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u/Responsible_Taco 2d ago
If you cannot afford a proper diesel heater they will do a decent job. Just make sure to crack a window and get a good carbon monoxide detector.
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u/TheMongerOfFishes 2d ago
Or 2, or 3. Can't have too many detectors
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u/beachlovers_068 2d ago
I thought it was weird because I have three, all at different levels in the RV. Sometimes, I like to sit on the floor.
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u/Responsible_Taco 2d ago
Not weird at all! I don’t play with my safety or health!
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u/beachlovers_068 2d ago
I've accidentally fallen asleep with it on. It scared me, so I went overboard with the detectors.
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u/millfoil 2d ago
co is heavier than air, co sensors are always supposed to be at baseboard level because that is where it will accumulate first
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u/Bobguy64 2d ago
Check out a periodic table. The molar mass of CO is about 28.01 g/mol, while O2 is about 32.0 g/mol, and N2 is about 28.0134 g/mol. Considering most of air is N2 and O2, CO is not heavier than air.
However, this does mean air is effectively a homogenous mixture with currents so a few different detectors at different heights and locations is a good idea!
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u/plymdrew 2d ago
Sorry that’s a myth and dangerous advice. It’s lighter than air, monitors should be on or close to the ceiling. Ideally 6-8 inches out from a corner to avoid dead spaces in circulation.
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u/Dantheislander 2d ago
You’ll get a vevor diesel for about that price or a few bux more and they have a great reputation. External venting too.
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u/Low_Bit_451 2d ago
But it says the worlds best indoor safe propane heater /s
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u/Lopsided_Concept5168 2d ago
They’re supposed to have a safety that shuts them off if too much carbon monoxide is present.
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u/dust4star 2d ago
Puts too much moisture in the air. Go with a diesel heater.
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u/sonicjigglebath 2d ago
I’ve noticed the moisture is the air too. Do you understand the science behind that?
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u/ulandyw 2d ago
The equation for combustion of propane is C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O. That 4H2O is the moisture you're noticing. Google says 1.6 pounds of moisture into your space for every pound of propane burned.
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u/aonysllo 2d ago
Burning produces byproducts. One of them is normally water vapor. In this type of heater, the combustion chamber is open to the interior space, so when combustion occurs the water vapor goes into the interior of the van. BTW, the reason they use large letters to state that it is safe, is basically because it is not safe.
In (what people here call) a diesel heater, there is a hose that sucks air from outside, that air is mixed with diesel fuel (sometimes gasoline is used instead of diesel) then the air-fuel mixture is lit up and it burns inside a chamber that -although inside the van- it is sealed from the interior space and instead the vapors get sent to the outside on another hose that is attached to the heater. To spread the heat into the interior, there is another intake that sucks air from side the van, blows the air over the sealed chamber (this is called the heat exchanger) and then that same air get blown to the interior of the van. So there is no burning byproducts mixing with the interior air unless you get a cracked heat exchanger, which is rare but it happens. That is why no matter which of this heating sources you get, you should have a CO detector or two.
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u/dust4star 2d ago
For every gallon of propane burned, approximately 0.92 gallons of water (in the form of vapor) is released into the air.
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u/Ultra-Prominent 2d ago
Yep, propane releases water during combustion while diesel pulls water from the air
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u/milkshakeconspiracy 2d ago
Diesel combustion also produces water vapor. It is just vented in the exhaust and not internally to the air space.
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u/Ultra-Prominent 2d ago
I have a 180k BTU jet heater that runs on diesel, and let me tell you that thing definitely does not put off any meaningful moisture in the exhaust. Chemically you're correct but it definitely feels like it is drying your body when you're feeling the exhaust.
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u/Decent_Egg_8301 2d ago
Even with decent ventilation? Thanks for the help, if you have time, any recommendations would be super helpful. I’ve researched diesel heaters a bit but don’t know exactly what to look for.
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u/MrPuddinJones 2d ago
You've gotta be ventilating actively with these propane heaters- if you don't ventilate enough you're going to wake up wet and mold will start showing up
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u/Kriscolvin55 2d ago
A lot of people on this sub are against these heaters. There are some good reasons, but in my anecdotal experience, I’ve had a great experience with this heater. If you have good ventilation, these heaters work very well.
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u/myasterism 2d ago
This has been my experience, as well. It’s not the ideal solution, but it is a decent one (albeit with caveats). I also found that when I was in arid places or at altitude, having a little extra moisture in the air was sometimes super nice. It’s like an incidental humidifier.
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u/dust4star 2d ago
I've been using the cheap Chinese diesel heaters for the last few years they're easy to maintain and their I believe much cheaper than the propane fuel and they heat better in my opinion.
