Highly flammable: An RV propane heater with thermostat is not as easy to handle and safe as an electric heater for RV, since a propane leak can be deadly. Please follow these rules when commenting on RVtravel.com. —Diane at RVtravel.com. Fortunately, though, catalytic heaters like this one are perfectly safe for RVs, tents, and other enclosed areas. We like to boondock in the national forests of the West in summer but find that most mornings can be quite chilly until the sun warms up the outside air. It does produce a small amount of carbon monoxide (CO) but is 99+% efficient in producing pure heat to the inside of the RV. Yes.....it was a type-o. 2014 Itasca Sunova 33C from SoCal pulling Jeep Wrangler. We want to help you select the right RV space heater, which can suit your needs and offer your loved ones with comfort and coziness when having a winter adventure with them. 2. This heater is to only be used in outdoor applications. Not really. The combination of the heater's O2 sensor and a CO detector in the RV makes for pretty darn safe operation. Never. I have been in RVs with the CAT heaters, they bother my breathing. Let’s see how it compares to other space heaters. Any negative feedback using catalytic heaters? Only use a catalytic heater that is specifically designed for indoor use. You do want to pay attention to where you plug in your electric heater, and be sure your outlet can handle it … Rv heaters, heaters, Olympian heaters, ... and increased BTU output are all made possible by the heaters new and improved catalytic element. Instead of using electricity, this heater uses propane and can help you save money on electricity costs. But using our furnace runs the batteries down too fast. Catalytic heater is a good alternative to forced air furnace. Going solar? You don’t need to worry about toting along propane, and at higher elevations they work better. Coleman Catalytic Heaters are one of the best, and safest ways to stay warm while camping or doing other activities outside in cold weather. This can warm … No anonymous comments. On the box it says it can be used for indoor use such as home emergencies, ice fishing etc.. but I don't know about a smaller, closed area such as a trailer. They are deemed relatively safe for interior RV use as they don’t have the hazard of an open flame and they do not produce carbon monoxide which is deadly. Read more about boondocking at my BoondockBob’s Blog, Check out my Kindle e-books about boondocking at Amazon, Do the dirty work with an RV Flexible Swivel Stik, Shocking: Many RVers “upside down” on RV loans. The Dangers Of Using Propane Heaters (And What Precautions You Should Take) A travel trailer set on fire in Oregon recently after a dog knocked over a portable propane heater.. I was recommended to this forum through another forum as someone said this place has lots of knowledgeable and friendly people. The comfort level lies halfway between these two ends. Is there a better way to deal with those chilly mountain mornings? Technically, smokers exhale some CO (depending on what they’re smoking), but I’ve removed the phrase for clarity. Catalytic Propane Heaters. I am wondering if a Catalytic heater ( uses propane) is safe to use indoors. We do use an electric heater in our fifth wheel to supplement our propane furnace. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The built-in thermostat lets you switch between settings so everyone is happy. It has an excellent quality structure and offers the best possible performance. Our pick for the best safest RV space heater is this Camco Olympian Catalytic heater. ... the heater automatically shuts off keeping you and anything else you may have in the vicinity safe. Catalytic heaters generate heat without a flame, which makes them ideal for use in many hazardous environments. Since a catalytic heater RV uses a heat-producing catalytic reaction instead of an open flame, it is safer than other types of RV furnaces, however, safety practices must still be carried out. This heater is built to last too and promises 20,000 starts. Catalytic heaters are used by many RVers as they generate heat via propane, through a flameless catalytic chemical reaction, without the need for electrical power. A forced air furnace that comes with an RV works quite well, roaring into action with its powerful fan blowing hot air through ducts as it was designed to do. ... RV, or shack with the propane heater running, unless there is adequate ventilation; Easy unsubscribe anytime you wish. The Camco Olympian RV Wave-8 LP Gas Catalytic Safety Heater is an ideal primary or secondary heating source. Just provide a little fresh air and you are good to go. Its cheaper given that it uses less propane because it uses low pressure propane vs the Mr. Heater Buddy which uses high pressure. This type of space heater can be used safely, as long as you observe all the safety precautions. RV Catalytic Heater. We picked it because of its durability and safety features. There is a big difference between combustion, as in your stove top burners, & the catalytic process that uses a catalyst to speed up a chemical reaction, as in a catalytic heater. I use a oil filled radiator similar to this one - totally silent but slow to react, but quiet and efficient, when I have electric when not hooked up I use my propane installed heater... Full time traveler, fishing guide and photographer! 2. No spam, just interesting, helpful information. When it gets too hot, the thermostat turns it off. Its RV propane heater is made to a high standard of quality in the US and is powerful enough to heat spaces of up to 225 square feet. Your information will *never* be shared with outsiders. As long as there is adequate O2 in the air, a catalytic heater will burn the gas completely, but as oxygen levels fall it could begin to produce CO. Therefore, if you opt for this type of heater, it’s crucial to invest in both a carbon monoxide detector and a propane detector, as well as properly maintaining them by checking the batteries often. Catalytic heaters have been used in industrial applications since they were first introduced several decades ago. I did have a small window slightly open. Coleman Catalytic Heater Information and Tips. Your real email is required. This will not show on your comment but is for us to contact you if necessary. Our Mr Heater Portable Buddy Heater in the RV. It has an oxygen sensor for safety, The MH has a CO detector. It produces enough heat to warm 290 square feet of space. Learn how your comment data is processed. For what it's worth, we were originally using those disposable bottles to fuel ours but they'd only last about 6 to 7 hours and they were always empty in the morning - right when you wanted the heat the most. We do however exhale CO2 (carbon dioxide). We crack open a nearby window (about 12 sq in) and never had a problem in slightly freezing temps as a single heat source in our 32 ft MH. This means that catalytic heaters do not produce dangerous … Hi George and Fran, Although forced-air heater can heat up faster, and the ceramic heater is cheaper, the catalytic heater still stands to … The heater operates on low pressure gas and can be wall mounted or used as a portable unit. Thank you! We occasionally update our terms and privacy policies pages so if you have not read them lately, we encourage you to do so. This makes the Camco Olympian Wave 3 catalytic heater very safe and perfect for use in small spaces like RVs, vans, and even some tents. Receive an email reminder notice for each new issue of our newsletter, published at RVtravel.com every Saturday and Sunday morning. In order to keep your RV's temperature comfortable, you should consider buying this ceramic heater. This website utilizes some advertising services. It WILL kill. I do not run it at night time and usually only for a short time in the morning hours to warm things up, then I start to cook. When the heater is set to low, it runs on 900 watts, and when it’s on high, you get 1,500 watts. WARNING: This post may contain a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, or birth defects or other reproductive harm. We have used them in both RV and at home with excellent results. Camco’s Olympian Wave Heaters. I think that if anyone uses the burners on their stove for any length of time that those are going to use more oxygen and put off more bad stuff than any little heater yet I have never heard of anyone dying from cooking in their closed coach. 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