Spare heater questions…what do you recommend?

[TTMartin]

Originally Posted by Mike G

A true catalytic heater is flameless once it gets warmed up.

The flame on a Mr Buddy heater is the low oxygen cut off it is not intended to heat. The Mr Buddy heater uses a pilot light to heat a thermocouple. If the oxygen drops the pilot light drops to a level that it doesn't produce enough heat on the thermocouple and it shuts off the propane supply.

Unfortunately, before any of that occurs you are likely to be suffering from the effects of hypoxia and not making rational decisions. If low oxygen sensor fails, then like any catalytic propane heater in low oxygen conditions it will start pumping out carbon monoxide. There have been documented instances of people suffering from hypoxia in a fishing hut ignoring the carbon monoxide alarm blaring.

I had purchased a Mr Buddy Heater for my Sprinter van. After one incidence of hypoxia while using it, decided I would never use it again. Being a former Firefighter degree in Fire Science and am a State Certified Fire Safety Inspector. I know better, but, once hypoxia kicks in you can make some stupid decisions. Luckily I just woke up cold, not dead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN3W4d-5RPo

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by TTMartin

The flame on a Mr Buddy heater is the low oxygen cut off it is not intended to heat. The Mr Buddy heater uses a pilot light to heat a thermocouple. If the oxygen drops the pilot light drops to a level that it doesn't produce enough heat on the thermocouple and it shuts off the propane supply.

Unfortunately, before any of that occurs you are likely to be suffering from the effects of hypoxia and not making rational decisions. If low oxygen sensor fails, then like any catalytic propane heater in low oxygen conditions it will start pumping out carbon monoxide. There have been documented instances of people suffering from hypoxia in a fishing hut ignoring the carbon monoxide alarm blaring.

I had purchased a Mr Buddy Heater for my Sprinter van. After one incidence of hypoxia while using it, decided I would never use it again. Being a former Firefighter degree in Fire Science and am a State Certified Fire Safety Inspector. I know better, but, once hypoxia kicks in you can make some stupid decisions. Luckily I just woke up cold, not dead.

A Mr Buddy is NOT a catalytic heater! Please don’t confuse a Mr Buddy with a catalytic heater.

We use a true catalytic heater, a Martin, with no problems and don’t expect any because we follow the science that eliminates what you have seen. I can dial down the Martin to 1,400 btu’s to keep us nice and toasty nearly all night. A Mr Buddy at 4,500 btu’s on low is just too hot and inefficient, with a distinct possibility of causing hypoxia.

Two items must be in existence for a catalytic heater to be used safely. First, we always have the MaxFan cracked open a 1/2” or more. Second, we open the rear passenger side dinette window 1/4 - 1/2”. Both together provide more than enough exchanged oxygen to prevent hypoxia. I’ve looked up the science, most don't. Yes, for those too stupid to realize you need ventilation Martin’s instructions does say for “Outdoor” use. I understand the science for safe use, and it runs out of gas nearly every morning, but we have no hypoxia, period.

The Mr Buddy produces way too much heat to use overnight, and I’m well aware of the number of people who die every year in fish houses that won’t vent. I”m from Minnesota and this topic is brought up every time some idiot(s) die. These people die from unvented pad/sunflower/etc. heaters, not vented catalytic heaters. You just can’t fix stupid. We camp in the shoulder seasons in cold weather and use our Mr Buddy to quickly heat up our camper after we get back to the campground with the Escape’s interior at 40F or less. I also warm up a campground shower stall with the Mr Buddy. I understand the science of a Mr Buddy and never would use one to heat the camper overnight. However, the Mr Buddy is just too warm and unsafe to use in our small campers overnight.

Again, a Mr Buddy is NOT a catalytic heater.

Enjoy,

Perry

[kavm]

Sorry for a basic question - how do people get propane to their propane heaters indoor?

[HarleyD]

Originally Posted by skiman

We use a Travasak so loose bedding is not an issue. Is like a big sleeping bag. They are no longer made. The RV Superbag is similar and still made. Solves bed making too. Sheets are velcrowed in place.

///

We have had a Trav-a-sac since 1999 and it has worked very well. RV Superbag bought them out several years ago so they will make sheets to fit the Trav-a-sac if you ask them to. Quite a wait for the special order, but the new ones are a better thread count,
We agree with all the positive features from skiman.

