Mr Heater?

[Zwicker]

I have a Shamrock 183. Just wondering which Mr Heater I would want for fall or winter camping. How long does a 1lb tank last or just get a adapter hose for the 20lb tanks? Buddy? Big Buddy? Etc...

[HONDAMAN174]

I use just a little buddy on low when boondocking. Provides good heat- the higher setting might melt something I always worry. A 1lb last about 7 hrs on low. If going to be a cold weekend I use the 20 lb hose- something like 200 hrs on low.

[Zwicker]

Mr Heater more efficient than the furnace? Better heat? Less condensation?

[HONDAMAN174]

Originally Posted by Zwicker

Mr Heater more efficient than the furnace? Better heat? Less condensation?

Does not use any power like the furnace power hog does. I've had the furnace kill my battery in 2days. Part of the reason why I got a buddy.

[Zwicker]

Originally Posted by HONDAMAN174

Does not use any power like the furnace power hog does. I've had the furnace kill my battery in 2days. Part of the reason why I got a buddy.

Buddies have batteries? Or just some of the models?

[HONDAMAN174]

My little buddy does not. Can't speak for the larger versions.

[MtnGuy]

We opted for the Big Buddy Heater. Even on low, and with 2 windows cracked, it does a good heating our camper. The Big Buddy Heater has 2 propane canisters that will last about 10 hours on low. The Buddy Heater only has provisions for 1 canister, and will not last all nite. I don't want to get up in the middle of the night to change canisters.

The Big Buddy Heater uses a battery to power a small fan. The fan does not need to be used.

I always crack a window near the heater, and another in the bedroom area. I also make sure the CO detector is working properly.

[Great Horned Owl]

Where do you plan on using it? The Buddy has a low oxygen sensor that is a nice safety feature, but also prevents the heater from operating at altitudes above around 6,000 ft.

If you want to use a ventless heater at higher elevations, you should look at one of the three Olympian Wave catalytic heaters by Camco. I have mine mounted on a wall and plumbed directly into the RV's propane system.

Joel

[HONDAMAN174]

Originally Posted by Great Horned Owl

Where do you plan on using it? The Buddy has a low oxygen sensor that is a nice safety feature, but also prevents the heater from operating at altitudes above around 6,000 ft. If you want to use a ventless heater at higher elevations, you should look at one of the three Olympian Wave catalytic heaters by Camco. I have mine mounted on a wall and plumbed directly into the RV's propane system. Joel

It does? Huh... Mine works fine at 9000 ft. And I set it right next to CO detector- never goes off. Maybe I got lucky with a defect!

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by Zwicker

Mr Heater more efficient than the furnace? Better heat? Less condensation?

Any unvented space heater will add water to the air because it is a product of combustion. So the Buddy heaters will increase humidity, as will catalytic heaters, relative to the use of the furnace.

And just to be clear, Mr. Heater has four heaters in the "Buddy" line.
Big Buddy - 4,000, 9,000, and 18,000 BTU/HR
Hunting Buddy - 6,000 - 12,000 BTU/HR
Portable Buddy - 4,000 and 9,000 BTU/HR
Little Buddy - 3,800 BTU/HR


Some people call the Portable Buddy the "Little Buddy." Many web sites refer to it simply as the "Buddy Heater"

Just to add ot the naming confusion, the manual provided online for the Little Buddy refers to it as the "Basecamp."

[biken201]

We have a Portable (med sized) Buddy and it does a nice job heating the interior of our 233S when needed. It does not need a battery or other electric source.

I don't know how long a single small tank lasts, but I usually bring two, and also an extra 20# tank with a Y connector to run my WeberQ and Coleman stove.

I have the refill adapter to fill the small Buddy tanks from the larger tank when needed. More gas than needed, bit peace of mind.

[Zwicker]

Which adapter do you have? I heard some don't work great? Don't fully top up the 1lb tank.

[biken201]

I purchased mine from camping world.

http://m.campingworld.com/shopping/i...-adaptor/55151

Does it fill the 1lb bottle completely? Beats me, but it fills it full enough.

[sail2liv]

When filling the little bottles from a 20 lb seems like they do only fill about half full....make sure the big bottle is upside down to get max in the little....

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by sail2liv

When filling the little bottles from a 20 lb seems like they do only fill about half full....make sure the big bottle is upside down to get max in the little....

Also, the bigger yhe temperature difference between the 2,the more filled it will be. If possible, put the 1lb in the freezer.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by ChooChooMan74

Also, the bigger yhe temperature difference between the 2,the more filled it will be. If possible, put the 1lb in the freezer.

Yep, this is what I have read the one pounder must be cooled down.

[Zwicker]

Thanks you! So much knowledge on this site! Saves me all that trial and error, not to mention wasted money on junk!

[Rolling Magic]

Originally Posted by Zwicker

Mr Heater more efficient than the furnace? Better heat? Less condensation?

I agree, rarely use my rig's furnace. I have a Mr. Heater and low setting works best. Once it's time to go to bed, we shut down the heater and pile the blankets...

[Zwicker]

Originally Posted by Zwicker

Thanks you! So much knowledge on this site! Saves me all that trial and error, not to mention wasted money on junk!

Thank you all again. Just picked up the Hunting Buddy! Now, where does everyone set it and aim it when it's on?


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[Weezer]

Our camping companion couple has two of the Buddy Heaters that they use outside in cold weather, as they both smoke, and don't smoke inside.

Inside they use one of these to supplement their furnace:
Keystone Electric Stove - Bronze - World Marketing ES5132 - Electric Fireplaces - Camping World

Nice!

We've used a small ceramic heater in the V-Lite, back in the bathroom to supplement the electric fireplace in the LR area when not using the furnace.

I think I want one of those Keystone heaters to put on the step landing of the 5th wheel for the same purpose.

Are ya'll using propane "space heaters" inside the camper? Yes, I know our campers have CO detectors, but I'm paranoid about heaters indoors.