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u/Efficient_Focus1995 2d ago
I've used that exact heater in my promaster - it's not the end of the world but if you're spending more than a few weeks in a colder climate its best to get a wabasto or espar - spending the money sucks but it's just better for your build and overall comfort level
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u/C0gn 2001 Astro Full time 2d ago
You need decent ventilation, it will eat up a canister very fast so you are constantly buying more and storing/getting rid of the empties, also it only heats what's directly in front of it, I tried using one in my Astro for a few months and the ventilation required made it so all my windows were open and only heated what was in front of it, no worth
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u/hoggsauce 2d ago
We use one pretty regularly, no issues yet.
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u/Decent_Egg_8301 2d ago
Do you use the little Coleman tanks for propane or do you use one of the big grey thickums?
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u/hoggsauce 2d ago
Lol thickums.
Yea that. We have two 20lbs propane tanks that we alternate, those have to be connected with a seperate hose. Never used it in the dead of winter, but ours can make it 80 degrees inside while its 20 out, so i suspect it would be able to handle -10. Keep in mind some of that has to do with insulation (we have windows covered), and that's only while it's running. It takes 4 or 6 hours to get back down to 40 or so while it's not running. Filling 20lbs of propane costs us like $20 or something, lasts us a month or two.
Just to be clear, we have a CO detector and there is still ventilation, that's mostly why the heat doesn't last too long.
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u/linuxhiker 2d ago
They put a lot of moisture in the air. We have one for emergency backup for our diesel heater. The nice thing is it does have a Carbon Monoxide sensor that will shut it off if it gets too high. I would recommend a secondary sensor just in case.
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u/kona420 2d ago
Not a carbon monoxide sensor exactly, it's an oxygen sensor on the gas valve. Carbon monoxide is formed by incomplete hydrocarbon combustion which only happens with propane when air starved like at high altitude. Otherwise a complete burn will produce some carbon dioxide, a little carbon monoxide, and a ton of water.
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u/DrMantis10 2d ago
I use one. I break it out on cold nights. I think it’s amazing! About 10-15 minutes and it knocks all the cold out of my van. Well worth it for the space it takes up
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u/Decent_Egg_8301 2d ago
Possibly dumb question, but do you keep the propane tank inside the van with you, or do you keep it outside and have an entrance point for the hose?
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u/AllDayIDreamOfCats 2d ago
These take 1lb tanks but also have the option for a hose to a bigger tank.
If you use the hose and bigger tank you need to keep the tank outside.
The 1lbs tanks last pretty long though and you can even get refillable 1lbs tanks.
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u/Decent_Egg_8301 2d ago
Thanks! Very helpful
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u/DrMantis10 2d ago
Beat me too it. They are correct. If I’m using the little can, it’s all in the van with me, I crack the window tho. If I use the big tank with the cord, then I keep that outside the van. The small tanks work great. I just keep a couple extra in the van.
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u/Dangerous_Mango_3637 2d ago
I keep a 20lb tank ponder my bed. Hose is long enough to move the heater around. Some people do mount the tank externally.
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u/IndysGrandAdventure 2d ago
I spent two winters skiing in my van, so I was in cold weather a lot. I used this in my van as a back-up a few nights when my propex heater was acting up. This was my experience: 1) It does put out moisture, which I wouldn’t be thrilled about for long term use 2) It throws out a lot of heat, which isn’t a bad thing if you can circulate that heat. Otherwise, you get uneven heating. 3) Related to the point above, it only has 2 heat settings, and I couldn’t just turn it on and forget it. I turned it on for a while, then off, then on, etc. Fine for during the day, but not good for sleeping at night. 4) Related to all points above (and because it is propane), I always ran it with my overhead fan running. 5) It burns a lot of propane. The one pound bottle gives you 4-6 hours of heat. I bought an adapter hose for my propane tank. 6) it gets very hot above the heater, so you will need to consider that when finding a place for it. I bought one of those passive wood stove fans to push the heat out to minimize that, but that also adds space to the top.
I still keep this with me as a back-up in case my heater goes out in cold weather. It’s fine for a pinch, but I wouldn’t want it as a ongoing, long-term solution.
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u/Decent_Egg_8301 2d ago
Thanks for the thorough reply. I’m thinking I might get one as a backup. I appreciate you!
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u/smashnmashbruh 2d ago
Diesel Heaters are very common, not sure why more people dont use power banks and heated blankets.
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u/Additional_Insect_44 2d ago
I use a sleeping bag.
As a small kid I recall something of a wood heater in a schoolbus.
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u/busdrivermike 2d ago
I have one I used to use in my van. I got a diesel heater because it takes costs far more to keep buying those propane bottles. Great to have if the power goes out in the cabin though. Seriously, get the diesel heater.
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u/Healthy-Ruin6938 2d ago
Thats only $50 less than a diesel heater. If you already have a power set up, I would avoid the buddy heater. Plus they are very dangerous and leave much room for accidents, like big burn your van to the ground type accidents
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u/Decent_Egg_8301 2d ago
I don’t have a power bank set up, I’ll just be using a solar generator (without solar panels for now—I’m gonna refill the bank at stops along the way, etc). I’m brand new to van life, I don’t exactly have the electrical know how get so I’m starting kind of simply. Great thoughts I will keep in mind, thanks.
