Lighting a couple of Coleman catalytic heater, seeing how long they run, and a little experiment with surprising results. Repairing a Coleman Heater - • Fixing A Coleman Catal...
I bought one of these heaters back in the late 60s! It worked great for the tent-trailer that we had at the time. Been on the shelf for decades but got it out and it still works great! Coleman's instructions, that came with it, were to use Naptha (White Gas) for fuel and use Methyl Hydrate for the starter.
I have a 1966 512 bought NOS on EBay, it works just great. I'm delighted to have it 'cause it matches the fuel on my lanterns and stoves. Great video, and best wishes from Texas-
These things work real good for ice fishing. I have 3 of them. 1 is a 3500 btu M.512 1969. The big one is an adjustable 5000-8000 btu M.515 1967 and the other is another adjustable 3000-5000 btu M.513A 1972. Love coleman, I have all kinds of the stuff.
If you use denatured alcohol with this heater, it will also make a great stove. Denatured alcohol does not leave soot compared to the fuel that was used in this video for emergency lighting.
Nice video Shane. I'm going to purchase one. Always wanted one. I got lots of Coleman lanterns but no heater. You got some nice clean ones there. Definitely keepers.
What is the max you think these are worth? I want to get one to use often but I have seen these online for up to 300.00 dollars?? I don't plan on buying one online my nabior has one and trying to get idea of what to offer. Fyi he doesn't like selling stuff so he definitely ain't going to take 5 bucks for it.
@@johnwhite192 these heater are garbage. i toss them in trash....and i collect coleman lanterns and lamps. if you want a catalytic heater, get a new modern one that runs on propane. these were good for their time but time has passed
@@johnwhite192 I know it's a late reply but I would say 30 bucks max would be what I would pay at a yard sale or antique store etc. There are lots of them floating around in people's garages maybe being used once or twice before being stored. I think these heaters are plenty useful for keeping a smaller space comfortable overnight and they are nice and quiet too. I actually got my first one free from someone who was moving and downsizing and it was going to go in the trash if I didn't grab it. After that I kinda got the coleman bug and ended up with another free one and a $30 one from Craigslist then got a 220E lantern and metal case.
Why is is that all modern jugs cannot pour without spilling? I mean, we have been dealing with fluids in containers since before history and the last device that contained fluid and poured it without spilling, in my experience, is a kettle from the 1970's. Its fucked. How hard is it to make a device that pours.
Shane you have me hooked on watching all your videos on Colman products. I have never used one of these types of heaters before. If you ever find one that you want to sell let me know, ok. And that goes for a regular cooking Colman stove too. I am short on camping supplies.
I just gotta one of the non adjustable ones yesterday. I traded my old survival knife for it and now just have to get a quart of white gas fuel your it
Great video ! I have two of the non adjustable ones and a mustard yellow 5-8 btu one, your videos are very helpful, clean my wick and Bam works great, I was wonder if you have any of the yellow Coleman carry cases youd like to part with ? I'm looking for two
Set your little primer bottle on picnic table after lit lol. I seen a buddy do that on a windy Eve at the campground and he had to pay $250 for the picnic table and cursed out by fire men lol. You also have your gas can to close to both them . Not playing it to safe 😆
Just picked up an old 73....the guy I purchased from told me it's never been fired up,..the screen looked new, not sure if you can tell a difference after it's been lit. Also, would 1 of these put off enough heat to be used on a small patio table to keep me and the wife warm?
I have one but am wondering if it can be used indoors...mine just wiggedout. It wasnt lighting ,like as if it was full of water. Then I dumped it out replaced fuel and finally started but went up big-time...was pouring fuel all over and totally covered in flames. Dumped water on bottom part.slowed it down but it's top part been burning in flames for 10 mins ..wth
I have a 3,000 - 5,000 btu heater. Went camping 2 weekends ago Filled it near the brim. Ran on high for about an hour then medium for the rest of the night = 11 hours before I snuffed it in the morning. Very very little fuel left. Seems pretty close to what Shane saw. Dont know how one can get 20 hours.
