Big Buddy Warning Help...

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

Ok, so I spent the bucks on a Big Buddy. As you know, it is approved for indoor use, has low O2 & tip over shutoff, etc.

Brought 'er home and saw a warning:

"! DO NOT sleep overnight while Heater is Operating".

I bought it for overnight use of it on the lake in my new Clam Fish Trap X2. It has 4 vents in it.

So, the question is, is that warning there simply for rare accidents, litigation protection, etc., or is there some real carbon monoxide concern...???

Thanks!

[Bobb-o]

I think it is just for litigation purposes. We have used Buddy heaters countless times in sleepers. but it is always a good idea to have a carbon monoxied detector in any fishhouse you plan on sleeping in. Do you plan on sleeping in a fishtrap? that cant be too comfortable.

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

Hey Bobb-o,

Yea, it'll be tight, but if I'm out by myself, I have a cot to throw in. I'm 6', but should fit no problem.

I'll run 'er off a 20lb tank outside.

Not sure if it's wise to sleep out by myself, but hey, I can't keep missing out just because I can't find friends that can do overnights...

Where can I find a battery carbon monoxide detector ?

Anyone else know of concerns ?

[Bobb-o]

battery carbon monoxide detectors are available at any hardware store, i do the same thing but i have an eskimo cabin style fishhouse, so i dont have the open floor to deal with.

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

Thanks for the info - I hear ya on the floor.

I have a couple different things I can throw onto the ice (plastic/cardboard or plastic/carpet) Any other clever ideas ??

[croixeyes]

Sure would suck to wake up dead...........wait,is that one of those oxysomethings

[Finns]

Remember that CO settles so keep bunks high.

Finns.

[JollyT]

Carbon monoxide is actually slightly lighter than air. Carbon Dioxide is denser than air, that's why the dry ice fog creeps along the ground. It's easy to mix the two up though. The CO is poisonous, it binds to your hemoglobin, so your body gets no oxygen. The carbon dioxide will just displace air so you suffocate. I guess dead is dead though.

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

So, does the Big Buddy give off Carbon Monoxide...???

[rmrakt]

99.99% efficient...low oxygen sensor shutoff.

I use it when I sleep in my shack but won't close my eyes unless I know I have a fresh battery in the Carbon Monoxide detector and an opened vent.

[Swimmer]

Yes, if there are no malfunctions, it is 99.99% efficient. I would think your main worry would be CO2 displacing O2, and since you have an low-O2 shutoff, you should be OK if you have ventilation. Good idea anyway to get the CO alarm. I have one in the basement, from Menards, and I think it was about $25. Wheres the ice dude?

[The_Duckslayer]

We just got some fire/smoke/co2 alarms at Menards on sale for less than 30 bucks. It will even tell you why it is going off. It is a small price to pay for the rest of your life... Better to error on the side of safety! Have a good one and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

I'll take your advice & get the CO detector just in case.

Question: Has anyone had one go off in a Fish House and what type of Heater did you have...???

[spotter]

When i first get to my house i use a sunflower heater to help get it up to temp, the C.O. detector does go off rather quickly, This reassures me that C.O. detector does work which nice to know. I also have a buddy heater that also sets the C.O. detector off but takes a little longer.

[Surface Tension]

The point that the Buddy burns 99.9% efficient as long as its working right and burning clean is worth mentioning again.

Any dust or dirt on the ceramic element will reduce that efficiency. Throwing the buddy in the back of your truck and driving down the road isn't good. If you don't have a travel case for your buddy at least save the box.

I've slept in the shack many times with a Dynaglo, same thing as the Buddy. I wouldn't dare do that without a CO detector and good ventilation.

[JollyT]

Also remember that a Buddy burns at 99.9% with a good supply of oxygen. As the oxygen gets depleted combustion will switch over to producing greater amounts of carbon monoxide, rather than carbon dioxide. This is the real reason for the low oxygen shut off. Not because you'll suffocate from lack of oxygen, but because the burner will produce carbon monoxide which will kill you.

[PierBridge]

Along with proper ventilation I ALWAYS have a window or Zipper open 3 or 4 inches......