Portable Buddy Heater

[f150k]

How many use portable heaters and which brand? Do you use the small tanks or a 20#. Would it be possible to hook into the lp line on the camper. We have a Rockwood 2011 8280WS

[bean]

Be very careful if you are planning on using an lp heater inside the camper. They remove oxygen from the air and can generate carbon monoxide. I would advise against it.

[MtnGuy]

I use a Big Buddy heater when dry camping. With the double tanks, it will go about 10 hrs. on the low setting. I think you can get a "whip" line to run off of your own propane tanks, but seems to me that would be a hassle to hook up everything, and another possible place for propane to leak.

We crack a window near the heater, and also 1 in the bedroom when using the heater. Make sure your CO detector is working.

Even with the windows cracked and the heater on low, it heats our camper nicely.

[f150k]

The Mr. Heater MH18B info as follows:
Product Description
From the Manufacturer
With its newly integrated hot air blowing system, the Big Buddy Heater now takes portable heating to a new level. Ideal for use indoors, the safe Portable Buddy Heater features an automatic low-oxygen shut-off system that automatically turns the unit off before carbon monoxide fumes reach dangerous levels in your tent, camper, or garage. This portable wonder blasts out 18,000 BTUs, and can heat up to 400 square feet of space for up to 220 hours on one tank with the thermostat on low. A blower fan can be powered by 4 size D batteries or an A/C Adaptor. And, multi-position heat settings keep the room at just the right temperature so you're never alternating between too hot, and too cold.
FEATURES
Battery or A/C powered blower fan for versatility
Low, medium, and high heat level control knob for steady temperatures
Key-shaped rear mounting holes for wall mounting
Large four-position heat level control knob for controlling with gloved hands
Built-in Piezo starter for easy starts
Automatic shut off for accidental tip-over and fume safety
SPECIFICATIONS
Built in Ignition system
Heat settings: 4,000 - 9,000 - 18,000 BTU's
Product Description
Portable propane heater. Features one button ignition, a tip over safety feature and an oxygen depletion sensor that will automatically shut unit off to keep you safe when using it in confined spaces. Heats up to 400sq. Ft. CSA certified

[OffPavement]

We used a Wave brand ventless heater on a separate lp bottle for one season. They can be hooked up to the coach propane system. Some folks like 'em, I didn't. They have their drawbacks but can be used "safely".

Here is an excellent article about ventless propane heaters you might be interested in. It is farily long, but your health and life could depend on the information provided... Ventless Heaters

[rkswyo]

I have a Buddy heater as well as a Big Buddy heater. They both work good. A couple of things to note. They do put out some smell in my opinion. The Big Buddy has a low oxygen shut off safety feature. I don't believe the regular Buddy heater does. They tell you in the instructions not to hook it up to anything larger than a 20lb tank. Go to there web site and you can learn more. Another option to look at is the Olympian Wave heaters. They have several advantages from what I have read. Little to no smell and much more fuel efficient. They make 3 different sizes. They are expensive, but I have yet to read a bad review on them. I plan on purchasing the Wave 6 soon.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by f150k

The Mr. Heater MH18B info as follows:

This portable wonder blasts out 18,000 BTUs, and can heat up to 400 square feet of space for up to 220 hours on one tank with the thermostat on low.

Huh ?? What size tank is that ?? Surely not the small screw-in tanks.

[rkswyo]

Originally Posted by OffPavement

We used a Wave brand ventless heater on a separate lp bottle for one season. They can be hooked up to the coach propane system. Some folks like 'em, I didn't. They have their drawbacks but can be used "safely".

Here is an excellent article about ventless propane heaters you might be interested in. It is farily long, but your health and life could depend on the information provided... Ventless Heaters

Great read on the Ventless Heaters. Thanks for sharing, it was very informative. A guy I worked with years ago died in the back of his pickup with a topper on it. He was running a coleman lantern for heat. He and his son both died as a result. Very sad situation.

[rkswyo]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Huh ?? What size tank is that ?? Surely not the small screw-in tanks.

I believe that is with a 20lb tank. Maybe two?

