BLUE FLAME-VENT FREE HEATERS SAFE IN PERMANENT??

[brandon2369]

Ive heard both ways on this, I guess Im just so parranoid that the ODS will cut out and my nights sleep might turn into a very long sleep. Any suggestions on these heaters or other possible safe vent free heaters would be much apprieciated.

thanks,

brandon

[korn_fish]

Either way, get a CO detector. There is a rumor about a certain vented heater manufacturer(s) replacing brand new/unused direct vent heaters before the fishhouse is sold because of some recall pertaining to POSSIBLE issues with the heater. I wonder if the owners of the houses already sold will be notified of the recall or if every house manufacturer will replace the heaters.

With that being said, you can never be sure regardless of type. It's like saying the only safe ice is the ice you just got off of. The only safe heater is the heater is the heater in the fishouse that you just walked out of.

Before anyone asks, I will not name names of brand of heater that had the recall as it appears they are doing there part in resolving the issue. Plus, I haven't talked to any manufacturer myself to confirm it. So as I mentioned, it was a rumor. I am not trying to stir the pot, I am just trying to get the point across that either way is not 100% safe. If you have the vent free, you are probably going to take the extra precautions to crack a window and install a CO detector, where if you have the vented, you will assume all is OK, and it probably is, but you might skimp on the CO detector, wont crack a window, and if something does go wrong with the heater, your not going to know about it until your family/fishing buds find you.

I have the vent free blue flame - but I am taking the extra precautions of fans, windows being cracked and multiple CO detectors with digital displays of the actual CO levels. That digital display will give you an idea if CO levels are rising. I can get my detector to go off with my sunflower heater, but I can't get the detector to go off much less get the CO level indicator to show anything but a big 0 with the blue flame heater.

[Tahoe2349]

Brandon:

Vented verses non vented is a no brainer in itself!!

Two different animals with two different types of heat and pro's and con's to consider.

House type, fishing habits,children, budget etc all are factors after your safety concerns are settled.

The "mentioned" rumor regarding a vented manufacturer is rather misleading. It only pertains to a certain model heater and certain "valve manufacturer" for that model and model year.

The "isolated" issue here with one type valve, on one type model cannot erase the long history of Direct Vent heaters, or be used as a safety comparison testiment to a ventless type.

Do your research and decide accordingly.

[hanson]

hmmm... I thought I posted on this topic earlier today but it isn't here.

Well, anyway...

When I made my choice about a ventless vs. vented, it came down to this:

A vented heater burns oxygen outside my fish house for combustion, a ventless heater burns the same oxygen I breath inside my fish house for combustion and exhausts into the same atmosphere also.

Its just a no brainer for me. I've spent enough full days inside my portable running a sunflower heater to know that my drive home from the lake usually involves a good headache. I don't want this to happen to me while I'm sleeping in my house, I might not wake up.

With that said, that is my personal preference. Many FMers have used blue flame type heaters in their permanents for years and have experienced no problems.

Regardless of what type of heater you have,

1- Be sure to have a functional CO detector in your house &

2- Be sure to have adequate ventilation.

[GoodToGo]

I was researching replacing the heater in my pickup camper and came across an explanation of how ODS' work, I thought it was interesting. The pilot light is at a certain angle so that the flame just hits the thermocouple. As the amount of oxygen decreases the flame lifts until it is no longer hitting the thermocouple. The site claimed that there had never been a known failure of an ODS.

[PikeTipper]

Does anyone know why there is such a difference in price between a vented and a ventless heater? If they were equal I would definately go vented but the ventless are so much cheaper.

[kevfish]

I have a vent free heater in my house and have used it for 2 seasons now without a problem. I was worried about co so I had the local gas company come check it. It produces no CO. I would agree about the sunflower style heaters- I would not want to sleep in a house heated with one. But the new vent free heaters are a different story. They also come with a oxygen depletion sensor and will automatically shut down. Also would recommend a CO detector. I have slept numerous nites in my house and never had a headache. sometimes 3-4 nites at a time. During the day the door gets opened enough to allow for some fresh air. at night I crack a window just to be on the safe side. When it is really windy out I do not worry about cracking a window because air seem to find its way in.

[GoodToGo]

How are they for producing moisture? Have you noticed much condensation or wet insulation/wood after using it?

[Jeremy airjer W]

I always wondered how the "ODS" worked. After I read your post I sat back in my chair and said Duh why didn't I think of that. Its probably the lack of oxygen throughout the years . Thanks for the info

[Jeremy airjer W]

I always wondered how the "ODS" worked. After I read your post I sat back in my chair and said Duh why didn't I think of that. Its probably the lack of oxygen throughout the years . Thanks for the info

[Jeremy airjer W]

I always wondered how the "ODS" worked. After I read your post I sat back in my chair and said Duh why didn't I think of that. Its probably the lack of oxygen throughout the years . Thanks for the info

[Neighboor]

did you pass out on the enter key?

[frabillfisher]

LMAO....wondering the same thing or amybe its time to get a new computer

[dojigger]

I own a 8x12 permanet fish house. My heating system is a vented floor heater that runs off of propane and its the best thing you can put in a fish house. Ive sat in big fishouses all day with just a sunflower heater going and no ventilation..got a headache everytime. Even with a vented heater its a good idea to crack a window to allow more fresh air to enter.