Wave 3 heater placement

I have a portable Little Buddy heater and no matter where I put it the camper heats up like an oven. I've never heard of anybody complaining about the Wave3 not completely heating a small camper, so you should be fine.

One other option is to keep it free standing, stored in a closet, and just install a quick connect hose connection. I think I may do it this way.

"Appropriate backers"

Brackets made for the heater?

Appropriate backers: Slats of wood glued and screwed inside the closet. I use the Wave 3 pattern and drill a 1/16th hole to place the backers, usually toe screwed into the closet framing. Then, the screws provided with the Wave will be secure.

When I worked in the RV business, we were not allowed to install Wave heaters with "legs". We sold legs, but could not mount them for a customer, nor install a gas line for remote use. That is the law here, possibly different in other parts of the US or Canada.

That being said, I have installed my own supply valve with a 3/8 flare fitting. The valve is off and capped when not in use. For heater use, 3/8 flare hose is connected from the valve to the Wave and is safe when tightened.

Vikx installation is typical… that is, in the entry foyer. Catalytic heaters are very directional. Meaning, they direct heat like a flashlight. Where ever it "shines" it warms. It can also secondarily transfer heat through air molecule transfer, but not very effectively. I personally find that my bunk area in the back, does not get nearly as warm as the front dinette area. You'll still need that sleeping bag in cooler weather. You can use Cat heaters while sleeping if you obey certain laws of physics, like cracking a window and your roof vent slightly… which kinda defeats the purpose of having heat in the first place. But it's necessary… even though there is no open flame with Cat heaters, the combustion is still consuming oxygen and therefore you need a fresh air supply. In the future, I am considering adding a second Wave 3 on the bathroom wall, opposite my lengthwise bunk…but so far I'm not doing much cold weather camping… and the sleeping bag does the trick and then fire up the Wave in the AM, upon rising.

If you use flare fittings and tighten properly, a Wave on legs would work and be safe. Most of my trailers are under 15 feet and the Wave 3 is more than enough to warm the entire trailer. Makes it too warm for sleeping to me.

It's rare to find an old heater or furnace that still works. Many are rusted out, especially the burner chamber. If the heater is in good condition physically, there is no reason not to keep it if it works. Unfortunately, the valves are no longer available and if they fail, not repairable. I have said it before that these old appliances are great and wish we could get parts.

The old air forced gas furnaces gulp propane and make lots of noise… and use electricity to run the fan.  Not safer.  The Cat heaters definitely save space and are simpler in principle, but do not project heat with a fan…they radiate. So, you may need more than one.  Or as written in an earlier post, get a nice sleeping bag for your bunk and fire up whatever heater you've got in the morning when you awake!