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11-01-2018, 07:00 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2006 31' Classic
Youngsville
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 20
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Catalytic Heater
We have a 2006 32’ Classic. I’m considering adding two small catalytic heaters. Wave 3’s. One in the Living area next to the door on the side of the sink cabinet. The furnace is also under this cabinet so I believe I could tap into the propane there. The second would be in the bedroom on the wall that backs up to the bathroom. The water heater is there and I believe I could also tap into the propane there. I’ve seem others install a floor model of the larger Wave 6 but don’t want a cord and floor stand to navigate around constantly. Looking for pros and cons from anyone who has done this sort of thing. Of course there would be appropriately place monitors for propane leaks and carbon monoxide, etc. and a vent would be left cracked near each unit. Thanks.
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11-01-2018, 07:17 AM
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#2
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.-. -...
2017 25' International
Niagara-on-the-Lake
, ON Canada
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,837
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My understanding of the propane safety regulations is that you can't tap into propane lines within the trailer. If you do the work yourself there is nothing to stop you, but I don't think a good RV repair facility would do this for you. If the hook up doesn't meet code requirements then it could affect your ability to sell or trade your trailer.
__________________
Ray B.
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11-30-2018, 06:51 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2005 31' Classic
Garner,
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,031
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not sure where you came up with that info..
its fine to Tap into lines within the unit as needed.. only issue is the size of the line, which most are 3/8 which will flow enough gas for some 40K btus which will be plenty for a wave 3 or 8 and the stove with all burners and the stove running at the same time.
you cut the line, install a flare T and add lines to wave applince, leak check and be happy.. no problem.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Adventure.AS
My understanding of the propane safety regulations is that you can't tap into propane lines within the trailer. If you do the work yourself there is nothing to stop you, but I don't think a good RV repair facility would do this for you. If the hook up doesn't meet code requirements then it could affect your ability to sell or trade your trailer.
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__________________
Carl, Raleigh NC
2-24-16 got a 2005 Classic 31D 460 watts solar, lithium 230 AH, 16" LT's, pulled by:
2003 F-250 SD, CC, 7.3L PowerStroke
WBCCI#1691, Piedmont Airstream Club, Unit #161, Region #3
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11-30-2018, 07:05 AM
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#4
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.-. -...
2017 25' International
Niagara-on-the-Lake
, ON Canada
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carl2591
not sure where you came up with that info..
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My dealer wouldn't tap into a propane line within the trailer.
__________________
Ray B.
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11-30-2018, 07:12 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2005 31' Classic
Garner,
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,031
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Well that may be because they don't want to have the liability but it's not a big deal
__________________
Carl, Raleigh NC
2-24-16 got a 2005 Classic 31D 460 watts solar, lithium 230 AH, 16" LT's, pulled by:
2003 F-250 SD, CC, 7.3L PowerStroke
WBCCI#1691, Piedmont Airstream Club, Unit #161, Region #3
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11-30-2018, 08:05 AM
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#6
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Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
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Dealer probably doesn't have a flare tool!
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11-30-2018, 09:51 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2005 31' Classic
Garner,
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,031
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As lame as that sounds it could be very well true
__________________
Carl, Raleigh NC
2-24-16 got a 2005 Classic 31D 460 watts solar, lithium 230 AH, 16" LT's, pulled by:
2003 F-250 SD, CC, 7.3L PowerStroke
WBCCI#1691, Piedmont Airstream Club, Unit #161, Region #3
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11-30-2018, 10:21 AM
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#8
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,735
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Hi
One of the issues with winter use of an RV is moisture in the vehicle. The way that catalytic heaters get their "improved efficiency" is by dumping everything into the living space. The moist "smoke" from the propane burner in the furnace has a significant amount of heat energy in the moisture.
How much of a pain dripping windows and walls are is very much a "that depends" sort of thing. If you have a lot of air exchanges or if it never gets real cold .... maybe not a big deal.
Bob
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11-30-2018, 10:30 AM
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#9
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Overland Adventurer
1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
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We have the big Olympic heater in the salon in our 34' Classic. The heat output is great, but left uncontrolled the moisture becomes hillarious. Everything is wet, and I mean wet! Cracking to he roof vents helps maybe 90%
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11-30-2018, 10:46 AM
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#10
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.-. -...
2017 25' International
Niagara-on-the-Lake
, ON Canada
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carl2591
Well that may be because they don't want to have the liability but it's not a big deal
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I would think that safety with propane would be a 'big deal' for most people. BTW, the dealer is a fully equipped and licensed propane facility.
__________________
Ray B.
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11-30-2018, 12:45 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2005 31' Classic
Garner,
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,031
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adventure.AS
I would think that safety with propane would be a 'big deal' for most people. BTW, the dealer is a fully equipped and licensed propane facility.
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So have they said why they will not do that for you seems pretty straightforward I work on LP gas and natural gas systems all the time like today for instance I've already worked on three natural gas system so gas is not a big deal but it's like anything else it has to be handled and dealt with properly your car with a quarter tank of gas in the tank is probably more dangerous than your wave heater but then again everything is relative
__________________
Carl, Raleigh NC
2-24-16 got a 2005 Classic 31D 460 watts solar, lithium 230 AH, 16" LT's, pulled by:
2003 F-250 SD, CC, 7.3L PowerStroke
WBCCI#1691, Piedmont Airstream Club, Unit #161, Region #3
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11-30-2018, 02:13 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
Jeffersonville
, Kentucky
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 139
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The main line is on the bottom of the belly pan, just have them or you, drop the line straight down through the floor and "T" it into the main line. If leak occurs at connection, it is outside of the trailer.
