need a heater for my wheel house...help please

[Ryan Becklund]

I am interested in getting a new heater for my 7.5 x 12 fishhouse. I don't know what brand or type and looking for advise. I am thinking something that would burn outside air and exhaust outside as well. Something safe. Thanks for the help all!

[JIGGS]

I have a house the same size. I have an Empire 15,000 BTU Direct-Vent heater. I am very satisfied, it also is the safest heater out there.

[Phred52]

Slayer73, One of the sponsors is Fish House Supply. Check on their HSOforum, The furnace you're describing FHS carries and is exactly what I have, The Atwood 16. It uses outside air for combustion and exhausts through the split vent. I have a 16k BTU in a 6.6'x16' wheelhouse. It does however require a 12v battery for the forced air blower. I like it, works well, highly recommend it. Phred52

[coldmark]

If I get an Empire, I'll get it at fishhousesupply. Their prices are good and guys seem to like their service. If I went cheaper, I would get the heater that Fleet Farm has on sale this week. It's a US Stove Company heater and is 18K BTU's. I'm not near a store so I can't tell you if that's a good unit or Chinesse junk. The specs are good but probably not made as good as the Empire.

Let us know what you buy.

[JIGGS]

I think a real advantage of the Empire Direct-Vent is that it does not require a battery. With the Atwood forced air unit if you don't have a battery or if your battery runs down - you don't have heat.

[broman]

I have the larger US Stove from Fleetfarm in my wheelhouse, 8 x 14 and love it so far.

[Blaze]

I'd recommend a direct vent, but if price prohibits, there are other decent options. We just put a NuWay 16K BTU stove in our 7x12 and it's a COOKER. After constantly fighting with our old heater last year, I'm really looking forward to this year. Think I'll fish in my skivvies! Doh!

[NAMASafetyDirector]

You may also want to check on hsolist once you have made a decision on what you want. There are lots of RV type vented furnaces on there in various BTU's. I have a 18,000 btu Atwood furnace in the SnoBear and it works pretty well, if you have enough battery they are a nice way to go.

[minnbowhunter]

I have Atwood unit in mine and love it, yes you need a 12 volt battery but how many wheelhouses are running around without one anyway. My brother has the Empire and it works great but, his house is 16 ft long with the heater in the front and the rear of the house is alot cooler that the front. He has the double doors in the back so that is partly to blame--lots of heat loss there. The Empire is set up so you can put a blower in later if you want. He does run a small 12 volt fan hanging from the cabinet in front but theres the 12 volt battery again. My son has a empire ceramic ventless, spendy unit but he likes it very easy on propane, I hate the blasted thing, a couple hours in the house and I have a sore thoat and my nose is all dried out. he says it does'nt bother him so maybe its just me.

One last thing, what ever you get when you store the house in the summer make sure you block the vent on the ouside of the house. Stuff in some steel wool or something. Don't ask me how I know. Ask the fammily of mice that took over inside the furnace 2 years ago. Took me a full day to find the problem and clean it all out. when it finally did light the smell was rank.

[broman]

There's an empire for sale on hsolist right now for $125.

[captainstevo]

The best heating system that I have fished with in a wheel house was robbed from an RV. An older and wiser man than myself had the great idea to start using RV parts when building a sleeper, hmmm humility tastes great, or at least i am learning to like it. Anyway the heater was mounted under a bench in the house and was great. It had its own CO2 detector a thermostat and was all set up for 12 v. I always set my sunflower up to take the freeze off of the house for the first hour but after that I am impressed. Look at RV junk yards they are a blessing for the pocketbook as well as great ideas.

[fishinalot]

Before I'd buy a used one from hsolist, I would have to have it demo'd first!!