Considered buying the Big Buddy propane fired heater as an interim solution; however, a few negative product reviews (on the site where I planned to purchase) has me wondering if it's a good buy. I welcome comments from those with direct experience. Thanks in advance.
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Hard to tell.
What's it going in? How much to you want to spend? Lots of questions. Need more info. Propane is not a good choice for a heater on a boat because it has low BTUs compared to diesel. IOW, you'll have to fill your tanks a lot, but you're in Kalifornia. Well, again, more info.
What's it going in? How much to you want to spend? Lots of questions. Need more info. Propane is not a good choice for a heater on a boat because it has low BTUs compared to diesel. IOW, you'll have to fill your tanks a lot, but you're in Kalifornia. Well, again, more info.
IM looking at one also..
Im considering the "PORTABLE BUDDY"...it has 2 settings....4000 and 9000 BTU which would be enough. TRACTOR SUPPLY CO. (aka TSC) has them for $69.63, Lowes are priced at $75. They seem to be LIGHT, easy to store, and USA MADE !!!
Im considering the "PORTABLE BUDDY"...it has 2 settings....4000 and 9000 BTU which would be enough. TRACTOR SUPPLY CO. (aka TSC) has them for $69.63, Lowes are priced at $75. They seem to be LIGHT, easy to store, and USA MADE !!!
Portable Buddy Works Great!
Jim, Got to my boat (H34) this past weekend and the temperature inside the cabin was 30 degrees. So I closed off the v-birth, head, and quarter birth by shutting the doors to each. Fired up the Portable Buddy and set it on high (9000 BTU). In a little over an hour it was very comfortable. In two hours it was was just under 70 degrees in the cabin. This is my second winter using the unit and I like it very much. As you know you can hook it up directly to a 20lb tank (keep it outside of the cabin) using the adapter that is sold as an accessory. I'm still using the 1lb throw away canisters but will make the change to the larger tank this winter. It's simple, inexpensive, and it works. Good luck, Joe
Jim, Got to my boat (H34) this past weekend and the temperature inside the cabin was 30 degrees. So I closed off the v-birth, head, and quarter birth by shutting the doors to each. Fired up the Portable Buddy and set it on high (9000 BTU). In a little over an hour it was very comfortable. In two hours it was was just under 70 degrees in the cabin. This is my second winter using the unit and I like it very much. As you know you can hook it up directly to a 20lb tank (keep it outside of the cabin) using the adapter that is sold as an accessory. I'm still using the 1lb throw away canisters but will make the change to the larger tank this winter. It's simple, inexpensive, and it works. Good luck, Joe
Gas yourself
Isn't there an explosive safety hazard with propane being heavier than air and a carbon monoxide danger if the heater burns up all the O2?
Isn't there an explosive safety hazard with propane being heavier than air and a carbon monoxide danger if the heater burns up all the O2?
Great for on demand heating...
really warms up fast but lack of thermostat makes it overheat. You basically have be a manual thermostat. I use them all the time to get the boat warm, then use a small electric cube to keep it warm. BTW, Wal-Mart has sold another brand, Dyna-Glo or something similar. I really liked that kind better than the Buddy version. Easier to light (one hand v. 2) and didn't seem to burn the propane as fast. Oh yeah...they go through the cylinders pretty fast if you use it constantly. But I wouldn't be without mine.
really warms up fast but lack of thermostat makes it overheat. You basically have be a manual thermostat. I use them all the time to get the boat warm, then use a small electric cube to keep it warm. BTW, Wal-Mart has sold another brand, Dyna-Glo or something similar. I really liked that kind better than the Buddy version. Easier to light (one hand v. 2) and didn't seem to burn the propane as fast. Oh yeah...they go through the cylinders pretty fast if you use it constantly. But I wouldn't be without mine.
Thanks to all
The Big Buddy, supposedly, has three BTU settings, a low oxygen shut off, and auto shut off if off level. It also has a small, battery operated (or optional 110) blower. Seemed like a good idea and so appreciate the users' point-of-view. Thanks, Jim
The Big Buddy, supposedly, has three BTU settings, a low oxygen shut off, and auto shut off if off level. It also has a small, battery operated (or optional 110) blower. Seemed like a good idea and so appreciate the users' point-of-view. Thanks, Jim
condensation
for a temp fix, they work great. if you plan to run it for days, you'll find condensation problem. the electric ceramic heaters are great when plugged in to shore power. the old clay pot over the stove top burner also work.
for a temp fix, they work great. if you plan to run it for days, you'll find condensation problem. the electric ceramic heaters are great when plugged in to shore power. the old clay pot over the stove top burner also work.
buddy heater
Used one for quite a while in a 30 ft camper, with a 20lb tank and running all the time it would last 4 days on low, keeping it comfortably warm, and the camper was not all that tight as far as heat went, if you were to turn it off when you left the boat it would last a lot longer. I was working up north and didn't want to drive 200 miles a day, so stayed at a friends in the camper which worked out very nicely. Figure it was about $3-$4 a day for heating the camper, and fuel would have run $20 - $30. ken.
Used one for quite a while in a 30 ft camper, with a 20lb tank and running all the time it would last 4 days on low, keeping it comfortably warm, and the camper was not all that tight as far as heat went, if you were to turn it off when you left the boat it would last a lot longer. I was working up north and didn't want to drive 200 miles a day, so stayed at a friends in the camper which worked out very nicely. Figure it was about $3-$4 a day for heating the camper, and fuel would have run $20 - $30. ken.
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