Heating the 8.0 at night w/o electrical

[admin]

That's my primary source of heat in our 10.0 in the cold. It is safe but as alway be careful. Have a carbon monoxide detector and understand the heaters instructions. Also know that it produces a lot of moisture so be prepared to combat condensation.

[imaginer697]

I just installed a suburban nt 16seq direct vent propane heater in my qs 10. It involves removing the lower left cabinet door and cutting two holes in the camper sidewall for the exhaust and air intake. I am using a dedicated battery which sits in the compartment next to it to run the fan. So far we used it only for a 4 day trip, but it worked great. No worries about carbon monoxide or other byproducts of burning propane or condensation.

[pinstriper]

Make sure to not only handle the CO buildup, you need some kind of ventilation to let o2 in, as it does consume the oxygen inside the tent.

Personally, I recommend ditching the heater and getting two large dogs to sleep on the bed with you.

Dog heats best.

[david]

My wife sleeps with our dog on one side and me on the other. She can sleep comfortably in the camper down to the low 40s- a two dog night ;-).

I have used the propane radiant heaters on a boat, early in the morning and late at night, but never while asleep. I just wouldn't do that.

But with blankets or dogs at night you should be ok in bed. Use the propane heater when you wake up. Or brew a pot of coffee on the propane stove. That is about all it takes to warm the place up for us.

David

[peislander]

I just installed a suburban nt 16seq direct vent propane heater in my qs 10. It involves removing the lower left cabinet door and cutting two holes in the camper sidewall for the exhaust and air intake. I am using a dedicated battery which sits in the compartment next to it to run the fan. So far we used it only for a 4 day trip, but it worked great. No worries about carbon monoxide or other byproducts of burning propane or condensation.

Anytime you have a propane appliance in the camper - and direct vent propane heaters count - it is a good idea to install both a carbon monoxide & a propane detector. When the rv manufacturers install such appliances they are required by RIVA standards to install carbon monoxide & a propane detectors. My Camplite trailer has one that does both like this: >>[a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GSFUWE/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687582&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000AMBHG4&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=09D3MSDG6RQC86A5HA63"] Safe-T-Alert MTI 35-742-WT White LP and Carbon Monoxide Flush Mount Detector [/a]<<. It is probably the most common in the rv industry. The same company makes models that monitor just propane or just carbon monoxide. Adding a smoke detector & a fire extinguisher aren't bad ideas either. Be safe!

[imaginer697]

Totally agree.

[admin]

Honestly running the heater all night is pointless. With no insulation you might as well have it outside. It will heat it up some but not enough to make a difference. I personally don't have an problem sleeping with a properly maintained Mr. Heater setup but again you have to understand what's happening. The propane does produce off gas. It will consume O2 and it will produce a lot of H20 vapor. In a quicksilver I'm not worried and venting for air, but rather to prevent it from condensating on the inside. This kills 2 birds at once. Well technically 3 bc the heater only really risks producing high CO if it's in a low O2 environment, or is malfunctioning.

[mjmoore17]

That's my primary source of heat in our 10.0 in the cold. It is safe but as alway be careful. Have a carbon monoxide detector and understand the heaters instructions. Also know that it produces a lot of moisture so be prepared to combat condensation.

I am like Sean. I used mine in my QS 6 several times in May when I was in Utah and Colorado. Temp was in low 40s frequently. I left 20lb propane outside and ran Mr. Buddy inside. I opened a screen a little to vent. No real problems, it will heat up the inside enough that you can turn it off and fall asleep or leave it on low. I think turning off is brighter and it is easy to restart in AM. I would have been very uncomfortable without it. 

Michael

[peislander]

Are the Mr.Buddies silent?

Like others, if I turned on my furnace before bed I'd turn it off while I sleep rather than just turn the thermostat low. The main reason is I find it too noisy. If it was on all night I'd certainly wake every time it kicked on and that makes me Cranky. --- Cranky camping is not good.

[whoofit]

I recall some real dangerous heating solutions implemented during the last great ice storm we had in the northeast several years ago. Power was out for more than a week in my area. The nature of my business is such that I went to many dozens of homes at the time. Some people were desperate enough to bring their LP BBQ grills into their homes for heat. The Mr. Buddy heaters are nothing like that.

Since I do not have direct experience using Mr. Buddy's in a pop up I can only speculate on their ability to heat a comparatively drafty uninsulated space. What I will point out is that there are MA Compliant versions that include an oxygen depletion sensor which, when coupled with a CO detector, will leave you safer than the standard units.

In my opinion, a fan forced solution will be the best solution. The Big Buddy has a fan but to quote Crocodile Dundee "That's not a fan....." More battery will be your friend here allowing use of your built in heater. If you keep to reasonable temperatures, especially coming from 50F, the duty cycle of your forced hot air system should be manageable.


I have hard data to support this in my trailer down to 6F but, again, no sound experience in the pop ups. In my trailer a Buddy heater on low is overkillingly (new word) uncomfortable at anything more than 30F outside.

[whoofit]

Are the Mr.Buddies silent?

Like others, if I turned on my furnace before bed I'd turn it off while I sleep rather than just turn the thermostat low. The main reason is I find it too noisy. If it was on all night I'd certainly wake every time it kicked on and that makes me Cranky. --- Cranky camping is not good.

Yes they are silent. Mine does not even creak while heating up.

They should name the factory installed heaters Mr. Cranky.

[walt3]

I have used a big buddy heater while boondocking in my 10.0. Got into the upper 30s one night left the heater on low. Ran the battery powered fans (the light fan combos) running on low to move the heat around. Kept the inside of the trailer in the 50s to 60. Cracked some of the Windows to vent not much problem with condensation. Also when that cold it will heat up the inside so warm you can't stand it on high.

[charleschapman]

We used a Lil Mr. Buddy to heat our 6.0 a few times in cold damp weather.  As a firefighter I would not recommend a heater that does not draw outside air for the combustion process for fear of CO build up while sleeping.  Mr. Buddy is a good heater with safe guards built in.  I would say run it while you are awake and use a sleeping bag rated for the temperatures you are camping in while sleeping.  It does not take long to warm up the camper in the morning.

[shark24]

We have a my buddy heater but have never used it inside. Our scouts use the smaller version my buddy in their tents when it is 17 and bellow. It has a safety feature that cuts it off if it is turned over.