Cheap cabin heat...Mr. Heater propane?

K

Karl

New member
Rather than an expensive (Wallas) diesel cabin heater, has anyone used the inexpensive propane Mr. Heater ("Buddy")?

They are unvented, but have O2-depletion sensors...and, yes, interior condensation may be an issue requiring a slightly opened window.
I think a propane gas-detector in the pilothouse would be prudent, too.

The plan would be to mount a 20# cylinder outside the cabin, obviously.
Then bulkhead mount the Buddy inside.

It would only be used for use while underway, and not for sleeping.

The above arrangement is dirt-common on Alaskan waters, but, I realize a lot of those folks are more pragmatic than cautious...

Thoughts?
 
I use the Big Buddy heater (the larger version) -- which is probably too big but I had it from a house remodel. It works great -- a lot of heat, relatively efficient using the small cannisters. But, then again, I am in California so it doesn't run very long. Crack the window an inch or so for venting and condensation and you're in business.

Matt
 
I tried one but it was so sensitive to shutting off with any kind of tipping that I gave up on it and put in a force ten which works great.
I guess you could build a gimbal for it....
Jimbo
 
I use the little buddy in my 16 during the winter, with an alaskan bulkhead. And I have used it in the canvas covered cockpit of the 25. I would not use it for heating in the cabin because of gases that any petroleum fuel gives off when burning.
 
Karl,
As you are setting up to run a heater in the cabin I would seriously reccomend that you invest in some life insurance in the form of a CO monitor.
Every year unsuspecting people are killed by CO poisioning.
CO has no warning properties and can build up in a persons blood stream even at very low concentrations over a period of time. CO blocks the bloods ability to carry oxygen.
There are battery powered CO detector units that will give you some degree of safety while you are running your heater that are not expensive.
We spent a little more money and installed hard wired CO and Combustible gas detectors in our boat and so far they have provided us protection. We run a Dickinson Propane heater which keeps the cabin toasty warm when in it is 30 F outside,(ALASKA).
Note any of these detectors have a life span and the sensors or the whole unit need to be replaced every three or so years.
Regards, Doug Cruickshank
 
David, the Mr. Heater Buddy literature says it is safe for indoor use provided it has 9 square inches open to the outside. I do think the issue is oxygen depletion rather than carbon monoxide. Not sure how they do it, but it seems to work. We used it inside the cabin of the CD25 a couple of chilly mornings at Lake Powell, and are still here to tell about it! We do have a carbon monoxide sensor...

Anna Leigh":2buuipc9 said:
I use the little buddy in my 16 during the winter, with an alaskan bulkhead. And I have used it in the canvas covered cockpit of the 25. I would not use it for heating in the cabin because of gases that any petroleum fuel gives off when burning.
Click to expand...
 
Check: inexpensive CO monitor
Check: inexpensive propane gas-leak detector
Check: free oxygen depletion monitor (built-in to the heater itself)

We're still at about 5% of the price of the cheapest Wallas...
[and probably at about 1% of the traditional Wallas headaches and maintenance issues...]

But, no simple way to cook-up a crab-meat omelet...
If I get that urge, I'll consider a cheap butane hotplate.

If I were to be heating while sleeping, I would totally re-think this equation, but that's not the agenda.

Please keep the opinions coming...there have been so many negative propane comments in the last few years here on the forum that I may be missing stuff that I ignored before...

I see no need for a tank locker (or solenoid valve) in this case, either, but comments on those issues would be appreciated, too.
 
Hi Karl,

We did use a Black Cat Heater (similar to the Mr. Buddy) on one of our sailboats with no issues. I will stress that we did NOT use it while sleeping, but just to warm up the cabin before bed or when getting up on a chilly morning. Also, the butane cooktop works fine, too. I stored the canisters in a well ventilated cockpit compartment (unlike in the C-Dory)

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
It looks like these Mr. Heater Buddy things are a viable and cheap alternative to the very expensive diesel cabin heaters, at least for day-use.

I actually thought that there would be universal arguments here against their use, but I'm pleasantly surprised that such is not the case.

I'm willing to crack a window to avoid condensation, and take other precautions to be safe, in order to extend the season in Spring/Fall in a cold climate.

All comments have been appreciated, and even more would be welcomed!
 
"I see no need for a tank locker (or solenoid valve) in this case, either, but comments on those issues would be appreciated, too."

You may need to rethink that if you build the propane heater in, unless you want to get a bit crosswise with the Coast Guard. I believe they will be required then. (Might need to check Chapman's).

As to the condensation, We often boat with friends in a B-boat, with 3 times the cabin-cockpit space, (all inclosed), and they use the Mr Heater Buddy. With 4 on board, and the cabin mildly warm, the walls, canvas and roof are always wet. I think you will need to do more for ventilation than "crack a window", but YMMV.