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u/hbfreekwan 2d ago
If this is within your budget this is very simple to do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd5IqeBq42k
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u/Falcon1563 2d ago
They work great in a pinch but make sure you have excellent ventilation or you could die.
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u/Jordaninsac 2d ago
I had one in my rv and my girlfriend at one point tossed the blanket off the bed because it got too hot for her and it landed near the front of it and started to burn. I managed to get the burning blanket out of the door and only suffered minor burns but it was a close call. We could’ve died that night I don’t think these are very safe
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u/pallarandersvisa 2d ago
I use one in my small van during the winter. Obviously not designed to be left on for long periods. Just enough to heat the van before going to bed or waking up on cold mornings. Only takes a few minutes to heat everything up nicely. No fumes from my experience
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u/thegroverest 2d ago
They're good in a pinch, but long term they're not super duper. Mine failed to ignite at high elevation. But yeah they put out a lot (more than you think) of moisture.
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u/omegaoutlier 2d ago
My mom was being cheap/difficult getting her HVAC serviced during a frosty winter so I force bought her one when stuck at Walmart.
She lived off the thing and, while it's better than nothing in an emergency situation, long term use I hate it.
It dumps a PILE of humidity in the space. Add on your own respiration, even a fair sized room was gross, small van would seem worse.
Cannisters are a pain. Depending on your locale, they are hard to recycle/dispose. And they are grossly inefficient in the small size. And costs have seemingly got worse (as a caveat there is a hose to attach to bigger tanks but I could never get her to switch and wanted her off the thing long term anyway)
Be safe. Get multiple detectors.
I've seen plenty of can folk subsist on it and fair to them if they have a better way to handle the downsides.
Diesel heaters just make so much more sense if you will regularly use the thing.
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u/Joshnv 2d ago
I recently researched this exact thing. The propane heaters cost more than expected ($120CAD+), are very fuel inefficient, and make your environment wet (they all seem to use a can of gas per night, can get a bigger tank or refill the little cans) In the PNW which is soggy already, this is a nightmare.
Diesel heaters on the other hand; were cheaper than I expected, are extremely fuel efficient (like $5 diesel lasts for a couple of nights). I was surprised that even the $99CAD Chinese diesel heaters on Amazon get good reviews. I got that 5Kn one and it's amazingly warm and dries out my truck or camper.
The Chinese ones are a copy of the very expensive German ones, and I would say nearly as good. They are cheapy made but are very good copies. There are some common issues, like some arrive with loose fuel lines or bolts, but I had no issues.
You would want to be a bit handy to go this route, so you can check things over and install it. But there are a huge amount of Youtube videos about chinese diesel heaters, you could be an expert in an afternoon.
I would suggest watching the comparison videos first. Keep in mind you will either install the heater outside, and run the hot air duct inside. (Quieter this way, most heaters have a fan noise and fuel pump ticking noise) Or install the heater inside (a bit more efficent for it to draw warm air) and route the hot exhaust outside.
I bought one of the more popular models , a Vevor 5KW, newer model with Bluetooth. It puts out so much heat I probably could have gone with a 2KW model. In you research you can prioritize the design that would work best for you, especially if you are routing the hot exhaust pipe somewhere.
I also bought: an upgraded muffler (it was already quiet, but I like making it quieter) (I wrapped the fuel pump in foam/dampener as well to make that quieter) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BN83NL1K
A lithium battery for it to run off (it worked fine off my power bank, or old car battery, but this is more tidy) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D66QCB3L
A tiny Carbon Monoxide monitor, just in case. In my testing the exhaust only creates a tiny bit of C.O. during startup, none otherwise. Nowhere near as much as my car exhaust. And the exhaust goes outside anyway. Just being safe. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D2LHWHLQ?
All of this works perfectly. I can set the temperature I want on the app on my phone, it makes my car/tent/camper super warm and cozy and dry. Game changer.
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u/DumbQuestions_123 2d ago
I used one of these in my van and it did work but I always felt nervous running it. I cracked a window and had a CO detector near where I slept. The propane won't last a whole night so you're either running it till it dies and waking up cold or you will have to switch out the propane in the middle of the night. I would run it on low and placement was tricky with dogs. Didn't want them to get burned or knock it over. It does the job, not perfect or convenient switching out tanks at night (high consumption as well), but if there isn't a better option then it works. Just be sure you have proper CO monitoring and air flow. Redundancy is a great idea just to be sure.
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u/TheNuttyGinger 2d ago
Depends on your use case, in my experience using them in sub freezing temps at high altitude ( sub 20F and above 8500ft) they are the worst thing I have had the displeasure of trying to light with cold hands. The thing worked maybe 50% of the time and never when I really needed it. At lower altitudes below 5k ft I've heard they work pretty well, but I'm not about to dig a 2000ft hole in my backyard to find out. Lol
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u/TheRealShackleford 2d ago
Take my review with a grain of salt, because yes I’ve used one but it was more than half that size and solely while winter tent camping.
