But what the heck — it’s still plenty cold in many locations and this is prime time for getting the bike(s) prepped for warm-weather riding. It looks to have an inch of insulation on the roof, but that’s not enough to prevent condensation from 2 people and a dog breathing in there all night. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/mr-heater-big-buddy-portable-heater It’s also an extremely good idea to add a carbon monoxide detector to your rig. On my first Blackcat, the hole was on the edge, and when it failed, there was a flame shooting out of it, about 3 or 4 inches! Bob. (It is about 12″ at the widest part.) Then in the morning I would plan on reaching up and starting the engine to heat up the car before I get completely out of my bag. My thought is this problem is endemic with the Blackcat and that’s why Coleman does not sell them any longer. With the lower output of this smallest heater, you can turn it on and leave it on with less time spent fussing with it. The Big Buddy is also more portable than an electric or kerosene heater. * Renogy Solar Complete Kits Just be careful to touch all the areas around it to be sure they don’t get too hot. I camp at 6800 foot all the time and up to over 9000 in Nevada so the Mr heaters will not work. At normal winter temperatures, many people have found that leaving just the pilot light on overnight keeps the van warm enough to be comfortable with adequate bedding. I had both a Wave 3 and 8. Take a look at this chart and you’ll see the pros and cons of each and you can let your circumstances make the decision for which is right for you. Zillions of these things have been sold and, I guess, used successfully, because I have never read of any incidents with their use. I’ve learned a lot from you and all your video subjects. I may try to build a tent to fit over the back of the truck. The all new 2020 next gen Buddy FLEX™ and FLEX Accessories have been redesigned with all the features and safety you love, and the added capabilities and innovation you've come to expect from Mr. Heater! They also make Canada and Massachusetts versions of some of the Buddy series propane radiant heaters. Great timing on this Blog post as I would like to replace my noisy forced air heater in my truck camper. I was thinking the 6 might be good, given the small size of the van. But used correctly, the Big Buddy heater is a worthwhile addition to extend the maintenance and farkling season. The Mr. Heater “Big Buddy” propane radiant heater is a portable “clean” burning solution for cold spaces. Mr. Heater Electric Fuel Filter F273699. They even make a 3 burner, but that would eat fuel and it’s bulky.”. PAPERBACK: How to Live In a Car, Van, or RV: And Get Out of Debt, Travel, and Find True Freedom, Or as an eBook for the Amazon Kindle for only $2.99: tank in an enclosed space, which seems odd, since you wouldn’t be using a heater outdoors? Once you turn the heater off you can then close the windows and retain the heat they put into the van. ), I know most of your readers probably have vans and cars (or maybe a Class C), but I enjoy the information I get from your posts as well and would welcome any insight you can offer. Living the life of a Nomad on wheels goes a long way to solving that problem! Plus, there’s the problem of storing the kerosene in winter and over the summer. HOWEVER, they’re calibrated to work below 7,000 feet. If…..and that is a BIG if…..I can get my vehicle (2014 Ford Escape) to accommodate me with a fair amount of comfort, I will try it. And here we are, officially in Spring, so this review is about 3 months late. We sometimes use the fan, which is engaged via an on/off rocker switch under the handle. Reviewing a propane heater may seem pretty far from the norm for a webBikeWorld review, but we’ve been using the Big Buddy heater in the garage all winter and it’s been a real help. Temp is 33* F and my mid size Buddy heater is maintaining 70* on the low setting in my old high top Coachman van and it isn’t insulated all that well. Yes, I’ll show you another way to use the smallest Buddy heater. But the Big Buddy has no smell and no smoke and there’s something to be said for radiant heat. Buddy FLEX™ Heater . Rob, I don’t have enough experience with the Coleman to really comment on it. Mr. Heater loses efficient above 4500 foot. The cylinders screw into the standard fittings on the Big Buddy, which rotate outwards to make it easy to install the cylinders (see video). My question is this…I couldn’t find a reasonable deal on a cargo van in this area, but found a great deal on a Dodge conversion van. I know this can be done with an Olympian Wave catalytic heater, but I’d like to figure out how to do the same thing with a Mr. Other than the first picture you didn’t talk about the Coleman catalytic heater, I’m curious as saving space (over the mid size) is big thing. Motorcycle Transportation Companies (USA, EU, UK, Canada). The portable heaters are cheap to buy and super easy to install and a forced-air furnace is just the opposite; it’s expensive and requires a high skill level. Even if hung it up in the air like Bob has his, would be risky because it would be very close to the roof head liner. Clearances are very important and need to be followed exactly. They come with a built in fan so if you have a larger rig you can spread the heat around inside your home. Its major drawback is it’s difficult to convert to refillable propane bottles, but in a future post I’ll show you how. propane tank, like you’d use for a barbeque grill. The Mr. Heater heaters have oxygen depletion sensors. Bob. Use these links and I'll make a small percentage and it will cost you nothing: The company makes (or imports?) Or rather, let’s just say I have a very healthy respect for it. How cold does