@@msach4277 Is it a new unit ? New units burn faster (not because they are recently made but because the well used wicking material is more efficient). Mine is a Vintage 5000 BTU and there's no Low-Med-Hi adjustment to it. It just heats a lot and I really get close to 20 hours on a full tank.
@@msach4277 "a tank of fuel willl provide 18 to 20 hours of consistent heat" is also whats written in my vintage intructions so maybe vintage models had better performance (?). I don't know.
@@-NoneOfYourBusiness Interesting your comment about new ones using fuel faster. I just got a mint one, does not look it was ever used, but am sure once or a few times.. however, it did seem to go through fuel faster. My usual one is quite old, and is the one I took on my camping trip. It did last like I said before... however on medium all night.. so if I ran it on low, I truly can not say how long it would have lasted. I know product manuals like to exaggerate the product, but then again, my sample number is practically only 1.
From what I understand these consume oxygen and produce carbon dioxide like what we exhale instead of carbon monoxide which of course is very dangerous. I have used my adjustable one a couple times when truck camping making sure to leave some ventilation both high and low for safety. I believe the manual says to do this as well. I have had no issues using mine and sleep nice and warm when camping.
I have one of these, it's 3500-5000 BTU written on the side. When or where would I use this thing? I used it once in my garage on a cold day. I had the large door lifted about 2 feet and the side door wide open. The next day, I had an extremely bad headache. I don't know if it was from pouring the fuel or burning it in the garage. It took me a few times to get it started, so I was inhaling it a few times that day. So where can you use these things without enduring brain damageamagedadmage?
As long as it's in a fairly ventilated area, you can run them anywhere. I believe that they do not emit carbon monoxide, but always have a supply of fresh air when using these things.
Used mine a number of times.. never got a headache - just used again 2 weekends ago.. Friends also used these, no ill effects. My ventilation was not excessive either.
Ken I should of paid better attention to what video you was commenting on, I was thinking it was for a lantern. Either way the answer is pretty much the same, the gas will gum up the wick in the heater and eventually stop working. A lot of guys wont even buy one of these used if it has had anything other than Coleman fuel ran in it.
I wouldn't use super or unleaded in these I went to college 02 to 04 then they were adding 151 extra chemicals to gas now even more. I camped with these heaters in tents with the family since they first came out with flaps open a little and lit and snuffed outside with no ill effects with only white gas or Coleman fuel. Still working today 60 yrs. later.
@@cory4152 not gasoline, unfortunately. "White gas", otherwise known as camping fuel and also known as naptha. Naptha is found in the paint section of stores, often costs slightly more but camp fuel isn't always available. Naptha (White gas) is the base stock for gasoline before the magic ingredients are blended, such as octane enhancers, gasoline will foul the cotton wick and maybe the catalytic element, so don't do that.
Seriously, though, I have a 3000 BTU Coleman "Black Cat" propane heater...nice for getting going in camp on cold mornings. White gas is great, but propane spares you a lot of drama.
@@msach4277 not when you're a dumb kid doing dumb s*** not knowing how to work stuff it sure is nice to get a little older. Thank you for not blowing my opinion out of the water.
@@chriswebb6153 Yea, i am amazed I am still alive after all the stuff I did when I was a kid... but yea, having a cigarette around those fumes.... I would not do.. would be setting myself up for something baaaad
Absolute shit. They are extremely hard to light if you have any wind. They produce hardly any heat. Garbage. And they burn fuel way too fast if they do work.
Bull. Just lit mine in the wind. New one. Testing against my older one. In one hour by infra red thermo, the center temp on the catalytic converter on average was 760F, side was 840F. Shanes heaters light a match in under a min, mine ...much less than that.
I just learned from you how to use my Dad's old Coleman heater that he had up in Alaska. Thank you.
I bought one of these heaters back in the late 60s! It worked great for the tent-trailer that we had at the time. Been on the shelf for decades but got it out and it still works great! Coleman's instructions, that came with it, were to use Naptha (White Gas) for fuel and use Methyl Hydrate for the starter.
