Bad news for you. There is a reason most of the time it reads 0. That’s a homeowner co detector. The lowest reading you’ll get is 30. I spent many years as a fire fighter. Those detectors are not sensitive enough to detect under 30ppm. 30ppm is considered the safe level of exposure for up to 8 hours, as in working on a car repair shop. Problem is co builds up in your blood over time. And when you move to fresh air your system will never give up all the co. This is why firefighters have so much trouble later in life with high co levels in the systems. I bought the buddy heater and tested with one of the 4 gas meters from our fire trucks in my 8X12 camper with window open 3 inches as directions state. The co level quickly rose to 10 and drifted from between 10 and 20 ppm while in operation. Well under the 8 hour limit. But well over what would be considered safe for long term exposure. So I returned the buddy heater and just use an electric heater that runs off my small generator outside. I’m not saying don’t use it. But be careful. It does make low level co that will be in your blood. Blood is 9 times more likely to absorb co over o2. So it will be in your system and will build up over time. All I have to rely on is 20 years in the fire service. I’m not a scientist or doctor. But I would never use one inside a camper.
Very good point about the detector's limitation. What is your opinion on using this type of heater in an ice fishing house, made from thick canvas, with the vents opened? I use the big buddy while sleeping at night in the fish house, but I only install 1 bottle at a time. My theory is that, if there should be any CO, one small tank worth won't be enough to kill me. When one bottle runs out in 3 hours, it gets cold, which wakes me up. Get fresh air, have a smoke, install another bottle and go back to sleep.
They were kind of designed for ice fishing shanties and such where there is decent ventilation. Keep some air flowing and your probably OK. But if your getting sleepy in there it could be because of co. Drowsiness is an early first sign. Just be careful. There are millions of these on the market. As long as they are burning perfectly and there is decent ventilation they are probably fine. They just make me nervous. Too many years in fire service. Want to know for sure buy a hand held detector. Link below. Pretty accurate and cheap. You’ll have to replace it every 3 to 4 years. You can nurse more life out of it by always storing in a plastic bag. With a detector like linked below, Then you’ll have to decide. Co scares me. I have one of these in my garage. It’s amazing how little an engine needs to run to push it. He also ruined that co detector as soon as he put it near the exhaust. The sensors get coated with co and the other exhaust gasses and get even less sensitive in high co environments. If I was going to use a buddy heater I would always have a hand held and then you can monitor it and you’ll know for sure. Read the directions. Hand Held Carbon Monoxide Meter - High Accuracy and 1000 PPM Measurement Range CO Sensor w/Digital LCD Display Auto Power Off Safety Alarm Battery Operated and Control Buttons - Pyle PCMM05 www.amazon.com/dp/B005FU5J5Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.B8zCbCTPVFPQ
The Arizona Homestead Project... No. co is ever so slightly lighter than air which is also part of the reason it is so dangerous. It fills the room gradually and very evenly. That’s why you don’t really want your co detectors all the way up near the ceiling where there can be dead air spaces. You want them in the air you are breathing. The common misconception that co is heavier I think comes from the camper world. Often in camper they are installed near the floor because they are combined with propane detectors. Propane is heavier than air so the detector has to be low to give the earliest warning, so the combo propane co/propane detectors commonly used in campers have to be low. My recommendation for standalone co detectors is put them shoulder to chest height in a room and keep them out of corners where there is dead air. I have mine right in the main hall outside the bedrooms, in my small house. In the camper I have mine at head height sitting on the bed. Then your covered well standing, sitting, or laying. You want the soonest warning you can get.
Homebuiltcamper Dave well thanks. I drive a semi and keep a detector close to the floor. Sometimes you get a guy parked next to you with a bad running gas generator and you can smell it in the truck. Never have problems with the diesel generators. I just don’t want to die in my sleep because some guy parks next to me while I’m sleeping. I’ve had it go off several times.
The thing about Propane is: It is HEAVIER THAN AIR, burning Propane produces CO2 and water Vapour. the CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) is also heavier than air, and will settle into the lowest point and collected and build up, Parking your RV/Trailer/Camper or tent with the buddy heater in the lowest point, facing your sleeping area, with a very small opening behind the heater, will prevent CO2 or propane vapour from removing all the oxygen, A Dehumidifier will remove the water vapour. Ideally in an RV/TT/Camper you want the water vapour to be below 40%
I live in my camper. Have same heater and have used it for over 2 years. Absolutely no problems. I'm a heart patient and blood and lungs are checker regularly.
I performed essentially the same test in my garage last night with a new Big Buddy, and instead of the Kidde CO detector I used an MSA Altair 4XR 4 gas monitor, the type of monitor that your local fire department would be using if they showed up for a complaint about a carbon monoxide alarm going off or a gas leak. My result was after 3 hours of run time in my small 1 car garage with no ventilation opened was that I read 1 PPM of CO. Generally speaking low level extended exposure is considered hazardous at 50 PPM ( if that space is occupied for an 8 hour period) , and 1200 PPM is considered an environment immediately dangerous to life and health. It is a best practice that anyone using any fuel burning heater have a CO detector like the one you have there installed inside the habituated space, as well as a working smoke alarm, as space heaters are a leading cause of fatal home fires when used in sleeping areas.
Lived in Pertersburg, Alaska for 4 years. I lived in a one bedroom cabin and used the larger version of this heater for the duration of the time there. It was a fantastic tool of survival.
I love Petersburg! I lived in Juneau for 14 years and I had the inimitable pleasure of traveling to P-Burg with a fabulous group of performers called Heliotroupe. We took the ferry, performing for the passengers to pay for our tickets, and did two shows there. I got rubbings of the petroglyphs on the beach that I have on my wall to this day.
@@MrChancebandit they emit almost no CO when the burn is clean. Maybe an old unit that had no filter running a rubber hose to it would produce more CO but generally not. They are quite safe and have been used indoor/outdoor by millions for DECADES.
@@sumbeach5561 I was in a foth wheel trailer ...using a mr buddy Hester for full time heat....I forgot to open a window and ran the heater fpr a couple of hours. I started feeling really sleepy. And something wasn't right ...as soon as I got up to get outside the C02 alarm went off. I shut the heater off and aired out the trailer and the alarm shut off. I never used one pf those again in an air tight space ....I use a propane wall heater now not a mr buddy heater with bkue flame with an oxygen deficiency safety shutoff. And I always have 2 WI dows cracked for cross ventilation. Been using one for 6 years with no issues or alarms...couple times I left the trailer forgetting the heater was on and when I got home the oxygen difference shutoff worked great. DYNA GLO 20 000 btu blur flame is the one I have . Buy that before the buddy heater
We have used a Buddy Heater for 4 years now and we love it... Our primary use is to supplement the forced air heater in our 32 foot travel trailer. Mainly to save on battery power in the winter. Our CO detector has never been triggered but we do keep the roof vents open just a crack... We have seen temperatures as low as neg-15 deg, C and the Buddy heater keeps the trailer comfortable on low to medium heat most of the time.
@jmcdrawer5031 In truth, I've never used the canisters. I only run 5 gallon or larger. The rub time of course will depend upon how cold it is, how warm you want it and the size of space being heated. We mostly use it for our 32 foot travel trailer to supplement the trailers heater when it's really cold, like in the teens or colder.... Usually we use a 10 gallon tank and that lasts close to a week.
I fainted from CO poisoning once sitting in a tank(army tank) and when my buddy dragged me out I had a headache for three days. I never felt it happening at all. Probably a great way to commit suicide. However I have used these a lot on boats and tiny cabins, but I would never leave it on all night.
I’m in the HVAC industry and have a $2500 Co detector and I have use my heater for about 9 years now and have never detected co during operation. Pretty reliable heater, I use the 12’ hose connected to a big tank, way cheaper than the 1lb bottles, unless you’re going to refill them.
@@MustadMarine Of couse he did not test your unit nor you test his, and maybe some units burn cleaner than others. I personally have a hard time trusting a cheap burner to burn clean forever if my life depended on it.
