Propane "Buddy" heater

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bobalong

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I was just reading another thread where the temp in the cockpit was rather chilly (only had three side curtains in the winter) I have been using a propane heater for many years for winter boating. First was one of those sunflower heaters that fastend to the top of the tank, and more recently bought the adapter hose and use a "Buddy" heater hooked to a 20lb tank. That eliminated having the small disposable tanks everywhere. The 20lb tank is common to gas grills at home, and fits perfectly in a plastic crate that holds 4 one gallon milk jugs. That eliminates the tank rolling around or falling over. yes I know propane is explosive. (so is the 300 Gal of gas I carry in the fuel tanks) But propane also has an additive in it to make it STINK. And when not in use it is turned off at the tank valve. So who else on here uses a propane heater ?
 
I use (2) of them in my motorhome, have used them for several years. They work real well. It's a small motorhome, only 21 feet long. I hang a blanket to seal off the cab area where the steering wheel and front seats are. Then with the two of them on at the same time, they'll warm it up from 30 degrees to 60 degrees within about 20 minutes. They'll eventually warm it up enough to run you out. Once they've brought the temperature up to where its comfortable, I turn them down to the lower setting, and they'll keep it comfortable inside. But I always turn them off before going to sleep (Carbon Monoxide concerns) - don't want to wake up dead!

Because of space requirements, I stick with the standard 16 oz. throwaway cylinders. I generally get between 2 and 3 hours out of them, on the high setting.
 
We use them all the time in our bubble houses during winter.
Work great, just have a source for fresh air.
Abouttime
 
Remember, propane is heavier than air so it will collect and lay at a low point. You may not smell it if its laying along the deck or has drifted into the bilge. If you are using the 20 lbs bottle with the long adapter hose it would be best to at least have the bottle outside the cabin if at all possible.
 
My boat has a 20lb propane tank in a locker on the aft deck that fuels: 1) a Dickinson heater mounted on the aft salon bulkhead and vented to the outside through a stainless steel pipe running through the bulkhead; and 2) a Princess stove/oven in the galley. My system is ABYC compliant with the exception of a leak test gauge and a fuel shut off valve/solenoid near the galley appliance both of which I am in the process of acquiring and installing.

So, yes, I use a propane heater, but for the cabin not the exterior spaces.
 
MikeeH : Excellent advice ! In my case we have installed temporary carpet over the engine hatches, and between the camper top snaps / zippers etc so we get plenty of unwanted extra fresh air. Also our centered transom door goes to the cockpit sole and has a space beneath it. We are as LP vigilant as we can be concerning leaks & safety. BTW that same hose works well on the swim deck with our marine grill. I have more of an issue trying to find a safe place to store the 1 lb. cylinders for the grill in the summer. Seems like all my convenient storage places have drain holes that go to the engine compartment. I may put a plug in one of the trunk lockers and store them in there. The drain holes are really only necessary when I get too jiggy with the soap and water on the swim deck. The trunks face the outside of the transom. i.e. the swim deck.
 
We used a Mr. Buddy unit on our trip down the ICW last winter. A real lifesaver at night & earely am while the coffee was brewing. Engine heat in the cabin helped during the day. Would not be with out it on a cruise in cooler temps. Goes off at night. Enough open seams in cabin to vent safely.
 
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