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Coleman's New Catalytic Heaters

Started by Stargazer, Nov 26, 2003, 09:17 AM

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Stargazer

Has anyone tried out any of the new Coleman catalytic heaters?
No electricity is needed just a small propane tank of fuel.  Kmart
had three different sizes.  I wonder which size would be best for
my Coleman Sedona PU when no electric hook up is available?

MtnCamper

Quote from: StargazerHas anyone tried out any of the new Coleman catalytic heaters?
No electricity is needed just a small propane tank of fuel.  Kmart
had three different sizes.  I wonder which size would be best for
my Coleman Sedona PU when no electric hook up is available?
I have used one of these for 2 years, It works well, works at altitude, and has a fan. Also have used a radiant heat one, but I like the fan better.

ProCat

tlhdoc

I have a small sport cat heater and like it, but I don't use it in the PU.  I have a Buddy heater for that.  I would get the biggest one available if you plan to camp in cold weather. :)

topcat7736

Stargazer,

We have the original Black Cat which came out a few years ago. All the catalytic heaters are 3000 btu. Even with a fan, the best they can do is take the chill out of the air.
 
If you don't want to have a furnace installed in your trailer, the MrHeater Buddy at 9000 btu's is a better buy. It also contains more safety features than the Coleman's while still running on the small propane bottles or on an lp tank with an adapter hose (which the Coleman's can't do).

brainpause

We have used a Coleman PowerCat in our camper, but usually use the ceramic heater when we are asleep. I will admit that ONE time I used the PowerCat for the last 2 hours of sleep one morning, as we were both freezing, and had no electricity. I took a chance, and didn't lose. Next time I might not be so lucky, so I don't advise it.
 
But...
 
The PowerCat is a great heater. If used when awake, it seems to take more than the chill out of our camper.
 
Larry

tlhdoc

Quote from: topcat7736Stargazer,

All the catalytic heaters are 3000 btu.
 

Sorry, but the one I have is only 1,100 btu. :)

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=5031-700

topcat7736

Tracy,

Well, I never saw the 1100 btu one and can't believe they actually made it. Even more unbelievable is that you bought one! I would guess that it's usable when the temperature is about 70 and you want it to be 70.001. The 3000 btu one barely warmed our tent a bit when the temps were in the 60's. It's probably another product they'll be dumping in the near future.

tlhdoc

Al I bought it for using at work.  In the winter I often have to spend 2 hours in a 6 X 6 wood hut that is 20 feet up in the air.  The walls are solid, but the floor has small gaps that the wind blows up through.  My Buddy heater was way too hot even on the lowest setting and with one of the windows, in the hut, open a crack.  This tiny sport cat works well, at least better than the can of sterno that one guy uses. :)   I didn't buy it for cold weather camping, but I do keep it in the car when the roads are bad for emergency heat.

MtnCamper

I guess I'm just partial to the Pro Cat, after all the Mr Buddy won't burn at the altitude we camp at and the Coleman will, so 3K BTU's is a lot warmer than 9K, that you can't get to burn. ;)  Of course you could buy a Ready Heater (That's 50k BTU's of heat.)

topcat7736

Gary,
 
It's another curse of propane! The MrHeater has lots of safety features which stop it from burning at higher altitudes, while the Coleman is missing them. But, for that burning, the Coleman is going to suck down that small bottle in a hurry. It's just another reason that I always preferred the dual fuel products over the propane ones (i.e. for stoves and lanterns). The BTU capability of LP gas diminishes very rapidly at both higher altitudes and lower temperatures while the duel fuel just keeps cruising along.
 
Someday, (tongue in cheek), there will be safe dual fuel water heaters and furnaces that can be tied to your TV's gas tank, making the fair weather lp gas a thing of the past.....someday.....:rolleyes: