Torpedo/Salamander heater best practices?

[boomer1025]

I just ordered a heater form TSC 7, BTU SilentDrive(R) Kerosene/Diesel Radiant Heater – Master Industrial Products to use in my 28 x 28 metal non-insulated garage, so we'll see how well it works out. I had a Torpedo heater I tried several years ago. Couldn't keep it running so it went back to the store.

 

[JRobyn]

Sometimes forced-air diesel/kero heaters need just a bit of adjustment to the fuel metering to make them burn clean and stay burning consistently. Instructions are usually in the manual. Clogged combustion air filters will also cause them to burn poorly or flameout.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Two winters ago I was using my dual red eye heater on a 20lb propane tank in my uninsulated 2 car garage. All doors closed but built in the '80s and definitely not air tight. No ceiling. Working CO alarm 3ft off the floor.

Towards the afternoon one of the red eyes went out. Went to relight it with my long-stalk butane lighter. Lighter wouldn't work no matter what I did. Tried another lighter which also didn't work.

Irritated about the cheap-***** lighters I went to the house to find another. Happened to have one of the non-functioning lighters in my hand and on the way to the house I pulled the trigger. To my surprise it light right up!

Went back into the garage and it wouldn't work. Outside- worked. Took the lit lighter from outside to inside the garage and it went out!

My guess is that I burned most of the oxygen out of the garage. I never thought it would be air-tight enough to do that. I did not feel light-headed or short of breath.

Now I leave a door cracked.

 

[George2615]

I have a 135,000 BTU torpedo heater that burns diesel or kerosene. It has a built in thermostat and works great to take the chill away. Just got a TSC ad yesterday and they have them on sale for $269. in my area. My garage and attached pole barn also has an 85,000 BTU mobile home furnace. I spend time each day out there so in winter I fire both of them up and set the stats for 60-65 deg F which is comfortable for me to work in. I do leave a door cracked open when running the salamander but once up to temp it is shut down and the furnace maintains the temp.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I just got a couple of KAL 6 radiant heaters at auction. I think they came off a film set. Borrowed one from a friend some time ago,and was impressed. Better for large areas then a fan forced heater. New, they are super expensive. I don't know why.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

It's not true of all but most are designed that way today. My understanding is that you could burn diesel in any of them but the older ones would smoke sometimes if you did. Mine is clearly labeled diesel/kerosene.

Kerosene is the same as #1 diesel. #2 diesel/heating oil is a little heavier and won't work in all kerosene heaters. #1 diesel is low sulfur nowadays, and won't smell as bad as the kerosene.

I haven't seen a salamander in 40 years. They need a tall building to keep from catching the ceiling on fire, and need a fan to force the heat back down, but have the advantage that they run with no electricity.

 

[orezok]

The smell from previous diesel was from the sulfur. The new low sulfur diesel has almost no smell in a torpedo.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

When i use a torpedo heater i crack the bottom of the garage door and let the exhaust out. It still heated fine

 

[Deere Dude]

Need to do some assembly work in our unheated garage this winter. It's uninsulated and 28x30 feet with 10 foot ceilings. Open stairway in back going up to an enclosed, heated studio.

Given it will be an off/on situation it seems a forced air kero heater is the most practical way to go. Would appreciate any advice or precautions to take from others with a similar situation?

Your garage has a ceiling and it sounds like it has plywood walls with a siding on and it is not that large. I would think a 110,000 BTU torpedo type heater would heat it just fine. I would suggest getting one along with a remote thermostat where you plug the stat in the other side of the room and run a power cord from that to the heater.

I have a torpedo heater that runs on kerosene but I put cheaper tractor diesel in it and all is good. I don't really smell it at all. Don't be shy about cracking the windows or a

 

[RoyJackson]

I just ordered a heater form TSC 7, BTU SilentDrive(R) Kerosene/Diesel Radiant Heater – Master Industrial Products to use in my 28 x 28 metal non-insulated garage, so we'll see how well it works out. I had a Torpedo heater I tried several years ago. Couldn't keep it running so it went back to the store.

How much did it cost?