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by rkswyo

I believe that is with a 20lb tank. Maybe two?

Gotcha.

[Smokyroo]

I take it the Buddy Heater is a named brand? I have a small Coleman catalytic heater which uses the small bottles. Our goal is take the chill out of the air not heat it to 75 or what have you. I need to check into the Buddy Heater brand. The Coleman's run on the mid size bottles. These sound much better on 20 pound bottle.

[MtnGuy]

The Buddy and Big Buddy are made by Mr. Heater: Mr. Heater - America's Most Popular Portable Heaters

The Big Buddy had receptacles for 2 propage bottles and will last about 10 hours on low, and I think the Buddy heater can only accommodate 1 bottle, with about 5 hours of operation time on low. I opted for the Big Buddy so I would not have to get up in the middle of the night, go outside and change the propane bottle

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I use a Big Buddy heater when dry camping. With the double tanks, it will go about 10 hrs. on the low setting. I think you can get a "whip" line to run off of your own propane tanks, but seems to me that would be a hassle to hook up everything, and another possible place for propane to leak.

We crack a window near the heater, and also 1 in the bedroom when using the heater. Make sure your CO detector is working.

Even with the windows cracked and the heater on low, it heats our camper nicely.

Same here. Big Buddy works great. It also has a low oxygen shut-off. And then there are the trailer systems for some redundancy. We only use it if dry camping and trying to conserve battery power (e.g. a place that doesn't have hookups and doesn't allow generators; like WI or MI State Parks). It hasn't killed me in the ice fishing house so I'm not too worried in the trailer.

[edman87k5]

It is supposed to be safe to use in an enclosed area. I have a buddy heater and use it in my truck slide in camper, with a whip hose to the 20 pound tank. I do always leave the roof vent open some when using it, for safety reasons and because it gets very warm in there. Also use it sometimes with the screw on disposable tanks and it gets quite a few hours from them.

[teamgl]

the Buddy heaters are great. My dad uses one in his camper and is very pleased.

We have an Olympian wave 3 heater and modified a line so it can run from the RV's dual propane bottles.

[f150k]

Is there any odor when using the buddy heaters?

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by f150k

Is there any odor when using the buddy heaters?

Yes....slight.

[rkswyo]

Originally Posted by f150k

Is there any odor when using the buddy heaters?

I have a Buddy and a Big Buddy and they both have some smell,but not bad. I primarily use them when I tent camp and in my ice fishing shanty.

[edman87k5]

I cant smell mine at all.

[Great Horned Owl]

Originally Posted by f150k

The Mr. Heater MH18B info as follows:
Product Description
From the Manufacturer
With its newly integrated hot air blowing system, the Big Buddy Heater now takes portable heating to a new level. Ideal for use indoors, the safe Portable Buddy Heater features an automatic low-oxygen shut-off system that automatically turns the unit off before carbon monoxide fumes reach dangerous levels in your tent, camper, or garage. This portable wonder blasts out 18,000 BTUs, and can heat up to 400 square feet of space for up to 220 hours on one tank with the thermostat on low. A blower fan can be powered by 4 size D batteries or an A/C Adaptor. And, multi-position heat settings keep the room at just the right temperature so you're never alternating between too hot, and too cold.
FEATURES
Battery or A/C powered blower fan for versatility
Low, medium, and high heat level control knob for steady temperatures
Key-shaped rear mounting holes for wall mounting
Large four-position heat level control knob for controlling with gloved hands
Built-in Piezo starter for easy starts
Automatic shut off for accidental tip-over and fume safety
SPECIFICATIONS
Built in Ignition system
Heat settings: 4,000 - 9,000 - 18,000 BTU's
Product Description
Portable propane heater. Features one button ignition, a tip over safety feature and an oxygen depletion sensor that will automatically shut unit off to keep you safe when using it in confined spaces. Heats up to 400sq. Ft. CSA certified

I thought that the whole object of using these while boondocking was to avoid drawing down your batteries. Does it save much electricity compared to the standard Suburban furnace?

Opps, I missed the part about the D batteries. I guess that it does save your battery.

Joel