Coleman Procat Catalytic Heater

BobCaesar · 09-01-2008, 02:19 PM

Wonder if anyone has thoughts or experience with the Coleman Procat Heater. It is 3,000 btu and supposedly can be used indoors. I am looking for a heater to use over 7,000' so the Mr Heater Big Buddy won't work. I do use the Big Buddy all the time below seven thousand. The Olympia seems too expensive.

What I really need is heater(s) to take the chill off on those 25* Rocky Mt mornings in a 23' trailer. It would only be used first thing, when we are awake making coffee, etc.

Thoughts appreciated!

Bob

BobCaesar · 09-01-2008, 02:19 PM

Wonder if anyone has thoughts or experience with the Coleman Procat Heater. It is 3,000 btu and supposedly can be used indoors. I am looking for a heater to use over 7,000' so the Mr Heater Big Buddy won't work. I do use the Big Buddy all the time below seven thousand. The Olympia seems too expensive.

What I really need is heater(s) to take the chill off on those 25* Rocky Mt mornings in a 23' trailer. It would only be used first thing, when we are awake making coffee, etc.

Thoughts appreciated!

Bob

**RV Wizard** · 09-02-2008, 12:47 AM

3000 btu is not much heat. Your trailer should have about a 25,000 - 30,000 btu furnace to supply enough heat to raise the temperature to a comfortable level.

BobCaesar · 09-02-2008, 05:47 AM

Not much is right! I'm thinking two of them, but even then just 6,000 BTU isn't much. Hopefully two, in our 23 footer will just help to take the chill off.

We boondock 100% of the time, running the ltllle Honda generator only to make coffee in the morning. Thus, we can run the very inefficient coach furnace + two of these little buggers to warm things till the sun come up - if it does! Mostly - it does!

Why is it our Suburban heater seems so in effective (puts out 100* air with an outside temp around 55*)? It sure takes a long time to do any good! Wonder how many BTUs it puts out?

All this above 7,00' because below we use the Big Buddy heater which is SUPER!

Thanks for your thoughts!

**RV Wizard** · 09-03-2008, 12:19 AM

Bob, it sounds like you need to have the furnace serviced since it should perform much better than you say it does. Higher altitude will have an effect but it could be tuned for this and might be the answer you are looking for. Be sure no vents are restricted as this will cause it to try to operate on the safety t'stat. Let us know what you find out.

BobCaesar · 09-05-2008, 09:58 AM

I did check out the furnace including the air supply etc. and everything seems ok. I have come to the realization we are just asking the furnace to do too much.

We only boondock and don't use any heat during the night so in the morning the inside temp is low – say 35*. (We use great sleeping bags!

) It takes a LOT of heat to warm up the air not to mention the cold interior walls, floor, furniture, etc are just absorbing heat from the air faster than the furnace can put it out. On the other hand all we are trying to do is get the temp up to "coffee drinking". Yes, we are from NW Wyoming so anything above 40* is time for a picnic!

The ProCat heaters are larger in physical size than expected, and do only put out 3,000 btu - which isn't much. They are catalytic, function well, are priced about $70.00. The integral fan does help move air. My guess is in a tent (for which they are intended), or small RV they are probable fine. In a trailer probably better at maintaining a temp as opposed to increasing it. Maybe fine in an enclosed space such as bathroom or a reading, TV area?

Two of them along with our suburban furnace in the morning and they do seem to help. I would think the Procats might work more effectively if the morning inside temp was say 50*?

In any event they do function as advertised and might work in a number of situations.

In the meantime Mom & I will just get the campfire going earlier – and bigger, MUCH BIGGER!