I have the exact same one as thd video, the instructions read "leaded gasoline" fuel and starter fluid
@@quoththeraven3985 automotive gasoline will foul the wick and catalytic element, I guarantee. Use camping fuel, the same basic thing as naptha.
I have a 1966 512 bought NOS on EBay, it works just great. I'm delighted to have it 'cause it matches the fuel on my lanterns and stoves. Great video, and best wishes from Texas-
These things work real good for ice fishing. I have 3 of them. 1 is a 3500 btu M.512 1969. The big one is an adjustable 5000-8000 btu M.515 1967 and the other is another adjustable 3000-5000 btu M.513A 1972. Love coleman, I have all kinds of the stuff.
I just picked up a 518E. Thanks for the video!
HOMEGUY4X4 congrats!!!
Thanks for sharing! Just subbed!
Thanks for the video Shane. I won a storage locker and inside was a new Coleman heater.
..I have heard of and seen pictures of them but not seen one working. Thanks for this. We used a little 5000 btu Kerosene box heater...
James you're welcome. I was impressed at how well they work, the put off some nice heat.
Great review and video 😊
If you use denatured alcohol with this heater, it will also make a great stove. Denatured alcohol does not leave soot compared to the fuel that was used in this video for emergency lighting.
I just got one the 513A for free. on the curb in New condition. with 2 Colman camping grill. thank you needed to know how to lite them, safely.
Score!!!
Somebody's wife did it I bet
Nice video Shane. I'm going to purchase one. Always wanted one. I got lots of Coleman lanterns but no heater. You got some nice clean ones there. Definitely keepers.
Cool! I think you'll enjoy it.
What is the max you think these are worth? I want to get one to use often but I have seen these online for up to 300.00 dollars?? I don't plan on buying one online my nabior has one and trying to get idea of what to offer. Fyi he doesn't like selling stuff so he definitely ain't going to take 5 bucks for it.
@@johnwhite192 these heater are garbage. i toss them in trash....and i collect coleman lanterns and lamps. if you want a catalytic heater, get a new modern one that runs on propane. these were good for their time but time has passed
@@johnwhite192 I know it's a late reply but I would say 30 bucks max would be what I would pay at a yard sale or antique store etc. There are lots of them floating around in people's garages maybe being used once or twice before being stored. I think these heaters are plenty useful for keeping a smaller space comfortable overnight and they are nice and quiet too. I actually got my first one free from someone who was moving and downsizing and it was going to go in the trash if I didn't grab it. After that I kinda got the coleman bug and ended up with another free one and a $30 one from Craigslist then got a 220E lantern and metal case.
Love the thumbnail pic for the vid. Wild flames made me laugh. Thank you!
Thanks
Good video. I have a couple of these old heaters and they work great. Is that an old indiana lathe in the background. Looks just like mine.
Why is is that all modern jugs cannot pour without spilling? I mean, we have been dealing with fluids in containers since before history and the last device that contained fluid and poured it without spilling, in my experience, is a kettle from the 1970's. Its fucked. How hard is it to make a device that pours.
Thats because its being poured wrong. Pour it with the spout up on the can and it wont glug glug and it wont drip all over.
Cool I like these COLEMAN HEATERS I I have 3 of them
Shane you have me hooked on watching all your videos on Colman products. I have never used one of these types of heaters before. If you ever find one that you want to sell let me know, ok. And that goes for a regular cooking Colman stove too. I am short on camping supplies.
I just gotta one of the non adjustable ones yesterday. I traded my old survival knife for it and now just have to get a quart of white gas fuel your it
Great video ! I have two of the non adjustable ones and a mustard yellow 5-8 btu one, your videos are very helpful, clean my wick and Bam works great, I was wonder if you have any of the yellow Coleman carry cases youd like to part with ? I'm looking for two
Great, glad ya got them going. Sorry, I don't have any cases to sell.
No worries on the cases I found some on ebay, keep up the awesome videos I can't get enough of the Coleman one
great vid, do you happen to know what makes the Coleman fuel different from other fuels if anything
Coleman fuel is pretty much just Naphtha with a rust inhibitor and one or two other ingredients.