@@MustadMarine Propane / alcohol burners *shouldn't* create any CO, if there's enough oxygen available in the space for full combustion and if the burner is working correctly. So either you had a faulty unit / valve (not super likely), or you didn't have adequate oxygen &/ airflow in whatever space you were using it, which of course is a major concern in an enclosed space like an RV.
Thanks. I bought a used one awhile back for emergencies in case the power goes out. Recently had an issue with my furnace not blowing hot air, but I still had power, so I used portable electric heaters until the hvac guy came. It was before all this brutal weather we just had. Our temps got down to -25°F with windchill of -45°F. It was bad enough, but I cannot imagine those temps if the power goes out and there's no heat source. My heart goes out to all those dealing with the current crisis.
Great test, I have used one of the large Buddy heaters in my uninsulated box trailer at shows and I have never set off the very same detector and never got any reading from the heater. But, once I fired up my propane camp stove and set the burners on high that reading went up fast!! So don't worry about the heater but definitely worry about the stove!
There’s a little sticker by the knob that says indoor, garage, kitchen for the hi and low setting. I bought one of these which I’ll probably never use as I don’t camp but I have it just in case I ever need it. This is a good video for info for sure.
I agree with your test. If the heater is stored it should be kept dust free. Dusty heaters could create CO. Keep them clean and they’re good. A small vent is always a good idea for fresh air.
I've done the same test so many times and came up with zero ppm. My tests were always in a tent camper between 1400 and 7000 ft above sea level. Then I was above 10,000 ft and I woke up again to 0, but after pushing the button to see the max reading ever recorded I found that at one point that night the CO meter registered 40 ppm before it went back down again. So keep that in mind.
Yup, It only takes one time. I think going forward with caution, a vented window, and a CO reader, and we'll be fine. Almost anything can kill us but we manage. ( ;
@@LeviAaronx his statement was more true than you think. Only your body dies and the soul that part that makes you unique does not. You will find out one day just as we all will & on that day you will rejoice & think dam that man was right. Here is a tip for that day please read carefully it just might save you from reincarnation. The First Death: A Crisis of Faith The day I died came without warning. One moment, I was living my life, and the next, I found myself in a strange place. Surrounded by glowing beings-angels, or so I thought-they asked me one simple question: “Who are you looking for?” Without hesitation, I answered, “God.” The angels exchanged puzzled glances, as if the name I had spoken was foreign to them. “God?” one of them asked. “We don’t know who that is.” Panic surged through me. How could they not know God? These were supposed to be divine messengers, the beings who served Him, weren’t they? My heart pounded as fear gripped me. In that moment, I screamed, “Jesus, save me!” The Angles smiled and said come with us. “If you stay here, your soul will die,” one of them said, their voices calm but firm. I didn’t understand what they meant, but the fear of losing my soul was stronger than my confusion. So, reluctantly, I went with them. They brought me aboard a UFO, a celestial vessel that moved through the cosmos. I was taken to a flawless, Earth-like planet, a paradise without blemish. There, the angels showed me my life, every action, every thought laid bare. It was a test, though not in the way I had imagined. It wasn’t about judgment or punishment; it was about whether I had truly lived in faith. As I reviewed my life, I realized that I had doubted, that I hadn’t fully trusted in God’s plan. I had fallen short in ways I hadn’t even recognized while I was alive. And so, I failed the test. The angels didn’t condemn me. Instead, they returned me to the Moon. Beneath its surface was a vast station where souls who failed their tests were sent to be reincarnated. My soul was cleansed of memory, and I was sent back to Earth to live again, carrying only the imprint of the lessons I had to learn. The Second Death: The Test of Faith Years passed, and I lived my second life, unaware of the cosmic journey I had once undertaken. Eventually, death came for me again. This time, when the angels appeared and asked, “Who are you looking for?” I didn’t hesitate. “God,” I said once more. Again, they looked at me with confusion, as if the name meant nothing to them. They told me the same thing they had before: “If you stay here, your soul will die.” But something inside me was different now. I had learned, even if I couldn’t remember it consciously. I stood my ground and said, “No. I won’t go with you. I will wait for my God. I have faith He will come for me, and if He doesn’t, I would rather die than live in a universe without Him.” The angels didn’t try to persuade me this time. They simply watched as I made my choice, waiting in that place for God, willing to lose my soul for my faith. And then, something changed. I felt it deep within me-a peace, a certainty I had never known before. I had passed the test. It wasn’t about how perfectly I had lived my life; it was about my willingness to give everything, even my soul, for the faith I held. That was the true test, and I had finally understood. Becoming an Angel: A New Purpose The angels smiled at me then, not in confusion but in recognition. I had found the truth I had been searching for. They took me back, not to be reincarnated, but to join them. I had become one of them, a collector of souls, guiding others through their journeys just as they had guided me. I traveled the stars, visiting worlds and collecting the souls of those ready for their own tests. The work was vast, endless, but filled with purpose. It was then that I understood what Jesus had meant when He said, “Heaven is like a great net cast into the sea of life.” The souls were the fish, the net gathering them together. But it wasn’t just work-it was joy. The net overflowed with souls, and everyone was helping, everyone was happy. We weren’t just collecting souls; we were part of a divine plan, a cosmic dance that spanned the universe. In that moment, I realized that Heaven wasn’t just a place-it was a state of being, a harmony that existed wherever God’s will was carried out. And I was now part of that will, traveling the stars, collecting souls, and helping them find their way, just as I had found mine.
I’d always keep a window or vent cracked open. I use a 30,000 BTU Mr Heater for back up heat in my ranch style 1300 square feet home. No issues with the kitchen window open a bit. I have camped in tents with the buddy heater with 2 other guys in the tent with no issues. I’d still open a vent or window no ,after what.
Thank you for the review. I too had concerns about buying this in Canada for indoor use and It’s great to see a fellow Canadian doing some real world testing. Keep up the great work.
@@noname-zg8lh that's to protect from liability. they can't sell it without adding that. no different than how everything ever made, causes cancer, but only in the state of california. guess why? because that's where most the world's damn lawyers live.
Thanks to you and the firefighter that helped with information. I learned more in these few moments than I ever knew. BTW I did have a CO issue while pregnant and camping. It was cooler so we ran the on board heater. The trailer was borrowed and we didn't realize the vent was right below the window I had opened for my ventilation. Killer headaches sent me to the hospital.
I am a boondocker. I will camp for 1 to 2 months, & at temperatures as low as 4°. I have an R-Pod travel trailer and I’ve been using the Mr. Heater inside for many years because it’s much quieter than the trailer furnace! Since you have to keep it ventilated, I get the best of both worlds! Cold air coming through the windows, but it’s nice and toasty inside. I run a line out the window, from the Mr. Heater to a 5 gallon propane tank outside my trailer. So there is always ventilation, even if I forget to open up the other windows. I love it!
One morning, you'll waken cold and shivering. You'll wonder why you ran out of propane and go outside to investigate. Only to find your bottle has been stolen by a crackhead. Lol
Have used buddy heater for 4 winters here in Canada and will say it'll definitely keep you warm, even at -22'c. Saved my life many times but it'll also rust your vehicle out and creates moisture/ mold Good review m8😊
as long as there is a fresh o2 supply propane burns cleanly and doesnt put out CO but can put out CO2 and use up all the O2. so keep a window cracked or some way for fresh air to get in and you should be fine. its when there isnt enough O2 it starts burning dirty and puts out the CO. at least thats what i been told. the propane will dry out the air though so a humidifier may be needed. I got 1 for emergencies and had to use it other night. i ran it 10 min to heat room then shut off. cycled it like that
Thanks for doing this video. I have this heater and was afraid of this but sometimes it was so cold I would turn it on, but just leave it on for like 15-30 minutes so that I could at least get changed in some comfort. Now I have some reassurance that I can maybe push it further for my next outing.
A battery powered CO detector with digital readout like the one in the video runs about $30 USD and is a small price to pay for extra insurance. You can even fasten it to the heater with a velcro strip so they are always together.
