propex heater, looking for vents?

[goinoregon]

the exhaust/intake tubes are maybe 1", i am trying to find a vent cover that i can attach the intake/exhaust tubes to. for whatever reason, i cant seem to find. the company i bought the heater from, sure marine, does not sell vents. or at least vents with some kind of screening.. on the interweb i was checking out the suburban vents, but they all see to only have 1 tube to secure the vent exhaust/intake tubing to. any recommendations on how to vent this propex would be appreciated. atc buil is early march, so assembling parts at this time. thx greg

 

[Ronin]

Is it the thru hull fitting you're looking for to vent the exhaust gas out and the port to connect the fresh air intake tubing? If that's what it is Van Cafe has the 22mm thru hull fitting. You'll want to have Marty install this for you during the build so you won't have to retro-fit it yourself. Hope this helps.

https://www.vancafe.com/2986120-p/2986120.htm

 

[goinoregon]

Is it the thru hull fitting you're looking for to vent the exhaust gas out and the port to connect the fresh air intake tubing? If that's what it is Van Cafe has the 22mm thru hull fitting. You'll want to have Marty install this for you during the build so you won't have to retro-fit it yourself. Hope this helps.

https://www.vancafe.com/2986120-p/2986120.htm

thx ronin ! thats exactly what i was looking for. bought heater from sure marine up in seattle, and they did not have this vent fitting, so i quit looking that way. i am gathering a few things for ATC to install during the build. your recommendation and link is much appreciated.

 

[goinoregon]

thx ronin ! thats exactly what i was looking for. bought heater from sure marine up in seattle, and they did not have this vent fitting, so i quit looking that way. i am gathering a few things for ATC to install during the build. your recommendation and link is much appreciated.

hey ronin. after i got your info, i immediately contacted van cafe and ordered the thru-hull vent. unfortunately they reached out to me a week or two later, and said they didnt have it in inventory, and had no idea when they might get one.... and apologized. anyway, i have been calling other propex distributors, but also striking out.
have any ideas on an alternate vent ?? i was looking at suburban, but for whatever reason they have multiple 2 vent models , but they all seem to have only 1 pipe extension into the cabin (which i assume is for exhaust). i was hoping to find a vent with 2 pipes, which would make it easier to just attach the exhaust and fresh air tubes from propex to - but am getting cross-eyed from website searches.
any ideas ??

 

[Taku]

I just made a "vent" cover from some aluminum sheeting that attaches to the plywood. Used a bit of engine gasket sealer around the edge of the wood just in case the outlet got hot. Have had it installed for seven years with no issues. The inlet and outlet tubes on our Ocelot go out the plywood on the and are attached to the plywood in the space by the wheel well. Used a piece of angle aluminum to keep the outlet pipe off the wood there.

 

[goinoregon]

I just made a "vent" cover from some aluminum sheeting that attaches to the plywood. Used a bit of engine gasket sealer around the edge of the wood just in case the outlet got hot. Have had it installed for seven years with no issues. The inlet and outlet tubes on our Ocelot go out the plywood on the and are attached to the plywood in the space by the wheel well. Used a piece of angle aluminum to keep the outlet pipe off the wood there.

so you exhaust the heater into the space either behind wheel well, or forward? it does not get too hot in there??

 

[Vic Harder]

My exhaust exits into the are behind the wheel well. Intake is in front of the wheel well.

 

[goinoregon]

My exhaust exits into the are behind the wheel well. Intake is in front of the wheel well.

thx Vic. i had not think of this much separation, but that makes a lot of sense. so, i assume the exhaust is not too hot for the enclosed space ? i am not a winter camper type, so heater will probably only be used in the shoulder seasons.

 

[Ronin]

hey ronin. after i got your info, i immediately contacted van cafe and ordered the thru-hull vent. unfortunately they reached out to me a week or two later, and said they didnt have it in inventory, and had no idea when they might get one.... and apologized. anyway, i have been calling other propex distributors, but also striking out.
have any ideas on an alternate vent ?? i was looking at suburban, but for whatever reason they have multiple 2 vent models , but they all seem to have only 1 pipe extension into the cabin (which i assume is for exhaust). i was hoping to find a vent with 2 pipes, which would make it easier to just attach the exhaust and fresh air tubes from propex to - but am getting cross-eyed from website searches.
any ideas ??

A quick search and I see a couple of UK outfits that lists the vent. You could always use 2 single fittings available at marine supply co's and mount separately or fabricate a mounting plate to make your own dual port fitting. Good luck!

 

[Vic Harder]

thx Vic. i had not think of this much separation, but that makes a lot of sense. so, i assume the exhaust is not too hot for the enclosed space ? i am not a winter camper type, so heater will probably only be used in the shoulder seasons.

If you read the install guide, I think the call for 3' of separation. Which is why I was surprised when I saw that cool single piece vent fitting you are looking for. No, not to hot, and not all that "enclosed" either. These Propex furnaces are amazingly efficient. There is not a lot of air leaving that exhaust tube. I made the hole in the plywood bigger than necessary to clear the tube, and made sure the supplied silicone sleeves were in that space so as to minimize how hot the tubes were that might be in contact with the wood. Sealed the remaining gap with red high temp silicone designed for automotive use. No issues so far in the two camper builds I did with Propex heaters.

 

[goinoregon]

If you read the install guide, I think the call for 3' of separation. Which is why I was surprised when I saw that cool single piece vent fitting you are looking for. No, not to hot, and not all that "enclosed" either. These Propex furnaces are amazingly efficient. There is not a lot of air leaving that exhaust tube. I made the hole in the plywood bigger than necessary to clear the tube, and made sure the supplied silicone sleeves were in that space so as to minimize how hot the tubes were that might be in contact with the wood. Sealed the remaining gap with red high temp silicone designed for automotive use. No issues so far in the two camper builds I did with Propex heaters.

good to hear. yes, i liked the looks of the propex vent, but i also like your solution - less stuff going through the exposed exterior. and upon reading the install guide again, i think it helps to have the inlet and outlet a bit farther apart. very much appreciate your input.

 

[Vic Harder]

I'm also in the process of incorporating an idea I gleaned from the Chinese Diesel Heater installs... The comment was made on another thread that these heaters make for drier internal air, which puzzled me. Most RV heaters work much the same, with external combustion air and combustion exhaust coming from outside, and - like your home furnace - heated air and cold air returns vented from/to the inside of the heated space. Turns out some folks are taking the "cold air return" from OUTSIDE as well. This will be less energy efficient, but will also make for drier internal air.

So, my Propex install is getting a mod to take the cold air return from outside, via one of the turnbuckle access doors. More details and pics to follow.