Propex alternatives?

Jon_slider · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:41 am Post subject:

> you post results that disagree with other experiences

just sharing my unique experience at 10,000 feet and below 20F with the top down and the windows insulated.

my propex thermostat works great at sea level with outside temps above 50F

>> it (Heater Buddy) smells really really bad of propane gas when in use in the van. Unless you open a window or two.. NOT recommended

> Have you used one?

Do you think I make this stuff up? Smile

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Ive even used it to boil water for tea, stop by sometime and share a cup Smile

mightyart · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:52 am Post subject:

That's not a Mr. Heater Buddy.
It's a knock off, it could smell bad.
My Buddy Heater, by Mr. Heater doesn't smell at all.

danfromsyr · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:04 pm Post subject:

My "Dynaglow' knock off doesn't smell bad either..
have you used it at any time with a hose hooked to a 20# bottle?
as the Mr Buddy heaters sell a 'filter' for that application because the hose can/will infuse some of the perfume oils into the heater and they take FOREVER to go away.
or it may not be burning correct if you smell incomplete combusiuon.

we have 3 "dynaglo' in my family and dad used his to preheat and maintain heat while driving his Diesel passanger (work truck) in the middle of winter. mine and my Bros haven't had any issues with the standard camping occasional use.. though my Bro uses his in his small apt when there's a subzero winter storm to offset the chill his furnace can't overcome.

Dan
_________________

Jon_slider · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:05 pm Post subject:

> My Buddy Heater, by Mr. Heater doesn't smell at all.

Im glad to hear that.

have you used it at 10,000 feet?

> My "Dynaglow' knock off doesn't smell bad either..

great! mine is a Dynaglow too

have you used yours at 10,000 feet?

Maybe the reason mine smells bad at 10,000 feet is because at that altitude there is less complete combustion?

If you want to verify my test, please go to 10,000 feet, close all the windows and vents in your van, top down, turn the heater on, get out of the vehicle, and get back in in 30 minutes.. if you still cant tell there are smelly combustion byproducts from a non catalytic heater, I suppose either my nose or my heater is "defective".

When I do the same test with a catalytic heater, I find it does not produce the disturbing odor that a non catalytic heater does.

fwiw, 10,000 feet and snowing is a pretty challenging environment for the Propex too.. it often takes multiple attempts to light, even though it lights perfectly on the first try at sea level.

a Mr. Heater Buddy style heater, including knockoffs, consume oxygen that is inside the van, and they vent their combustion byproducts into that same inside air. A catalytic heater also uses interior air, but the exhaust is cleaner, as it has been "scrubbed" by the catalytic converer..

Also, Mr. Heater Buddy style heaters produce some Carbon Monoxide. Catalytic heaters do not. You cannot smell Carbon Monoxide. All heater buddy style heaters MUST be operated with an open window to be safe. At least that is what I believe from what I have read and smelled.

A propex (or any heater in which the firebox is isolated from the interior, and with its own outside air suply and exhaust path) is far superior in safety, as it does not consume any interior oxygen, and does not vent to the interior of the van.. MUCH safer.. smells better too Smile

JonHeater

jackbombay · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject:

Jon_slider · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject:

One of the very best heat/comfort additions I have made to my Westy, is this PopTop wrap from Fanchers. It is compact enough to store rolled up behind the upper bunk.
http://fanchers.com/65/.htm

Seen here at 10,300 feet, Wolf Creek.

On the day of the Photo, I went skiing for about 3 hours. When I came back it was 25 degrees warmer inside (55F) the van than outside (30F). That was with no heater running, just solar gain captured thru limo tinted windows, and the windshield blacked out with a sunshade.

7.000 feet, Santa Fe, Syncro country Smile

if anyone wants a ski Santa Fe local tour guide this winter, look me up.. or knock on my door if you hear the Propex running Smile

jackbombay · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:42 pm Post subject:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WEBASTO-AIR-TOP-200...dZViewItem

/\ Webasto diesel fired heater brand new for ~$900 with shipping.

With frost on the ground the last few weeks in the mornings here I am once again drooling over a diesel fired heater.
_________________

Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies Smile

Samba ad here.

DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs)

ftp2leta · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:51 pm Post subject:

ftp2leta · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:57 pm Post subject:

westyventures · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:14 pm Post subject:

westyventures · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:20 pm Post subject:

jackbombay · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:21 pm Post subject:

What specifically do you like better about the espar? Does it make more noise?, less heat?

I'm so close to ordering up one of those webastos.
_________________

Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies Smile

Samba ad here.

DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs)

ftp2leta · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject:

I should add something.

At 0c (32F for you guys) inside the van, a Propex with the top down will heat the van at 65-70 in about 15-20min max. Pop top up, more than 50min. Very big difference. Yes, with the pop top up and temp in the 5F (-15C) a Propex will have to work very hard to keep temp in the 60-70F range.

I know, i did some test in those condition.

A Mr.Heater is useless at any temp bellow 32F with the pop-top up. I know, i had to spend 4 days in those condition in my 73 and the 79
http://www.benplace.com/pop_top/100_0020.jpg (73 with 78 interior)

Been there done that! Sorry.

But, again, the Mr.Heater is one of the best out there in it's "cheap" category, i don't like cheap anymore!

I want and need luxury... Propex it is.

Ben
_________________
Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta

ftp2leta · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:26 pm Post subject:

tschroeder0 · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject:

Hey,

regarding the Mr Buddy, I just looked at one tonight. The sticker on it said it would now run above 6,000 ft because of the low 02 shut down system?

So is this not true. Living at 5700 ft already, and most of my camping being above 10grand it would makes sense for me?? Todd

westyventures · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:36 pm Post subject:

jackbombay · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the comparisson Cool

I'll call the lube specialist tomorrow and see how much he wants, it seems like the difference is worth a $100, I've also bought TDI parts from him LOL
_________________

Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies Smile

Samba ad here.

DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs)

Alan Brase · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject:

Steelhead · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:07 pm Post subject: want heat?

Heater buddy? Propex? Espar? All so quaint!

This was my solution back in '96 when I was living out of my green bus in Idaho/Colorado/Wyoming. Living a life of backcountry skiing and wet dogs. After years of cold camping and frozen windshields, I finally found this little Subrban monster....32,000 BTUs of pure sunshine! It would be minus 20 outside and feel like a mexican summer in the rig. I could crank this baby up, roll back the sunroof and dry everything out in flash. It was hell on my aux battery.

I tapped it into all the normal venting and added a few extras. Yeah, its overkill, but I was young and reckless and the Samba hadn't been invented yet.
_________________
'77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper)

mightyart · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:26 am Post subject:


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