Need Heat While Dry Camping? Try this.

I don't do many product reviews but I've wanted one of these propane radiant heaters for some time.  When I saw it reviewed by the Long, Long Honeymoon Blog I decided to try one on for size.

In most cases I prefer to use an electric heater because the electricity is usually included in the RV site fee so it saves on the propane bill.  However, there are several situations, including dry camping or desert camping when electric is only available from the battery and needs to be conserved as much as possible.  Even a regular RV propane furnace draws on the battery.

Here are the features of the Camco Olympian Wave Heaters:

• Suitable for use in RVs, cabins or at home

  

  Optional legs force air in desired direction but heater can also be wall mounted

• Utilizes warm, safe and efficient HD-5 propane gas
• Produces no harmful amounts of carbon monoxide and causes no battery drain
• Produces warm convective radiant heat
• Safety shut-off valve
• Can be used as a portable space heater or can be wall mounted vertically
• Optional legs radiate heat up and in the direction you want
• There are 3 strengths available: 

Camco 57331 Olympian Wave-3 3000 BTU LP Gas Catalytic Heater, 

Camco 57341 Olympian Wave-6 6000 BTU LP Gas Catalytic Heater  and

Camco 57351 Olympian Wave-8 8000 BTU LP Gas Catalytic Heater. 

Click the individual product links above to get more details and photos.

This heat output will heat anywhere from 130 to 290 square feet of interior space.

The product description outlines how it works and it's similarity to heat from the sun.

"Camco Olympian Wave heaters are designed and built to provide years of comfortable, radiant heat and economical LP Gas consumption. Olympian heaters produce mostly radiant heat as a result of a flame-less catalytic combustion process. Its efficiency is high because combustion takes place at relatively low temperatures. The radiant heat produced by Olympian heaters is particularly effective for creating a feeling of warm comfort similar to solar radiation.

The sun is an excellent example of radiant heat transfer, because it transmits energy through space, releasing heat when its rays strike objects and people. Like the sun, Olympian heaters radiate heat directly to people, floors, walls and other objects without heating the air first, so warmth is felt immediately. Radiant heat is absorbed by objects and then emitted into the air to heat the surrounding area. Therefore, your Olympian heater should be oriented to direct its heat rays toward the space to be heated, much like a floodlight is positioned to illuminate a desired area"

My personal comments on my new heater...

I got the 6000 BTU for around $220.00.  I love that it's quiet and there's no fan or blower.  Because of the way they operate, you can be confident that carbon monoxide is not a concern.

Installation?  I couldn't do it but hubby had no problem.  We hooked it up as pictured above, with the legs.

They still suggest you leave a window cracked while using.  Not because of the carbon monoxide rather because these heaters need a fresh air supply.  I was trying to get away from that but a 1/2" crack in a window doesn't seem to cause any drafts.

All in all, we are very pleased with our Camco.  We also have it as a backup in case a winter storm interrupts our electrical power in our house.

Have any RV products that you especially like or would like to know more about.  Tell us in the comments. 

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with us on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV