Courtney Thomas wrote:
Wayne,

Thank you for your take on this matter.

Do you know where I can find the exact combustion byproducts of an Origo
and in what amounts they are produced ?

Cordially,
Courtney


Wayne.B wrote:

On Fri, 03 Dec 2004 23:04:21 -0500, Courtney Thomas
wrote:


Have come into an old single burner and am considering it as a backup
source.

Opinions, caveats, advice ?


======================================

I am very wary of any combustion heater that does not vent to the
outside. At the least you need a CO monitor and alarm but there are
other risks such as oxygen deprivation and poisoning from combustion
byproducts.

I couldn't find anything in a quick web search, but the link below gives
a fairly good overview of the various fuel types. Owners perception of
safety is particularly interesting. Unfortunately, combustion products
are not spelled out.

http://www.boatus.com/goodoldboat/cookingfuels.htm

Good Old Boat: A clean look at the "dirty" half dozen by Theresa Fort

Some factors that would influence your decision on a non-vented heater
are the size of the boat, the number of people sleeping, and the degree
of "tightness" (open cowl vents, loose-fitting hatch boards, etc.)

Chuck

These guys have a really good CO monitor:
http://www.aeromedix.com/?_siteid=ae...n=cat&catid=co

--


Keith
__
A penny saved is a government oversight.
"Cindy Ballreich" wrote in message
...
Courtney Thomas wrote:

Do you know where I can find the exact combustion byproducts of an Origo
and in what amounts they are produced ?


Courtney ,

Any time you have a flame below decks you should use caution. A CO
detector and good fire extinguishers are good ideas on *any* boat. Don't
let the people who've never used these heaters/stoves convince you that
they're dangerous.

I don't know the exact proportions of gases - perhaps you can find out
from Origo. I can say that we've never had a problem using our Heat Pal,
even while we are sleeping. Alcohol is a very efficient fuel and I think
that the amount of CO produced is very low. We've found that different
brands of fuel will have more or less smell and those smells probably mean
that extra gases are being produced. I think this has to do with
impurities in the fuel. There are some types of fuel that smell so bad we
won't use without having the companionway open. I also believe that the
quality of fuel is related to the amount of water vapor produced. The
Origo brand fuel seems to be the best, but it is very expensive. I suspect
that a filled cartridge can pull water out of the air, so we keep ours in
a plastic bag when we're not using it.

The worst problems we've ever had with our Heat Pal are running out of
alcohol half way through a two week trip, and water vapor condensing on
the aluminum hatch frame and dripping on our faces while we sleep.

Cindy

(I should disclose that we're looking into getting a Sigmar diesel
heater.)

Thank you Cindy.

What no one is revealing is, other than Origo's [what price is it ?],

what is the lowest price fuel brand that is minimally satisfactory in
that there's no odor, low water vapor production, no soot, etc.....and
where's it available ?

Home Depot wants $10/gal for denatured alcohol. Ever used theirs ?

Cordially,
Courtney



Cindy Ballreich wrote:

Courtney Thomas wrote:


Do you know where I can find the exact combustion byproducts of an
Origo and in what amounts they are produced ?


Courtney ,

Any time you have a flame below decks you should use caution. A CO
detector and good fire extinguishers are good ideas on *any* boat. Don't
let the people who've never used these heaters/stoves convince you that
they're dangerous.

I don't know the exact proportions of gases - perhaps you can find out
from Origo. I can say that we've never had a problem using our Heat Pal,
even while we are sleeping. Alcohol is a very efficient fuel and I think
that the amount of CO produced is very low. We've found that different
brands of fuel will have more or less smell and those smells probably
mean that extra gases are being produced. I think this has to do with
impurities in the fuel. There are some types of fuel that smell so bad
we won't use without having the companionway open. I also believe that
the quality of fuel is related to the amount of water vapor produced.
The Origo brand fuel seems to be the best, but it is very expensive. I
suspect that a filled cartridge can pull water out of the air, so we
keep ours in a plastic bag when we're not using it.

The worst problems we've ever had with our Heat Pal are running out of
alcohol half way through a two week trip, and water vapor condensing on
the aluminum hatch frame and dripping on our faces while we sleep.

Cindy

(I should disclose that we're looking into getting a Sigmar diesel heater.)


--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619

Since it's an open flame, perhaps more CO2 is produced rather than CO.
But also of importance is O2 depletion., which the CO monitor doesn't
consider. I have a propane heater w/ a O2 monitor, but I don't know how or
how well it works.
Courtney, I haven't found the instructions, but will keep looking.

Garland

"Cindy Ballreich" wrote in message
...
Courtney Thomas wrote:

Do you know where I can find the exact combustion byproducts of an Origo
and in what amounts they are produced ?


Courtney ,

Any time you have a flame below decks you should use caution. A
CO detector and good fire extinguishers are good ideas on *any*
boat. Don't let the people who've never used these heaters/stoves
convince you that they're dangerous.

