What a relief?

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I bought a portable buddy heater, and it didn't keep my portable shelter warm. Lucky for me the store took it back for a trade in on a big buddy heater. Figured it should keep my shak warm considering it should put more heat out then my sunflower heater.

[Huntin&Fishin]

Ya I don't like those smaller buddy heaters, they don't put out much heat in an ice house.

[zamboni]

I think I told you that, didn't I? The Mr Buddy would be perfect for something like a PakShack, anything bigger and you need a Big Buddy

[Deitz Dittrich]

As stated the buddie doesnt kick out a ton of heat.. but the big buddie will not kick out as much heat as the sunflower either.. My Big Buddie keeps me warm enough, but not as warm as the sunflower.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Quote:

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the big buddie will not kick out as much heat as the sunflower either.

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BIG BUDDY HEATER-Multi-position heat settings of 4,000, 9,000 and 18,000 BTU/HR control comfort level.

SINGLE TANK TOP SUNFLOWER-Variable Output - 8, 12 and 14,000 BTU/HR.

I LOOKED AT THE BTU PER HOUR, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE BIG BUDDY ON THE HIGH SETTING SHOULD PUT OUT JUST AS MUCH HEAT HAS THE SUNFLOWER. OR DOESN'T THE BTU/HR EQUATE TO HEAT IN THE SHAK. (UNLESS YOU WHERE TALKING ABOUT THE DOUBLE AND TRIPLE TANK TOP SUNFLOWERS.)

I'm not sure how to tell how much heat a heater will kick out. When the buddy portable didn't heat the shak, I looked on the MR. Heater web page and figured the BTU/HR would be the way to tell. Looking at the BTU/HR I then upgraded to the big buddy figuring it would put out heat comparable to or better then my single sunflower Am I on the right track? If not, can someone point me in the right direction.

[Eric Wettschreck]

The BTU/Hr rating is deceptive.

Just grab a hold of a sunflower while it's lit, or recently shut off and you will soon find out that it's darn hot. That was said in jest. Don't grab a lit sunflower heater as it will burn you big time.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Agro- those numbers surprise me.. You should be able to look at BTU... All I know is, I have a big buddie,and a sunflower... and the sunflower on high will cook me right out of my Otter Cabin...

[Eric Wettschreck]

Deitz and ag, the BTU rating is coming from the heating element itself. On the buddy and big buddy the element is the ceramic element on the front of the unit. No other heat is radiated from the unit.

On a sunflower the BTU rating is based on the radiant heat from the front of the unit. We all know almost the same amount of heat comes from the rear of a sunflower that does from the front. Don't believe me? Touch the back of a lit sunflower to the side of your portable. Then go buy a patch.

Hence the deciving BTU/Hr rating. The sunflower may emit, say, 9000 BTU from it's heating front, but at the same time it's blowing another 4000 from the rear.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Leave it to a guy that works on Boilers to be smart on the subject.

[Pleasant]

Oh I agree the Sunflower heater seems to put out much more heat. But I really like my big buddy as it seems to be more controllable for obtaining a comfort level and works well even on the coldest days when there is wind chill. Also I have not melted anymore holes in my portable or burned my fingers lately LOL

Lynn J

[Hecker]

I tried a big buddy last year and it was a joke. The btu ratings are either overrated on the big buddy or under rated on the sunflower. The sunflower on low was way hotter than the big buddy on High. I don't know about any of you but I like to take my jacket off when I fish also not having the holes freeze up is always a plus.

My vote for the $40 sunflower

[JigginIsLife]

agreed, except when bringing little kids, i remember when i was a kid i went through 3 jackets after ice fishing started. i melted those jackets like there was no tomorrow. as long as your careful sunflowers are the way to but thats my option.

[Sutty]

I am pretty sure I could heat my home with my sunflower, In fact if there is such a thing as global warming I am quite sure it is me running my heater.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Quote:

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Leave it to a guy that works on Boilers to be smart on the subject.

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Even a blind squirrel eventually finds a nut.

[Shack]

I will be buried with my sun flower!

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Quote:

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I am pretty sure I could heat my home with my sunflower, In fact if there is such a thing as global warming I am quite sure it is me running my heater.

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lol You and Chuck Norris must be relatives. I heard it was because chuck got cold and turned up the heat. Go figure.

[slipperybob]

Is that why the convection style heaters are so much more effecient?

[buzbunni]

Let me go against the grain here. I like my portable buddy heater. I have a FishTrap Pro, and it is the perfect size for that shelter. I prefer the porta-buddy over the sunflower unit(which I also own)because there is less chance of a flame-up(cramped quarters), and it's not as noisy as the sunflower. I have also used it in my 5600, and it worked great. I'm not advising anyone to ever trust the low-oxy senser on these things, but I have used the portable buddy on overnights, and felt a bit more comfortable (safety wise)when sleeping(kept a window cracked though). I do use my sunflower on occasion, but I have to say, I prefer the portable buddy in most instances.

Oh yeah, I'm also carrying around some extra hereditary insulation; I'm sure that helps .

[curt quesnell]

Hi Everyone,

I like this topic. I think it comes down to having the

right heater and the right sized heater for the house you

fish out of. Your comfort level is also determined by

what the individual wants.

I love my sunflower heater, durable tough and reliable.

When I fish in my Polar Sport one man house I cant use the

sunflower or I would cook. I can heat the single man house

with my Coleman North Star Lantern or the Coleman Pro Cat

heater. Neither is useful the Otter Lodge.

I like the looks of the buddy heaters but they would not

be enough for the big portable and I am covered two deep

on small heaters already.

The Buddy Heater is durable and easy to use. Friends of

mine who have them love em

[walleyedan]

Maybe you should get a bigger buddy then big D

Walleyedan