I've been using buddy heaters for years. They work great for tent camping, also a great emergency heat source for power outages. I'll never be without one for backup. I highly recommend these heaters. I have the double buddy heater, which also does have a battery operated blower, which can also be plugged into 110v ac.
The gas heater in our home is 35 years old. When we moved in 8 years ago I was a bit paranoid about having such an old heater so I bought almost a dozen CO detectors for our 5 bedroom home. We have a mix of the digital readout and the type that just alarms but no readout. I also put a smoke detector in the closet where our electrical panel is in. I've never seen a readout above zero. When it comes time to replace a CO detector I'll put it near a car exhaust just to confirm it really was working all these years.
That might work with a really old car but the catalytic converters will put out close to zero hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. An old car would put out one or two percent.
@@lightningdemolition1964 - interesting...I'll update this comment in a couple years when my CO detector reaches end-of-life. I'll try this on my 2006 Toyota, 2012 Honda, and 2022 motorcycle.
I have a Little Buddy for my A Frame pop up camper and have never had a problem with it. Heats up really well, keeps me toasty and will continue using it during my camping trips. Great video. Really informative. Kudos to you fellow Canadian!
You should try using a geothermal fan to put on top of the buddy heater it will take the heat that rises and blow it around. It is a very efficient and effective tool.
Take this anyway you want. I was at deer camp a couple years ago we left two buddy heaters running in a converted School bus. When we came back from our blinds the carbon monoxide detector was wailing full blast. Just saying.
Hi Matt, you kinda left out some important details like heater size and bus size,,, what level was your heater set on,,,low medium or high and when was the last time you changed your batteries in the detector,,, I live in a 30 foot motor home and have 1 mr heater big buddy with 3 heat levels,,, I run it on low and medium 24/7 5 months a year and never have had a problem,,, I'll use high to preheat if I run to town and have it shut off,,, I've used the same heater for 5 years,,, you might be using the wrong type of heater or you might have bumped your heaters around and the heating elements have become dislodged from their seats which will give you the same results as turning your oven on to heat up your place,,, I would check with a different brand of detector and check operation by placing near exhaust pipe of running vehicle for a few seconds,,,
@@bigginspd standard size full school bus up on blocks. No modifications to the windows just gutted all the seats and put in bunk beds. Two double burner little buddy heaters one in each end of the bus. Once we aired it out the alarm stopped going off.
@@bigginspd you know what the more I think about it it was several years ago we also had a big camper too. The school bus had a wood stove in it with beds. But we slept in the camper with the heaters. So I have to correct myself a little bit. Deer camp is kind of a blur. There was only two of us at the time and keeping the bus warm was a pain in the ass.
The balanced equation for combustion of propane is: C3H8 + 5O2 = 3CO2 + 4H2O. The products are 3 moles of CO2 and 4 moles of H2O. ... In the presence of excess oxygen, propane burns to form water and carbon dioxide.
In a perfect combustion yes but when not perfect combustion it creates a bunch of carbon monoxide kill you especially since the sensor for shut off is located on the ground where carbon monoxide isn't because it's lighter than oxygen
@@zorbbful the sensor is for low oxygen not CO hence it will shut off preventing an enclosed area from being starved of oxygen which would also be a main reason for incomplete combustion.
Just a heads up. What you had there was probably a CO detector, not a monitor. There's small amounts of CO around us all the time, and a sensitive monitor will always show a number greater than zero because of that. A detector, on the other hand, will stay pegged at zero until a threshold of danger has been crossed, then suddenly it jumps from zero up to 70 or whatever (and makes you wet yourself when it starts screeching). So don't be lulled into thinking that just because your detector reads zero, that this thing isn't putting out any CO.
Indeed, there's CO in the normal air around us and we breathe it all the time, about 100 parts per billion, so the scientists say. So simply seeing "0" and assuming there is a lack of carbon monoxide or no change in the amount present is a logical fallacy. OSHA gets concerned if it reaches over 50 parts per million. You're right PPB and PPM (parts per billion and parts per million) aren't the same thing, we'd need to shift three decimal places (1 PPM = 1000 PPB) so 50 PPM = 50,000 PPB or 500 times the amount normally found in the air we breathe. Of course, all that info is useless unless someone holds an air sniffer, not a simple alerting device in front of an active heater to get us some real data.
It's also recommended to place those readers on the wall because they get a better reading from the CO that travels the wall. This I'd what I heard. I get the reading on mine for 30 and today it was 45 with my little buddy... so I am trying to get that number down but stay warm!
We have used them in the bathrooms of the house since last Sunday Mary...still here. We didn't close doors and we left the windows cracked in the bathrooms and it was nice to have a warm bathroom at night. We use them in deer blinds every winter.
Patrick Biggins 1 second ago I live off grid and have been using my Mr heater big buddy for 5 years in my motor home,,, even in the bedroom section with door closed and vent closed and windows closed i have no problems,,, motor homes and trailers and tents have enough air leaks to keep oxygen levels pretty safe,,, I run mine 24/7 throughout the winter,,,about 5 months
I have one in my work shop for winter. Works great keeping the chill out. I also use a co2 detector in the same area. However I have the 20lb hose adaptor and fuel filter. (the filter screws into the buddy connector, then the hose to the filter and tank) If you get the hose adaptor, the filter is a must. The oils in the hose rubber to make it flexible can and will clog the pilot light, stopping it from working. Then you will have to take it apart to clean.
I use two of them in my home and garage when the power goes out, but I would NEVER use any kind of device that consumes fuel to make heat under any circumstances in a small enclosed space, and that includes a tent, camper, or a small room. Homebuiltcamper Dave is absolutely right. His 20 years as a fire fighter is all the experience I need to believe his cautionary tale.
I just used mine on a hippie living event and it worked good. It was in a van and only needed it in short bursts (10+/- total) had a brand new detector. It never set it off. Recomend cracking a window due to condensation. Mine was minimal but more use more moisture. Thanks for the upload.
Thanks a ton. We just bought one for our boat. Common sense and being informed always helps one cross the road, as I was taught over 60 years ago. Many thanks from a fellow B.C. Canadian. Happy trails and safe boating everyone.
I purchased the big buddy 3 years ago as a backup in case my furnace failed. I have a 37 foot Class A. I now use it as my main source of heat as it sips the propane as compared to my furnace. Having an older RV, it has drafts and is not airtight. Also, the vent fan for the stove top is always open. I have smoke, carbon monoxide, and Propane detectors in the coach.
Put in a humidistat. Complete combustion produces both CO2 and water vapours. If you are not careful, you could have mold growing especially if you have foam mattresses on plywood platforms instead of slats or a box base as those are designed to ventilate your mattress to remove trapped perspiration.
Got one of these for me and my wife when we went tent camping with my buddies and their girlfriends. The wifes not big into the outdoor scene or the cold so this was my bargaining chip with her. I must say these things are pretty damn amazing, I did go through 2 tanks of propane though but it was 15 degrees (Fahrenheit) and I ran on high the whole night. Worst part of having a heater while camping is dealing with the ball busting from your friends that you need a heater to go camping.
I lived in my camper for 2 years while I built my off grid home in Vermont. I used a Big Buddy as my heat source both winters. The RV has propane detector and CO2 detector and they never went off. Only issue was moisture that burning propane puts off collecting on the metal window trim. I’m still alive and kicking.
I lived in a van for over a year traveling around looking for a place to build off grid. I often used a Big Buddy for heat with a window cracked. Me and my dog were fine but some will say that is crazy. It's also crazy to freeze to death is what i would say. But you, do you. Here's looking up bud. @@justinkanicki8044
I despise giving the local utilities company money, so I heat with a woodstove, and this year I bought a heat buddy to use in the bathroom for some extra heat on that end of my mobile home. So far so good, it definitely does the trick! Thanks for the extra reassurance though. And I was confused by what the box said as well, I’m in Tennessee and it says the same thing, not for indoor use., etc.. I only turn it on a few minutes before a shower and turn it off afterwards, works perfect for that! Stay warm!