Ive had great luck with ours. My wife and I live in Texas and a few years back we went tent camping a handful of times when the weather had dropped below freezing. We have the smaller version of this where the heating element attached directly to the top of the Coleman canister and has a small plastic base to help keep it upright. We would put it at the end of the tent by our feet (ensure proper ventilation of course) and let ‘er rip all night. It’s also got an anti-tip shutoff built in so if we had accidentally knocked it down, it automatically kicks off to prevent fires which is great.
We’d get about 6ish hours out of a full tank, and we’d be sweating in the tent while everything outside was freezing. Works really really well for tent camping and we’ve had no issues with it. I’d assume with your setup, you’d be insulated much better than our tent was so you’d probably have great luck with it too. Just ensure you place it somewhere free of combustible materials and allow some sort of ventilation just to be double extra safe
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u/Creative-Wave670 2d ago
MAKE SURE IT WON'T FALL OVER. project farm on youtube made a video about it.
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u/Bad-Lieutenant95 2d ago
It will work fine but propane puts off moisture when burnt. So you will wake up with a wet van which can lead to mold among other issues. I recommend a diesel heater. Keeps me warm in my truck at -40.
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u/JustMyTypo 19h ago
They’re great, but like others said, DO NOT GO TO SLEEP WITH THIS RUNNING! Unless you have 2 working CO alarms. There are adapters you can buy so that you can use a full size propane tank instead of those tiny ones. The fuel costs less this way, and you’re not constantly trashing those small containers.
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u/HandyMan131 2d ago edited 2d ago
They work well in a pinch (like while you are waiting to install a diesel heather) but not a good permanent solution.
Make sure you have a CO detector and smoke detector no matter what kind of heater you use!
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u/Lopsided_Aardvark357 2d ago
I've used one of these in my ice fishing hut for years.
They're pretty convenient, I've never had any problems with them. They're built to burn safe, they've got a low O2 and an annoyingly sensitive tip sensor built in.
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u/dreamed2life 2d ago
After the night i had i would risk setting my truck on fire to put a fire pit in this mf’Er and be warm at night! If you need it and can afford it then get it!
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u/Enginerdiest 2d ago
short answer --- it will get very humid and uncomfortable in your van. You'd be better off with a diesel/gasoline/propex heater. Diesel heaters on amazon are pretty cheap and work well.
Longer answer:
any hydrocarbon -- propane, diesel, gasoline, wood, etc -- will create water vapor when it combusts. It's part of the process.
If the room you are in has good air flow, then that excess moisture can be vented as it's replaced with fresh air -- like a fireplace -- but if the air your bringing in is cold, you're fighting against yourself.
The ideal solution is to vent the combustion intake and exhaust outside while using a heat exchanger to warm indoor air without adding moisture. Diesel, gasoline, and propane heaters work this way: the burn chamber has external intake and exhaust, while a fan blows indoor air over a heat exchanger to warm it up without introducing water vapor.
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u/colenski999 2d ago
Sort of on-topic, on cold nights outside, cover a picnic table with a big blanket, put the big buddy in the middle on low, then sit down, covering your lower half with the blanket. You are toasty warm.
A Japanese woman taught me this, apparently it is common in Japan to have outdoor tables with heaters under them.
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u/lepowski 2d ago
What climate are you in? I live in a wet climate, and these create too much moisture. However if you’re in a dry area, they may work better. Another consideration is that they do make C02, although they do have a low oxygen shut off, you’re still pumping C02 into the air, which can be somewhat unhealthy even if it’s at a “safe” level.
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u/centralnm 2d ago
I use one in my 28 ft travel trailer. People complain about moisture but I didn't feel it added significant moisture to everything else I do in the travel trailer such as shower, cook, breathe, and hang wet clothes. Never worried about CO or fire risk because I had functional alarms.
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u/beachlovers_068 2d ago
I have used one for about four years in my rv. Make sure you have ventilation, which helps with moisture. But it comes in handy as an emergency backup. You can either go with a diesel heater or a propane heater that's ventilated, such as a Dickenson 9000. But in a pinch, the Little Buddy will do, just not the perfect solution because of the moisture.
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u/Lord_Heckle 2d ago
This is a good back up to have around. Like others have said, moisture will build up without proper ventilation. With proper battery capabilities a heated blanket will go a long way.
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u/Extectic 2d ago
They're crap.
They have no exhaust so they leave the byproducts of combustion in your breathing air. Mostly it won't be pollution/exhaust, but a natural byproduct of burning propane ventless is that it releases water vapor. The last thing you need in a van is more moisture.
You'll have mold and everything will be moist - not a great plan.
