Comfortable distance from Radiant Propane Heaters

Golden_HVAC wrote:


I would never own a Mr. Buddy heater. Something about a design that puts a high pressure propane tank less than a foot from a red hot flame - has me worried.

Just like a my propane lantern, grill, and camp stoves.

pnichols wrote:

SteveAE wrote:
Fred,
Thank you for the detailed reply. It's very reassuring to hear that the dog won't explode in a fire ball should she bump into it

The dog will only explode if she tries to warm up in the microwave! :(

Or if she has eaten a whole can of Cosmo Kramer's "Beef-a-Reeno."

SteveAE wrote:
...For fear of starting the vented vs. non-vented debate...here is my answer.

Here's the short version of the debate:

"I've run my unvented combustion heater for years, with a window cracked and lived to post about it"

vs.

"It makes CO2 and CO and people have died from using them incorrectly" (And that's why "just crack a window" isn't good enough for the directions).

Both are correct.

There seems to be a lot of strong opinions on the topic, and I expect this short summary will not satisfy those with the strong opinions.

I would consider what the consequences are of dismissing either of the two sides of the argument.

SteveAE wrote:
Fred,
Thank you for the detailed reply. It's very reassuring to hear that the dog won't explode in a fire ball should she bump into it

The dog will only explode if she tries to warm up in the microwave! :(

Robocop wrote:
Quick question, off topic but related. I have yet to use my portable Buddy propane heater in the RV. I understand as long as a vent or window is open the risk of CO should be negated and of course making sure the detector is working as well. How open should a vent or window be? Of course warm air rises so maybe a roof vent would not be the most optimal. Thanks.

I would never own a Mr. Buddy heater. Something about a design that puts a high pressure propane tank less than a foot from a red hot flame - has me worried.

I have heard that Mr Buddy heaters do put off some CO gas. I am not sure if it is more or less than the Olympic heater. Still I have the Olympic because it is low pressure propane going into it. A propane tank will go way up with pressure when warmer. At 90F it will exceed 200PSI, and 140F will go way up from there- well above 300PSI. You certainly would not want the tank high pressure relief to leak out some high pressure just behind the flame. . . .

It does not hurt to have the vents and windows open a little farther than the recommended minimum amount.

When it is 55F out, I would rather run the furnace a little bit, and keep the windows shut. But below that, I would run the Olympic heater and open the windows. The heater will overcome the cool air coming in. Usually above 55, then the temperature will rise to much inside - even with it set on low heat. Below 30, and I need to leave it on high and run the furnace a little bit too.

Good luck!

Fred.

Thanks Steve for the technical side of the equation. I was expecting a simple "yes" or a "few inches". Hah! However, it is a genuine safety concern. I agree on creating circulation as opposed to simply opening a window.

Robocop,

For fear of starting the vented vs. non-vented debate, here is my answer.

My Portable Buddy manual says nine square inches (i.e.; 3" x 3").
(Note that the Canadian version is "Not approved for use in tents or RV's")

Interestingly, the Olympic Wave heater manual, which is a lower BTU rated appliance, says 24 square inches (i.e.: 6" x 4"). Furthermore, they recommend that this be a "combination of a window AND ceiling vents" to allow natural convection to move combustion waste products out of the enclosed space. So that's a 8" wide window open 1/4" to 1/2" AND a 14" x 14" roof vent open 1/4" to 1/2". If it was me, I would go with this ventilation, or more, for the Portable Buddy heater.

Hope this helps,
Steve

Quick question, off topic but related. I have yet to use my portable Buddy propane heater in the RV. I understand as long as a vent or window is open the risk of CO should be negated and of course making sure the detector is working as well. How open should a vent or window be? Of course warm air rises so maybe a roof vent would not be the most optimal. Thanks.

Ray and June,
Exactly what I was looking for, thank you.

Fred,
Thank you for the detailed reply. It's very reassuring to hear that the dog won't explode in a fire ball should she bump into it:)
Yes, solar is great (have 300 Watts which is plenty for us...even running the microwave a couple times a day).

Steve

We have a wave 6 on a six foot flexible hose. We're most comfortable about 3-5 feet from the heater once it reaches max heat. Much closer and it can get very hot on your legs, but sometimes that feels real good.

YMMV