I have used these to heat my small cabins which I live in year round in the cold snowy north and have had no problem! With that said what I do is I crack my back window about a 1/4 inch and front window a little less so there is always fresh air. Oh, I also use 20lb tanks with long hose. 6 years and never set off CO2 detector.
I just recently went deer hunting and stayed in my buddies 14 foot cargo trailer for 5 days. We used one of those heaters to stay warm and I was wondering about the carbon monoxide. So we cracked the door about a quarter of a inch. I woke up the next morning with a sore throat and all that day sinuses were out of control. Felt better later that evening. Went back in the trailer to sleep with the heater on and same thing happened next day. Thought maybe coming down with a cold but the third day started coughing all day ruining my hunt. The fourth night choking and coughing while trying to sleep. feeling worse the next day. Finally packed up and went home and next day felt perfectly fine. So my theary was that cracking the door was not sufficient enough to vent this heater. Maybe to much carbon monoxide not enough oxygen. Either way better have plenty of air flow with that heater. Because I personally think I was a quarter inch away from killing myself. So if you have these symptoms you are probably not coming down with the flu. You need more air flow. I hope this helps. God bless
And there is the difference.....a cabin.... not a camper. Your cabin breaths naturally also the cold snowy north as you put it is very low humidity in the winter. Which also helps. With these heaters people are worried about the wrong thing. They trow a gallon of water into the air for every 3 gallons of fuel burned..
Make sure to use an inline filter if you use a 20lb propane tank with this heater. I friend of mine had his clog up from using large tanks without a filter and he could never repair it. Oily substance clogged up all of the lines and they are TINY.
Thank you! I've been wanting to get one of these for a long time. They make one with a catalytic converter in it, I don't know what difference it makes. I have an older model that sits on top of the propane canister. Although it's efficient, it's a bit unnerving to light. Nevertheless, thank you for a well done review!
I just got mine! I'll be using it in my minivan so this is just the info I was looking for, thanks! I gotta say, you had me shook leaving that heater running with those other canisters damn near sitting right in front of it!😳🤪😂
I have used the large cabinet buddy heater for years in my sunroom in Victor Idaho, which does get down to zero in the winter. It’s a large sunroom and it does have leaky windows for fresh air input. Works great. Primarily run it during the early morning to warm things upthere. I also use a smaller body heater in my 12 foot camper. Definitely you want to crack vent because it is burning oxygen.
I use this heater in my Dodge Grand caravan when boondocking. I've turned it on with no vent and fell asleep with it on. I woke up about 3 hours later cold as it had shut itself off due to the oxygen sensor. Very safe heaters and I recommend them but if your going to need it a lot based on location definitely get the hose and 20 gallon tank.
Hey Taylor. I lost a friend to CO in a camper back in the 90's so do be careful but the testing sure puts a fellas mind at ease. I think your office needs a big screen and a hot tub Lol. Keep Livin That Dream.
Nice job, thank you!! I've had mine for like 8 mos and was too scared to use it over Thanksgiving. Honestly, I didn't know how to turn it on and didn't hold the pilot down long enough, so I appreciate that bit of your video. Going forward with confidence! And an open window! One consideration is that burning propane really increases moisture, so you do have to be careful of that/mold. Need airflow. Thanks again!
Great video man! I appreciated the lengths you went to so as to cover all areas and answer any questions we might have. Also your sponsor seems like a really nice guy.
I use one to take the chill off my bathroom before I jump in the shower or when I'm working in my garage. It's an awesome little appliance. The catalist raises the Temperature enough to burn off the CO. CO is a flammable gas.
You did a marvelous job with the CO aspect!! VERY impressive and thorough. It would be great to also test the O2 levels in much the same manner. Yes, the Buddy has the 'low O2 shutdown', but at what level of O2 does it shut down and how safe is that level, whatever it is?? A CO2 monitor would be an indirect way to test it, but there are O2 level monitors available that have a digital display similar to the CO monitor you used in the video. If you had added the O2 monitor during the test you did, we'd all know how much the O2 levels were affected in the test. It's worth mentioning about the condensation - open flames from propane produce water vapor as a byproduct, which is the source of much or all the condensation you had. Some viewers would benefit from learning this.
He did not do a marvelous job with the CO. That’s incorrect use and I’m surprise it’s not mentioned. The unit he used is alarm only. Not measurement indication.
Awesome testing real! TIME.. cool watch, and bought one a couple days ago for emergency JEAT if electricity cut OUT in MN... 20 below easy and furnace does not work!!! AKA. Big Buddy I bought, 50 tank... 200 total!!! worth it for 20-30 hours on LOW of heat to stay alive in COLD weather house... and I camp also or work on truck in the GARAGE.. unheated. very good video!!!
Thanks for the practical use test! I just bought the smaller version for my 8x16 trailer. I will immediately purchase a CO detector too. And thanks for the temperature in C and F for an American guy!!! R
Thanks for the video. Very informative. People get paranoid over things they don’t understand or care to use some logic. I’ll bet you that you would get a little CO from using your stove or oven in the camper. That is flat out combustion without any catalyst to take care of the CO like in the Heater Buddy. I would use the Heater Buddy before the oven or stove burners. As an aside I bought mine for $25 at Pep Boys. Never saw that price ever. Must have feared litigation ! Thanks for your video.
As you can see when you walked in at 12:25, these give off a lot of humidity. That alone is enough reason to vent your RV. You will get "sweaty" walls and eventually, mold. For the record, every newer RV has CO and propane monitors built in. I've hooked this up to a 20lb tank and ran it overnight without issue in my RV. (Vented of course).
Thanks very much Taylor. I'm looking at getting one for my boat and was wondering if it will heat enough, as well as will it poison me. I Googled and got lots of conflicting reports on these propane heaters. Your tests and subsequent results have put my worries to rest. Much appreciated.
they need to be kept level, so not sure how well they'll work on a boat. i've fished with a guy who uses those ones that mount on a 20 lb tank, for on his boat, and those work great.
@@keithscott9774 ya. And now that i think about it, i did take mine out a few times, on a friend's boat, trolling on winter days. The buddy heater did work fine while trolling.
Great video! We live full time in our 40ft 5th wheel. The furnace blower fan decided to go on the fritz last night with the temps dropping to 16°F. Our electric fireplace helps a lot in balancing the heat with the propane furnace but that alone does not do it. We have one of these and my wife was concerned about using it also last night. We will use it tonight to help. Warner weather is coming so hopefully that will give us time to stay warm and get the furnace fixed.
Hi. Tip for natural gas home furnaces. You can (I have) wire your furnace via extension cord (of appropriate gage) and plug it into a 110v wall outlet for normal operation. I’ve mounted a wall outlet with one plug and an on/off switch to the outside of my furnace. If you have kids, choose an appropriate place for mounting. When (not if) you have a power outage in the winter you can unplug furnace from the wall outlet and plug it into your generator outside - repeat OUTSIDE! (my generator is only 4300 watt output, works great). I got the idea from other TH-cam videos, search for and watch for more details. Of course you should consult an electrician and local electrical codes first. Unfortunately, I don’t think you can power your whole house AC in this way with anything but a large generator.
I've used one in a house room once. No problems with CO. I did keep the window cracked open though. The only real problem I had with one of these heaters is that it got fouled quickly. A propane filter is a must.
@@michaeldaley1861It is an inline filter that traps impurities in the propane. It comes in an aluminum body. Various hardware stores sell it for this heater under the brand name Mr. Heater. However there appears to be a shortage on it right now.
I use a similar indoor rated heater and something to note is that it creates humidity. I like it because where I usually camp it's quite dry, but it's something to be aware of. On days with more humidity I've woken up to find the windows 'sweating' on the inside. I like that it's quiet, uses less propane, and no battery power. I leave the RV's thermostat on in case it gets too cold for the little heater to keep us comfy.
Hey Taylor, having a 1 ton truck and a truck camper is a very expensive combo. A better low budget option is the Ram Promaster cargo van. Now you can have fun building it out and you’ll have a ton of content from just the build!
I have a couple of buddies. Use in home, trailer home and tent. I love the product. It only runs for 5 1/2 to 6 hrs on low. I have used them for about 4yrs now. Works awesomely.
