Heaters

[d.roy]

I have a Mr. Heater cooker that has taken a dump on me. It was rattling around in my ice house behind the snowmobile and the thermocouple broke. Got a new part and put it in only to turn it on and find it doesn't burn right. It seems to be getting too much gas and is not burning completely - terrible smell and far too much heat, its scream'n like a jet engine ready to take off. Needless to say, I'm not going to be using it until it is fixed. Has anyone else had any trouble with these? I'm debating whether to fix it or buy a new heater. As for fixing it, was thinking about trying a new regulator. As for buying a new one, considering a buddy heater or a new heater cooker. Have used the buddy before in my house (trap guide) and it seems to heat it pretty well. What are you're thoughts on fixing v. buying new and which one to buy?

[Tripleplay]

Can't help you on fixin part as I'm not great at that kind of stuff.

On the other hand, I just bought a Buddy heater on sale (not advertised) at Fleet Farm in Brooklyn Park for $60. (that does not include any hoses). I also have a Guide and I can tell you even on low this past weekend it was heating up the house plenty warm. In fact I was switching back and forth to pilot just to keep from getting too hot.

(I bought a 5ft hose although I wish they had they 12ft version. Only ran on the 1lb disposables this weekend and really liked the setup.)

[fisherking01]

Many times the orfice becomes plugged. Take the control off of the heater(pan) and clean the orfice. They screw out and can be blown clean or washed, do not drill out. You should be able to see light clearly through it. Replace and put back together. pretty simple fix. fisherking01

[d.roy]

Thanks for the info - I likely need to clean or replace the regulator orafice. I think I may just buy a buddy heater though, especially after hearing how well it heated your house on low tripleplay - same house that I have. I'm headed up to red lake this weekend and really don't want to continue to have heater probs with the one I have - it will be moved to the bench as back up heater. Thanks for your thoughts.

[hanson]

d.roy-

Not to slam the buddy because I like mine a lot but I won't set foot on Red without my sunflower. Sometimes its colder and windier than you can imagine and you'll thank yourself for having the extra heat. Too much heat is better than not enough heat IMHO. It got down to -18 last Fri. evening up there and took until mid morning to get above 0.

[Tripleplay]

I took the recommendation of Pat at Thorne Brothers on not using a sunflower in the Guide as he also fishes out of a Guide at times and it is just too much heater for the smaller house (especially with the lower ceiling). I would have probably gone sunflower if I'd have gone any bigger on the house and I know Hanson has a bigger Otter that I checked out once and it definitely kept his Otter plenty toasty.

Remember it was pretty warm this past Saturday (I was at the Backwaters Brawl) and pretty decent on Monday out at Medicine, so it hasn't been tested on a really cold day but I never really needed the high setting, but I think it will do the job as the space inside the house just isn't that big of an area to heat.

[hanson]

Tripleplay-

You will like your Buddy Heater. I love mine. I use it in my little Otter Den a lot but when it is windy and cold, I still switch to a sunflower heater. What can I say? I like it warm.

You're right, I heat my Lodge with a heater/cooker and sometimes supplement that with a Buddy Heater. Like I said, I like it warm!

[Borch]

I picked up a Dynaglo this past week on Clearance for $40. Looks just like the Buddy heater and has worked great thus far in the Fish Trap Pro hooked up to a 5 lb tank.

[Gus]

Borch,

Where did you pick up the Dynaglo?

I just got a fish trap pro and I'm afraid my heater/cooker is going to smoke me out. post if you can or email me if your prefer. Thanks much.

[email protected]

[CornPirateKiller]

Home Depot has the Dynaglo units on clearance. Picked one up myself. Works great.

[Tripleplay]

I did forget to mention that I've already had a minor issue with a sunflower this winter. My son was fishing with Holehopper and Mrs. Holehopper in their Otter Cabin (he has 3 seats) since it was cold out and I didn't have my house yet.

Yep----stood up in the corner and roasted his rearend. Just a little smoke and melted snowpants! No injuries. So that also did have a little to play in my decision as the buddy sits lower and I don't have to worry about any more roasted fannies unless he's laying on the ice!!!

[leechlake]

Triple Play...got that beat. I moved my portable one day. Started the Mr Heater cooker/heater up and went to set a tip up. Minutes later I notice an orange glow coming from the portable. I unzipped and witness a nice sized fire which occurred because the hose to the propane was touching the medal of the heater. After a moment of panic I put the fire out. The hose was ruined. So...I then attached a 1 pound propane tank to the heater and commenced fishing. About 4 minutes later the heater got really cooking and started the rubber residue that was still on the heater on fire again. I kind of panicked and attempted to throw the heater into a hole, it bounced off of the ice and then blocked my exit (the other side of the house had a frozen zipper. I put the fire out luckily without injury... packed up and went home before I really hurt myself.

[gspman]

Leech,

Was there circus music playing while you were doing all of this?

gspman

[GoodToGo]

I too have heard the hissing that goes with a melted Mr Heater cooker hose and have felt the panic that goes along with a gas leak inches away from an open flame. Not good!!!

[leechlake]

How many bad thoughts can go through your mind in 1/10 of a second when you have the 20# propane tank full and a hose on fire? Get's the blood going for sure!

[Borch]

Quote:

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Home Depot has the Dynaglo units on clearance. Picked one up myself. Works great.

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That's the place. Got the last one in St. Cloud. Check Bemidgi for another but they were gone already.

[nluchau]

I picked up a Dynaglow today at Home Depot and it seems to work pretty good. How does it work if their is a breeze out. Do you think it will heat a 5x6 ice house pretty well? Also can you hook up a 20lb lp tank with a hose to it?

Thanks

[nluchau]

Quote:

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Quote:

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Home Depot has the Dynaglo units on clearance. Picked one up myself. Works great.

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That's the place. Got the last one in St. Cloud. Check Bemidgi for another but they were gone already.

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Fargo Home Depot has about 6-7 left. I got one with a handy travel bag. 40 bucks

[nluchau]

Setup my clam 5600 in the garage to test out the Dynaglow - I am not too happy with it. It gets fairly comfortable in the house but not too warm. This was on high too. I'd hate to replace the 1lb tanks every 3 1/2 hours. I am better off with a single sunflower Mr.Heater on the 20lb. It may take up more space but its warmer. my 2 cents