Siberian Icebox

Originally posted by furpod At -20F, you don't have enough surface area in a 5 gallon tank to evaporate fast enough to maintain gas flow.

For Mr. Heater heaters, look at these.  They both have tip over and low oxygen protection.

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-F232025-Portable-California/dp/B002QUZGS8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1512879144&sr=8-2&keywords=little+buddy+heater
or

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-MH18B-Portable-Propane/dp/B0002WRHE8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1512879144&sr=8-4&keywords=little+buddy+heater

TT

Originally posted by StephenH Another alternative to the heater mentioned above is a Mr. Heater Portable. I would not recommend the Little Buddy because it is so top-heavy that it falls over too easily, especially with the newer 1 lb disposable cylinders which have the plastic base. The base for the Little Buddy isn't tall enough to hold the tank adequately. The portable works well, but one does need to provide some fresh air venting for the Mr. Buddy heaters. It does not take much, only a few square inches. With the Mr. Buddy filter and a hose, one can use a larger tank also. If one is using a distribution post with a larger tank, the Little Buddy could be mounted there and the weight of the larger tank will be adequate to ensure stability. However, that would mean bringing a larger tank inside which might not be desirable. I would think that catalytic heaters would also require venting to prevent CO poisoning.

can you guys summarize all this for me so im on track.  the furnace/heater will or will not work at -20?  hogone

Originally posted by WillThrill The 1 lb. propane 'bottles' don't last long at all when used for heating a space, especially when you're talking about sub-freezing and more especially sub-zero outside temperatures.  Connecting to a 20 lb. or larger propane tank is really a must. The Mr. Heaters are a fine heat source.  It is absolutely critical that the Pod be adequately ventilated (just open a window a few inches and/or the vent on the ceiling) and that an operational carbon monoxide detector be used. That being said, I'm now convinced that the Olympian Wave heaters are far superior.  They are catalytic heaters and convert most of their heat to radiant heat (i.e. 'light' heat) rather than convection heat (i.e. heated air).  This makes them far superior at directing heat in a specific direction (e.g. toward you) rather than that heat going straight up to the ceiling.  Those using them in RVs report using much less propane with them.  Further, since they are catalytic, once they warm up, they produce absolutely zero carbon monoxide.  They still require ventilation because they produce carbon dioxide and need fresh oxygen, but this is far less dangerous than carbon monoxide.  Regardless, a carbon monoxide detector should still be used in any enclosed space when anything is being burned.

Best I can tell, the claim that catalytic propane heaters produce zero CO is not correct.  They produce less than propane heaters that have a flame, but they do produce CO and consume O.  The bottom line is that with any non-vented heater used in a Pod, one should use caution and have a CO detector, and an ODS (oxygen depletion sensor, which the Mr. Heater heaters have (they don't have CO detectors as I thought)), and keep a window or the vent cracked.  Beyond that, I don't like the idea of using them while I sleep.  Sleeping bags and blankets are much preferred to indoor unvented heaters and the possibility of waking up dead.

I use Mr. Heater heaters all the time.  They are radiant heaters, which I agree are preferable in a Pod.  I like the big ones that let you hook up 2 x one pound bottles.  Two bottles will last a pretty long time on low.  I don't think low will cut it at -20° F though.  It is a much more expensive way to heat than with propane from a 20 lb bottle though.  You can hook up the Mr. Heater heaters to a 20 lb (or larger) tank, but it's not recommended to have the larger tank indoors.

TT