it get at night where you camp for the winter? The MH18B ($151.99 list) has low, medium and high range control, with a rated 4,000, 9,000 and 18,000 BTU/hour rating. They are the very best value for the price. Of course many of us aren’t in the position to be mobile yet; you may be living in a van or RV but family or economic circumstances require you to stay where you are and that just happens to be a cold area. I found 1 lb. I plan to remove the interior paneling, and attach foam boards, then panel over them. And thousands of the Big Buddy heaters have been sold and are being used, so despite our trepidation, the danger is apparently minimal as long as you follow the directions. In Minnesota that heater would be insufficient. Leaking hoses are a result of the chemical reaction between the rubber and gas, resulting in … Buddy heater could be plumbed (or hard-wired, as it were) into an RV’s existing propane supply. You may think you don’t like the caveat “if used properly” but that applies to every fuel burning appliance. disposable propane tank, up to the MH18B. Buddy heater. FREE Shipping. But they both developed holes in the catalytic fabric, which made them dangerous to use. Having tried several electric heaters , the  Big Buddy out performs anything else I have tried. This fan has a noisy motor, and has also been rated by users as not powerful enough to fan the heat around larger rooms. In particular I’ll show you how to connect the smallest Little Buddy heater to a bulk bottle because it’s more complicated than the others. See them here: Heater Comparison; Mr Heater Buddy versus Olympian Catalytic Wave 3. The best portable garage heating solution on the market IMHO. I’m sick of apartment life in some ways, so it’s time to throw my life into chaos again and hit the road! After my divorce I couldn’t afford to rent an apartment so I moved into a van, but there was no way I was driving away from my young children! Mr. Heater Big Buddy Portable Heater: There are three sizes of Mr. Heater Buddy Portable Heaters  and this is the largest, most expensive, and puts out the most heat with three heat settings, 4000-9000-18000. I have a Chalet LTW trailer (folding A-frame trailer). Is the big buddy worth the extra money or should I stick with the sunflower heater? Turn on the propane, and push the Piezo button. Unlike electric heaters, you can use the Mr. Heater Big Buddy Heater outdoors. Your first question will probably be, “Are they safe to use in my van or tent? It’s very easy to use, comes with some really useful safety features, and is one of the most portable heaters on the market. If you start in a van but then move up to a larger rig like a travel trailer this heater will work for both; using the 4000 btu setting for a van and the 18000 btu setting for the RV. Even the smallest of these heaters put out much more heat than will come in by giving them adequate ventilation. From “S.C.” (March 2016): “I have been using one for about four years, and for the same reasons, I just didn’t like heating the garage with my kerosene, the smell and it gave me a headache. Because of its high heat output, I know several people that use these to heat their RVs instead of the furnace that came with them. Two reasons: 1. In my next post on heaters, we’ll talk about how to convert them to work off refillable propane bottles so you can save a lot of money on heat. A kerosene heater uses a fabric wick, which must be cleaned and replaced occasionally. There’s a piezoelectric starter that ignites the pilot. On low (4000 btu) I’ve found it quickly warms up a van to being very warm and will soon need to be turned off. Because of its high heat output, I know several people that use these to heat their RVs instead of the furnace that came with them. I don’t know if this Escape thing is going to work. 0 Reviews. Stay safe out there my friend. 11/15/15 Sat watching the first real snow fall of the season all afternoon. I have a Little Buddy for my conversion van and like it very much. With design updates, this Mr. Heater Buddy FLEX heater features an improved wind barrier and pilot shield for maximum protection when using this portable heater outdoors. Shop Mr. Heater Buddy FLEX Heaters | Up to 24% Off Be The First To Review Mr. Heater Buddy FLEX Heaters + Free Shipping over $49. The Mr. Heater Big Buddy Heater can not only save you money but it’s also a handy buffer to have against the winter’s cold. From “D.C.” (March 2016): “Nice review on the Big Buddy. Having a greater variety of heat ranges allows the heater to grow with you. Your email address will not be published. Any price and availability information displayed on https://www.amazon.com/ at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. I had no trouble lighting it, and it kept me quite cosy when the outside temperature dropped into the low teens. Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU Indoor-Safe Portable Radiant Heater, Quiet and Clean Radiant Heat for the Garage. Mr. Heater Buddy heaters are easy to light using the Piezo sparking mechanism. The bottom line is that most vandwellers are going to be much better off with a non-vented, portable heater because they are much smaller and cheaper to buy and operate and equally easy to install. