Opinions wanted... How many BTU's?

[Maranatha]

I'm looking to buy an Olympian Wave catalytic heater for the Aframe pop up/A124 I am getting ready to pick up.

They make three models:
Olympian 3 1,600-3,000 BTU's
Olympian 6 3,200-6,000 BTU's
Olympian 8 4,200-8,000 BTU's

I would like to be able to keep the camper interior around 68 degrees. I wouldn't expect to be in weather below about 20 degrees. The formula I had heard was 1,000 btu's per foot of camper. Using this formula, I would need a 12,000 btu heater and this doesn't sound right but maybe it is.

Has anybody used one of these heaters before? How many btu's do I really need?

Thanks in advance.

[handbuilder]

My trailer has a 20k BTU forced air furnace w/electric ignition. I dont anticipate needing more heat than this will provide. The trailer is pretty snug.

[toleworks]

Yes I do believe you'll find a cool cat AC/heater and a propane furnace in the A124. No other heating source should be necessary.

[Maranatha]

The plan is to do mostly dry camping. I was wanting to bypass the Cool Cat so I can avoid using my generator in cold weather and the onboard furnace as it is noisey and a propane/battery pig.

These Olympian heaters are silent, ultra efficient with propane and use no battery power.

[thehamguy1]

on the other hand the good thing about the heaters that come with the A-series campers is that they vent outside, whereas with the catalytic heater you'd have to keep a window at least partly open when it's in use. The CO detector, also standard on these units, could potentially be going off at odd times with the catalytic heater. It's really loud, everyone in the campground will hear it; don't ask how I know (grin).

[LadyWindrider]

From original post. "The formula I had heard was 1,000 btu's per foot of camper. Using this formula, I would need a 12,000 btu heater and this doesn't sound right but maybe it is." Now if this is square foot, and you only have 12 square feet, that is a small camper, about 3 foot by 4 foot. (sorry no harm intended). If it is length, then your camper must be 12 feet long. As for the heater, get the biggest one if price doesn't matter much, and it has a thermostat, then you'll be fine.

[Great Horned Owl]

I just installed a Wave 3 ln my 27' 5er. Except for testing, I have not had a chance to try it yet.

I am fairly certain that it will not heat the whole rig. I just wanted something provide some warmth to the bedroom when dry camping in cold weather. The one test that I ran was to turn on the A/C full blast, turn on the heater, and close the bedroom curtain. I had the livingroom at 70 deg. while the bedroom was at 98 deg. This despite the fact that there is a A/C duct in the bedroom.

Joel

[Maranatha]

Windrider...

The formula as I understood it was 1,000 btu's per foot of length of the trailer. I'm assuming this doesn't include the trailer tongue.

I'm thinking that the 3,000 btu model will be sufficient. It is rated for 120 square feet and my aframe measures 12' by 7' exterior box dimensions which would give me 84 square feet. Who knows what the manufacture's rated for 120 square feet means.

I'll post back with actual results in a few weeks.

[daveinpickerington]

Originally Posted by Maranatha

I'm thinking that the 3,000 btu model will be sufficient. It is rated for 120 square feet and my aframe measures 12' by 7' exterior box dimensions which would give me 84 square feet. Who knows what the manufacture's rated for 120 square feet means.

I think the 3000 BTU will work fine. I use a Coleman SportCat 1500 BTU to take the chill off in cooler weather (mid 40s). I have never tried it during freezing temps. I can get by 2 nights with one canister.

Amazon.com: Coleman SportCat PerfecTemp Catalytic Heater: Sports & Outdoors