Wave 3 Catalytic Heater?

[BMW442]

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 heater isn't working and we'll be camping in mid-November.

Pros & cons with this system?

Do you have to set up a different regulator to run it on "low pressure" propane?

any advice is much appreciated!

[bigfootford]

NinerBikes wrote:
Thanks Bigfoot, very helpful link.

Welcome, I ordered this kit after 2 attempts to make the "T" connection. That short section was tough. I have experience flaring pipe but that shortie was tough.
I also wanted the Wave connection under the stove burners....
The quality of the hardware in the kit was excellent. That elbow for the wave is needed for our applications. Otherwise the connection makes the install difficult.

Jim

[NinerBikes]

Thanks Bigfoot, very helpful link.

[noteven]

16,000 btu - sips diesel

[bigfootford]

Deleted post.


Jim

[bigfootford]

If some of you got invalid links to my previous 2 posts they are fixed. Having trouble with Apple's Safari....

Jim

[bigfootford]

My install:



My install:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23544764.cfm


Jim

[bigfootford]

NinerBikes wrote:

bobman wrote:
I bought a wave three and in 20 degree F it wasn't enough so I bought a wave 6

no hose came with either of mine and FWIW it does need a regulator prior to the unit, so if you tap into the system prior to the existing regulator you will need one on the supply line

Thinking of tapping in on the low pressure side, with a 3/8" ball valve, maybe near the fridge, or oven, or cook top. Will know more once I see how it's all piped in.

I got this kit!

http://www.rvsolarelectric.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=28&product_id=61





Here's a link to various connectors and fittings that are helpful for your install:

http://www.gashosesandregulators.com/lowpressurehoses.html



I also installed one of these in case something happened to the gas lines:



You can get them at Home Depot etc in the Gas appliance install section:

http://hardwareonlinestore.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_produc...


I can disconnect my wave and take it elsewhere when I need it.

I ran Stainless steel flex tubing from the burner section to where I wanted the wave... I then used the rubber tubing with the kit and the quick disconnect so when I want the Wave elsewhere the rubber tubing comes too.

I installed the wave cutoff valve under the stove burner top. We keep that valve off unless we are going to use the wave.

Hope this helps....

Jim

[HMS_Beagle]

AnEv942 wrote:

HMS Beagle wrote:
...I would agree the CO is higher, though not much, much higher if the stove burner is working properly. The efficiency is about the same: no more heat is produced by catalytic combustion than open flame combustion.

Sorry but I am really confused, possibly you know something that I dont or my assumptions are just wrong about my Wave or ony other catalytic heater, unless were are talking different things here. If you were describing my Mr Heater Buddy heater I might concur to a degree. Though it does burn cleaner than our stove, I dont want to be in a small place long with it. But your stating that the efficiency of a catalytic heater is no better than the burner on my stove?
...same amount of propane for a given number of BTUs (heat)?
...same amount of unburned fuel and by-products etc. "fumes" released into air?
Curious
Mark

The BTUs released by burning propane doesn't matter how you do it - open flame or catalytic will be about the same. Open flame is at higher temperature and the combustion is slightly less complete, leading to a slightly higher percentage of less desirable byproducts (like CO and unburned propane), and slightly less heat. But the difference is small. In either case all of the BTUs start out in the camper and most leave either through the walls or out the vents.

You may prefer the catalytic heat because it is lower temperature, spread over the whole surface, and some is radiated by the hot element in the desired direction. But the amount of heat is the same. Most RV burners are around 4000 to 6000 BTUs, same as the Wave.

I'm not recommending the use of a stove burner to heat your RV, just disputing that any unvented gas heater is more efficient than another. The Wave will be more efficient than the forced air furnace which is probably only 60 or 70% efficient, with waste heat going out its exhaust that never makes it into the camper.

[NinerBikes]

bobman wrote:
I used a hose with a quick disconnect on the wave unit and left the valve outside so any leak ( hasn't happened yet but valves do sometime leak at the stem as they wear) would not be in the unit.

Mines on a class B so I just place it on the sink cover at night and let it run all night.

I leave one window open on the end of the unit and the top vet in the ceiling open. My class B is a 3 season unit but with the wave 6 I can keep it comfortable warm in 20 degree weather. It probably has about the same interior cubic feet as TC.

I am going to sell it and get a true 4 season unit, kind of hate to because I spent a ton of money on upgrades before I figured out its not as well suited for my camping style as it could be. Someone is going to get a nice B from me, live and learn LOL.

With that in mind, I could probably use the quick disconnect for my outdoor BBQ gas plumbing, and just run it off of that if I drill a hole in the floor near by and run 12 feet of hose.

[bobman]

I used a hose with a quick disconnect on the wave unit and left the valve outside so any leak ( hasn't happened yet but valves do sometime leak at the stem as they wear) would not be in the unit.

Mines on a class B so I just place it on the sink cover at night and let it run all night.

I leave one window open on the end of the unit and the top vet in the ceiling open. My class B is a 3 season unit but with the wave 6 I can keep it comfortable warm in 20 degree weather. It probably has about the same interior cubic feet as TC.

I am going to sell it and get a true 4 season unit, kind of hate to because I spent a ton of money on upgrades before I figured out its not as well suited for my camping style as it could be. Someone is going to get a nice B from me, live and learn LOL.

[NinerBikes]

805gregg wrote:
I just bought a Wave 3, I can't wait to install it, but the camper is on the truck and Lance has the propane lines on the bottom of the drivers side over hang, so I can't reach it until I unload, if we like it I will remove the power hungry, noisy, and propane wasting forced air unit, gain space and lose weight

I am in the process of buying a Wave 6, for my 21 foot travel trailer. Will figure out plumbing once I get my hands on the unit. Probably a T, some swage fit 3/8" copper to a cutoff ball valve inside, to the hose, to the Wave 6.

[805gregg]

I just bought a Wave 3, I can't wait to install it, but the camper is on the truck and Lance has the propane lines on the bottom of the drivers side over hang, so I can't reach it until I unload, if we like it I will remove the power hungry, noisy, and propane wasting forced air unit, gain space and lose weight

[Dirtpig]

The heating the cast iron pot on the stove is a trick told to me by old hunters in my area, it sounds dangerous to me. This trick was obviously done before furnaces were popular (or available) in campers. Heating the pot transfers the heat from the stove to the pot which makes the entire process more efficient. Your getting the heat from the flame plus the heat from the hot pot/pan. Pretty much the reverse process of a heatsink. I am by no way endorsing this or recommending it but seems this wave 3 idea is similar.

[AnEv942]

HMS Beagle wrote:
...I would agree the CO is higher, though not much, much higher if the stove burner is working properly. The efficiency is about the same: no more heat is produced by catalytic combustion than open flame combustion.

Sorry but I am really confused, possibly you know something that I dont or my assumptions are just wrong about my Wave or ony other catalytic heater, unless were are talking different things here. If you were describing my Mr Heater Buddy heater I might concur to a degree. Though it does burn cleaner than our stove, I dont want to be in a small place long with it. But your stating that the efficiency of a catalytic heater is no better than the burner on my stove?
...same amount of propane for a given number of BTUs (heat)?
...same amount of unburned fuel and by-products etc. "fumes" released into air?
Curious
Mark