I like the buddy heaters but the small canisters of fuel dosent last long enough for me. I would recommend a larger 30 or 40 lb tank outside. Then use the small canisters for back up.
I was always under the impression that, regardless of what the manufacturer says, we all need to leave a window or a roof vent cracked to prevent condensation, if nothing else. I've been to numerous "unattended deaths" caused by carbon monoxide as an Criminal Investigator. Most of them were accidental, some were intentional, (which I'll just leave as that.) ALL of the accidental deaths were preventable with more education. It amazes to that, even in this day and age, people still misuse devices that run off of carbon-based fuels. Bottom line is, you made a very good video, and did a good job testing the heater, but there's no way I could use one in an enclosed area without fear of injury to myself or my wife.
Have run a Buddy for years now and found that they will shut off from the oxygen sensor long before CO builds up - so much so that it's too sensitive. The major difference is that with the combustion of propane you create water vapor. The furnace in your camper is vented so that only the heat comes into the cabin and the propane combustion happens in a separate combustion chamber that is sealed from the heated air and then the exhaust from that gets vented outside so it drastically reduces water vapor / condensation in a camper or tent. The Buddy isn't able to be vented outside, so all of that water vapor + human's breathing stays inside. This is also why opening a vent helps mitigate condensation. After using a Buddy for years, I was so much happier installing an actual furnace and using the Buddy as a backup.
First..., Yep, that's the downside to the Buddy. Condensation is a thing. But it just doesn't take that much ventilation to fix it. The downside to the furnaces with the outside vents is that they blow a lot of their heat out with the exhaust. Nothing is perfect. We make the best of what we have.
I couldn't tolerate the condensation,I'm putting a wood stove in, a dry heat that I've used all my life and feel totally comfortable with.When the buddy heater wouldn't light during a 0 degree power outage during a ice storm for the 2nd time I gave it up.When I can see my breath in the air using a heater i have to open vents for I feel I've wasted my money.
@@maxinemcclurd1288 I'm curious as to what type of wood stove your going with. I've been researching portable camp stoves for the past year and there are some real good options out there.
@@rprovasoli probably.... do you have any air circulating into the shed? Sometimes helps to leave the shed door a crack open. The O2 sensors are designed to shut it off. Either that or something is wrong with your unit. I'd try opening the door to the shed a crack and seeing if it works after getting some fresh air...
These are great for the jobsite, i just got my first one the other day and gotta say when your in the rocky mountains in the middle of January and its below freezing your not gonna be able to charge any of your batteries for your power tools or have a warm place to take a break other than the work truck, this does a pretty decent job for setting up a battery charging station somewhere thats safe and somewhat enclosed
Great video! Little Buddy kept me from freezing to death when I had to live in an uninsulated bus for 5 years in the PNW. Please, my Canadian friend, the vital importance of readily accessible Fire Extinguishers cannot be emphasized enough in any type of RV. I have two twenty pound ones next to my bed and one near my woodstove.
I'm not worried about the CO levels (the Buddy has a built-in CO monitor). What I worry about is condensation, which always seems to be problematic for propane heaters. The last thing that I want when I'm camping 4hrs North of Moosonee, in the winter, is condensation build-up inside my camper, or tent. That's instant death, mate!
For real, I use my Big Buddy in north eastern Nevada mostly during October and May and I go to a lot of trouble to put RainX on my windows...ON THE INSIDE of the Fifth Wheel because of the condensation. And I never leave it on while I am asleep. During November through April I use a micro woodstove from Cubic called Grizzly and it takes the moisture out of the air...very nice.
I used this model in the cabin of my sailboat. It worked very well when I set the output to "High". My CO detector did not alert. The heater worked well on the "Low" output setting, but the CO detector alerted to an abnormally high level. This made sense since CO is produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. So, fair warning... Keep the CO meter/detector functional!
I'm a paramedic/firefighter as well. I use the same CO ("Four Gas") meters at work. I kept my reply at a Harry Homeowner level instead of trying to explain the varying levels of carboxyhemoglobin that the human body endures. I simply intended to cast a warning.
I've had one of these for years- the big buddy, run with a 20 lb LPG can. With it on full blast it's like sitting next to a campfire. I lived in an older house built in the twenties in Central Florida, so the windows were anything but airtight. It really was a buddy during the occasional severe cold snap that we get compliments of Canada. I now have central heat but keep my buddy in its box for that special occasion.
Short answer: YES! They are designed to be used indoors. A heater that only works outside would make no sense at all. A carbon monoxide detector is only about $15. You have no excuse not to have one.
Short answer: NO the carbon monoxide detector for the Buddy heater is located on the ground the last place the carbon monoxide is going to be. You can die from using these I nearly did.
@@zorbbful Carbon Monoxide is heavier than air, so the bottom is exactly where the sensor should be. If it was on the top like a smoke detector, you'd be long dead before the sensor realizes there is a problem.
@@AndrewPowerTower I’m afraid you’re mistaken. According to the US EPA: “Because carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and also because it may be found with warm, rising air, detectors should be placed on a wall about 5 feet above the floor. The detector may be placed on the ceiling. Do not place the detector right next to or over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance.” Might you be thinking of propane, which is indeed heavier than air?
Ok. Thanks for this video. I have one of these and have been nervous about carbon monoxide too. I use it in the truck as a heater. So far have used it for several years with no problems. However, I can smell a few fumes from the actual propane. I still think it's best to ventilate a little bit.
Now I know. Slept in a remote shed on Northern Arizona high country, cracked the window just to NOT run out of oxygen and woke up the next day. Your video tells me more about why. :)
I love my buddy heater, Its a good ( back up ) for me and because I refill the 1 pound bottles it costs virtually nothing. my motorhome has a forced air propane furnace and it does use a lot of energy to run.
Great video. Your personal results were very impressive. Not gonna lie, I bought one of those several years back and never used it because of the CO fear factors. I'm in Central Florida and running our full-on furnace heats my Motorcoach too harm. Using the little heater for the bedroom would be a great option, window vented, of course. Yep, might need to drag it out and give it a go I the terms get belo freezing a few times this winter.
GREAT VIDEO! One of the best review videos I've seen! I'm looking at purchasing one of these heating units for my cargo trailer to hunting trailer conversion. You've answered all the questions I've had about this unit. However, I plan to connect mine to a 20 pound propane tank so it will last for an entire hunting weekend. Thanks for sharing!
@@packpride23 not sure if you discovered yet but go to a tractor supply or farm/ranch store that seeks these heaters and they should have a connector hose to run a 20lb tank to the buddy heater. 👍🏼
I got the smaller BTU output "little buddy" it runs for 6.5 hours on the one temperature setting it has. It's plenty for my VW bus. But eventually I'm going to get a mini wood burning stove. I think you should go that route too. And the reason why you should crack a window is because moisture will build up and actually make it colder
A mini wood stove will kill you without massive venting. A catalytic heater zero Carbon Dioxide Zero carbon monoxide 99% efficiency No flame No combustion A Simple fresh air intake at the floor and an exhaust at the ceiling will get rid of the only process from a ceramic heater that being H2O
A Mr Buddy Heater isn't a catalytic heater it a combustion flame heater A catalytic heater isn't a combustion ie flame heater No flame No combustion Ever
@Donald Carey Study the science No flame low heat ptocess Catalytic heater. Mr Buddy Isn't a catalytic heater Catalytic heater are an entirely different process Not combustion... The world is getting surrounded by morons you're one of them Donald
We’ve been using a BIG BUDDY heater in our 27’ Class A RV (through Canadian mountain winters) for six plus years, without incident. We simply leave both the driver and passenger windows open 4” each, even in -50°F weather. The only detraction is that, after a year, it’s necessary to purchase a new hose (it accumulates ‘gunk’), which costs about $70 CAD. We use 20 lb propane tanks exclusively, and in wintertime we use our BUDDY 24/7. We do clean (using compressed air) our BUDDY every two or three days. I hope this is useful.🙏🏻 Love and All Good Things, Jess.🌹
You will get alot of moisture from that Mr. Buddy heater but you have vents so as long as you're comfortable with it then it's fine I've used it in a cabin and in a van for few days but they can cause mold and mildew if not ventilated good
My suggestion is you get a MSA single gas detector for CO2 to measure your ppm in the fire service. Some departments usually issue to our members a single gas detector besides the units we carry on the trucks. My suggestion is to contact your local fire department
i was very excited to finally buy a Buddy, and even more excited when it exceeded my expectations in build quality and heat performance. BUT... it emits an exhaust, a faint but still noticeable ‘burnt fuel’ odor, almost like a BBQ. i am super sensitive so i wasn’t surprised to discover that these fumes cause me to get congested (almost any dust/dander/smoke/etc does), but i *was* surprised to have sleeping issues (in the house) after a day of Buddy use at my job site (enclosed shed with 9”x9” open window). those fumes cause my blood pressure to go up, and when trying to sleep later that night i can feel my pulse throughout my body; it takes a couple days of no Buddy use to return to normal. Alas, i cannot use the Buddy unless i suppose i’m actually outdoors, because the exhaust is too reactive with my body. so i would imagine that other sensitive ppl, especially those with asthma or high BP for example, may also have issues with “indoor” Buddy use. it’s a shame cause i really like this heater and planned to keep it as a backup option, but the side effects are unbearable for me. Oh also yes it produces tons of moisture and condensation, which i found counter-productive for “staying warm” in frigid temps.
