Just to pass on some info. I had bought a Platinum Cat on Craigslist about ten years ago to install in my last bus. I never got around to it but finally decided to do a removable install in this bus in the bedroom. I will not post pictures because it is shamefully raw job. There is also some problem with the way it functions, but that's a different story. Anyway, I wanted to make sure that my CO sensor was in top working order so I would feel reasonably safe using the heater. It turns out the sensor has some problems. It's almost 5 years old, so I felt fine about just buying another one. However, I called Kidde first to see if it was salvageable. Turns out that they just replace them if they are less than 5 years old, so my new one is one the way. They claim that the sensors generally have lifespan of 7 years.
So, if you have one that is approaching the 5 year mark, you might want to test it while it is still under warranty. If you have one the is older, you might want to get a new one.
Since the Platinum Cat is vented, I feel one sensor is okay. I think that if I were to consider an unvented heater. I would want two.
Thanks for passing that on. Nice to hear of a company standing behind their products.
Lin, if you don't mind me asking, but how much does a Platinum Cat heater cost?
On my recent trip our carbon dioxide sensor was making the odd chirp and showing a reading. I tracked it down to a bad seal in the toilet allowing sewer gas to enter. Nice to know its working.
Brassman,
I bought this one on Craigslist maybe 10 years ago and was probably more than 10 years old at that time. It was pretty reasonable, but I don't remember what I actually paid. The original company went out of business a long time ago. However, one of the employees, Arnie Lind, continues to service and sell the product. He is very helpful and is up in Tumwater, WA, which is not terribly far from you. As I remember it, they were comparable in price to Olympian heaters ($300 range), but less likely to be discounted. Although most of what I have read confirms that catalytic heaters like the Olympian are safe, I can't say that I am very comfortable with the idea of sleeping with one running (as mentioned, maybe with a couple of CO sensors). Therefore the Platinum Cat is a good low electrical draw alternative for dry camping. Is rating at 6000 BTU input, so the output is something less, but it is thermostatically controlled and more than adequate for the bedroom. We still would probably use the main furnace for the rest of the bus, but set to a much lower temp and thereby save battery.
If you are interested in one, contact Arnie or watch Craigslist. Since these were also used for marine service, look for significant rust in used ones.
http://ventedcatheater.com/2.html (http://ventedcatheater.com/2.html)
I don't know if he imports or refurbishes? Couldn't find prices. Looks like a great idea for a heater. You got a deal.
Here's a little nuisance information. I got my new Kidde CO sensor today. The instructions say it should not be installed where temperatures drop below 40 or go above 100. I called the company to clarify, since leaving it in the bus would definitely violate those parameters. They said that it could damage the unit, and it would be best to remove it when the temperature was likely to go outside that range.