Big buddy Heater

[Coldwater Crappie Guy]

I just bought the Big Buddy heater and just want to know if that is enough heater to keep the Clam yukon that I just bought warm enough? I hope it will be enough to keep it warm on the coldest day's....thanks for the help.

[Walleyeguy31]

Should be plenty of warmth for the Yukon.I heat my Eskimo quickflip III with one, and it works better than fine.

[Lazy Mike]

Coldwater,

I have a Yukon that I heat with a Big Buddy. I place the Big Buddy behind and between the two seats on a small cooler. I had to build a small flat wood floor behind the seats so that the cooler/heater would sit level and not slide on the ridges of sled floor. I fished Vermilion this past weekend with the heater on low and stayed fairly warm, however I was wearing quite a bit of clothing. I probably should have run the heater on high, but I was trying to stretch my last 5lb. propane tank. Keeping the heater behind me leaves more floor space for camera, vex and my 5 year old son. I think you will be happy with your purchase. Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions.

[slicerboy]

I too have a yukon and big buddy, once I get inside with the door shut, I put the heater in front of me on low so I catch the radiant heat as well. As the heater doesn't get hot on the back, I can place it all the way against the door, with the door window flap/cover closed. This leaves plenty of floor space. I do like the idea of putting it behind me, but that's where I throw my jacket once it gets toasty warm inside...

[njsimonson]

I have a regular Buddy and it heats up my Clam Guide nicely, and the Buddy has a max of 9,000 BTU, so I'm guessing double the BTU on the Big Buddy, and you should be more than fine.

[BIG DIESEL]

I have the Voyaguer and started with the Mr. Buddy - then upgraded to the Big buddy, didnt think it got warm enough and now switched to the normal Mr Heater sunflower style that sits on the ice with the 20lb tank outside. Me and my buddy have agreed that the one we have now heats the house a lot warmer than the big buddy. Plus, the big buddy is $130 and the Sunflower heater is only $40 plus the hose of $20. I had to run the Big Buddy on medium or high pretty much all the time and the Mr heater I run on low or medium. I like it warm in my house (50-60 degrees) and sit in a long sleeve T-shirt and jeans. Just giving you my 2 cents!

[slicerboy]

the question is do you get headaches from the sunflower heater or any battle wounds (burns in tent, self, gear) to show? I do agree that the price is right for the cooker style heater, but it really depends on your preference / tolerance. I think the buddy works enough for me and keeps the place warm with the fan for circulation

[EBass]

I thought the big buddy and the sunflower had the same max BTU 18,000 I thought. I have the big buddy and I think it's great. But I also like the sunflower to. I bring the big buddy fishing and the sunflower heats up the garage. BUt I have an otter cottage which is kinda small for a sunflower. OK I just rambled on bout nothing.

[Law Firm]

How does the Big Buddy compare with the Sunflower for headaches? On calm days where ventilation isn't the best, the sunflower heater tends to give me headaches. I've never used a Big Buddy, but it sounds like something that I should consider. How many hours use do you get if the unit is on medium?

[slicerboy]

depends on how you hook it to gas. I'd imagine 6 - 8 hours on med with 2 lbs of propane. After switching to a buddy heater, headaches gone. Each person is a little different...

[smmurphy]

Sunflowers always gave me a headache also. This year I upgraded to the big buddy and no more headaches.

I also bought an Eskimo Lodge (roughly 8 x 8 x 6.5) and it heats the shelter up enough s that I can fish in jeans and a sweatshirt.

[LaVoi]

Correct me if I am wrong but headaches from the sunflowers are caused by a lack of oxygen and too much carbon dioxide in the house, right? I have never used a big buddy but they are supposed to have a carbon monoxide detector and will automatically shut off when levels get high. Of course, you are sacrificing a lot of BTU's with the buddy instead of the sunflower.

[Law Firm]

Without knowing much about the BB heaters, a CO sensor would definitely be a nice feature. Has anyone ever heard of someone dying in a fish house because of CO poisoning? I'm sure this is very possible, I just have no first hand knowledge of it.

[nytelyter]

yes it does happen i think last time i heard of one was about three years ago guy thought he was building an air tight fish house and they found him dead on tonka as i recall he was right, it was air tight i think he used tyvek and all. so yes you can and will die from it if you are not careful.

[slicerboy]

I still let a nice airflow run through the shack as a precaution. The buddy does have an oxygen sensor that will shut the heater off if oxygen leves get low.

[smmurphy]

The Big Buddy heater actually puts out more heat than the single burner sunflower.

Quote:

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Mr. Heater Original Tank Top Heaters

From the duck blind to the garage, these handy heaters can be used anywhere you need a boost of warmth to enjoy yourself or to just get the job done. They run on propane from a bulk tank (Mini uses a disposable tank), and all have electric spark ignition (except triple) and three-position (Hi-Med-Low) regulator. Triple Burner Heater can run one, two or three burners at a time with a maximum of 42,000 BTU. Double Burner can operate one or two burners at a time with a maximum of 28,000 BTU. Single Burner and Mini Heater have a maximum of 14,000 BTU. Safety shut-offs and soft-nose P.O.L.

Mr. Heater Portable Big Buddy Heater

With the output to heat up to 400 square feet for up to 120 hours on a bulk cylinder, this powerful little heater is ideal for taking the chill off almost anyplace you need extra warmth. And because it's equipped with a low-oxygen shut-off pilot safety, it can be used safely in tents, blinds, ice shacks and other enclosed areas. Three settings let you adjust the heat from 4,000, to 9,000 or 18,000 BTUs/hr. Two one-pound propane cylinders provide from 6 to 12 hours of radiant and convection heat for maximum efficiency. It even includes a blower fan, powered by four D-cell batteries (batteries not included) so you can direct warmed air into chilly corners or other hard-to-heat areas. A storage bay accommodates up to 12 feet of hose, sold separately, for use with bulk propane cylinders. Recommended for use at altitudes below 7,000 feet.

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[Coldwater Crappie Guy]

Thanks to all of you who answered my question! I will give the Big Buddy a try the next time I am out. I do like the fact that it is vent-less! That make a world of difference to me....But I will have my Sunflower just in case it dont cut the cake! Thank again to all of you! Good luck!