Wave 6 use propane at a higher rate at it’s lowest setting than a Wave 3. All things to consider in picking what best is for you for your intended use.
Wave Heaters are not as effective when the temperatures begin to creep below 20 degree F. Not because of the mechanical issues, but the limitations of the Truck Camper to have enough insulation to ward off the cold infiltrating through. They just don’t produce enough heat to keep up with the outside drop in temperature. That is when a TC’s furnace is a boost and also for getting ducted heat into recesses of your camper and tanks (there is a reason for installing the Furnaces in close proximity of the kitchen sink!)
Also, Wave Heaters produce large amounts of moisture (by product or burning propane) the higher the setting and lack of transfer of outside dryer air, through door and window openings (normally a “tight” truck camper is a good thing, until cold season when you need a living space to “breath” more with outside air). So Wave Heaters create an issue with condensation inside cabinets, walls, ceilings with constant cold temperatures. This is one of the plusses for installing a Plat Cat Heater (like Sleepy did), beyond the obvious safety of a catalytic heater being used in a living space.
The best pricing for purchasing a Wave Heater is in the Spring season when heavy Discounting occurs for them on Amazon.com and other sites. Sort of like buying a winter coat during the summer season and swim suits during the winter. I saved $85 by buying mine in April.
No need to have adjustments for the typical regulators found in TC propane systems. But, you should have a disconnect or ball valve installed close to where you are using it, to allow quick access to shut it off if in an emergency. I have two. One within inches of my permanently installed Wave heater and the other one outside the camper at the point of connection to the propane source for this dedicated line.
I agree with the earlier poster, get a cover and use it when the Wave heater is not being used.
Would I have a Wave heater and recommend one? Yes.
Am I aware of the dangers and have taken steps to mitigate these dangers? Yes.
Would I recommend a Wave 3 or a Wave 6? Yes, but purchase one that best fits YOUR needs, not what someone recommends works for them.
What is the range of temperatures do you think the Wave Heaters excel in? I like using mine when the weather gets nippy, usually in the mid-50s. Mine works well until it gets down into the 20s and I then begin to use my Furnace to supplement the Wave’s inability to keep up with the increasing cold.
Have fun and Safe Camping!
b