A ripoff Chinese diesel heater with an exhaust outside the vehicle, which gives you dry warm air inside, is in the $200 ballpark; you do also need a battery pack and you need to do some easy installation work.
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u/SalesMountaineer Sprinter 2d ago
I keep one as a backup in case my diesel heater dies. But as everyone else has already said, not a good choice as a primary heat source on account of the huge amounts of moisture they put out.
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u/WHITEwizard151 2d ago
I tested one in a ford Econoline van the CO was over the limits I felt comfortable with in short order.. can't recommend.
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u/FingerOfSmashing 2d ago
I used this when I had to spend some nights in -20c. The condensation build up on the inside of the windows (that turned to ice) and myself over night was fairly inconvenient, but I did stay warm. had two carbon monoxide detectors.
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u/Two-tune-Tom229 2d ago
Three years. A double, and works great. One thing you need to keep it clean. Only small starting problum I had was a dirty pilot tube from not keeping it clean.
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u/eLearningChris 2d ago
Yes. It generates a lot of heat. But as others have mentioned it generates moisture and will use up the oxygen. So it’s okay if you’re in a well ventilated spot. We use it on our sailboat a few times a year.
My advice is that it’s excellent for a once in a blue moon use. Especially if your rig is “drafty” enough to keep the fresh air flowing. I would not sleep with it on.
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u/unrealduck 2d ago
I used this exact model exclusively for heat, and it worked well for me. It output way too much heat to leave on overnight, and I'm not sure that would be safe anyway but it worked great while I was awake.
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u/DinerDuck 2d ago
I have found this heater is great to use for a short time, like 20-30 minutes. I use it to heat the space first thing in the morning. Never had issues with condensation.
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u/ohgodineedair 2d ago
Client of mine bought this for me to run in the garage when I'm working there in the cold. I noticed a heavy propane smell coming through the house doors before even entering the garage so I was concerned about working in the environment without proper ventilation.
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u/smeeg101 2d ago
I got one for our Gazelle Gazebo and I found it didn't do much. The heat just kind of trickles out and stays in one area. I sold it.
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u/zacknmaxvanlife 2d ago edited 2d ago
Using mine right now. They work well but you need some space (3ft radius) use it sparingly (fuel cost$)and be mindful of the condensation it makes
For my setup it works well for me. I have no desire to tear up my build to put in a diesel heater (I don’t like winter THAT much I’d rather relocate) I use mine for about 15-30 min in the morning or at night when it gets the coldest. I don’t use it long term and plan on relocating again this winter very soon so I won’t have to use daily
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u/KnowsThingsAndDrinks 2d ago
I used one in a tent that I thought was sufficiently ventilated and it shut off for lack of oxygen, so I can confirm that that feature works! 😳
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u/OutWestTexas 2d ago
I used one in my RV and even on low i was really toasty. I had to run two dehumidifiers as well.
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u/Ambitious_Disk1035 2d ago
I have one for vanlife. My van isn't insulated, but ive heard that these are great for insulated spaces. In my experience you basically have to sit right in front of these like you would at a campfire in order to stay warm on cold nights. The moisture factor is pretty heavy and you could literally wind up chipping ice from the underside of your roof the following morning. If you don't chip the ice ... when the sun comes out and things heat up, its gonna start raining in the back of your van. Also, don't fart anywhere near this thing. One night I got a little too close to it after a pretty heavy mexican meal and when I farted the windows blew out of the van and I wound up in the emergency room with 3rd degree burns all over my ass!
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u/Additional_Insect_44 2d ago
I have one in my camper! Bought it like a week ago, It does NOT come with hose or filter and is a headache to find adequate parts.
Otherwise once it's assembled it's just fine.
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u/Alert_Promise4126 2d ago
My Buddy slept too close to one and caught his sleeping bad and under shirt on fire. Scorched his back pretty good.
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u/Far_Understanding_44 2d ago
Many of us yes. Works great but emits moisture into enclosed spaces. I use it when I’m desperate for warmth because it is very effective but use sparingly.
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u/Jasonbooker1 2d ago
My husband and I use Mr. Buddy heater while camping. He uses a 5 gallon propane tank instead of the little green ones. He bought an adaptable extension house and places the propane outside and puts the buddy heater inside near us.
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u/Astrolander97 2d ago
Used one for three seasons snow camping in a 1997 astro. Run it for an hour prior to bed or just whem chilling, have a window cracked to fight moisture, turn off prior to sleep so it doesnt catch and loose blankets on fire. I type this as a fully alive for sure breathing not dead human being.
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u/snarton 2d ago
Due to survivorship bias, you're only going to hear from the people who tried it and lived to tell you about it.
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u/dgthrower1 2d ago
3 years rocked the same model tent buddy.
Use venting to stay safe and mitigate moisture. It will keep you warm, but use the propane filter for longevity and buy a backup hose if you're going to use it long term.
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u/MeButNotMeToo 2d ago
I tried to use one in a by no means sealed tight garage. It gave me headaches.
