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Old 12-06-2014, 07:44 AM   #1
Ozz
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Ever wonder about that ventless propane heater?

I was wanting to check on the possible CO when using a ventless heater, so I checked it with my Gas detector. It is a $1700 Kit, and I just got it back from calibration, cot $350.00. Very accurate meter. It even checks the oxygen content in the air; which should be around 21% the 78% nitrogen. a small very small percentage of other gasses. I also checked it with a small meter I own.
I ran the heater (20,000 BTU) for 2 hours and checked the air for gasses. All OK.

https://picasaweb.google.com/Jimsue1...eat=directlink
 
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Old 12-06-2014, 07:49 AM   #2
8.1al
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Thanks for the info, that's reassuring
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Old 12-06-2014, 09:07 AM   #3
Bruce Lenhardt
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Ozz, what brand of heater is that? Looks like a good one. Does it have a fan? Thanks
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Old 12-06-2014, 09:59 AM   #4
Ozz
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You are welcome Charlie. Bruce, it is a Mr. Buddy and it does have a small skeleton fan, single speed. The fan's main feature as I see it, is to get the heat away from the heater and it's thermostat. If the fan isn't used, the heater just get's warm.. hot, and the thermostat isn't as accurate as it might be otherwise. I think a guy would be ahead to use a small fan and circulate the air with that, but the heater fan does move some air.
I bought the heater off of Amazon, tried to find one at our local Farm Supply stores, but I had this one in mind.
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Old 12-06-2014, 05:00 PM   #5
Recumbent
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Thanks Ozz, we recently bought a Mr. Heater Buddy and it seems like a good little propane heater for dry camping on cool nights.
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Old 12-06-2014, 06:09 PM   #6
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We've been considering one. Thanks for the info.
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Old 12-07-2014, 01:00 AM   #7
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We recently purchased the Big Buddy from Tractor Supply and are very happy with it
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Old 12-07-2014, 02:24 AM   #8
K0LCB
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Where does the CO go, how much O2 did it displace? How long did you run it?
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Old 12-07-2014, 02:39 AM   #9
Ozz
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Good questions, first, it does not produce measurable amounts of CO IF you observe simple operating precautions and practices, crack a window position a little, vent the trailer air a bit, it is complete in it's combustion, almost 100% efficient. All ventless heaters have a ODS; Oxygen depletion sensor, which is simply a very small pilot orifice if there is a depletion in the oxygen, the pilot light goes out and the unit won't function. I ran the heater on high for 4 hours, on and off. It really heats the trailer well. I will continue to use it this winter as I work on the interior, and monitor the air quality.
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Old 12-07-2014, 05:44 AM   #10
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I also have a Big Buddy. It is nice, but I would caution all to never use it while sleeping. It is good to know that the CO output is negligible, but it is just not worth the risk of waking up dead if it did have a malfunction and started pumping out CO.

Cracking open a low window and a slightly opened ceiling vent at the opposite end of the trailer is a good practice when using one of these appliances.

Also, if you have pets, you need to be vigilant that you do not get a flaming or smoldering fur-ball running around in the 5er, some kind of metal screen around the unit would be advisable to protect from accidental burns. Most pets are pretty smart about hot surfaces, but a wagging tail on an excited dog goes every which way, .....the smell of burnt hair is not very appealing!
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Old 12-07-2014, 06:43 AM   #11
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I think I would be nervous a bit about the all-night deal myself at this point, but you could always get a CO detector for the bedroom, or hall/stairs.
It would be interesting to hear from folks that have had one long term
I think on mine you can't touch the flame at all, you have glass in front of it, but I will double check on that. I imagine there are many different models and configurations of the individual heaters
I will continue to monitor the emissions, maybe get an 8-10 hr reading with it
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Old 12-07-2014, 07:44 AM   #12
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Overlord

I also have a Big Buddy. It is nice, but I would caution all to never use it while sleeping. It is good to know that the CO output is negligible, but it is just not worth the risk of waking up dead if it did have a malfunction and started pumping out CO.
Huh? Pretty hard to wake up dead isn't it - unless you believe in zombies.
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Old 12-07-2014, 11:22 AM   #13
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Tom, that's just too scary We already have an extra quality CO2 detector in the bedroom so I wouldn't be worried.
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Old 12-07-2014, 11:33 AM   #14
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Dick, You know this, but for those who might have forgotten, CO mixes with air mixtures and is at all levels; no stratification, but explosive gasses like Propane are heavier than air and stratify at lower levels. That is why the Propane detector is mounted so low in RV's, and you can mount the CO detector anywhere, but 'head' level is best.
I bet there are thousands of people in cabins in Alaska and homesteaders all over the world with ventless heaters that are happy as a clam.. (and healthier than Clams...)
OH, and the life of a Propane detector is; MAX 10 years, I would change them at 7 years to be safe, and a good idea to test them occasionally.
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Old 12-08-2014, 03:25 AM   #15
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We have been using a brick style by Kozy-World for the last 5 years. Works very efficient, but we do not run it while we are sleeping.
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Old 12-14-2014, 05:03 PM   #16
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My mr buddy heater caught on fire and nearly burned my house down. A big piece of shi-- . The company responded that it was good nobody died in the fire. My lungs were filled with smoke from the burning plastic and all they wanted to do was replace the heater. STAY AWAY. If you have one don't leave it unattended. They have had many other similar cases like mine but know how to keep it under the radar.
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Old 12-15-2014, 02:11 AM   #17
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Yikes! What model is it? I looked at mine carefully, it is engineered well, I can't see how I can get in trouble with this one.
BTW, Glad you are ok, sorry that happened to you.

Check this out, seems like a bad valve on one side of this heater;



2005 recall on Big Buddy and Tough Buddy heaters:

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com...l#.VI7vPYt0xdg



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Old 12-15-2014, 04:58 AM   #18
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We used one some last winter and it does heat the unit well. Our CO detector has a read out and it never showed anything other than normal readings. The one thing we did not like was the fumes it puts out.
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Old 12-15-2014, 06:45 AM   #19
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That's interesting about the Mr. Buddy catching fire for Sfish. I did some research on ProComm, E-bay and Amazon will not sell it in California or Canada it does not meet EPA standards, and of course if you buy it and use it in your trailer and a problem happens, your insurance co can decline repair if they press it. the warrantee will also be void in California for the heater. Mr. Buddy does meet EPA standards in California. I cant figure that one out they all work on the same principal.
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Old 12-15-2014, 07:18 AM   #20
Ozz
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I see a potential problem on the small propane heaters that will take two bottles; one on each side, if you have one loaded and the other not, I would never operate uner that situation, I also would never hook up an external line to a bottle fed (small propane bottles) heater, that is my feeling based on a lifetime of working with Natural gas and Propane gas.
Just don't feel right...
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