shop heater

[Tdog]

I'm thinking of a Mr. Heater forced air propane heater for my shop. $119 for 30000-55000 BTU, model MN55FAV. Anyone have data on one of these??

Thanks,

Jack

 

[MadDog]

I bought a 75K btu model for my 24x26 barn. If it is about freezing outside, it runs maybe 15-20 min/hour to keep things comfortable. My only criticism is that the thermostat isn't too sensitive; It heats things up too far and if you adjust it so it turns off before that happens, then it lets it get pretty cold before turning on again.

Over all, though, a pretty cost-effective way to take the chill off when your working out there in the winter.

 

[Ken_CT]

I Bought that model about a month ago. TSC price was about $135. It doesn't have a thermostat to turn it on & off, just a flame adjustment. It's a nice unit and it does a very good job. Fuel consumption seems very good also. The only downside is it is a bit noisy. It burns pretty clean and doesn't smell much, but you should have adequate ventilation where you're using it. I bought it for use in the shed, but I have been running it in the basement for a short time before starting some woodworking projects and it takes the chill off nicely.

 

[HGM]

I dont have any infor to add, but I hope you dont mind a question...

When you guys mention prety low consumption, can you elaberate a bit? Do you run it on a 30# can or do you have a larger tank for it? How long between fill-ups? I have been thinnking about adding one myself, but I dont want to fill a 30# tank every week.. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Just curious, I dont think I'd use it more than the average guy that hangs out working in his shop..

 

[MadDog]

My heater, (a bit larger than Tdog's) has a 5 gal tank built in and burns a bit more than 1/2gal/running hr. It doesn't run anything like continuously, at least in the weather I've used it in so far. When freezing outside, runs about 1/3 of the time.

I keep a 30 gal poly drum of kero (it used to be my deisel fuel station for the tractor until I put in a 275 gal tank) and a hand pump that screws into one of the top bungs. Makes if very quick and easy to top off the heater.

 

[HGM]

I was a little more interested in propane because of the odor. Since yours is kerosene, what do you think? Does it put off any objectionable odors?

I borrowed a turbo heater(looks like a large morter /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) from a buddie of mine and although it heated my shop beautifully, the odor became prety strong and though I'm told it doesnt produce Co, I didnt like it.. Kerosene may be an option in one like yours though.. Is it vented?

 

[midlf]

It's real difficult to provide comments on fuel consumption. It depends on how cold it is, how windy, how much insulation you have, how big a space you are heating, and how high is your ceiling.

I had a kero heater before my propane. Even with K-1 kero it had some odor. With diesel it downright stunk. With either fuel it was very noisy. Think very small jet engine.

The kero heater could run on a thermostat but it was difficult to regulate the fuel flow to get it to run at reduced heat. The propane had to be manually started so it could not go on a thermostat however I could throttle the flame using the tank valve to reduce heat output. The BTU output required a 40# tank (twice the size of the standard grill tank.)

Both heaters are what we call "torpedo" heaters.


Be sure to provide the ventilation specified in the operation manual. All inside unvented heaters will produce CO if proper ventilation is not provided. I forgot to crack the garage door once. I got very lucky and noticed before it got too bad. I was very careful after that.

 

[Ken_CT]

Mr. Heater states 1.2 - 2.8 lbs. per hr. I haven't used up a 20# tank yet, but that seem like a realistic estimate. There is not much smell, but I wouldn't use it in the living room /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[PineRidge]

We used a torpedo heater hooked up to a make shift thermostat when we were finishing the inside of the pole barn. Man after a day of putting up with the smell and noise it makes me real thankful for the Reznor natural gas unit heater that's installed at this point.

 

[Tdog]

PineRidge - - was that a kerosine or propane torpedo heater?