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mollym
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2010 03:09pm
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I'm wondering if anyone has experience with a heater we've been considering from Northern Tool? It's the HouseWarmer Slimprofile direct vent wall heater 8000 btu for $400. It requires no electricity,easy to install and can be hooked to a small propane tank with a regulator. (20# or larger) It has a thermostat and uses no inside air. I think it just requires a 6 inch hole through the wall. I've only found a handful of reviews, mostly favorable, except, I must admit, it's a somewhat ugly heater. Is anyone using one of these? I think they've been around a while.
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maine_island
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2010 08:11pm
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not using that, but i do have the empire mv-130 for about the same price from PropaneProducts.com
mv-130 is slimmer and (in my opinion) better looking; it has what they call a "modulating thermostat" meaning a VARIABLE thermostat so the intensity of the flame depends on the difference in temperature between what you have set and what the room actually is -- not just simply on/off. not sure how the housewarmer slimprofile works.
mv-130 has no blower nor blower option. perhaps that's why it can be slimmer.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2010 08:16pm - Edited by: MtnDon
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We have the larger unit, the 18000 BTU Housewarmer. We also have the 120 VAC blower but like the smaller unit, it can operate without. The blower helps distribute the air and may result in a slightly faster cabin warm up when starting from cold. It works well for us, no regrets.
The only negatives I read about these were from people who bought too small a unit; hardly fair to downrate the heater for that.
These are made by Empire, but have a bare bones utilitarian look. The Empire cost more and look nicer as well as having remote thermostat capability. The built in control is uncalibrated so we made our own index marks with a marker. Installation was straightforward with the owners manual being easy to follow.
You may need a high altitude gas orifice. We did and I got one mailed to us for free by calling the manufacturers customer service number. They sent it even before we actually bought the unit. Higher altitudes result in the output being down-rated 3% for every 1000 feet above sea level, BTW.
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mollym
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# Posted: 14 Nov 2010 03:40pm
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I had looked at the empire mv-120 & 130 several months ago, and they were a bit more money than the slimprofile. Went online today to Propane Products site and the mv-130 was on sale for $450.00 with free shipping. Searched the web and could not find a better price. It does look a little nicer, projects out only6 3/4 inches
and has the modulating thermostat. And we will probably be glad to have the higher btu unit. It's easy to underestimate. So my husband and I actually ordered one today online. Thanks for the info! Eskabe also makes a vented non electric propane heater. They cost a little more and the smallest one has no thermostat.
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Dipthenet
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# Posted: 28 Sep 2011 07:25am
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So I installed my brand new out of the box House warmer heater, went smoothly, but now I cannot get the thing to light. My main feed line is only about 7 feet long, and I have gas all the way into the cabin. For some reason I think its not getting past the regulator. I am at a loss, spent two hours trying to figure it out last night. Any suggestions?
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cman47c
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# Posted: 28 Sep 2011 07:54am
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I have trouble with ignition on the initial connection. I believe there is air in the line and it takes extra long to purge, longer than the manual states. Every time it eventually lights, but the first time it takes longer. I thought my heater did not work out of the box but after a long purge period.
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project_north
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# Posted: 28 Sep 2011 10:41am
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I bought the Housewarmer 8,000 BTU model and have spent weeks trying to figure out how to hook it up. Went to my local propane supplier in Parry Sound and he gave me some pipes - they didn't fit. Then he gave me some more and told me all i had to do was tighten the connections. Flare fittings require a special tool. I am fed up with it. It will be 3C this weekend and I still have no heat. I'm trying to do this without hiring some guy to come down the lake in a boat for a 5 minute job. Looking forward to eventually having heat.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 28 Sep 2011 10:57am
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It hooks up just like any other heater of its type. We have the 18K unit; works good.
Pioe sizes can be confusing.
