I keep seeing reference to using a Olympic Catalytic heater in the winter, near as I can tell its basically a Buddy heater? I have a 4000, 9000, 18000 Buddy that is set up to run off of a propane tank, I know it will flat cook me out of a 10x10 canvas tent. I never left it on all night even though it says it has a low oxygen sensor and tip over shut off I could never trust it. The small fan on the unit sure helped move a little heat around and D batterys last a long time in it.Anyone use one of these in there trailer?

I have the 6,000/ 12,000. I believe that's the size and it works well but the fumes are the issue. We may be more susceptible than others but we notice our sinus start to get plugged and we can just tell that it's in the air.Then there is the issue of temperature variation. As we get older we like it to be one consistent temperature and that cant happen without a thermostat.You mentioned the wave heater and I have asked a few people about it as I have considered it. I believe it's a notch up from the buddy and is possibly cleaner burning and more efficient. The next step up is the Cat Platinum which is vented to the outside. It's not as 12 volt hungry as a house furnace but does use a couple amps for a few minutes during ignition and then drops to about .5 amps to power the exhaust blower. It uses through wall or roof 1 1/2 inch pvc for its exhaust pipe so it's probably pretty energy efficient.I think the Buddy is a great value if it works for you. I dont think the wave would be bad at $300.00 or so and I would bet that the Cat Platinum is the top of the line. Their methods of combustion aren't all the same.

I have a Olympic Catalytic Safety heater. I would never own a Mr. Buddy heater, somehow a high pressure propane cylinder next to the open flame does not thrill me. Yes it is thrilling. Or could be. . Fred.BTW Mr Buddy does not produce "Much" CO, while my Olympic Catalytic Heater does not produce nearly as much CO. CO is dangerous, and that is why Mr. Buddy heaters are not sold in Canada. Fred.

I bought one just to have on board in the MH in case of an emergency.I tried it out IN MY HOUSE to see how it worked and the smell was just awful and it made my eyes burn. And that was in a 3,800 sq ft home with cathedral ceilings. Couldn't fathom what it would do to my eyes used inside the confines of my MH! It's been in the bay of my MH for 2 years now. I just hope and pray I never have to use it!!:B

We have used a Big Buddy heater for several years. We crack open the back window and the vent over the bed. No problems with fumes. We use a hose and bulk tank.

I have used the Buddy numerous times in my 10x10 canvas tent with no fume problems. Never had a problem with the 2 propane tanks attached to the unit or a hose attached to a propane tank setting outside the tent, I don't really think there is a chance of a green bottle exploding.

Big Buddy Heater | Good Sam Community

31 Replies

pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 05, 2014
Hi Icamel,

As I said to Bull do as you wish--but don't call them "just as safe". They are not.
hugemoth
Explorer
Sep 05, 2014
Filters don't always work. I got some oil laden propane in Arizona last year which plugged the pilot jet. No pilot, no heat. Took the Buddy apart and cleaned out jet which fixed it for a day, but the next day oil clogged it again. Cleaned out the internal tubing and pilot jet with methanol (Heet) and it has been working ever since. The pilot jet is easy to damage if you try sticking something through the orifice but I found something that works. Put a couple drops of methanol in the jet then force it through the orifice by using the eraser on a pencil as a piston. Works great.

BillyW wrote:
phemens wrote:
Not to hijack the thread, but I was also considering the Mr. Heater. If I hook it up to the low pressure feed on the trailer via the BBQ outlet, do I need the Mr. Heater fuel filter that they recommend when connecting to the 20lb tank? Apparently you can get some debris & oil from the plastic hose, but the RV system has the regulator at the tanks, so..?
I would use the filter any time I used a hose. I didn't at first and ruined one.
ICamel
Explorer
Sep 05, 2014
Hi Don!
Me again! Been using my Oly Cat for two years now for comfort heating all night while camping in our 5'r (a week every third week) and still alive. I even bought an RV specific CO monitor with readout and it usually records 0ppm of carbon monoxide(CO). Occasionally it has recorded up to 20ppm on a trip which is technically negligible, but could be attributed to the oven, cooktop, fridge, water heater, or outside generator in addition to the catalytic heater. We have had this conversation before. These appliances are safe to use as Bull Rider stated when "they are in good condition and you follow the safety guidelines". If a person feels that they don't wish to use one, then that is their decision. You are entitled to your opinion, and your efforts to inform others is commendable but please realize there are literally thousands of RV'rs that don't necessarily share your view.
Respectfully,

ICamel
pianotuna wrote:
Hi Bull Rider,

My daughter is a CO survivor. There was no permanent damage thank goodness. If you wish to "gamble" go ahead. But to advise others to gamble is just not a good idea.

