Catalytic Gas Heaters

[Emjaytoo]

Have read some recent threads on the subject and wonder if anyone has any experience of a Coleman Blackcat catalytic gas heater.

I have bought one after seeing the range featured on an american website which included a very small personal unit "suitable for use in a car"!

On this basis I assumed a catalytic heater would be fine for the boat. Having unpacked it I find lots of warnings about not using it indoors.

Does anyone have any experience of the Coleman unit?

 

[metalmike]

No but have used the thermix cat heaters in vans with no probs
mike

 

[Hazymoonshine]

Not the Coleman unit, but I am inthe process of selecting a catalytic heater for my boat. Main advantage seems to be no naked flame, hence no CO - but balanced by significant condensation problem. I am aware that might represent tortured logic....

I plan on fitting a unit, and just ensuring adequate ventilation.

Interested in your choice of the Coleman unit....though purely from a personal point of view.

Best wishes

H

 

[Emjaytoo]

I went for the catalytic unit because I believed in the "no flame-no CO" Or in other words, good for the confined space of a small boat.

As for the Coleman unit, well it was the "Three C's" - Compact, Cheap & Cheerful!

 

[pvb]

Coleman Black Cat...

The Coleman Black Cat is a cheap & cheerful little heater, which will be OK in a boat as long as you have lots of ventilation. As with any unflued heater, it will produce water vapour, leading to condensation. The Black Cat will produce around 100ml of water an hour, which is quite a lot! Catalytic heaters have fairly good combustion efficiency, so carbon monoxide shouldn't be a cause for concern, but they do produce lots of carbon dioxide which can be a serious concern without good ventilation. I'd certainly never go to sleep with a catalytic heater going.

 

[Emjaytoo]

Re: Coleman Black Cat...

Thanks for that

 

[cliff]

Personally, I would forget the idea of fitting ANY unflued unit due to the problems with condensation. It is not easy to achieve sufficient ventilation and maintain the heat in the boat. I would look at one of the diesel fired hot air heaters (Eberspacher, Wabasto, Mikuni etc). If the "boat fund" will not stretch to a new unit there are some good bargains to be had in "pre-owned units". Even the ones "reclaimed" from ex-post office vans are good IF care is taken in fitting them.

Check out the For Sale section and go back a few pages - you will find a forumite (skipper_stu) has "pre-owned" ones for sale occasionally. Might be worth contacting him to see if he has any at the moment.
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[simonfraser]

agree wit cliff, excelent units

 

[oldharry]

Small catalytic heaters are absolutely fine for 'taking the chill off' on a cool evening. I have a Plastimo which does the job nicely thanks, and comes with me into the caravan. Yes they do produce extra condensation, but I never found that a problem.

Warnings are there particularly on American heaters because of the compensation sharks. Unless there is a clear warning that the heater gets hot, somone will sue the pants off them after sticking their finger into it, for example.

They do not produce CO, but they do burn oxygen, and they do produce CO2 - so ventilation is mandatory or you may suffocate.

 

[vyv_cox]

We have used catalytic heaters for years, both on previous boats and in motor caravans. Yes, they do produce some condensation but only a small fraction of what is produced by cooling and even breathing. Much cheaper than most alternatives and much less hassle to fit. Quite effective so far as heat output is concerned, although nowhere near as much as a blown system, of course.

Another good alternative is a Tilley lamp. They throw out a lot of heat and give good light, all on paraffin which is very low cost. They also produce condensation but again it is not excessive.

 

[Captain Haddock]

I use a combination of a Catalytic Gas heater and a Tilley lamp onboard. Makes the cabin very snug on a cold evening.

I've found the Gas heater by itself takes the chill away but you still need a jumper on however, the Tilley lamp brings the extra warmth and jumpers off.

Not really noticed much in the way of condensation.

We have a small hatch in the coach roof for ventilation which seems to work well.

 

[vyv_cox]

- but only a small fraction of what is produced by cooling and even breathing. -

What I meant to type was cooking, which makes a bit more sense. My fingers seem to have a mind of their own sometimes.