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_W_E5SFCxwpSOaqMjOOBTg. The omni-directional heat warms up to 275- sq. It can be done and you can be comfortable! All material and photographs are Copyright © webWorld International, LLC since 2000. See the webBikeWorld Site Info page. If you can’t see the heater video below, cut and paste this link into your browser: Mr. Heater Big Buddy (4000-9000-18000): Mr. Heater, BIG Buddy Portable Propane Heater, Mr. Heater Buddy (4000-9000): Mr. Heater Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU Indoor-Safe Radiant Heater, Mr. Heater Little Buddy (3800): Mr. Heater 3800 BTU Portable Heater, Olympian Wave 3: Camco Olympian Wave-3 3000 BTU Catalytic Heater, Marine Grade Carbon Monoxide/Propane alarm here: Marine Technologies Combination Carbon Monoxide/LP Gas Alarm. If I stick to full timing long enough this time, I might get an old Aerostar or Astro van and spend a month converting it. Olympian Catalytic Heater, Wave 3: When I lived in a box van in Alaska for 6 years I used Olympian heaters as my only source of heat and I must tell you I consider them to be superior in nearly every way to the Mr. Heater Buddy heaters. Chose on size. Tailgates, fishing trips, and other outdoor activities just got a whole lot warmer with the Mr. Heater® Buddy FLEX® Portable Radiant Heater. heaters, the only difference is on the packaging in Canada states you cannot use a propane heater in an enclosed area because of CO2 concentrations. Shopping For A New (Or Your First) Helmet? The key thing with portable heaters is to follow the manuals instructions of ventilation and clearances around it exactly! Bob. Very good info. In-depth guides to help riders understand what to look for, how to weigh options and make good buying decisions. Bob. All of these heaters come with a low-oxygen sensor and accidental tip-over switch with auto shut-off to guarantee your safety. After a little reading I have found that the Wave-3 Wave-3 Catalytic Heater is a better heater than the much loved Mr. Heater Buddy. The only bad thing about them is they cost quite a bit more to buy and are slightly more complicated to install (they need a standard regulator on the refillable, bulk propane bottle). If you can’t afford that, get the 6 or 8 alone. Mr. Heater F274805 Big Buddy Propane Heater, 4000/9000/18,000-BTU - Quantity 2 (2 Items) 5.0 out of 5 stars 1. I used my Little Buddy at Wheeler Peak Campground in Great Basin National Park, elevation 9886 feet. It would be very close to just about anything wherever it would be sitting. To start. But what bothers me is the small space that it would be in. Unfortunately, it’s a fiberglass cap. The Big Buddy uses two ceramic mesh cores to radiate the heat. There are a few post floating around discussing the pro's and con's of each heater. One winter our furnace control board bit the dust and we were left to rely on the Little buddy heater for a week. Bob, I found a link to the BlackCat that I had on the Coleman site–but it has no “add to cart” link. * Renogy 100 Watt Complete Kit (Maybe other brands do too, I don’t know.) KINDLE VERSION: How to Live in a Car, Van or RV--And Get Out of Debt, Travel and Find True Freedom, Cheaprvliving.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Didn’t do much to stabilize the heater/bottle. I also have found that the hand warmers that sell at Wal-Marts, Amazon, etc work great. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help! I have a Little Buddy heater with the adapter to allow it to be run off of a standard propane tank (as you would use for a grill). I think such a heater would be much more efficient in an RV than the built-in furnace and would help conserve electricity/battery power while boondocking – if I could figure out how to get it connected to propane without having to drill additional holes. The Mr. Heater Big Buddy heater has a battery- or AC-powered fan to propel heat. More Buying Choices $347.97 (4 new offers) Mr. Heater MH18B BIG Buddy Indoor Safe Propane Heater with Adapter. But, if you bought an RV and it already has a furnace, the decision is made for you. The model MH18B is the most popular Big Buddy design. One couple I know heats their 35 foot 5th Wheel with one and greatly prefer it to the built-in furnace. I’m not sure what the difference is but there must be some restrictions or design changes for those. Above, I meant Portable Buddy, not Little Buddy. Designed for those cold winters, where work needs to get done, in places like : your garage, a company warehouse, barn or any other large space where warmth is essential, and appreciated, even if by an animal. It has two burners and you can just use one if you like, plus it has a piezo ignition. What is a guy without a house doing at Ikea? Thank you for all your posts and videos. Ming if the shell is metal, then I wouldn’t worry so much about clearances to it because the metal isn’t combustible. they last all night, and then some. Enerco Mr. Heater Oil Fired Kerosene Heater Rotor Kit F226831 Mr. Heater Rotor. The last two years it never got under 40, but in the past I’ve seen it down into the teens and windy, so that was cold. In the winter I am in the desert so I never need it at high elevation so I can’t comment. Realistically, I am looking at next winter for a trip south, so who knows what will happen with el nino by then. You are going to appreciate the extra heat and the nicer features like a quick disconnect and built-in fan. I recommend RENOGY SOLAR COMPLETE KITS from Amazon. Irrespective of the home you live in and the type of heating unit, heat will always flow from warm to cold until it matches the coldest place in your home. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. I spotted it before it became dangerous. I use the Big Buddy at 9100′ in Colorado about every weekend I can get to the cabin. The all new 2020 next gen Buddy flex has been totally redesigned and incorporates all new exciting features for any cold weather project or activity. Only 10 left in stock - order soon. Tailgates, fishing trips, and other outdoor activities just got a whole lot warmer with the Mr. Heater® Buddy FLEX® Portable Radiant Heater. Escape thing is going to work warmer with the Heater to replace noisy... 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