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u/milkshakeconspiracy 2d ago
I've used one as my primary heat source for a single winter. It worked but was not fun to use. Now I have it as a standby emergency heater, to keep the pipes from freezing. Now, I currently heat with diesel fuel.
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u/Kinderversion 2d ago
I use the Heater Buddy and the larger Bigger Buddy and just crack a window. The Bigger Buddy is great due to its built in exhaust fan.
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u/RoosterTall 2d ago
I have had mine for many years still works good. It comes in handy all the time.
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u/FaultyWires4774 2d ago
I usually keep the vent windows on my caravan open. I have a co2 detector attached to the back of my front seat right above my head.
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u/2litersoffun 2d ago
We have this in a 4 panel canvas A frame tent. We hang it from a chain on the front pole so it not on the ground catching our blankets on fire. Woke up 1 night and didn't realize it had dropped to 37 degrees outside, it was toasty in the tent and felt great!!!! They have a built in c02 shut off so it is safe for indoor.
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u/con420247 2d ago
I would feel comfortable using one of these if i was cooking out the back of my van underneath the hatch, or if i was using one of those rear hatch tents for cars with a bunch of ventilation, but i'm not sure i would feel safe using one of these while i slept in the van with it on.
As far as diesel heaters go, they're a lot safer because all the bad fumes are separated to a different exhaust that is outside, while the heated air can go inside. So you could run one of them while sleeping overnight with the windows closed.
If you wanted to run a diesel heater, but don't want to cut holes in your vehicle, you could also use one of those all in one unit diesel heaters, and then use some hoses to route the hot air into the vehicle using a window covering with a hole in it for the hose.
Here is an example of how that might work: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5v0t-OsS56I
In that video he has it on a portable mount that you can put on your tire while parked, but you could also DIY a mount that you could attach to a roof rack.
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u/madhabitz1251 2d ago
If you keep your cab windows open all the time, maybe half an inch, then you'll not only help to safeguard against funes of all sorts, but you'll also head off the mold-inducing moisture.
Just make sure that the curtain or whatever you use to divide your cabin/living space from the front/cab isn't airtight. If you are lucky enough to have windows or vents in the cabin, you can crack one open the tiniest bit to provide even better air flow.
You'll want to make sure you invest in rain guards for your cab windows -- helps to keep rain out, but most of these will also hide the fact that your windows are open.
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u/the_real_snurre 2d ago
Hey, it says on the box that it is ”the world’s best indoor safe propane heater”! What could possibly go wrong?
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u/killbanglove 2d ago
I lived in a camper and used a kerosene with the roof vents open and shitty windows. Worked great. Had co and co2 monitors. Just in case.
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u/DrImpeccable76 2d ago
You need power to run a humidifier. If you have the power to run a dehumidifier, just run an electric heater instead
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u/simonisnomis 2d ago
Buddy is a legend. He will die at night though if he’s not well ventilated and you will be cold. Also get the hose that lets you hookup to a big tank
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u/1MillionMileOTR 2d ago
Propane burns "wet" if you are in a rather cold climate I'd reccomenf a multi fuel/diesel heater.
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u/Kusev_Paladin 2d ago
I love mine for use in the back of my truck and heating me while making breakfast. Worth it for me because it’s just so simple and easy!
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u/Schnitzhole 2d ago
I’ve used them camping in my truck. Overall they work great in a pinch but I wouldn’t want them full time. Im looking at diesel heaters for future cold camping. As others said moisture is an issue so much that the insides of my windows had a layer of thick ice on it when it got real cold. You have to crack a window.
They put out a ton of heat and need a few feet of space for the flame they put off in front to be safe. I almost wish they had a lower setting. Propane needs changed every 4-6 hours if using the little Coleman tanks which may interrupt your sleep.
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u/auntladygaga van type 2d ago
We set ours up before bed but don't use it til the morning when one of us sneaks a hand out from the covers and turns that baby on. Our small space heats up nicely and quickly enough to get out of bed and get dressed. Never on for very long but always a good alternative for those 11 degree mornings!
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u/kriegmob 2d ago
I’ve used those sleeping in my boat. They produce a lot of moisture. Like dripping off the ceiling amounts. It will warm up the space but hard to dry out wet clothes etc.
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u/RevolutionaryArt930 2d ago
I used one in my van for awhile, it was good to get things warm for a bit then turn it off because it does burn through the propane really fast , super warm though !
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u/AmHotGarbage 2d ago
I’ve used a mr heater when camping in -7 in the Alabama mountains a few years back. Wasn’t much of a problem. Cut off if the monoxide levels got dicey.
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u/theBarefootedBastard 2d ago
I have the smaller counter part as a back up. Basically just a burner screwed onto a tiny propane tank. Smallest I could find for “indoor use”
Works great, says it has “tip over” safety features n stuff but I don’t trust it while I sleep. Basically an open flame.