I don't know the exact proportions of gases - perhaps you can
find out from Origo. I can say that we've never had a problem
using our Heat Pal, even while we are sleeping. Alcohol is a very
efficient fuel and I think that the amount of CO produced is very
low. We've found that different brands of fuel will have more or
less smell and those smells probably mean that extra gases are
being produced. I think this has to do with impurities in the
fuel. There are some types of fuel that smell so bad we won't use
without having the companionway open. I also believe that the
quality of fuel is related to the amount of water vapor produced.
The Origo brand fuel seems to be the best, but it is very
expensive. I suspect that a filled cartridge can pull water out
of the air, so we keep ours in a plastic bag when we're not using it.

The worst problems we've ever had with our Heat Pal are running
out of alcohol half way through a two week trip, and water vapor
condensing on the aluminum hatch frame and dripping on our faces
while we sleep.

Cindy

(I should disclose that we're looking into getting a Sigmar
diesel heater.)

[quote=Garland Gray II]Since it's an open flame, perhaps more CO2 is produced rather than CO.

Origos burn boat stove alcohol. When burned, it yields water, and carbon dioxide. BUT...it has 5% additives, to increase volatility and get around paying 100% taxes. That means it also makes a bit of nasty stuff when burned, that is also what makes a lot of the smell when burned. Oxygen depletion is the main worry...and condensation. -Ken

Courtney,

It ranges in price from about $9 per gallon up to about $16 per gallon.
I haven't tried the alcohol from Home Depot. You should try a couple of
different kinds and see what you like. My personal feeling is that the
*really* cheap stuff that's sold as a cleaning fluid smells too bad to
use. I think if it mentions stove usage on the label, it's probably ok.
The Origo is the best we've used, but also the most expensive. You can
get it at West Marine or other marine stores. Other places for alcohol
might include hardware stores, home improvement stores, or camping
equipment stores. (If you're going to be storing it for any length of
time, be aware that the metal cans will rust.)

Cindy


Courtney Thomas wrote:
Thank you Cindy.

What no one is revealing is, other than Origo's [what price is it ?],

what is the lowest price fuel brand that is minimally satisfactory in
that there's no odor, low water vapor production, no soot, etc.....and
where's it available ?

Home Depot wants $10/gal for denatured alcohol. Ever used theirs ?

Cordially,
Courtney

A friend of mine races cars and buys his alchol from a local racing supply
store at a very good price (a lot less than LOWES) they also sell an
additive that "scents" the fuel. I have not tried it in my stove yet, but
intend to try next spring. He says it is kinda funny to fire up the race car
and smell pumpkin pie, or strawberries.
Because it is race fuel it may not be as high quality...on the other hand it
might be the same stuff, just cheaper because it is usually bought in bulk.
The store does sell in smaller quanities, but you need your own container
(something else you are not buying).

Eric

"Cindy Ballreich" wrote in message
...
Courtney,

It ranges in price from about $9 per gallon up to about $16 per gallon.
I haven't tried the alcohol from Home Depot. You should try a couple of
different kinds and see what you like. My personal feeling is that the
*really* cheap stuff that's sold as a cleaning fluid smells too bad to
use. I think if it mentions stove usage on the label, it's probably ok.
The Origo is the best we've used, but also the most expensive. You can
get it at West Marine or other marine stores. Other places for alcohol
might include hardware stores, home improvement stores, or camping
equipment stores. (If you're going to be storing it for any length of
time, be aware that the metal cans will rust.)

Cindy


Courtney Thomas wrote:
Thank you Cindy.

What no one is revealing is, other than Origo's [what price is it ?],

what is the lowest price fuel brand that is minimally satisfactory in
that there's no odor, low water vapor production, no soot, etc.....and
where's it available ?

Home Depot wants $10/gal for denatured alcohol. Ever used theirs ?

Cordially,
Courtney

On Wednesday 08 December 2004 7:38 pm in rec.boats.cruising Eric Currier
wrote:

A friend of mine races cars and buys his alchol from a local racing supply
store at a very good price (a lot less than LOWES) they also sell an
additive that "scents" the fuel. I have not tried it in my stove yet, but
intend to try next spring. He says it is kinda funny to fire up the race
car and smell pumpkin pie, or strawberries.
Because it is race fuel it may not be as high quality...on the other hand
it might be the same stuff, just cheaper because it is usually bought in
bulk. The store does sell in smaller quanities, but you need your own
container (something else you are not buying).

Eric

"Cindy Ballreich" wrote in message
...
Courtney,

It ranges in price from about $9 per gallon up to about $16 per gallon.
I haven't tried the alcohol from Home Depot. You should try a couple of
different kinds and see what you like. My personal feeling is that the
*really* cheap stuff that's sold as a cleaning fluid smells too bad to
use. I think if it mentions stove usage on the label, it's probably ok.
The Origo is the best we've used, but also the most expensive. You can
get it at West Marine or other marine stores. Other places for alcohol
might include hardware stores, home improvement stores, or camping
equipment stores. (If you're going to be storing it for any length of
time, be aware that the metal cans will rust.)

Petrol (gasoline) is for washing parts.
Alcohol is for drinking.
Nitro is for fuel tanks.

--
My real address is crn (at) netunix (dot) com
WARNING all messages containing attachments or html will be silently
deleted. Send only plain text.

"M"arine (capitalized) means U.S. Marine Corps. Says who?

everyone but chicken****s.

What kind of surprises me is that in every country that has a Marine Corps unit
in its military holds the Marines in the highest respect as to fighters.