Lighting and heat in portable

[macminn]

Took my new Yukon out tonight for the first time. Discovered a couple of things. This is my first portable and need to add some things. I have a Mr. Buddy heater, didn't seem to keep it very warm. Any recommendations for a heater that will keep me toasty in the Yukon?

I also just brought my rechargeable flashlight and had to cut my night short when the battery died. What's the best solution for lighting in portables?

[Jim Hudson]

Mac,

I run a voyager house and use a sunflower heater off an 11lb tank. With the house banked in good I can usually just run the heat on low setting and still be plenty warm without a jacket. I always bring a piece of cardboard with to put my tank on so it doesnt get ice build up on the bottom. And for light, I was going to run a 12v system but I did not have enough time before using the house so that will be a spring/summer project so I just use my old standby method. Instead of using my lantern, I carry two LED headlamps, one to wear (for tieing jigs, etc) and one for straping to the top of the middle pole above my holes. The one for the pole is a type with a white and red lens and run it on the red setting so I can see my jigging line and my deadstick line. With the illumination from my heater and vexilar along with this light source it is all I need for fishing after dark and the LED headlamps last along time on a set of batteries. Also, I carry along a regular flashlight just incase of emergencies.

Hope this helps.

[Josh8481]

A lantern for a propane tank is usually plenty of light, or you could always get like a Mr.Coleman lamp too. As for heat, a couple of propane heaters usually does the trick if one won't. The set-up my friend uses is a 20 lb. tank with heater/lantern on it, then he bought another small 11 lb. tank with another heater just in case it is really cold out. I'm sure others have better ideas though, as I am just a beginner at ice fishing.

[huckleberry]

This year I have been using a rechargeable flourecent light that came with my cordless tool set. My happens to be made by Craftsman and takes a 19V battery. I was a bit skeptical about it being bright enough but I was very impressed with it. And the battery lasts for a long time. Worked well enough to keep my lantern in the box.

[Ryan_V]

I run a mr heater heater/cooker for heat and that keeps me plenty warm in my voyager. For light I use 12 volt lights. I have the new rope light from the clam corp and have been happy with it the once I've used it, otherwise, I got a 12-volt trouble light from an automotive store and that gives more than enough light from a batter for as long as I've ever fished.

[Tom Linderholm]

I'll second Ryan on the Heater/Cooker and the rope lights, one thing on the Clam rope lights though you might want to club up to an ATV battery. Get more than 3 hours out of them that way. My Voyaguer keeps me plenty warm. With enough light to boot. I always have my led headlamp for retying though.

[IcEaHoLiC]

I will third the heater/cooker and the rope light system! Even though i have the fish trap guide.....lots of time i have to turnt he heater off because it gets too hot and the light system couldnt be any more perfect! Those are what i suggest you to get and i am positive that you will be pleased!

[Northlander]

In my Otter Magnum Lodge I run a 11# tank with a Mr.Heater. More than enough heat usually. I now use my lantern and a FishBright Lantern shield on it. I get 75% more light down on my holes than without the FishBright and if I need I turn it down. I usually run my lantern on about 1/2 now maybe 3/4. Saves on fuel. Check them out at www.soderbloom.com and tell Jay I sent ya. You wont be disapointed. Check out the FishBright thread on the Duluth/Bwca Forum. I also wear my headlamp for taking down and walking back or putting stuff in the truck.

[gonefishin11]

I have a 20 lb propane tank with a Mr. Heater in my Frabill Cub and I use a coleman lantern for light. I fished when it was -14 a couple days ago and still had to open the flaps because I was sweating in just my sweatshirt. The heater was only on the low setting! Those lanterns kick off a fair amount of heat as well, so especially in a smaller house, two heaters aren't needed.

[George]

I also use the Mr cooker and very happy with it. Make sure you have a long enough hose so heater stays away from house sides. As for a light I bought a rechargable lantern light from cabelas. It is a 13 watt light. Light lasts for about 3 hours before recharging is needed. I put it between the the roof of the portable and the tube that keeps the roof tight. Fits good, only time it is a problem is if it is real windy. Sometimes light falls out. Otherwise it works great with plenty of light. I think it sells for about 25-30 bucks,

[anyfishwilldo]

I use a Mr Heater cooker with a 20# tank in my Yukon. Keeps the house plenty warm. As for lights, I have the rope lights. I'm going to get another string though. I found a 35 amp hr gel battery from Batteries Plus, that is about the size of 2 Vex batteries. It is still going for 15 hrs without a charge. That sure beats the 3 hrs max from a vex battery.

[HoleHopper]

I bought what Northlander is talking about and it works great!