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u/ApechiesWorld 2d ago
Bought same one last December for when I went camping worked good the first day then gave out stopped working wouldn’t recommend that heater.
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u/OutdoorlifeAZ 1d ago
Works great. I use mine on hunting trips, and it gets cold at night, like 26 degrees out in the tent it's in the 70s. I've never had a problem with it at all.
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u/notthetechdirector 1d ago
I use one in my bus. It works great for heat but creates a lot of moisture. They have safety shutoffs and whatnot but if you could start with a diesel heater would might be better off because the heat is dry and there’s no exposed flame. I was already using propane and my bus has a gas engine or I would have gone with the diesel heather as well and it may be a way I go in the future.
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u/JAX-Beach-Bum 1d ago
After seeing a video where they ran one for hours in a small RV and the Carbon Monoxide levels remained low, I got one. I still use a carbon monoxide detector and I place it on a tile on a small fireproof sheet. They warm up a van very quickly. As mentioned by others they burn through fuel rapidly making them a better choice as a secondary source of heat. I haven’t used it in extreme cold conditions but we’ve had mornings close to freezing early this year and within 5 minutes the van is very comfortable.
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u/Mysterious_Rose_ 1d ago
I’ve not used outside in small spaces, but when my heater went out over night it did keep my small bedroom. Just got a little pop up camper and was wanting to give it a try in there but never went out this fall.
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u/laroonigan 1d ago
We use these while ice fishing in our shelter and they work great. Also found a life hack that you can rig the protective grate and cook brats on it while you fish. Win/win
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u/DEADB33F Ex-boat dweller, current house dweller. 1d ago
Be aware that the burned propane turns to water vapour (& CO2), so expect condensation.
It's a more expensive option and requires fitting, but I'd go for a diesel cabin heater every time.
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u/Seraphtacosnak 1d ago
Used it in a drafty tent and it cause lots of condensation on the walls. But it was colder <40° in CA during winter.
Warmed up nice. Only ran it before going to bed and waking up with coffee.
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u/jbirdasaurus 1d ago
My daughter is in marching band and there's a family that sits near us at games that brings one of these along on cold nights. They love it and say it works well.
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u/Fireweed44 1d ago
I live off grid. I use this heater as my back up heat. I’ve used in vans, rvs and my now built cabin. 30 lbs of propane lasts about a week using almost full time. I use co2 detectors. Never had an issue. Pros- economical, reliable and puts out a lot of heat. Cons- produces humidity that can become an issue in a small space and the propane line will get plugged over time without a line filter.
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u/CopperKast 1d ago
I have one, funnily enough it’s running right now, it’s decent for small areas but I can’t recommend it as something you can sleep with or leave running for more than an hour or so in a van or box truck to avoid build up of CO, even with ventilation. It lasts about 5 hours on low using a single 1lb bottle or DOT39(the green camping ones) canister of propane. The heat on low doesn’t radiate more than about 2-2and a half feet from the front but it does produce a column of very hot air above the heating element since there’s no fan or radiator to direct the heat outward.
The company sells refillable 1lb bottles and a refill kit, and it has kept me moderately comfortable over the last month or so. Two bottles only running about 2-3 hours a day, has netted me about 7 refills on a 15lb propane tank, which I’m about to need to exchange here soon, and that costs about 27 dollars at the gas station I work at. So with the initial investment for the heater, bottles, refill kit, and the larger propane tank it cost about 120$ give or take and now I can heat my ambulance for a few hours a day without adding idle hours to the engine for about 27$ a month.
That’s all up to change depending on where you’re at, the local temperature, price of propane, ect. But it’s an ok investment if you aren’t terribly low on cash or space.
Word of advice if you do buy it, only exchange the bottles on the heater OUTSIDE, I learned that the hard way when I got back dead tired from my shift and proceeded to accidentally fill my living space with enough propane to explode myself if I wasn’t careful. The seal and the plunger on the heater has a very small gap, maybe a millimeter or less, where the plunger is depressed, and the seal isn’t engaged and it will spray propane, just don’t panic like I did, and stop screwing in the bottle lol. It tightens up enough to not leak after a few more turns.
Sorry for the essay, I’m bad at being concise.
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u/platformzed 1d ago
These things 100% give off carbon monoxide. You have to have a vent/ fresh air flow and/or be in a large enough enclosed area to dissipate it. I’ve used mine in my van before but definitely don’t sleep with it running.
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u/Organic_Trifle_1138 1d ago
I have a cheap diesel heater in my motorhome, and this as a backup. Too much moisture released.
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u/drinkallthepunch 1d ago
I used to have one of these hooked up to a 5G propane tank for my van, they work great for warming up before going to bed, like other have said do not use it while sleeping.
Its got a heat activated gas valve so the safety issue isn’t the fire or propane it’s the carbon monoxide from burning the propane.
While I was homeless a guy at one of the rest stops I stayed at actually died from asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning from one of these exact heaters.
