Mr Heater Buddy vs Olympian Wave 6

My Buddy and Big Buddy heaters won't work at 9000' making them essentially useless so I use e'm in my garage.

Personal observed difference between my Mr Buddy and Olympian 8000 heaters.

No noticeable difference in humidification.

The Mr Buddy made my eyes sting a little the nearer the heater I got. Heat output seemed the same.

RoyB wrote:
This google image shows how easy it may be to mount one the WAVE propane heaters on a cabinet door and vent the fumes to the outside...

Roy. I believe that is a picture of the Plat Cat heater which is, by design, a vented heater. The Wave heaters are not vented.
But yes, a Wave heater could be mounted in such a manner making it somewhat directional. The important thing to keep in mind about the Wave heaters is that you need to point them in the direction you want the most heat.

RoyB wrote:
This google image shows how easy it may be to mount one the WAVE propane heaters on a cabinet door and vent the fumes to the outside...





The MR BUDDY heaters is our back-up heat source in our OFF-ROAD POPUP setup... I have just the spot for sitting on a high shelf arrangement near the roof fantastic fan setup which I crack open a tad when using the heater. It sure does put off alot of water. We have a metal tray that the propane heater sits in and have to dump the water a couple of times during the day/night run... We still don't sleep when using the MR BUDDY heater... Shut it down and get under the covers...

Roy Ken

Isn't that a picture of a CAT Platinum heater, not a Wave.

This google image shows how easy it may be to mount one the WAVE propane heaters on a cabinet door and vent the fumes to the outside...





The MR BUDDY heaters is our back-up heat source in our OFF-ROAD POPUP setup... I have just the spot for sitting on a high shelf arrangement near the roof fantastic fan setup which I crack open a tad when using the heater. It sure does put off alot of water. We have a metal tray that the propane heater sits in and have to dump the water a couple of times during the day/night run... We still don't sleep when using the MR BUDDY heater... Shut it down and get under the covers...

Roy Ken

I been using the Olycats since 1973.
I never had a Buddy heater, but would doubt there would be any difference in the moisture issue. In Arizona I don't have any moisture. Here in Oregon I do.
But It never bothers me until I go to drive in the morning, and have to demoisturize the front windows to see safely. I never use the forced air furnace.

Coolmom has it dead to rights. But then, I'd never use an unvented combustion heater.

The moisture doesn't come from the propane tank. It comes from the combustion of the propane which produces carbon dioxide and water. A gallon of propane produces the same amount of water regardless of what heater burns it.

The only way to avoid moisture buildup is to properly ventilate the trailer. Crack a window and leave a roof vent open.

I have used both and can't say that there is a signified difference in the amount of moisture put out by the two heaters. This is just part of using a non-vented gas heater. I have good success controlling moisture by having cross ventilation (open vent at one end and cracked open window at other end) and by turning on exhaust fans when cooking and showering. (The Plat Cat is a vented heater that, should, eliminate most moisture if you are so interested.) IMO, there are other reasons to choose the Wave heater over the Buddy heaters.

- Like Fred, I too don't like the idea of high pressure LP inside my RV. For my Wave heater, I T'ed off the low pressure main line underneath the trailer and brought that inside exactly like was done with all the other LP appliances.
- The Wave heater is cool enough to (quickly) touch...and doesn't cause the dog to 'melt' when she brushes up against it.
- I notice a odor when using the Buddy heater. Where I don't smell anything with the Wave heater.
- I am not comfortable using the Buddy heater all night, but have become "comfortable" doing so with the Wave heater (with multiple CO detectors and open window and vent)
- The Wave heater is just plain more comfortable than the Buddy heater is. The heat is radiant so it really helps to have it pointed toward you, but it eventually warms up the entire trailer.

Like Fred, mine is also on a quick disconnect with a valve upstream. It spends most of the time in it's box with a cover over it and only comes out when I need it.

I am glad that I got the Wave heater and consider it a significant upgrade from the Buddy heater.

Hope this helps.

There probably is not any 'change' between the Olympic and Mr Buddy heaters as far as amount of moisture that comes out of the gas while it is warming the RV. However the built in tank probably has less moisture in it than the portable tanks you have been buying. . .

Also I really would never recommend a Mr Buddy heater. Something about a high pressure propane tank right next to a open flame bothers me. If the tank where ever to get to warm, then it's pressure relief valve can open, venting propane near the flame of the pad.

It seems like you need to leave the window open a bit further, and open the roof vent a bit more as well.

I installed a gas tee in my RV under the stove/oven, near a wall, so that I will not kick it while cooking. It has a shut off too, and quick disconnect. So my Olympic 6000 BTU heater spends most of it's time in a closet, covered to protect the pad from getting dirty. A dirty pad needs to be replaced, so I have heard. Mine is a 1994 model, and still has not needed a replacement pad.

Also many do not heat the pad long enough on high heat output, and many have reported that the pad is not glowing red, indicating that the pad is not fully lit, and hot enough to boil off any moisture in the gas tank.

Fred.