What boat are you using this system on? (Nothing in the profile)

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

IMGP1628.thumb.jpg
 
A friend had installed a Mr Heater (Buddy) in his sailboat last year and told me she was happy with it. She had an external tank. About 6 weeks ago her son went to light it and an explosion occured. Not sure what caused it, but heard second hand it might have had to do with the gas line. Guess the cabin is a mess and the son got some burns to the head and face. Nothing requiring a hospital stay.
Todd
 
These units are not really meant to be installed. There are two models, the Mr. Heater Buddy and the Mr. Heater Big Buddy. Although you can buy a hose attachment, they are portable units intended to run off attached 1 lb. propane cylinders.

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They are very suitable for running for an hour or two to take the chill off, that is about it. They are not particularly economical to run, either. The Mr. Heater Buddy runs about 4 hours on high on 1 lb. of propane, maybe 6 - 8 hours turned down to low. This is NOT what you want on your cruise to Alaska!
 
I have a Mr. Heater on a homemade mount in the back. It can also fold flat to cook food or water. A half hour in our 16 will roast you out. As I've learned, propane heat inside fogs the windows bad. It's OK if moving and there is some fresh air flow. We also have a CO detector but, we would NEVER sleep with it left on PERIOD. Every year in the metro Detroit area, about 5 people die from improper heat sources. No need to risk it. My mount also holds the grill in the summer.

Grill_Mount_1.sized.jpg
 
Rather than repeating what I have posted in the past in its entirety, I refer you to a post toward the end of this thread by "RV" from the "Escapees" RV group forum:

http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showtopic=60932

As a physician I have had the misfortune to pronounce dead several individuals who died from CO poisoning. Secondarily I have seen a number of chronic CO poisoning cases. Some of these were just driving their cars on the LA freeways. Also a certain number of auto accidents are caused by chronic CO poisoning each year. Yes, you are only going to use it when awake....but you get a little sleepy--and next thing you know you are asleep.

The Mr. Buddy is not a catalytic heater, it is a ceramic heater, and uses conventional flame technology, with a low oxygen sensor--which is basically a very simple device; if the flame over a tube cuts back to a certain point, it stops the gas flow. It does not actually "measure" oxygen level. High altitude will give lower oxygen levels--and increase the risk of CO poisoning. There is no CO monitoring in any of these heaters.

The second issue is that of explosive gas inside of an enclosed cabin. This is a story I end up repeating about once a year. A close friend had a stove which used a propane bottle. There was a candle burning in the room (post hurricane) when he inserted the bottle into the stove. The seal on the bottle failed, there was an explosion and fire as the entire content rapidly leaked. Fortunately he survived the 30% 3rd degree body burn, and 3 months in a burn unit.

For both of the above reasons I personally will not have a bottle type of propane/butane stove or heater inside of the cabin of my boat. (I do use a grill, and keep the bottles outside in the cockpit in the open air).

CO detectors. As noted before they need to be replaced every few years. I use the Kiddie NightHawk KN-COPP-B-LS, which has an LCD readout, so I know what the level of CO is. They are cheap and use 3 AA batteries. The very best CO detectors can be obtained from AeroMedix.com These are used in light plane cockpits and are very sensitive---but not "approved" for marine use. If you really want to know what the C O level is, get one of these, and put it right by your head.

Also as you age, if you have heart or lung disease or are a smoker, you are more susceptible to chronic CO poisoning. Personally I want to be safe, but each of us makes our own decisions.
:
 
Bob...Thanks for the name of the CO2 sensor you used with the LED. I was sitting down today to search your previous post to find it and BINGO!

May want to think about using the re-fill-able 1lb bottles as this would eliminate the need for supply lines and vibration and wear on the lines as you travel on water and/or trailering. Also would limit connections to the one between the 1lb bottle and the heater itself, which it looks like you only intend to use when in the boat. I have one of these that I used in C-Byrd and liked it, but, would take the time to un-hook the bottle when getting off the boat just in case there was not a clean seal. I also had the red fold up two burner cook top that I got from Camper World to use for making coffee and omelets or heating up pre-made soups and chili. Same bottle for both units. Worked for me.....but, for sure had the sensors, and unhooked it all when departing the boat.

Byrdman
 
it appears that many OUTSIDE of Alaska are more pragmatic than cautious too!

having boated here for a number of years, I can not recall seeing such a cheep skate system. unless of course it were used in a tent.

figures vary widely, center for disease control says 170 deaths per year in America. Chest foundation? from NYC says 5,000 deaths per year.

Regardless, it did not make the top ten in our state, that distenktion went to drugs and alcohol. Ve guess if your high enough you don't notice the smoke.

martin
 
I would consider the Buddy as a backup only. The big problem with any self contained propane heater is moisture output, hence constant fogging of the windows.
The Wallas pulls moisture out of the air and vents overboard, creating a worm comfortable environment inside the cabin.
For backup heat we use a single burner unleaded gas Coleman stove; good for making a pot of coffee and taking off the chill. Granted it’s not intended for confined space, so we open a window and head for home. Without the Wallas Alaska boating would be miserable in my view.
 
For the reasons Dr. Bob stated we use a non-pressurized alcohol stove for cooking and a heater fueled by non-presurized alcohol. In either case we vent the cabin by leaving windows cracked and never leave the heater on when sleeping. Alcohol does produce moisture, is fairly expensive, and is messy but peace of mind is worth it.

Harper
 
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