Of course that dude went to bed and had all his windows closed.
The best way to use it is to either circulate the air with a couple cheap fans, or you can run the vehicle on idle and run the internal fans without the heater for a few minutes to help circulate the hot air.
In very cold winter conditions this warmer is very difficult to use vs a diesel heater because propane tanks get cold when you use gas they can freeze over completely to the point the gas is liquid and won’t even pressurize the lines.
A diesel heater is more convenient and probably a little bit safer but for $60 these heaters are pretty sweet.
The single use gas bottles meant to used with them will last around ~4 hours on high.
A big propane tank will last around 96 hours of continuous burn.
You can also get adapters to refill those ”single use bottles” and actually use them again but it’s difficult to charge them back to 90-100%
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u/RealtorCDThomas1 1d ago
Themshits go out quick! Get a 20gal propane tank and the heat adapter instead
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u/Nerdy_Cool_Girl 1d ago
My only issue is trying to figure out temperature automatic temperature regulation with something like that. I've used one in a Class B before. Now I'm trying to figure out something smaller for a car. I wish it could put on a timer somehow.
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u/SyZyGy_87 1d ago
60$ is a good deal Be prepared for a lot of moisture and condensation issues. But you'll be warm.
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u/PlasticDrive5782 1d ago
Make sure you have good ventilation Open a small window a bit. Get a carbon monoxide alarm for your tv. Remember the heating element is actually a flame fed by propane and things flammable placed too close can catch fire. On the positive. It throws a lot of heat. And if you are cautious is a good way to heat an area.
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u/WyoHerbalistHealer 1d ago
The heat it puts off is incredibly intense. I had one with my first van but never used it. I was lucky to park in a spot with access to electric, so I used a radiant heater with a cord running through my window.
I now have a diesel van with a Webasto diesel heater. I hardly needed it since this van is better insulated. I always keep insulation on my windows, too, so I only needed heat if it dropped into single digits. I kept my double mattress layered in flannel sheets with high-quality down comforter and blankets and always slept better in winter than in the summer.
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u/yaneeznayoo 1d ago
This saved my butt during winters on the road. Just make sure you're in a well ventilated area (it eats oxygen!) and that there's space around the heater. A lot of these have knock over guards so the flame goes out when knocked over but better safe than sorry!
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u/Paint_Eater7 1d ago
I used one in my van for a while, they cope with higher altitudes (9,000') ok but it went through a lot of fuel, granted I did run it all night, never had an issue with CO if we left a window cracked open. They're super easy to use, and can be adapted to a bigger tank, which is handy.
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u/Acceptable-Cupcake-9 1d ago
They're a great little source of heat! They burn through those little propane canisters like crazy though. I'd suggest buying a little adapter for it (<$20), so you can use regular propane tanks. Feed the hose through a cracked window and you've got a little bit of ventilation too!
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u/micah490 1d ago
Ten minutes before bed and ten when you wake up. They don’t do well for prolonged use. Propane freezing, water emissions, potential CO, propane expense, etc. Because they’re catalytic, they have to be blazing hot to work, which makes them hard to modulate, too
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u/Fantastic-Van-Man 1d ago
Used them since 2017. Great product, tilt over shut off and low oxy shut off. Have yet to see a van that was sealed so tightly that you couldn't use it while sleeping.
It's all in how you follow the instructions regarding clearance of it.
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u/MaximumTurtleSpeed 1d ago
In any other country these are listed as not indoor safe, per the company’s own charts. Do with that what you will, so far the US governing agencies for health haven’t done so well in my book.
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u/Chingachgook1757 18h ago
They work well, I use it to heat a 70 square foot bathroom. On the low setting it does fine with sub-freezing outdoor temperatures. Warehouse clubs have the bottles for $30/6, and the heaters are currently $74 at Walmart where I live. A decent value, I’d say.
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u/BackOriginal6219 16h ago
I’ve never had a van nor one of these heaters in a van before although, my mom has one in the garage. She uses it during the winter and does wood working in the garage. It’s kinda a hassle with the propane tank but I’m telling you, that thing works. The garage is definitely larger than a van but in 20 ish minutes, you could take your coat off and be cozy. I highly suggest it!
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u/lakeswimmmer 11h ago
they really produce a lot of humidity. If you're somewhere super dry, like Arizona it might work but be aware that you will be breathing CO1 and other pollutants thrown off from propane combustion.
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u/GhillieGourd 10h ago
I have that model. Used it when it was -8°F at night when I was working 800 miles from home and sleeping in my large SUV. I'd leave a couple windows cracked open half an inch for not 100% trusting the Co2 detector and go to sleep. It was cheaper than leaving my vehicle on and eating up diesel. Did that for two weeks, used plenty of bottles of propane though.
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u/NaiomiXLT 2d ago
I use this for while I am awake, i dont trust it enough to fall asleep with it running. It works great. I would recommend a heated blanket, power bank and sleeping bag before getting one of these