Set your little primer bottle on picnic table after lit lol. I seen a buddy do that on a windy Eve at the campground and he had to pay $250 for the picnic table and cursed out by fire men lol. You also have your gas can to close to both them . Not playing it to safe 😆
And a cigarette in his hand ?! He's got a competent guardian angel.
I have a tiny french one, an oldie. Thanks for the video. Why aren't you doing more videos? The newest one is 4 years old...
Just picked up an old 73....the guy I purchased from told me it's never been fired up,..the screen looked new, not sure if you can tell a difference after it's been lit.
Also, would 1 of these put off enough heat to be used on a small patio table to keep me and the wife warm?
Just out of curiosity how do you clean the wick? Can you do a video on it?
I have one but haven't used it in a long time. Wonder if it's safe in an RV?
I've used unleaded gasoline in mine for years. Never had a problem..
Just picked up a 513B 5000BTU at a local thrift store.
I came across one along with a camper i bought
I have one but am wondering if it can be used indoors...mine just wiggedout. It wasnt lighting ,like as if it was full of water. Then I dumped it out replaced fuel and finally started but went up big-time...was pouring fuel all over and totally covered in flames. Dumped water on bottom part.slowed it down but it's top part been burning in flames for 10 mins ..wth
The 511a I have ran for almost 18 hours..
Never had one before. I take it they are wick fed? Is that what you said?
Yes sir.
They will run for close to 20 hours on a full tank, in fact.
I have a 3,000 - 5,000 btu heater. Went camping 2 weekends ago Filled it near the brim. Ran on high for about an hour then medium for the rest of the night = 11 hours before I snuffed it in the morning. Very very little fuel left. Seems pretty close to what Shane saw. Dont know how one can get 20 hours.
@@msach4277 Is it a new unit ? New units burn faster (not because they are recently made but because the well used wicking material is more efficient). Mine is a Vintage 5000 BTU and there's no Low-Med-Hi adjustment to it. It just heats a lot and I really get close to 20 hours on a full tank.
@@msach4277 "a tank of fuel willl provide 18 to 20 hours of consistent heat" is also whats written in my vintage intructions so maybe vintage models had better performance (?). I don't know.
@@-NoneOfYourBusiness Interesting your comment about new ones using fuel faster. I just got a mint one, does not look it was ever used, but am sure once or a few times.. however, it did seem to go through fuel faster. My usual one is quite old, and is the one I took on my camping trip. It did last like I said before... however on medium all night.. so if I ran it on low, I truly can not say how long it would have lasted. I know product manuals like to exaggerate the product, but then again, my sample number is practically only 1.
Has anyone tried tiki fuel in a Coleman heater? We have mosquitoes bad and that would be awesome
Are supposed to use those indoors or outside only? Don't they put off carbon monoxide?
From what I understand these consume oxygen and produce carbon dioxide like what we exhale instead of carbon monoxide which of course is very dangerous. I have used my adjustable one a couple times when truck camping making sure to leave some ventilation both high and low for safety. I believe the manual says to do this as well. I have had no issues using mine and sleep nice and warm when camping.
LOL! I had to chuckle at you playing with that squeeze bottle of Coleman fuel with a cigarette in your mouth.
Cool video.
LOL .... Yeah, well, I haven't gone up in flames yet. Thanks for the comment!
I've got a 512A model works great, but the fumes are so strong, I don't know how anyone could want it in their tent.
The propane models may be a little better. Once those are cooking, there is very little smell.
Great video! Love the cigarette
Better not let the ol' lady catch you using her measuring cup! Jaha
Ok now it's out but I don't think it's putting out any heat. Previously I've had to light it off 3 times to work
Pretty cool. Coleman fuel is getting so expensive.
Thanks desotopete. Yeah, the price is crazy.
I have paid about $10/gal in northwest Ohio about a month ago. What have you paid for it?
@Paul Greening I understand. Funny you mention SKS. A coworker sold me one a few years back. The price was too good to refuse.