Elevated HR could be because of the high moisture in the air. Get an inexpensive digital humidity meter and measure. More likely, your symptoms occur when humidity is elevated. By the way, it's more of a drag on a body when humidity and temps are high vs temps low, humidity high. Your cardiovascular system and lungs are affected. (of course, I'm not a Doc)
Joseph, something you wrote struck a chord with me. Regarding the pulse you would feel throughout your body. What, if anything, have you found correlate to the pulsing? I feel them occasionally along my spine, and I thought it was just me.
@@aperson1181 incorrect, at least in my case. first of all, i said BP not HR. second of all, high humidity has never caused my body to react that way. it is the propane exhaust, without a doubt. stand over a lit BBQ for 8 hours and tell me you feel weird because of humidity... it’s because you are breathing burnt fuel exhaust. the Buddy smells like a BBQ when running. my body has never reacted to a humid environment, a humidifier on full blast, nor any other humidity related scenario like this. it is the chemical exhaust fumes, beyond any shadow of a doubt.
Of course you need open vents for the depletion of o2 alone. I recommend getting a diesel heater that has a sealed combustion chamber. You route the exhaust and combustion intake outside. They work great and have a pretty neat control module that shows you error codes. Very fuel efficient I use one to heat my house.
A really great presentation. I will use in my unheated garage. I will probably crack the door but the heater will help keep my hands warm while using my lathe. You great video has put my mind to rest while using. Thanks, Steve
I'm a 40 year home renovator. I purchased one only for extreme emergencies. That kidde dector only goes off after 30 whatever. In the USA they consider that ok, here in Canada we have stricker rules. It produces water vapor, hence condensation around the perimeter of your vehicle, hence possible mold build up. Like the Firefighter said be careful
@@johncpen2000 I'm not sure. I have two wall mounted 'Kidde' carbon monoxide detectors with 10 year batteries. Contrary to what I said back then these only go off after a certain point is passed. I'm in Canada.
Bad news for you. There is a reason most of the time it reads 0. That’s a homeowner co detector. The lowest reading you’ll get is 30. I spent many years as a fire fighter. Those detectors are not sensitive enough to detect under 30ppm. 30ppm is considered the safe level of exposure for up to 8 hours, as in working on a car repair shop. Problem is co builds up in your blood over time. And when you move to fresh air your system will never give up all the co. This is why firefighters have so much trouble later in life with high co levels in the systems. I bought the buddy heater and tested with one of the 4 gas meters from our fire trucks in my 8X12 camper with window open 3 inches as directions state. The co level quickly rose to 10 and drifted from between 10 and 20 ppm while in operation. Well under the 8 hour limit. But well over what would be considered safe for long term exposure. So I returned the buddy heater and just use an electric heater that runs off my small generator outside. I’m not saying don’t use it. But be careful. It does make low level co that will be in your blood. Blood is 9 times more likely to absorb co over o2. So it will be in your system and will build up over time. All I have to rely on is 20 years in the fire service. I’m not a scientist or doctor. But I would never use one inside a camper.
Very good point about the detector's limitation. What is your opinion on using this type of heater in an ice fishing house, made from thick canvas, with the vents opened? I use the big buddy while sleeping at night in the fish house, but I only install 1 bottle at a time. My theory is that, if there should be any CO, one small tank worth won't be enough to kill me. When one bottle runs out in 3 hours, it gets cold, which wakes me up. Get fresh air, have a smoke, install another bottle and go back to sleep.
They were kind of designed for ice fishing shanties and such where there is decent ventilation. Keep some air flowing and your probably OK. But if your getting sleepy in there it could be because of co. Drowsiness is an early first sign. Just be careful. There are millions of these on the market. As long as they are burning perfectly and there is decent ventilation they are probably fine. They just make me nervous. Too many years in fire service. Want to know for sure buy a hand held detector. Link below. Pretty accurate and cheap. You’ll have to replace it every 3 to 4 years. You can nurse more life out of it by always storing in a plastic bag. With a detector like linked below, Then you’ll have to decide. Co scares me. I have one of these in my garage. It’s amazing how little an engine needs to run to push it. He also ruined that co detector as soon as he put it near the exhaust. The sensors get coated with co and the other exhaust gasses and get even less sensitive in high co environments. If I was going to use a buddy heater I would always have a hand held and then you can monitor it and you’ll know for sure. Read the directions. Hand Held Carbon Monoxide Meter - High Accuracy and 1000 PPM Measurement Range CO Sensor w/Digital LCD Display Auto Power Off Safety Alarm Battery Operated and Control Buttons - Pyle PCMM05 www.amazon.com/dp/B005FU5J5Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.B8zCbCTPVFPQ
Homebuiltcamper Dave also, doesn’t CO collect at ground level first?
The Arizona Homestead Project... No. co is ever so slightly lighter than air which is also part of the reason it is so dangerous. It fills the room gradually and very evenly. That’s why you don’t really want your co detectors all the way up near the ceiling where there can be dead air spaces. You want them in the air you are breathing. The common misconception that co is heavier I think comes from the camper world. Often in camper they are installed near the floor because they are combined with propane detectors. Propane is heavier than air so the detector has to be low to give the earliest warning, so the combo propane co/propane detectors commonly used in campers have to be low. My recommendation for standalone co detectors is put them shoulder to chest height in a room and keep them out of corners where there is dead air. I have mine right in the main hall outside the bedrooms, in my small house. In the camper I have mine at head height sitting on the bed. Then your covered well standing, sitting, or laying. You want the soonest warning you can get.
Homebuiltcamper Dave well thanks. I drive a semi and keep a detector close to the floor. Sometimes you get a guy parked next to you with a bad running gas generator and you can smell it in the truck. Never have problems with the diesel generators. I just don’t want to die in my sleep because some guy parks next to me while I’m sleeping. I’ve had it go off several times.
The thing about Propane is: It is HEAVIER THAN AIR, burning Propane produces CO2 and water Vapour. the CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) is also heavier than air, and will settle into the lowest point and collected and build up, Parking your RV/Trailer/Camper or tent with the buddy heater in the lowest point, facing your sleeping area, with a very small opening behind the heater, will prevent CO2 or propane vapour from removing all the oxygen, A Dehumidifier will remove the water vapour. Ideally in an RV/TT/Camper you want the water vapour to be below 40%
I live in my camper. Have same heater and have used it for over 2 years. Absolutely no problems. I'm a heart patient and blood and lungs are checker regularly.
CO2 can hurt your heart.😮
As long as you have a working. Carbon monoxide detector no problem.
Liar
Are you encouraging people to commit suicide? Any fuel burning device needs to be outdoors.
Same. No med issues tho. Long time now.