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11-30-2018, 02:13 PM
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#13
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.-. -...
2017 25' International
Niagara-on-the-Lake
, ON Canada
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carl2591
So have they said why they will not do that for you seems pretty straightforward I work on LP gas and natural gas systems all the time like today for instance I've already worked on three natural gas system so gas is not a big deal but it's like anything else it has to be handled and dealt with properly your car with a quarter tank of gas in the tank is probably more dangerous than your wave heater but then again everything is relative
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They advised that the RVIA regulations did not allow for tee connections within the coach. It was not a big deal to tee outside the coach and run the dedicated supply to the fireplace. Perhaps the RIVA regs are why all of the gas appliances (fridge, DHW, stove, furnace) all have dedicated supply lines.)
I don't know for sure, but as the refrigerator is already the #2 cause of RV fires perhaps they didn't want take a chance on a propane leak ever developing inside the refrigerator compartment where there is an open flame.
__________________
Ray B.
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11-30-2018, 04:20 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2005 31' Classic
Garner,
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,031
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agreed,, by the way what is the #1 cause of RV fires?? So why would the dealer not recommend running a new line from under the coach so the poster could hook up his heaters?? a bit more work for sure but not a big deal.
I know there are lots of guy that have tapped into the LP lines for heaters over the year and most have not burned downn..
For me a Tee behind or under the reefer would be acceptable as that area does communicate with fresh air.. a flare fitting tee with proper connections would be as safe as the one that are on there now..
Plus when you think about it the LP detector is in, or at least in my unit, in the area the kitchen near the floor. The reefer is open to outside air which is good, the stove is enclosed but up high and the furnace is totally enclosed.. seem to me the best would be to have another LP detector in the area near the furnace so if there is a leak the detector will pick it up quicker..
Quote:
Originally Posted by Adventure.AS
They advised that the RVIA regulations did not allow for tee connections within the coach. It was not a big deal to tee outside the coach and run the dedicated supply to the fireplace. Perhaps the RIVA regs are why all of the gas appliances (fridge, DHW, stove, furnace) all have dedicated supply lines.)
I don't know for sure, but as the refrigerator is already the #2 cause of RV fires perhaps they didn't want take a chance on a propane leak ever developing inside the refrigerator compartment where there is an open flame.
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__________________
Carl, Raleigh NC
2-24-16 got a 2005 Classic 31D 460 watts solar, lithium 230 AH, 16" LT's, pulled by:
2003 F-250 SD, CC, 7.3L PowerStroke
WBCCI#1691, Piedmont Airstream Club, Unit #161, Region #3
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12-01-2018, 12:40 PM
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#15
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Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,167
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Lewster installed my wave6 at the sink cabinet up front. Of course, being Lewster, he tapped into the propane line under the trailer, not inside. Love it, btw. especially great when dry camping.
Pat
__________________
--------------------------------------
Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
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12-01-2018, 01:06 PM
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#16
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.-. -...
2017 25' International
Niagara-on-the-Lake
, ON Canada
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carl2591
agreed,, by the way what is the #1 cause of RV fires?? .
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#1 is electrical fires.
__________________
Ray B.
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12-01-2018, 02:04 PM
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#17
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Dazed and Confused
Currently Looking...
1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,805
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If I were to have a catalytic propane heater in my trailer, I would look at Platinum Cat heaters. Made specifically for RV's, vented for safety and for moisture control.
http://ventedcatheater.com/6.html
Cheers
Sidekick Tony
__________________
Per Mare, Per Terram and may all your campaigns be successful.
“It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose your own.” "Harry S Truman"
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12-01-2018, 05:09 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2005 31' Classic
Garner,
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,031
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them boys are expensive as well. But have to agree with the venting on them being better for sure. If i was going to be living in a RV or boat fulltime in cold climates then i would like this better but my plan is to "try" and stay in climates that don't need heat for the most part..
Quote:
Originally Posted by Isuzusweet
If I were to have a catalytic propane heater in my trailer, I would look at Platinum Cat heaters. Made specifically for RV's, vented for safety and for moisture control.
http://ventedcatheater.com/6.html
Cheers
Sidekick Tony
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__________________
Carl, Raleigh NC
2-24-16 got a 2005 Classic 31D 460 watts solar, lithium 230 AH, 16" LT's, pulled by:
2003 F-250 SD, CC, 7.3L PowerStroke
WBCCI#1691, Piedmont Airstream Club, Unit #161, Region #3
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12-02-2018, 01:13 PM
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#19
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Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,167
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I looked at getting a platinum cat, but in corresponding with the guy, it was a one-man show and I didn't feel comfortable with it.
Pat
__________________
--------------------------------------
Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
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12-02-2018, 04:23 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2005 31' Classic
Garner,
, North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,031
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Not that, thats a bad thing, but I sorta had the same trepidation as well. It was hard to get info.. the website is sorta lame. If he would have the website redone and put more info like price etc I bet he could sell a bunch of them.
looks like a great product if marketed properly and had a bit more technical support available.
maybe we should get together, buy him out, market them at RV shows facebook etc and make a mint.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pmclemore
I looked at getting a platinum cat, but in corresponding with the guy, it was a one-man show and I didn't feel comfortable with it.
Pat
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__________________
Carl, Raleigh NC
2-24-16 got a 2005 Classic 31D 460 watts solar, lithium 230 AH, 16" LT's, pulled by:
2003 F-250 SD, CC, 7.3L PowerStroke
WBCCI#1691, Piedmont Airstream Club, Unit #161, Region #3
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