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Dipthenet
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# Posted: 28 Sep 2011 01:33pm
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After talking with a Tech at House warmer I believe I know my problem. I originally had a regulator at the tank. Last night I took it out and just went straight from the tank. He said I locked up the regulator, which now makes perfect sense. On my first go around, I never waited long enough to purge the lines according to him. That too, makes sense. So I am fairly confident that it will light once i go back to my first setup. As far as hooking the heater up it was breeze. Not sure why you are having so much trouble Project_north.
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allypally
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# Posted: 29 Sep 2011 08:05am
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I purchased the 18,000 btu propane heater housewarmer,and am wondering if the wall in my mobile home will hold that 60 lb. heater,
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bhebby
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2011 09:31am
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I am slowly running out of time and I am considering a propane heater. No issues with safety/venting? are these expensive to run?thanks-Brett
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TomChum
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2011 10:48am - Edited by: TomChum
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Just FYI: Empire MV130: $225 on eBay...
It's in Boise, ID
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330594380114&hlp=false#ht_2606 wt_907
I know nothing about these heaters.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2011 07:48pm
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That's a natural gas model. Different model for propane. Not convertible.
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greyjay207
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# Posted: 31 Oct 2011 07:08am
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Put that regulator back, or replace it with a working regulator. These heaters require a regulator, and operating them without one is dangerous. Initial purge of the pilot tube does take some time, so be patient. Also, be sure your spark ignition device is working. If not, you can light pilot with a match by opening the little window on the front of the combustion chamber. Be sure you have installed a drip leg in the supply line to your heater. This captures crud which can plug up lines and orifices, and the code requires it. The heater instructions cover this item.
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greyjay207
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# Posted: 31 Oct 2011 07:19am
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These are fine little heaters, good for up to 250 ft.sq. space. They do have a hydraulic or modulating thermostat built in to the unit. They are made by Empire, a reputable company. I've had one installed for two years, and it works flawlessly and is economical. If you are tool-smart and handy, you can do the installation yourself, if your state codes allow it. Working knowledge of copper tube flaring is a must. Soap test all joints and connections, and have your gas supplier pressure-test the system. Better safe than sorry.
Northern Tool is the only source I've found for these particular units, but they are a good company to deal with, in my experience.
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projectnorth
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# Posted: 1 Nov 2011 12:35pm
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So I got mine installed and it works great. As to difficulty lighting - you have to open the line and leave it for 10 mins or so prior to lighting, as per directions. It puts out good heat, but also seems to be putting a great deal of heat directly through the vent to the outdoors. Not sure
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projectnorth
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# Posted: 1 Nov 2011 12:35pm
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not sure how efficient it is.
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sandy b.
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# Posted: 8 Nov 2011 03:53pm
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Do you guys think the vent-free propane heaters are a no-no? They claim to be really safe because they have oxygen sensors which automatically shut them off. If a room is well ventilated, do you think they are o.k. I am going to bite the bullet and get a big propane tank, but all the vented models are so expensive!!
Thanks, Sandy b.
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sandy b.
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# Posted: 8 Nov 2011 03:54pm
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p.s. My cabin is not that small--about 600 sf.
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Bzzzzzt
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# Posted: 8 Nov 2011 04:15pm
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Sandy: I have been researching this very issue recently. Specifically I was looking at the Little Buddy heaters and their bigger brother the Big Buddy. I discovered through a google search that I could download the owners manual for the little buddy. I looked through it and discovered that they recommend that you open a window so as to let in fresh air whenever using the heater.
http://www.mrheater.com/upload/newsletter/MH18B_BigBuddy_US_BL.pdf
There is a warning on page 1 about oxygen depletion that refers you to another warning on page 2. I hope that is helpful.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 8 Nov 2011 05:30pm
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Quoting: sandy b. Do you guys think the vent-free propane heaters are a no-no?
They are a no-no, IMO. There is not only the CO risk, the depletion of oxygen risk but they also add a lot of moisture to the air which condenses readily on any cold surface, windows, etc.
CO monitors and oxygen depletion sensors all rely on power to operate. No power, no warning.