I performed essentially the same test in my garage last night with a new Big Buddy, and instead of the Kidde CO detector I used an MSA Altair 4XR 4 gas monitor, the type of monitor that your local fire department would be using if they showed up for a complaint about a carbon monoxide alarm going off or a gas leak. My result was after 3 hours of run time in my small 1 car garage with no ventilation opened was that I read 1 PPM of CO. Generally speaking low level extended exposure is considered hazardous at 50 PPM ( if that space is occupied for an 8 hour period) , and 1200 PPM is considered an environment immediately dangerous to life and health. It is a best practice that anyone using any fuel burning heater have a CO detector like the one you have there installed inside the habituated space, as well as a working smoke alarm, as space heaters are a leading cause of fatal home fires when used in sleeping areas.
You deserve a thousand up votes. Thanks.
this reply needs to go to the top
Lived in Pertersburg, Alaska for 4 years. I lived in a one bedroom cabin and used the larger version of this heater for the duration of the time there. It was a fantastic tool of survival.
I love Petersburg! I lived in Juneau for 14 years and I had the inimitable pleasure of traveling to P-Burg with a fabulous group of performers called Heliotroupe. We took the ferry, performing for the passengers to pay for our tickets, and did two shows there. I got rubbings of the petroglyphs on the beach that I have on my wall to this day.
How long does a 20 lb propane tank last?
@@PeaceJourney... I should think it lasts 20 times longer than a one pound tank.
@@PeaceJourney... depends on temperature
@@elevatedgrubgardens118 so, if it's forty degrees outside and you want to keep it 68° inside, does it last for one night or more?
WOW! You were so thorough! Now I feel safe buying one for my home. Thanks! I’m glad you’re still alive!
They are safe, used one for years in my hunting “shack” it was an 8’x8’ structure and I never had any problems or CO issue! Great video and review!
I bet it wasn't air tight.
I use them all the time, vent your space and turn it off before going to sleep.
@@MrChancebandit they emit almost no CO when the burn is clean. Maybe an old unit that had no filter running a rubber hose to it would produce more CO but generally not. They are quite safe and have been used indoor/outdoor by millions for DECADES.
@@escapetherace1943 I used one with no filter and I almost died. Be safe
@@sumbeach5561 I was in a foth wheel trailer ...using a mr buddy Hester for full time heat....I forgot to open a window and ran the heater fpr a couple of hours. I started feeling really sleepy. And something wasn't right ...as soon as I got up to get outside the C02 alarm went off. I shut the heater off and aired out the trailer and the alarm shut off. I never used one pf those again in an air tight space ....I use a propane wall heater now not a mr buddy heater with bkue flame with an oxygen deficiency safety shutoff. And I always have 2 WI dows cracked for cross ventilation. Been using one for 6 years with no issues or alarms...couple times I left the trailer forgetting the heater was on and when I got home the oxygen difference shutoff worked great. DYNA GLO 20 000 btu blur flame is the one I have . Buy that before the buddy heater
We have used a Buddy Heater for 4 years now and we love it... Our primary use is to supplement the forced air heater in our 32 foot travel trailer. Mainly to save on battery power in the winter. Our CO detector has never been triggered but we do keep the roof vents open just a crack...
We have seen temperatures as low as neg-15 deg, C and the Buddy heater keeps the trailer comfortable on low to medium heat most of the time.
I use one two but I’m not brave enough to sleep with it running as I’m afraid of not waking up.
How long would one canister of propane run?
@jmcdrawer5031
In truth, I've never used the canisters.
I only run 5 gallon or larger. The rub time of course will depend upon how cold it is, how warm you want it and the size of space being heated.
We mostly use it for our 32 foot travel trailer to supplement the trailers heater when it's really cold, like in the teens or colder....
Usually we use a 10 gallon tank and that lasts close to a week.
Just turn it to low when you get a headache. Thats what i do ice fishing in 20 ft camper.
You use it at night @@Brood_Master
I fainted from CO poisoning once sitting in a tank(army tank) and when my buddy dragged me out I had a headache for three days. I never felt it happening at all. Probably a great way to commit suicide. However I have used these a lot on boats and tiny cabins, but I would never leave it on all night.
dah. tank has an engine and sucky exhaust. heater no co like the tank?
My tank never had that issue m60-a3 and I don’t recall the heater working that great soooo there is that lol
Mine was a M-60 A1… it wasn’t from the heater, it was the idiots tank in front of us.
@@boathemian7694 good times lol
Note to self: can defeat tank with sleepy fumes
Note to self #2: sleepy fumes can defeat self when self no want to live anymore
I’m in the HVAC industry and have a $2500 Co detector and I have use my heater for about 9 years now and have never detected co during operation. Pretty reliable heater, I use the 12’ hose connected to a big tank, way cheaper than the 1lb bottles, unless you’re going to refill them.
Huh? My professional CO meter registered 20-30 ppm of CO on low flame after a few minutes of operation.
@@MustadMarine Of couse he did not test your unit nor you test his, and maybe some units burn cleaner than others. I personally have a hard time trusting a cheap burner to burn clean forever if my life depended on it.
@@MustadMarine Propane / alcohol burners *shouldn't* create any CO, if there's enough oxygen available in the space for full combustion and if the burner is working correctly. So either you had a faulty unit / valve (not super likely), or you didn't have adequate oxygen &/ airflow in whatever space you were using it, which of course is a major concern in an enclosed space like an RV.
@@MustadMarineso putting “professional “ on front means it trumps anything else? 🙄
@@seanpeacock5595 it means it is not a home style dumb CO detector
Thanks. I bought a used one awhile back for emergencies in case the power goes out. Recently had an issue with my furnace not blowing hot air, but I still had power, so I used portable electric heaters until the hvac guy came. It was before all this brutal weather we just had. Our temps got down to -25°F with windchill of -45°F. It was bad enough, but I cannot imagine those temps if the power goes out and there's no heat source. My heart goes out to all those dealing with the current crisis.
Great test, I have used one of the large Buddy heaters in my uninsulated box trailer at shows and I have never set off the very same detector and never got any reading from the heater. But, once I fired up my propane camp stove and set the burners on high that reading went up fast!! So don't worry about the heater but definitely worry about the stove!
The difference there is that the stove uses an open flame to create heat.
There’s a little sticker by the knob that says indoor, garage, kitchen for the hi and low setting. I bought one of these which I’ll probably never use as I don’t camp but I have it just in case I ever need it. This is a good video for info for sure.
Practice connecting and lighting and burning now..be really ready.
I agree with your test. If the heater is stored it should be kept dust free. Dusty heaters could create CO. Keep them clean and they’re good. A small vent is always a good idea for fresh air.
I've done the same test so many times and came up with zero ppm. My tests were always in a tent camper between 1400 and 7000 ft above sea level. Then I was above 10,000 ft and I woke up again to 0, but after pushing the button to see the max reading ever recorded I found that at one point that night the CO meter registered 40 ppm before it went back down again. So keep that in mind.
Yup, It only takes one time. I think going forward with caution, a vented window, and a CO reader, and we'll be fine. Almost anything can kill us but we manage. ( ;
Great informative video! Glad you did that "closed up" test. I'd hate to go to sleep one night and wake up dead the next morning 😁
Lmao @ “wake up dead” 😂😂😂
@@LeviAaronx his statement was more true than you think. Only your body dies and the soul that part that makes you unique does not. You will find out one day just as we all will & on that day you will rejoice & think dam that man was right. Here is a tip for that day please read carefully it just might save you from reincarnation. The First Death: A Crisis of Faith
The day I died came without warning. One moment, I was living my life, and the next, I found myself in a strange place. Surrounded by glowing beings-angels, or so I thought-they asked me one simple question: “Who are you looking for?”
Without hesitation, I answered, “God.”
The angels exchanged puzzled glances, as if the name I had spoken was foreign to them. “God?” one of them asked. “We don’t know who that is.”
Panic surged through me. How could they not know God? These were supposed to be divine messengers, the beings who served Him, weren’t they? My heart pounded as fear gripped me. In that moment, I screamed, “Jesus, save me!” The Angles smiled and said come with us.
