Dry Camping with a Little One - Heater? |
Post Reply | Page <1234> |
Author | |
Tars Tarkas
Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446 |
Topic: Dry Camping with a Little One - Heater? Posted: 15 Sep 2017 at 7:42pm |
The Mr. Heater Big Buddy and smaller Mr. Heater propane heaters are advertised as indoor safe. At least one model says it's safe for RV use. We use our all the time inside, but always with a window and maybe the vent cracked. And I don't like using it while asleep. The furnace is louder than a helicopter, but I've found I actually get used to it after a while and don't start up straight in bed every time it comes on. It's combustion is outside: no exhaust or fumes inside at all.
You said no hookups, but if/when they are available a 1500w 110v little ceramic heater will keep a pod toasty down into the 30s. There is no battery powered heater that would keep you warm or leave you with any juice in your battery in the morning. Marwayne, a guy on the forum here, created a heat exchange heater that works off the water heater. It is very quiet, and really pretty elegant. Some of us wish he'd sell them or kits for them, or at least provide a parts list. It uses a tiny bit of 12v power, but even that seems to be optional. It works well on pure convection. (I guess that's the right word.) TT |
|
2010 176
FJ Cruiser |
|
StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288 |
Posted: 15 Sep 2017 at 10:21pm |
One caution about the Little Buddy heater--The thing is top heavy. The base is inadequate to hold the propane container sufficiently to keep it from sliding out and tipping the unit over. If the base were redesigned to provide more solid support, I could see using it. I couldn't keep it upright. The newer propane tanks with the plastic base don't help either.
I ended up returning the Little Buddy and buying the Mr. Buddy Portable. I liked the BTU output of the Little Buddy, but the safety risk of having it tip over so easily negated that. I like that the Mr. Buddy Portable is much more stable, but performance at the lower setting does not seem to be very good and the instructions say not to run it except at the two settings but not between them. The low setting seems like it is not burning very efficiently and the top setting will drive one out of the 'Pod in short order. I don't want a Sauna Pod. |
|
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
|
fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 3:38pm |
This made my Lil Buddy more stable than the one pounders and burns a lot longer.
We use it mainly under the dome or next to my work bench in the garage.
|
|
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
|
StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288 |
Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 3:45pm |
Yes, that would make it stable. I would nto want to bring a 20 lb cylinder into the 'Pod though.
|
|
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
|
fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 4:04pm |
I wouldn't either. That tank is a one gallon Worthington tank. Got some weight to it. fred
|
|
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
|
ToolmanJohn
Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451 |
Posted: 16 Sep 2017 at 4:41pm |
With proper venting , having an open ceiling vent, and crack a couple windows, there's zero risk of CO poisoning. It makes no smell whatsoever and is very quiet. Makes nearly no noise at all.
http://www.mrheater.com/portable-buddy-heater.html
The Portable Buddy Heater has a safety tip-over shutoff and a low oxygen depletion sensor (ODS). The real problem is it has ONLY a low/high setting. It's either 4000 or 9000 BTU/hr. It cannot be regulated except for those two heat outputs. It's one or the other heat setting. It has NO thermostat. When in low output, I had to open the windows enough (in front near the dinette, not near my head in the bed) or I would roast. It puts out a lot more than needed in low. In low it is supposed to take about 6 hours to burn through a 1 pound propane bottle. I wish it had a variable output, or at least a thermostat on a remote wire, That would be awesome if it could go very low (off) when the room temp was reached, and fire up as needed when it starts to cool. If you use your furnace, make sure to run it hard before your trip!!! It will STINK until it runs hot for many hours. I didn't know this the first couple trips, and t stunk so bad it made me think of just bundling up with sleeping blankets and wool hat instead. If you are handy I would also recommend that you remove the furnace and check that the fan/impellers are not rubbing on the plastic shroud. Mine was and when I had it out I adjusted the fan and also shook out and blew compressed air into it and a lot of sawdust came out, burnt and other wise!! After reinstalling, it was so much quieter!!
|
|
2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
|
Woody.1
Newbie Joined: 16 Feb 2018 Location: SW Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 31 |
Posted: 21 Feb 2018 at 6:15pm |
Been digging through numerous threads, but can’t find any real information on running the r pod furnace through a night while only on battery. Wondering if the battery will make it through the night. Our first night out will be most likely be dry camping, but probably in the 20s at night. I was wondering if the battery would make it through a night? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Not sure how well insulated the r pod is. It’s a 2018 179. |
|
GlueGuy
Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2628 |
Posted: 21 Feb 2018 at 7:27pm |
I suppose it all comes down to how cold is it outside, and how warm you need it inside. Probably not a simple answer. |
|
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
|
rawest50
Senior Member Joined: 07 Mar 2017 Location: Arkansas Online Status: Offline Posts: 440 |
Posted: 21 Feb 2018 at 8:06pm |
Here is a simple solution for hear. Most sites hav a 20 amp outlet for tent campers. I bought a couple of outlets you can install through you floor or walls. Be careful about drilling the 1.5” outlet holes. Plug male end of a 20 amp chord into the pedistal and female into the outlet installed through the trailer wall or floor. Plenty for a 1,509 way heater if needed. Also used for othe high amp devices since your Pod can only handle 30 amps.
|
|
2017.5 RPod 179
2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. |
|
Keith-N-Dar
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 03 Apr 2011 Location: Mayville, WI Online Status: Offline Posts: 1447 |
Posted: 21 Feb 2018 at 8:41pm |
Or get a 20 amp to 30 amp adapter and use the cord that came with your Pod. You can charge your battery and use almost all of your pod accessories. If you have a 20 amp plug in at the site.
|
|
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
|
Post Reply | Page <1234> |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |