I’ve been looking at space heaters. Am I right in thinking there’s a tie up between Whale and Propex? The underfloor heaters look almost identical (even to sharing model numbers) and the internal ones are amazingly similar, just slightly different physical size.
Are they one and the same really?
And has anyone used the Whale underfloor water heater, the Expanse. I like the idea of it saving space being external but I’m so not so keen on the price - the expense of the Expanse ho ho.
Bit of a threadhijack but meh!
Propex have had various owners over the decades, I'm fairly sure the Whale (N.I.?)co. are the
latest in a line.
The spaceheaters were simple competent products, mainly intended for the truck industry ie cab heating.
1600W and 2000W early models restricted to just one heat setting and a thermostat, compared to the
Truma blown air equivalent rivals with 2 heat settings. I've fitted a few Propex over the years and, still
have 2 x 1600W models one at each end of the van, they've lasted 25 years., I've stripped then down a
couple of times for a decoke, which probably wasn't entirely necessary. Some for sale out there are
remanufactured units, nowt wrong with that, but I wouldn't expect to pay the brand new price.
On a related forum, "Fulltimer" asks, why my negative view of the Propex Malaga W/heater?
Well, the models 2, 3, and 4, were based on a cast aluminium boiler which could have porous
areas resulting in water leaks, the folded sheet steel flue could have unsealed overlaps which
meant rain or wash water could get into van unnoticed, possibly for years, they did address this
issue when I pointed it out to them on future runs. The heater only had one heat setting, 70degs,
you had to be careful in the shower and mixing adjustment could waste water. The tank is in 2 halves with 2 rubber and a stainless steel gasket between sealing flanges......a recipe for potential leakage? Mine did! Maximum pressure of tank to be no greater than 13PSI, have a look at the the stated pressure of many pumps such as Shurflo, best of luck getting anything much below 20PSI. Propex recommended draining the tank of water before taking
to the road, yep right I'll certainly do that!
All above is based on personal experience, not anecdotal, the very latest Malaga W/heaters may now be
a completely different beast, but they do look very similar to me though........... just saying!