traveler Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Bought my first wheelhose (insulated 6.5 x 14 shell) late last season, only got it out a couple times with sunflower heat (LOTS of ventilation). Now I need to get a furnace in there...vented for sure. Looks like I'll go with an 18,000 btu Empire, thoughts?As for installation...any tips to make it go smoothly? Location, mounting, etc...? The house is all aluminum, so mounting it on the wall might be trickier?Thanks, can't wait to get 'er up to Red! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usmcjsy Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Are you going with forced air...? Or radient..? I put a forced air in mine and totally love it. A battery usually runs it all weekend. Plus it does dry out the floor a lot quicker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveler Posted November 14, 2011 Author Share Posted November 14, 2011 Not sure yet...do you have the info on the one you put in? The empire I'm thinking of is radiant I think...but needs no battery to operate, I think thats a plus. Then again, keeping a battery charged is no big deal...and the forced air model is cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dairyman Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 That and the fact that Empire is a VERY good furnace line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRB fishing Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 I purchased my 18,000btu vented heater at FF and have had no problems with it. It was also a lot cheaper around $325.00 on sale. I think Menards has that brand now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-man715 Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 I would also recommend a battery free heater. If you want air circulation put in a couple computer fans. I also have the 18,000 btu vented heater from Menards, it works great! This fall I also installed a 10,000 btu non-vented heater (little black one at Menards). I will use it for an extra boost to heat the shack up to temp faster, and plan on using it for day-time fishing (they are 99% efficient, compared to roughly 70% of a vented.) Over-night I will use the vented.The forced air furnaces are sweet........but if your batteries die so does your fishing trip. If I ever put one in a shack I would have a backup like the little black one I mentioned above.For mounting you should be able to find two studs and mount it with self tapping screws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random guy Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Empire Empire Empire! We have had them all in the rentals and Empire has been the best by far. We use the direct vent models in the 25,000 BTU range for a 16x24 shack and it keeps up with ease. We also found the Empires take the abuse of a skid house that is moved twice a week all season long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Waldowski Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 I will say it again...Empire all the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRH1175 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 The menards one which I am looking at is made by empire. It is actually the same as the empire 18000dvs. Is there and advantage to a wall thermostat vs a built in one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dairyman Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 the built in t-stat pretty much senses temps at the furnace area while the wall t-stat will sense room temps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordern Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Empire is your best bet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRH1175 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I have a 8x16 skid house I am working on. The wall thermostat models are available I 15k and 25kI BTU the built in comes in 18kgreat BTU. Is 15k big enough?enlightens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawg Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 No dought Empire is great......but REAL spendy. I've used the Fleet Farm vented units and never had a problem. I bought a 20,000 BTU Orbis on line for $250, flawless unit. Fan pack is an extra $75 but it doesn't need to have it and works well without it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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