[EdColorado]

Originally Posted by Suregrip391

Hi group!
I keep reading about the issues with the furnaces in our trailers.

As you stated, you’re referring primarily to the sail switch.

Keep it free of dust, lint, pet hair, and such, and you should be just fine.

I installed these computer air filters behind the air intake grill. Cut to size . Attach with tape.

Never had a heater problem on my Escape or BF.

Inexpensive preventative maintenance item.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[EdColorado]

Originally Posted by kavm

Sorry for a basic question - how do people get propane to their propane heaters indoor?

On a previous RV I had a Wave 3 catalytic heater installed. The installer tapped into the propane line going to the stove then extended the new copper line to allow the heater to be attached with a quick disconnect fittings. Much like the external BBQ fitting you may have.

[Keith3]

Has anybody ever seen anything like the Dickinson Radex heater installed in a trailer?

http://dickinsonmarine.com/product/radex-radiator-heater/

Seems like it would be easy to run water from the water heater and if you have a two way water heater it could give you heat on either 120v or propane by just adding a small 12v pump. Some beer brewing setups use high temp small pumps, I think.

[sofmerc]

I installed the Houghton 13,500 BTU air conditioner. It has an option for the Heat pump, which I got. I'm assuming its better than the heat strip that comes with the Dometic unit that is offered by ETI...remains to be seen.. Dry heat is needed

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by kavm

Sorry for a basic question - how do people get propane to their propane heaters indoor?

The Martin uses 1 pound LP cylinders. We purchased six Flame King refillable 1 pound cylinders a few years ago and have filled each well over five times apiece. Depending on when we go to bed the Martin will put out heat at least until 7am. We place our Martin between the kitchen cabinets and the entry cabinet in our 5.0, about 12” away from the LP detector, and have a second CO detector for added safety. Works for us.

Enjoy,

Perry

[Lorraine Pittsburgh]

Originally Posted by sofmerc

I installed the Houghton 13,500 BTU air conditioner. It has an option for the Heat pump, which I got. I'm assuming its better than the heat strip that comes with the Dometic unit that is offered by ETI...remains to be seen.. Dry heat is needed

Please report back on how this works out for you. I've pretty well decided on the Houghton 9,500BTU unit, & will be about 3 months behind you in production. Didn't know about the heat pump option, but it sounds intriguing. Of course, you won't be able to give the heat pump much of a test run for a while in FL.

Best of luck as you launch your 5.0!

[cpaharley2008]

I have always called "heat pump" heat as cold heat, not quite the same warmth as from a conventional heater. My first house in the suburbs had a heat pump and the early ones were not quite as efficient as they maybe now a days......

[dcavit]

Take a look at a King Electric Multi-Watt Horizontal/Vertical Kickspace Heater. I installed one in my 5.0 under the steps in vertical position. Use it a lot, set it for max 1250 watts.
https://www.sylvane.com/king-electri...ce-heater.html

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Mike G

.... so long as the oxygen level is sufficient (if O2 dips too low, even the catalytic starts making significant CO)..

thats true for catalyzing AND flames, as long as the flames are purely blue. if the flames have yellow tips, then the gas/air mixture is too rich.

[kavm]

Originally Posted by Perry Butler

The Martin uses 1 pound LP cylinders. We purchased six Flame King refillable 1 pound cylinders a few years ago and have filled each well over five times apiece. Depending on when we go to bed the Martin will put out heat at least until 7am. We place our Martin between the kitchen cabinets and the entry cabinet in our 5.0, about 12” away from the LP detector, and have a second CO detector for added safety. Works for us.

Enjoy,

Perry

Thank you, Perry! That seems like a good solution.

[kavm]

Originally Posted by Keith3

Has anybody ever seen anything like the Dickinson Radex heater installed in a trailer?

http://dickinsonmarine.com/product/r...diator-heater/

Seems like it would be easy to run water from the water heater and if you have a two way water heater it could give you heat on either 120v or propane by just adding a small 12v pump. Some beer brewing setups use high temp small pumps, I think.

That looks very good (and safe). I do not know what it'd take to install such a heater.

[rlavine]

Originally Posted by kathytony1985

We got this and love it! Quiet, programmable, oscillates. What more could you ask for? ��

Dreo 1500W Space Heater, 70°... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CT78HT8...p_mob_ap_share

Second this…works great, easy to store.