(FROM: 5/10/04)SURVIVAL PURCHACE BLITZ
BUTANE TORCHES: Updated List Here
- Grain Mill: http://www.survivalplus.com/catalog/page0006.htm OTHER SOURCE: http://brewersclub.safeshopper.com/27/166.htm?510
SURGICAL FACE MASKS: http://www1.mooremedical.com/index.cfm?PG=Gen&FN=Search
POCKET SAW: http://www.countrygeneral.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4315 (Canada);
http://www.armynavyshop.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=rc3202 $9;
KEROSENE STOVES: http://www.endtimesreport.com/kerosene_stoves.html (Still Sold Out of the "Premier" stainless steel stove [$89] as of 5/15/03)
12 VOLT ELECTRIC BLANKET: http://www.safetycentral.com/12volelblan.html $67 - 60" x 42";
http://www.skingcompany.com/detail.asp?product_ID=RPHB1101 $40 - 58" x 40"
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/stunmastercom/12volelblanp.html $56 (Plus shipping- won't say till order placed) - 60" x 42";
[Heaters]
[http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/VanDwellers/message/6131]
My personal preference, which I will be putting in my next van is a 'vented' charcoal heater. I have posted details and a few links about these heaters. I will test a very simple design, made from heavy plumbing pipe, that is simply loaded with charcoal, and screwed onto the heavy gauge, smaller vent pipe.Your unvented propane heater is always trying to kill you.
Remember that, and you stand a better chance of stay alive.
Catalytic heaters need almost a fully opened vent to make sure that there is enough oxygen for combustion. As long as there is, it produces almost no CO, and nowhere near any dangerous levels. However, should it use all the oxygen, or you use it at very high altitudes, even a catalytic heater will begin to produce CO, because there is not enough oxygen for complete combustion.
Many folks confuse radiant open flame heaters like the Mr. Buddy heater from Mr. heater, with the catalytic heaters.. These are both open flame heaters just like the space heaters with ceramic bricks to maintain and project heat. Open flame heaters produce much higher levels of CO than any other heater, even when there is sufficient oxygen. You need almost a completely open window to safely use them because you are not just making sure of enough oxygen, but also exhausting CO! An open flame heater is just like trying to use the range or oven to heat. Very dangerous.
[Catalytic Heaters]
Operation:
When the catalytic heater is turned on it must be preheated with a tubular electric heating element for approximately 15 minutes. Once the catalyst has reached 300F, safety devices are activated and the gas enters the back of the heater. The gas contacts the hot platinum catalyst and reacts with oxygen in the air, raising the catalyst temperature to between 350F and 1000F while emitting infrared energy. Efficiency tests have established that up to 72% of the gas is converted into infrared heat. Since the reaction temperature is well below the auto-ignition temperature for natural gas (1300 F), the reaction is flameless. The catalytic reaction is established five minutes after the gas enters the heater, and the preheater is turned off.
The long wave infrared energy emitted by the catalytic heaters is optimally absorbed by materials such as plastics, and this is what speeds up heating time and reduces cycle length. The catalytic wavelengths are five to ten microns long, coinciding with the six to ten micron maximum absorption range of plastics. Electric heaters, in contrast, produce a shorter wave length of one to three microns that is absorbed less efficiently. Further, the lower temperature of the catalytic heaters produces a more uniform heating with less temperature difference between the surface and the interior. This improves product quality and product consistency, according to Vulcan literature.
Catalytic heaters operate at much lower temperatures, and are almost 100% efficient, producing no appreciable amounts of CO as long as there is sufficient oxygen to support combustion. Thus ventilation of about 1 sq inch per 1000 BTUs of catalytic heater rating is required. There is no CO build up at all to vent out unless the Oxygen is depleted to the point of incomplete combustion, in which case it begins to produce CO.
--------------------
[Fire Equipment, lighters, candles, etc]
[ http://www.equipped.com/devices28.htm ] Another handy addition to your fire starting bag of tricks that is popular with many old timers are the trick birthday candles which don't blow out. That's a pretty nifty characteristic for a fire starter. These make a good complement to matches, particularly conventional matches, as the long burning, wind resistant flame can make starting a blaze a lot easier.
=-----------------------------
HOME