icehouse heater that doesn't cause headache

[Timber]

I have at fish house that I heat with a "sunflower" heater on a propane tank. I get a headache everytime I use it, and am wondering is there another heater that would work better?

[P Gottshall]

Is that headache from carbon-monixide? Be careful.

Paul

[shorefisher]

I have read many post on people getting sick on sunflower heaters. And how they can't light a lighter and such. My question is how tight do you have your fish house sealed up? I have used a sunflower heater for as long as I can remember now and do not have these problems. These heater are ment to be used in a vented area. Crack a window open the door once in a while or let a little air get in around the bottom and make sure your heater is burning clean and you should not have any problem. Drill a few small holes in the wall next to the floor and a few near the roof this will also keep fresh air moving in and old out. It's all about fresh air we need it and the heater itself needs it. My brother bought the Big Buddy and this seemed like the the fix all until I read the Do not use post here. I hope this helps I hate to think people are getting this close to bad news with sunflower heaters. Vent and be careful.

[JIGLFIN]

Timber;

Venting is always key!

If this is a perminant,or perm sleeper, than a fully vented heater, backed with some venting and a CO detector is the key.

Think Safe!

JIGLFIN;

[Josh8481]

Yeah, that's another thing I found out the hard way this winter. I constantly get migraines, and a non-ventilated fishhouse is a sure-fire way to trigger one of them. I always thought that the misc. holes and gaps in the fabric would be enough, but that seems not to be the case.

[HoleHopper]

No way, not even close!!!

I use a sunflower in an Otter Lodge, and I always have my door at least 1/3rd open or more at the bottom, and the top flaps open.

Nomatter how cold it is!

Be carefull!!!!!! Them things really eat oxigen and dish out a lot more carbon dioxide than you would think!

I only use one becouse they are so reliable

[M.T. Bucket]

I don't want to wreck everyone's fun, but whether or not you get a headache isn't a very good indicator of whether your health is being affected. Some people simply don't get a headache. And guess what, there is a very real hazard known as chronic CO poisoning. This occurs when you are repeatedly exposed to lower levels of CO--less than it takes to get a headache or nausea.

chronic CO poisoning

Every time you go out and breath CO for a couple of hours--even if you feel no effects--you are taking a chance at effects that can last for weeks, months, or even permanently--long after the CO is "washed" out of your body. The effects are difficult to diagnose and mimic symptoms of "chronic fatigue syndrome, viral or bacterial pulmonary or gastrointestinal infection, excessive heat, etc." Some of the effects or chronic CO poisoning include:

-sleep disturbances

-neuropsychological disturbances

-muscle pain

-vomiting

-changes in vision

-ringing in the ears

-hypersensitivity to chemicals

-difficulty walking

-seizures

Very nasty stuff! Could be causing you long-term damage even when you notice nothing out in the fish house.

[Freemo]

If your heating a permanent shack you should pick up a PRO-COMM they burn 99% efficent, have a low 02 sensor and are priced reasonably. I switched all my houses to these infared style heaters last year in fear of C02 poisoning, people were complaining of eyes burning and headach's from box style and sunflower heaters.

[Freemo]

Thanks for the info bucket. I worry about getting CO poisoning when I auger out houses. letting the fumes from your auger clear out is key. I always seem to be in a hurry to catch fish

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

I know exactly what you are talking about. I used to get the same thing when I heated my garage with an LP torpedo heater. I have even noticed it in my clam if I stay submerged for a long period of time. Ventilate.

[MinnesotaMuskie]

Where does one find a PRO-COMM heater???

[wall_guy_101]

MinnesotaMuskie-

You can find a pro-comm heater at any northern tool and equipment. It will cost about $150 for a 20,000 btu. Even though they are 99.99% efficent you should still have a properly ventilated house as well as a co2 detector if you plan on sleeping in the house.I've slept in mine two weekends so far this year with zero problems.They are also very fuel efficient. Hope this helps...

[FISH NET]

I have a Fishtrap II and got tired of lifting it to vent out the sunflower fumes. I got a 6" to 3" adaptor and some 3" stove vent piping from the lumberyard. The adaptor and pipe hangs over the sunflower with some picture frame wire attached to it. I already had a tear in the canvas "A bit Used" to put the 3" pipe through. Not sure if this works with other coverings due to how hot the pipe gets. Now I can Breath and stay warm.

[Crappie Jigger]

Headache free now. I went from using a sunflower style heater to using the Big Buddy Heater. So far so good.