The New Mr Heater Big Buddy

[Muskieguy]

Has anybody purchased the Big Buddy (up to 18,000BTU) since the recall? I am looking for a heater to heat my 24 foot RV during deer season. I am trying to decide which of the following 2 heaters to buy. The Mr Heater Big Buddy or a wall mounted ventless style (both are basically the same thing, Buddy is portable, other is not). I worry about the reliability of the Mr Heater, but like the fact that it is portable.

Which one should I buy?

Muskieguy...........

[Jeremy airjer W]

I would consider a good wall mounted vented heater along with a quality CO/smoke detecor. As far as the reliabilty of the big buddy, we'll find out this winter. last winter mine performed without any problems. It was the model that ended up being exchanged for a new one for the recall. I haven't fired it up yet but I'm confident in having another mis-hap free ice fishing season. I used the buddy heater before the big buddy was introduced and never had a problem with it either.

[GoodToGo]

Isn't the big buddy a radient heater, where the ventless blue flame is convection? I went blue flame vent free last year, with a CO alarm, and was extremeley happy with the amount and type of heat it put out. A 24' camper may be too much for a radient heater.

[Muskieguy]

Do you run yours off of a 20lb LB tank? I thought I read that you need to buy the filters or the heater will clog up with impurities from the lp gas?? I plan on buying the 12 foot cord to run outside to the lp bottle. Any tips for that?

Muskieguy.....

[Jeremy airjer W]

Muskie,

I was under the impression that the filter was to keep crud out of the heater orifices. I've never been able to find them and I've never used them. I do however use brand new tanks. I think these "filters" are only stopping little rust particles aor simuliar debrix, but don't quote me on that. I have been using a five or six foot hose on either a twenty or an eleven pound tank. apperently there is a hose available with the R.V. quick connect on it that is supposed to work better in the extreme cold. I can't remeber the specifics on that also but someone will probably post it after reading this.