Heater for Fish Trap Voyager

[fishon68]

You guys helped with the flasher, now I need help figuring out which heater to go with, I was thinking about the big buddy but I am seeing lots of bad reviews, so any ideas would be appreciated.

[harvey lee]

I have the regular Buddy and it works fine but doesnt put out that much heat.

I use a sunflower type and that heats much better and never a problem.

[Surface Tension]

You'll need a sunflower to heat a voyager when the temps get cold.

[1lkstage]

I too use a sunflower. Works good. Tank is on the heavy side when full and keep it away from the canvess.

[me2]

the only thing i like about the big buddy is it doesnt stink and keeps the heat in front, my sunflower heater on a windy day the canvas was touching the back of the heater and burnt a hole in it,but wind puts the buddy out, bump it it goes out,electronic ignitor doesnt always work.

[slipperybob]

Big buddy all bad reviews??? It's because there's no competitor in that niche and we all want it to do more.

I sure don't miss jet engine roar of sunflowers.

[gonehunting]

I have a fishtrap voyager and heat it with the Mr. Heater Cooker sunflower style heater. I put my tank outside the house and use a 5' hose. I mounted the cooker heater on a 12"x12" piece of plywood for stability. I have fished out of this house for five years and never burnt a hole in the house. You just have to be careful of the placement and be aware of the heater everytime you open the door. I'm guessing you can burn a hole with the Big Buddy heater. I'm with you I wouldn't buy the Big Buddy with all of the recalls and bad reviews I've seen. Just my opinion however.

[Surface Tension]

Actually the Big Buddy is a nice heater and will heat the Voyager.

Pros over a sunflower: Its quite, more lower heat range options then a sunflower, and takes up less room.

Cons: It has a history of not working thus the recall. It has left me out in the cold on a few occasions and I finally said thats it. After recall, seems like restricted pilot lights are leaving others out in the cold as well.

They're expensive, you can get 3 sunflowers for the price of on Big Buddy.

If they change the design and go without a pilot light I might make the switch.

Then again.

Dyna Glow makes the equivalent to the Buddy and Big Buddy and for less money. I have two of the small sized Dyna Glows and I've never had a problem. They come with a travel case as well.

[mhjohns]

I use the Big Buddy in my Voyager. My heater is new and I'm having issues with the ignitor (when it's cold, kind of ironic). I've been carrying matches with me. The heater will keep the Voyager warm without a problem. We were just out with about 5 degree temperatures and 15 mph winds and after it warmed up you couldn't turn it up over medium.

I tried last year to heat it with the little buddy and that wasn't big enough when it got cold and windy. The fan on the big buddy is also nice.

I my opinion I would base your purchase on how you set up your house. If you fish a lot with the door open or don't seel off your air gaps get a sunflower. If you do a good job of setting up your house the big buddy is the way to go.

[Wanderer]

I'll second the heater/cooker set up. Thats what I use in my Voyager. I put a 20lb tank in a milk crate behind the seat and run a hose to the heater.

I also carry a tote with my lantern, extra mantles, white gas, mess kit, spare parts, and a couple 1 lb cylinders. That sits between the seats for running and storage. But while I'm fishing, I usually put it on the ice and set the heater on top. That way I have a table for cooking my soup and thawing my beer.

Two trips in -20 degree weather last year and pleased as punch!

The other consideration of a heater/cooker is when space and weight matter, you can operate off the aforementioned 1 lb cylinders.

[HeavyD]

I love my Reddy Hot Spot. It is a convection heater that puts out mucho heat. Different than the infrared heaters mentioned here and just as affordable.

[jigging-matt]

I use a Sunflower in my Voyageur, works great. I also put the Reflectix in the ceiling of it and we stay very comfortable in the house. I have thought about the big buddy, and for the price, and the number of problems, I think I will stick with a sunflower.

[sjburnt]

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[MuskieJunkie]

Quote:

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I'll second the heater/cooker set up. Thats what I use in my Voyager. I put a 20lb tank in a milk crate behind the seat and run a hose to the heater.

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Same here

[Scott K]

I have a sunflower heater and a big buddy now. The thing I hated about the sunflower heater is that it was to much heat on low. The thing I hate about the big buddy is that if you dont seal your house up good, the wind blows out your pilot light, when its windy. So now I just plan ahead, if its really cold and windy, I bring the sunflower heater. If its not windy, and not really cold, I bring the big buddy. I like the big buddy because of the heat output settings, low, low with fan on, meduim, medium with fan on, high, high with fan on, pretty much covers all temps. I only had mine a few days, but love it no problems so far!

[PierBridge]

I can't imagine not having all 3, Buddy, Big Buddy, Mr heater "cooker" I use the regular Buddy around town here for after work or short trips if it's above 10 degrees.

I use the 1 pounders with the Buddy which makes transporting and moving the heater around in the house a breeze, I'll bust out the Big Buddy and 11# tank and hose if it's going to be an all day or weekend trip and the MR Cooker is must on those longer or colder trips just in case "cold, failure".

I also have the Tee if I need both or I'm going to be cooking something.

I use the Buddy's 90 percent of the time or more for sure and couldn't be happier.

Never had a problem with the Big Buddy and the benefits out way the negatives IMO by a long shot.

As far the Mr Cooker being cheaper maybe initially but in the long run you will melt thing's, house, gloves, clothing, fishing poles, rod holders, and BRAIN CELLS...

[picksbigwagon]

I normally use a buddy heater in my voyager. I insulated it with reflectix and that made a world of difference. I do bring a sunflower along for those rare times it gets way below zero

[Heft]

I'm with HeavyD. I use a reddy heater also. It could be -30 outside with a strong wind and this thing will cook you out. You can also cook on it if needed. I have it between the two seats( where the third seat should be) and it heats nice, and it won't touch the fabric.

[FishingWebGuy]

Sunflower has more heat than you need for 1/3 the price of big buddy. If you are able to think about where you place it in the house and not burn your canvas, it is the best way to go.

It also has to be one of the most reliable heaters. I can't think of what could possibly go wrong with one in normal use.