$11
@@johnnypoo3166 13.00 per gal now
Do they need wicks
Dmitrik Guajardo yes. I have another video where I tear one apart and you can see the wick.
I have one of these, it's 3500-5000 BTU written on the side. When or where would I use this thing? I used it once in my garage on a cold day. I had the large door lifted about 2 feet and the side door wide open. The next day, I had an extremely bad headache. I don't know if it was from pouring the fuel or burning it in the garage. It took me a few times to get it started, so I was inhaling it a few times that day. So where can you use these things without enduring brain damageamagedadmage?
As long as it's in a fairly ventilated area, you can run them anywhere. I believe that they do not emit carbon monoxide, but always have a supply of fresh air when using these things.
I got a headache also in a drafty pole barn the next day. I'm going to put mine in the scrap. Not worth the danger and risk involved.
@@robludwigsen7831 - I Craigslisted mine, some people want these things.
Used mine a number of times.. never got a headache - just used again 2 weekends ago.. Friends also used these, no ill effects. My ventilation was not excessive either.
Can you use kerosene instead of Coleman fu?
No, I don’t believe ya can, but ya might want to do a little more research to be sure.
Can you use these in a wood shop?
Can you run super unleaded in these? I mean, why not?
You can but the impurities will clog up the generator a lot faster than if you just ran Coleman fuel in it.
Ken I should of paid better attention to what video you was commenting on, I was thinking it was for a lantern. Either way the answer is pretty much the same, the gas will gum up the wick in the heater and eventually stop working. A lot of guys wont even buy one of these used if it has had anything other than Coleman fuel ran in it.
I wouldn't use super or unleaded in these I went to college 02 to 04 then they were adding 151 extra chemicals to gas now even more. I camped with these heaters in tents with the family since they first came out with flaps open a little and lit and snuffed outside with no ill effects with only white gas or Coleman fuel. Still working today 60 yrs. later.
I do
Make sure to use the correct fuel, else the wick and possibly the catalytic element will be ruined.
So no gasoline?
@@cory4152 not gasoline, unfortunately. "White gas", otherwise known as camping fuel and also known as naptha. Naptha is found in the paint section of stores, often costs slightly more but camp fuel isn't always available.
Naptha (White gas) is the base stock for gasoline before the magic ingredients are blended, such as octane enhancers, gasoline will foul the cotton wick and maybe the catalytic element, so don't do that.
Can I use K-1 Kerosene?
No
Regular gas doesn’t gunk those. It is kerosene that gunks them up.
7:17 "Are these available in propane?"
Seriously, though, I have a 3000 BTU Coleman "Black Cat" propane heater...nice for getting going in camp on cold mornings. White gas is great, but propane spares you a lot of drama.
@@MikeB3542 I have a Black Cat also. I use it in my deer blind. I don't think they make them any more though. Has anyone tried to boil water on one?
You didn't mention, does this use Unleaded Gasoline? You said, "two cups each"... of what..?
Coleman fuel.
Don’t use unleaded gas’s, it will gunk up the wick inside.
No matter how one pours liquid fuel it never is a clean job.
needs wick
How did you manage to take 15 minutes to explain a 2 minute subject?
That is a death machine right.
Notice the cigarette😂
Used them for years, so I guessed I expired a few times then. Then - goes to show dying is not all that bad.
@@msach4277 not when you're a dumb kid doing dumb s*** not knowing how to work stuff it sure is nice to get a little older. Thank you for not blowing my opinion out of the water.
@@chriswebb6153 Yea, i am amazed I am still alive after all the stuff I did when I was a kid... but yea, having a cigarette around those fumes.... I would not do.. would be setting myself up for something baaaad
Absolute shit. They are extremely hard to light if you have any wind. They produce hardly any heat. Garbage. And they burn fuel way too fast if they do work.
Bull. Just lit mine in the wind. New one. Testing against my older one. In one hour by infra red thermo, the center temp on the catalytic converter on average was 760F, side was 840F. Shanes heaters light a match in under a min, mine ...much less than that.