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dk1393
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# Posted: 8 Nov 2011 06:42pm
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New direct vent propane stoves are pricey. I found a very nice one on craigslist for $525. It came with a wall vent kit, all the stove pipe. It works with no electric. We are really happy with it. There seems to be some decent deals out there
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 8 Nov 2011 10:00pm
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Quoting: MtnDon add a lot of moisture to the air
Calculating this from the chemical formula for propane it looks like for every gallon of propane burned, 1.64 pounds of water is produced.
In liquid form that is 25 ounces of water per gallon of propane used.
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sandy b.
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2011 11:59am
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Wow, thanks for fast replies! Bzzzzt, I bought a big buddy last year, and seriously was bummed--not because it didn't work just fine, but because they specifically say to disconnect after every use, and to test the connection for leakage with bubbles before every use. I only got it as backup for my woodstove when it gets to the single digits, and since they say the tank must be outdoors, I'm out there testing with bubbles in the single digits and unable to see if there are bubbles as the wind is blowing so hard! So I went back to my good old, but expensive, kerosene.
I get alot of flack about using kerosene, but I have 2 carbon monoxide detectors which have battery backup (I'm not off grid), and I like them because if you bump them, they go out.
I know, I feel uneasy because even though the Pro-Coms have oxygen depletion detectors, I don't like depending on anything electric to tell me if I'm safe. That being said, I always open windows a crack when I'm burning kerosene, and would do the same with propane. That stove you found on Craig's was a steal--good job dk1!!!
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bushbunkie
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2011 08:42pm
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Hi Sandy,
I'm trying a less expensive, but still somewhat safe alternative.
I found a used Coleman propane vented RV furnace on-line for $20.00...strictly gravity, no electricity. Cleaned her up and work like new!I was going to install myself, but I think I will get a guy who has his propane ticket and does it for a living...might as well do it right and safe. I plan to have a larger propane tank outside the bunkie.
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sandy b.
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2011 06:56pm
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bushbunkie
Can you provide a link to that heater? When I look at some of them, like one I saw on the Sears site, it was unclear to me why some are purported for use for hunters and such in their blinds, yet they do not seem to be recommended for household use?
Thanks, sandy
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 13 Nov 2011 07:30pm
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It's my understanding if you are in Canada professional propane installers are not allowed to hook up anything old(not CSA approved). It is illegal for them to do so.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 14 Nov 2011 06:48pm
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I think what bushbunkie is talking about are no longer made. I don't know the make but we had a similar, non electric, convection heater/furnace in an RV back in the late 70's. Everything in an RV that I've seen since uses electric bloers fir both combustion air and distribution of the heated air.
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bushbunkie
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# Posted: 16 Nov 2011 06:26pm
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Hi Sandy,
For a pic, go to my thread: "My 100 sq. Ft Cabin in SW Ontario - Lake Huron". The Coleman gravity furnace is CSA approved, as it was installed in tent trailers and RV's for many years. I spoke to a few Propane guys, who have had similiar ones installed in their cabins.
MtnDon is right though, they stopped making them years ago...all RV's now have the ones that operate with blowers...which means electricity.
I simply kept my eye on kijiji for used Coleman Gravity RV furnace...usually someone is junking a old tent trailer or RV. The thing is...many people are fair weather campers, so the furnaces, though older, never saw much use...they also do not have many working parts, because the heat simply rises out, it's not blown out by a fan...it simply runs on a tank of propane.
I cleaned it up on a Sunday afternoon with an air hose, lit it and it came to life like it was brand new. The simple dial thermostat works perfect too.
After I picked this one up...I saw otheres every few months online on sites like Kijiji and craiglist.
Just another option, hope it helps.
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bushbunkie
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# Posted: 16 Nov 2011 06:32pm
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Venting - it also vents to the outside of your cabin with a double pipe, drawing in fresh air through the centre pipe (I believe), venting the inside air out through the secondary pipe.
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