There is no way that a Buddy heater is as safe as the RV furnace, RV fridge, and RV water heater. Saying so is misleading and just plain wrong.

If you want a safe heater get a Platinum Cat. Some folks don't feel that it is perfectly safe, either, but it is a LOT better than a Buddy.

Bull Rider wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

No, they are not.

Bull Rider wrote:

They are as safe as any other propane appliance as long as they are in good condition and you follow the safety guidelines.

Pianotuna. Great response, which adds nothing to the discussion. But hey, you have a keyboard so go crazy. Maybe some members will actually buy your deep, comprehensive opinions.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 05, 2014
Hi Bull Rider,

My daughter is a CO survivor. There was no permanent damage thank goodness. If you wish to "gamble" go ahead. But to advise others to gamble is just not a good idea.

There is no way that a Buddy heater is as safe as the RV furnace, RV fridge, and RV water heater. Saying so is misleading and just plain wrong.

If you want a safe heater get a Platinum Cat. Some folks don't feel that it is perfectly safe, either, but it is a LOT better than a Buddy.

Bull Rider wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

No, they are not.

Bull Rider wrote:

They are as safe as any other propane appliance as long as they are in good condition and you follow the safety guidelines.

Pianotuna. Great response, which adds nothing to the discussion. But hey, you have a keyboard so go crazy. Maybe some members will actually buy your deep, comprehensive opinions.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Sep 05, 2014
phemens wrote:
Not to hijack the thread, but I was also considering the Mr. Heater. If I hook it up to the low pressure feed on the trailer via the BBQ outlet, do I need the Mr. Heater fuel filter that they recommend when connecting to the 20lb tank? Apparently you can get some debris & oil from the plastic hose, but the RV system has the regulator at the tanks, so..?
I would use the filter any time I used a hose. I didn't at first and ruined one.
phemens
Explorer
Sep 05, 2014
Not to hijack the thread, but I was also considering the Mr. Heater. If I hook it up to the low pressure feed on the trailer via the BBQ outlet, do I need the Mr. Heater fuel filter that they recommend when connecting to the 20lb tank? Apparently you can get some debris & oil from the plastic hose, but the RV system has the regulator at the tanks, so..?
Bull_Rider
Explorer
Sep 04, 2014
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

No, they are not.

Bull Rider wrote:

They are as safe as any other propane appliance as long as they are in good condition and you follow the safety guidelines.

Pianotuna. Great response, which adds nothing to the discussion. But hey, you have a keyboard so go crazy. Maybe some members will actually buy your deep, comprehensive opinions.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 04, 2014
Hi,

No, they are not.

Bull Rider wrote:

They are as safe as any other propane appliance as long as they are in good condition and you follow the safety guidelines.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Sep 04, 2014
Bend wrote:
rockhillmanor wrote:
I bought one just to have on board in the MH in case of an emergency.

I tried it out IN MY HOUSE to see how it worked and the smell was just awful and it made my eyes burn. And that was in a 3,800 sq ft home with cathedral ceilings.

Couldn't fathom what it would do to my eyes used inside the confines of my MH! It's been in the bay of my MH for 2 years now. I just hope and pray I never have to use it!!:B

I used a Buddy for a decade then upgraded to a Wave 3 in the TT. That smell and irritation will go away after a few more hours of burn-in. Set it outside and run a bottle through it.

Thanks that is good to know!
I will let it run thru a bottle. Thanks again! :C
Bull_Rider
Explorer
Sep 04, 2014
We have the Big Buddy heater and have used it to heat our RV when we're not connected to power. We have a propane hose that's connected to the RV's propane supply and it connects to the low pressure quick connect on the Big Buddy heater.

We run the heater all night on low with a vent and side window cracked. Have done this many times and we're still here.

They are as safe as any other propane appliance as long as they are in good condition and you follow the safety guidelines.

We don't run the generator in the RV, and we don't run the BBQ in the RV, but we read in the paper every winter where people die from doing just that.

Some people can make anything dangerous.