Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 10:39:01 -0500
Reply-To: Daniel Stevens <dosteven@SYR.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Daniel Stevens <dosteven@SYR.EDU>
Subject: Re: Thoughts on Mr. Heater Buddy?
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Geza,
I have a MR Buddy and it's a great moderately safe heating option,
BUT for 2 adults, a pit bull and child it'll be constantly getting kicked off and yeah, potential fire hazard..
just you and the Mrs.. sure take it along.. but if you are looking for a heat alternative while family camping not much beats a vented forced air SAFE furnace style heater..
theres a few imported version that some on thelist sell, work great, are frugal with the electrical usage and prvide safe reliable comfort heating..
or you can go my route. an american MFG 'suburban style' forced air RV furnace. in a Westy they can andhave (i've seen photos) been mounted in the small cabinet beside the sink and H2o tank they protrude out abotut 6in so a nice neat wood cover must be made..
I acquired a few from local U-pullit and other junkyards-- you can ask around your local RV dealers who service&repair
ask for a used one, parts from a wrecked RV.. yeah people wreck RVs and this is a easy installation.. either for the DIYr or have a RV installer hook it in.. (FYI I pay $40-$75 from the U-pull-its)
1 propane line (self explanatory)
2 wires to the wall mounted Tstat (can hook either way)
1 ground wire
1 +Positive power feed.
the intake and exhaust must be drilled thru the sidewall of the van, but again any competant RV mechanic (or DIYr) can do a quality and safe installation.. buy a 18-24" length of muffler pipe that fits over/inside the units exhaust pipes, then you can slide it in place and reach in and trace where the holes need to be cut , give a few inches extra room from flammable materials (wallboard, not fiberglass insulation).
I'd recommend a 2nd deep cycle battery while your at it.. and the Marine (think bass boats) stores have GREAT small Automatic battery isolator for charing.
I could go on more about the usage of suburban style RV furnace, they are also often sold NEW on Ebay for ~$500
Dan Stevens
From: Geza Polony <gezapolony@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:
Just got my new Mr Heater "Buddy" off Ebay, fired it up, wife says--No Way.
I was thinking we could use it to heat up the van while stopped and while
awake, like on cold evenings and cold mornings.
Anybody use these in the Vanagons?
It's written all over that they're intended for indoor use, including in
tents, which is why I bought it in the first place. You barely touch it and
the thing shuts off, and it has a low-oxygen sensor that shuts the flame off
as well.
Her point is that in close quarters (us, pit bull, 10 year old kid, usual
camping mess in the V) a piece of cloth or something could fall in, start a
fire, and toast us all for good.
A penny for your thoughts. (And a lot more if you agree with MOI.) (Grrrr.)
C'mon, guys!
Geza
