My Garage/Shop Heater Install

ovrszd · Apr 5, 2020

Big Barn said:
What you mean is that it was the last place you looked.

Yes .

BukitCase · Apr 5, 2020

Guys, he just followed my definition of troubleshooting, back on post 223

"Mark, just remember the most accurate definition of troubleshooting - it's finding all the things it's NOT (or at least, until you get to the one that IS)"

Works (almost) every time :laughing: ... Steve

dragoneggs · Apr 5, 2020

I was out in the shop in my short pants and Tee shirt this afternoon, but wasn't playing with Peter! Did wax my wings though.

I guess and I can finally stop calling it a garage. It likely will not see another car inside until I'm gone.

Tractor Seabee · Apr 5, 2020

dragoneggs said:
Yes sir... shop at 50% humidity overnight. Currently 68% outside. Heater doing its job! Thanks again for all those that hung with me, provided advice, and encouragement! That was a tough troubleshoot.

View attachment 649349

This new jointer is so much bigger than my old 6in Delta that I need to get another length of dust collector hose to reach.

Mark, don't forget your Mechanical Engineer training on Psychrometrics and humidity. It will probably take a while to get all the moisture out of everything in your garage. Need to ventilate some of that moisture laded hot air out. Probably preaching to the choir. At least you got the dew point up now. Summers coming, 60 next week.

Ron

dragoneggs · Apr 6, 2020

Tractor Seabee said:
Mark, don't forget your Mechanical Engineer training on Psychrometrics and humidity. It will probably take a while to get all the moisture out of everything in your garage. Need to ventilate some of that moisture laded hot air out. Probably preaching to the choir. At least you got the dew point up now. Summers coming, 60 next week.

Ron

Ha ha... thanks not, for conjuring up memories and the associated headaches. One thing I am noticing is my concrete floor looks as dry as ever this time of year! Other than attic insulation, I am ready for next winter.

dragoneggs · Apr 10, 2020

5 days after... tools and me are happy campers. Not that I have been relegated to the doghouse since. Setting at 52degF and I crank it to a balmy 62 when out there for more than a short stint. So nice to wander out in whatever I am wearing. I am a shorts and Tee shirt guy in the winter if I possibly can.

I know Steve, buck up! but being my shop is a so close to the house, I go back and forth far more than the average bear. Half the time I forget why I bounced out there and start a different project than intended... I think.

GLyford · Apr 10, 2020

Know what you mean, went to the basement to look for my test leads, and ended up hanging a storage cabinet on the wall or organizing for a bit. Finally got back upstairs and realized I still didn't have the leads. I'll try again today, maybe organizing will help me find them.

FrankTailor · May 6, 2020

I have recently insulated, vapor barriered, and finished off my 2 car attached garage. At 0 degrees with one warm car coming in, the garage stays at about 30-34 degrees. Anything above freezing, and the garage temp wavers at 35 or better. I am honestly considering NOT heating my garage even after finishing it. A propane heater on high for 30 minutes gets it to 45. If I decide to heat it, I will do lots of research here

bigtiller · May 6, 2020

My garage is the same way but I heat it to 42/45 degrees all winter long anyway. It keeps the humidity down and the cars dry out more completely overnight.

dragoneggs · May 7, 2020

I've now set it to 50degF and leave it. Because I don't yet have insulation in the ceiling or walls, it has been warming up comfortably each day this spring. The biggest benefit so far has been the humidity control. Now it stays around 50%. The sealed combustion is a big help here as I was heating with a propane Mr. Heater previously and the humidity stayed pretty high. Winter time we often have 70% to near 100% humidity so it would always be damp in my shop. Not any more!!!

dragoneggs · May 27, 2020

Update... shop is dry and too warm! Ha... heater hasn't kicked on in weeks. Now I have all summer to blow in attic insulation. Today in the low 70s outside and my shop at 7:30 this evening is a balmy 83deg!

gstrom99 · May 28, 2020

Yep. The natural progression of this thread will now be to "What air conditioner do we need?" It's about that time.

ovrszd · May 28, 2020

Yep, you definitely need to get the attic insulation in. That will help control the overheating that is about to begin!!!

Tractor Seabee · May 28, 2020

gstrom99 said:
Yep. The natural progression of this thread will now be to "What air conditioner do we need?" It's about that time.

Now kick yourself for not putting in a mini-split.

Ron

KennyG · May 28, 2020

Once it's insulated it will be much nicer in hot weather. We've just had a string of days between 80 and 90 and the shop is still around 70. Even in the worst days of summer I seldom see temperatures over 80. Insulation plus a big concrete slab will do wonders to moderate the temperature.

dragoneggs · May 28, 2020

KennyG said:
Once it's insulated it will be much nicer in hot weather. We've just had a string of days between 80 and 90 and the shop is still around 70. Even in the worst days of summer I seldom see temperatures over 80. Insulation plus a big concrete slab will do wonders to moderate the temperature.

Yep, this is what I am banking on. Air conditioning around here is considered a luxury. This is the first house I have ever lived in with A/C (heat pump). Figured putting A/C in my garage/shop was going a bit too extravagant.

PILOON · May 28, 2020

I built my garage (shop as city would not allow) to the same specs as my house, Walls R20, ceiling R40 plus sealed vapor barrier.
Now it is well shaded as well so that helps a whole lot plus sits on sandy fill.
It might be 30 C outside and I get chilly inside. no A/C needed here.
Winter heat is a simple construction heater hanging from rafters.
After all heat is heat like BTU's are all the same no matter how U create them.
(Besides I had the heater and it cost me a mere $10.00.)
I have no complaints ,well other than my 'shop' is too small!

grsthegreat · May 28, 2020

PILOON said:
I built my garage (shop as city would not allow) to the same specs as my house, Walls R20, ceiling R40 plus sealed vapor barrier.
Now it is well shaded as well so that helps a whole lot plus sits on sandy fill.
It might be 30 C outside and I get chilly inside. no A/C needed here.
Winter heat is a simple construction heater hanging from rafters.
After all heat is heat like BTU's are all the same no matter how U create them.
(Besides I had the heater and it cost me a mere $10.00.)
I have no complaints ,well other than my 'shop' is too small!

Shops are ALWAYS too small.

dragoneggs · May 28, 2020

grsthegreat said:
Shops are ALWAYS too small.

Mine is WAY too small. Need to figure out a better place to store a 250gal aquarium tank and stand that is taking up valuable real estate.

ovrszd · May 28, 2020

In a too small shop everything that's taking up floor space is looked at with a critical eye. When it gets messy is when you have a big shop. Unless you are Terry. He's got the best organized huge shop I've ever saw. I just finished cleaning my shop and I'd be embarrassed if he drove in right now.