Forced Air Furnace or Blue Flame Heater???

[love to hunt]

You can solve the heat issue with 2 fixes.

1) take the temperature bulb (a copper piece about the size of a straw connected to a copper line) and relocate it outside the heater. I would say about 8-12" above the floor and 1-2" away from the heater. Take care not to break or kink the copper line connected to it.

2) Install a fan of some kind. I use a 6" 12V fan like you see on the school bus dash. You can get them from any auto parts store, J C Whitney, Fish House Supply.... Mount it near the ceiling blowing down across the heater. I also hooked mine up to a cycling timer so it runs for 15 out of every 30 minuites.

You will not believe the difference it makes.

[JohnMickish]

The problem with moving the thermocouple away from the heater is you just removed the most important safty device it has. It is designed to shut off the flow of gas in the event the flame goes out. Now if it goes out the gas stays on.

[love to hunt]

Quote:

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The problem with moving the thermocouple away from the heater is you just removed the most important safty device it has.

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I didn't say move the thermo coupler, you can't do that and have that heater run properly.

I said move the temperature bulb, 2 different things with 2 different functions.

The thermo coupler does exactly what you said and shuts off the gas in the event the pilot light goes out.

The temp bulb is what tells the heater to light the burner when the room gets cold and in turn turns off the burner when the desired temp is achieved.

The temp bulb is usually located at the bottom on the heater on the back side of the case. It is about 4" long and about the diameter of a straw. It never comes in to contact with the flame so it shoud be a nice copper color.

I relocate this bulb with the DV heaters as well and it really helps keep the house at the correct temp.

This is the ventless I use to heat my garage and it works great.

These 2 show my fish house, NOTE: The fan for circulation

[JohnMickish]

Opps. Your right, I got the two confused.

[love to hunt]

It's Monday, no harm done.

Are you going to be at the portable get to gether on the 23rd.

I am looking forward to meeting some of the faces behind the user names.

Hope to see you there.

[JohnMickish]

I'm planning on being there but don't know if I'm going to bring the portable or not. It's going to come down to if I want to drive the pickup ($$) or car.

[coldmark]

For you guys with ventless heaters, how big do I need to go? My shack is 8x14 with decent insulation (not great). I was wondering if I could get by with a 10,000 btu blue flame or infrared. Or should I go bigger? I don't need it 75 degrees in there. Thanks.

[love to hunt]

If your insulation is in question I would go with 15,000. 10,000 would probably do it but it will run more ofter thus using more propane.

[coldmark]

When I said my insulation wasn't great, I should have said it's "unknown". I bought that foil bubble wrap stuff because the price was right and it is so easy to install. The manufacturers make r-value claims that many question, but for an ice shack I thought, what the heck. So far I like it, but I haven't had to keep anything warm yet. I'll let you know how it works in January.

[coldmark]

I really couldn't find anything locally so I think I'm going to order a 15,000 BTU infrared model online. I found it for under $120 delivered. It does not have a thermostat, that would be twice the price. Any thoughts?

[Eric Wettschreck]

I have what's called the "Outdoorsman" made by Reddy. I know, fancy schmancy name.

My 8 x 12 house is downright hot with this puppy. It has a thermostat and is pretty much most of the time burning low or off. 10,000 btu with this bad boy.

If your insulation is questionable, this may be the way you wanna go. It costed me about 130 bucks and was worth every penny.

[coldmark]

I was looking at the Outdoorsman but wasn't sure if 10,000 btu was enough, but it sounds like it would be. I think that model is rated for 20 lb. tank too. I might give that one another look. Thanks a lot!

[fishinalot]

Infared heaters heat objects and not the air. Blue flames heat the air and not the objects. Personal opion is this... Both heat great! Both suck to control the heat!! You will get what you pay for out there. I'll stick with the thermostat and direct vent,and go to sleep knowing I will wake up the next morning!