camco olympian 6, is it enough?

[NinerBikes]

I have a 3 season rated 21 foot Palomino Gazelle travel trailer. I am thinking of taking a trip soon up to Missoula MT. Being from So Cal, my stock heater has been "enough" for most of the trips I've been on, for heating purposes.

I have a 150 amp hour trojan T1275 battery. I have a good battery charger to top things off to 95-98% I have a 120W solar panel, programmable to 15.0V bulk charging. I have two 20 pound propane tanks.

I'd like to stay off the heater in the camper that is powered by an electric fan, and plumb in a catalytic heater, like the Olympian radiant, instead, and crack a window and the vent above, to keep things at about 50 at night.

Again, being this far north in May, in MT... from some experienced folks, is this a good idea, a bad idea, will it make enough heat, will it keep my battery healthy instead? Will I be burning through the propane at an alarming rate? What should I expect in days usage with frige and this heater while boondocking with 40 pounds of propane?

How much fuel usage does it save over the stock heater, over a weeks usage with it 30F in the mornings in Missoula? I know propane is not overly loaded with calories per gallon, like diesel fuel.

[ICamel]

Short answer is "yes". My Wave-6 has been sufficient in overnight temps in the upper teens. I get about 10 nights of heat from a 5 gallon tank. PM me if you would like to discuss further.

NinerBikes wrote:
I have a 3 season rated 21 foot Palomino Gazelle travel trailer. I am thinking of taking a trip soon up to Missoula MT. Being from So Cal, my stock heater has been "enough" for most of the trips I've been on, for heating purposes.

I have a 150 amp hour trojan T1275 battery. I have a good battery charger to top things off to 95-98% I have a 120W solar panel, programmable to 15.0V bulk charging. I have two 20 pound propane tanks.

I'd like to stay off the heater in the camper that is powered by an electric fan, and plumb in a catalytic heater, like the Olympian radiant, instead, and crack a window and the vent above, to keep things at about 50 at night.

Again, being this far north in May, in MT... from some experienced folks, is this a good idea, a bad idea, will it make enough heat, will it keep my battery healthy instead? Will I be burning through the propane at an alarming rate? What should I expect in days usage with frige and this heater while boondocking with 40 pounds of propane?

How much fuel usage does it save over the stock heater, over a weeks usage with it 30F in the mornings in Missoula? I know propane is not overly loaded with calories per gallon, like diesel fuel.

[mark1228]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Mex,

The Olympian runs 24/7. The platinum cat cycles on and off and keeps the heat even while doing so. Therefore in say 8 C outside the Olympian would not be as comfortable. The O would most probably use more fuel as well.

The O requires at least one window open. I would crack a roof vent as well. So lots of the heat from the O ends up heating the great outdoors.

Then there is the whole issue of combustion products. Nasty stuff is not my idea of breathing well. Add to that the water vapor that is going to enter the air. Nothing like cold wet air to make you feel uncomfortable *right now*.

My daughter is a CO survivor, so personally I'd NEVER consider the Olympian or any other non vented combustion heater.

What exactly is "combusting" in a catalytic heater? It is my understanding there is no Co2 from a cat heater and the reason you need to vent is only because they use a small amount of oxygen. It is true that you will have a higher level of moisture with a cat but I have used a wave 6 in my 35' double slide 5th wheel for years and that has not made it "cold, wet and uncomfortable". In fact, it makes it warm and cozy. I wonder if you have ever used a cat heater.....

[pianotuna]

Hi Mex,

The Olympian runs 24/7. The platinum cat cycles on and off and keeps the heat even while doing so. Therefore in say 8 C outside the Olympian would not be as comfortable. The O would most probably use more fuel as well.

The O requires at least one window open. I would crack a roof vent as well. So lots of the heat from the O ends up heating the great outdoors.

Then there is the whole issue of combustion products. Nasty stuff is not my idea of breathing well. Add to that the water vapor that is going to enter the air. Nothing like cold wet air to make you feel uncomfortable *right now*.

My daughter is a CO survivor, so personally I'd NEVER consider the Olympian or any other non vented combustion heater.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Uh Pianotuna I need to be educated here. Your statement....

"more effective, and use less propane than the Olympian"

Can you explain the dynamics of how a vented heater consumes less fuel per BTU delivered inside the structure to be heated?

Live and learn, time...

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Better yet go with the large platinum cat that is vented and thermostatically controlled. It will cost more--but it will be safer, more effective, and use less propane than the Olympian.

I'm currently in my old class c and heating it with 1500 watts (5116 btus). The ambient temperature was -2 c (28 F) last night and the rv was +18 c (64f) this morning.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Go with the 8,000. Forget the 6,000

When you need heat, you don't need to screw around. Don't forget those heaters have output settings. My 8,000 was just about right at medium for 50F mornings.

Get a 12 volt computer fan. Mount it ANYWHERE way up high, aim it to blow air toward the bedroom. A 10 watt fan is plenty.

I used to see frost every morning on my uncle's ranch in Ennis, in July. The bunkhouse had a potbellied stove with optional dog accessory.