speedytriple Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 So i am looking at a heater for my truck camper for hunting season. I have been looking at the mr heater units. Just trying to decide what size unit to buy, the jr which is 3800 btu or the portable one which is double the btu. The camper is small, and just running a lattern in there raises the temp some. I am no way a freeze baby more of a polar bear. I think the jr at 3800 btu would be good enough, but the bigger unit could be used as a garage or back up house heater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 For the price go for the bigger one so you won't have to upgrade later, plus the bigger one has a fan built in. When it's on low it only uses one burner anyways. But I highly recommend getting a hose and running it off a grill tank. Causes those twist on tanks only last several hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I used ours in the house for power outages it will burn a couple days on high with a grill tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted November 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Thinking about going with this one. http://www.menards.com/main/mobile/heating-cooling/gas-kerosene-heaters/garage/non-vented-infrared/mr-heater-2-heat-settings-4-000-9-000-btus-hr-portable-buddy-heater/p-1720131-c-6863.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gump Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 What Tim said, get the hose to run big tanks. I got the double burner one and it holds two tanks but about 7 hours is all your get with two little jugs on low. Fan is nice for a quick warmup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted November 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 The one i posted only uses a single tank, so yeah i'd be looking into the tank hose. The camper is so small i think it is going to be overkill and sweat me out. Guess i could crack a window if need be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 If I remember the single one on low and high is the same as the double one on low and medium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 If you think that's all your going to use it for and it will be plenty go for the savings. But I've used mine for far more than I ever thought I would and glad I have the double Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted November 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 What kind of space will the big buddy heat? I have a kero heater for power loss that would be my main back up heat. But that thing's way to big to put in the camper lol. The main use would be for camping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 You know that's all going to depend on how well the space is insulated and how cold it is outside. I've used in my house on a mid 20 degree day, heating maybe half the house around 800sf and it kept it mid 60's. I've also used in my shed a 10 x20 uninsulated on a 20 ish degree day it kept it nice and toasty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted November 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Its a 30 year old slide in truck camper. Its tiny inside, maybe 50-100 sq feet? But its gonna be deer gun season so night time temps will be teens to twenties most likely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Yup the single would be plenty for that if you don't think you would use it for anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCBS Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) Thinking about going with this one. http://www.menards.com/main/mobile/heating-cooling/gas-kerosene-heaters/garage/non-vented-infrared/mr-heater-2-heat-settings-4-000-9-000-btus-hr-portable-buddy-heater/p-1720131-c-6863.htm I have an older version of this unit. Based on my experience, I'd say it would take less than 10 mins to warm up that camper, then just leave the pilot running. I've used mine quite a bit over the years and it still works like a champ. I don't have a large tank setup. It will run 8-10 hours continuous on medium setting with a 1lb tank. A 20lb should carry you for the whole week. *edit, just saw intended temps. You might have to leave it on medium. Edited November 18, 2013 by RCBS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowdog Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 For the price go for the bigger one so you won't have to upgrade later, plus the bigger one has a fan built in. When it's on low it only uses one burner anyways. But I highly recommend getting a hose and running it off a grill tank. Causes those twist on tanks only last several hours.This 100% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted November 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) Well I went with the big buddy instead. I figured it was better to have to much heat and be able to turn it off, then be cold all week. I still need to get a hose for it which one you guys using? The one with a regulator or just the plain hose. Edited November 18, 2013 by speedytriple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I have just the plain hose, I think the heater already has a regulator in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadyone Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 We have the big buddy we use in he winter to heat our 18vnose. On high it heats it up in 20 to were you have to turn it down to medium or low. And that still heats it up more. No insulation obviously. We also use a regular hose too. You do need 12 sq in of ventilation with the big buddy. Keep that in mind. I'd also let the pilot run if you turn it off as it's kinda finicky to get started again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted November 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 What do you mean 12sq in of ventalation? That much clear space around it. If so it would have to sit on the sink are as the main walk aisle would not give enough side clearence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 I've used mine in a 7x7 tent before with no problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadyone Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 I think i read it in the directions or manual somewhere. it needs a 12" x12" vent to the outside. Not sure why ill have to read it again see if I can figure it out. in our trailer we use a plastic walk through on our back door like you would see for a large walk in freezer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted November 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 (edited) Per the manual i got it says 24" of space in front of it. I should be fine then with it in the walk way of the camper. I have read that you need to burn a bottle or two when new to burn off the new burner smell or the odor can be pretty bad, any info on this? Edited November 19, 2013 by speedytriple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted November 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Well just went out in the garage to test it out for a few mins, this thing puts off some heat! Put my hand three feet above it and could barely hold it thete on low. It fired right on the second click, both burners on for about ten mins had my legs burning up. Think it will roast me in that little camper even on low lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gump Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 You'll like the big one if you try it in a tent in the middle of winter. Like Tim said, I thinks its just the hose with adapter ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted November 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Yeah it has regulators on each end, so it saves me some money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytriple Posted November 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Not bad i took the heater out to the camper to see how it worked. Outside temp is 37, thermostat on the wall was at 50. In about 15 mins it was at 75. Think it should keep me plenty warm, thanks for the input guys. I am going up to pick up a 12 foot hose sometime this week to run it off a tank. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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