“If you stay here, your soul will die,” one of them said, their voices calm but firm. I didn’t understand what they meant, but the fear of losing my soul was stronger than my confusion. So, reluctantly, I went with them.
They brought me aboard a UFO, a celestial vessel that moved through the cosmos. I was taken to a flawless, Earth-like planet, a paradise without blemish. There, the angels showed me my life, every action, every thought laid bare. It was a test, though not in the way I had imagined. It wasn’t about judgment or punishment; it was about whether I had truly lived in faith.
As I reviewed my life, I realized that I had doubted, that I hadn’t fully trusted in God’s plan. I had fallen short in ways I hadn’t even recognized while I was alive. And so, I failed the test.
The angels didn’t condemn me. Instead, they returned me to the Moon. Beneath its surface was a vast station where souls who failed their tests were sent to be reincarnated. My soul was cleansed of memory, and I was sent back to Earth to live again, carrying only the imprint of the lessons I had to learn.
The Second Death: The Test of Faith
Years passed, and I lived my second life, unaware of the cosmic journey I had once undertaken. Eventually, death came for me again. This time, when the angels appeared and asked, “Who are you looking for?” I didn’t hesitate. “God,” I said once more.
Again, they looked at me with confusion, as if the name meant nothing to them. They told me the same thing they had before: “If you stay here, your soul will die.”
But something inside me was different now. I had learned, even if I couldn’t remember it consciously. I stood my ground and said, “No. I won’t go with you. I will wait for my God. I have faith He will come for me, and if He doesn’t, I would rather die than live in a universe without Him.”
The angels didn’t try to persuade me this time. They simply watched as I made my choice, waiting in that place for God, willing to lose my soul for my faith.
And then, something changed. I felt it deep within me-a peace, a certainty I had never known before. I had passed the test. It wasn’t about how perfectly I had lived my life; it was about my willingness to give everything, even my soul, for the faith I held. That was the true test, and I had finally understood.
Becoming an Angel: A New Purpose
The angels smiled at me then, not in confusion but in recognition. I had found the truth I had been searching for. They took me back, not to be reincarnated, but to join them.
I had become one of them, a collector of souls, guiding others through their journeys just as they had guided me. I traveled the stars, visiting worlds and collecting the souls of those ready for their own tests. The work was vast, endless, but filled with purpose.
It was then that I understood what Jesus had meant when He said, “Heaven is like a great net cast into the sea of life.” The souls were the fish, the net gathering them together. But it wasn’t just work-it was joy. The net overflowed with souls, and everyone was helping, everyone was happy. We weren’t just collecting souls; we were part of a divine plan, a cosmic dance that spanned the universe.
In that moment, I realized that Heaven wasn’t just a place-it was a state of being, a harmony that existed wherever God’s will was carried out. And I was now part of that will, traveling the stars, collecting souls, and helping them find their way, just as I had found mine.
I’d always keep a window or vent cracked open. I use a 30,000 BTU Mr Heater for back up heat in my ranch style 1300 square feet home. No issues with the kitchen window open a bit.
I have camped in tents with the buddy heater with 2 other guys in the tent with no issues.
I’d still open a vent or window no ,after what.
Thank you for the review. I too had concerns about buying this in Canada for indoor use and It’s great to see a fellow Canadian doing some real world testing. Keep up the great work.
It's not certified for indoor use. Says so right on the box.
@@noname-zg8lh It says they have to put that warning on there due to federal regulations..But yes,as long as it is vented it is perfectly safe.
Canadians are silly, worried about a heater and a camper? Down here in Alabama we don't study a heater we study football.
@@noname-zg8lh that's to protect from liability. they can't sell it without adding that. no different than how everything ever made, causes cancer, but only in the state of california. guess why? because that's where most the world's damn lawyers live.
Don't use this indoors without having windows cracked for constant fresh air. Doesn't need alot but you need that fresh air.
Thanks to you and the firefighter that helped with information. I learned more in these few moments than I ever knew. BTW I did have a CO issue while pregnant and camping. It was cooler so we ran the on board heater. The trailer was borrowed and we didn't realize the vent was right below the window I had opened for my ventilation. Killer headaches sent me to the hospital.
Even after 4 yrs its still a very informative video. thanks for taking the time, please do others if you can.
I am a boondocker. I will camp for 1 to 2 months, & at temperatures as low as 4°. I have an R-Pod travel trailer and I’ve been using the Mr. Heater inside for many years because it’s much quieter than the trailer furnace! Since you have to keep it ventilated, I get the best of both worlds! Cold air coming through the windows, but it’s nice and toasty inside. I run a line out the window, from the Mr. Heater to a 5 gallon propane tank outside my trailer. So there is always ventilation, even if I forget to open up the other windows. I love it!
What type of line do you use connecting the propane tank outside to Mr. Heater?
Thanks for the information.
God bless and stay safe.
One morning, you'll waken cold and shivering. You'll wonder why you ran out of propane and go outside to investigate. Only to find your bottle has been stolen by a crackhead. Lol
Great video - thanks for this. Just bought one myself for emergency use in case of power outages and wanted to know just *how* safe they were indoors!
Have used buddy heater for 4 winters here in Canada and will say it'll definitely keep you warm, even at -22'c. Saved my life many times but it'll also rust your vehicle out and creates moisture/ mold
Good review m8😊
And so will the salt on the road.
as long as there is a fresh o2 supply propane burns cleanly and doesnt put out CO but can put out CO2 and use up all the O2. so keep a window cracked or some way for fresh air to get in and you should be fine. its when there isnt enough O2 it starts burning dirty and puts out the CO.
at least thats what i been told. the propane will dry out the air though so a humidifier may be needed. I got 1 for emergencies and had to use it other night. i ran it 10 min to heat room then shut off. cycled it like that
Thanks for doing this video. I have this heater and was afraid of this but sometimes it was so cold I would turn it on, but just leave it on for like 15-30 minutes so that I could at least get changed in some comfort. Now I have some reassurance that I can maybe push it further for my next outing.
A battery powered CO detector with digital readout like the one in the video runs about $30 USD and is a small price to pay for extra insurance. You can even fasten it to the heater with a velcro strip so they are always together.
Push it as hard as you can, after all the only thing that can happen is that u will fall asleep. Not like it's going to blow up...
I've been using buddy heaters for years. They work great for tent camping, also a great emergency heat source for power outages. I'll never be without one for backup. I highly recommend these heaters. I have the double buddy heater, which also does have a battery operated blower, which can also be plugged into 110v ac.
If that's really what they are called, I feel like they missed an opportunity: it should be called Buddy Double 😁
Once it gets below the 20s propane heat in a tent becomes very soggy.
Just sayin
I live in Oregon and we were just without power for 3 days. We have 2 Buddy Heaters and used 15 bottles of propane. Glad we had our Buddy.
15 big bottles or little bottles?
@@laineybugger little bottles
The gas heater in our home is 35 years old. When we moved in 8 years ago I was a bit paranoid about having such an old heater so I bought almost a dozen CO detectors for our 5 bedroom home. We have a mix of the digital readout and the type that just alarms but no readout. I also put a smoke detector in the closet where our electrical panel is in. I've never seen a readout above zero. When it comes time to replace a CO detector I'll put it near a car exhaust just to confirm it really was working all these years.
That might work with a really old car but the catalytic converters will put out close to zero hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. An old car would put out one or two percent.
@@lightningdemolition1964 - interesting...I'll update this comment in a couple years when my CO detector reaches end-of-life. I'll try this on my 2006 Toyota, 2012 Honda, and 2022 motorcycle.
@@donaldlee6760 all you need is a single charcoal briquette from the BBQ. Voluminous carbon monoxide to be had with no fuss or muss 😎
I’ve heard doing that will destroy the detector, so never put it near the car exhaust
I have a Little Buddy for my A Frame pop up camper and have never had a problem with it. Heats up really well, keeps me toasty and will continue using it during my camping trips. Great video. Really informative. Kudos to you fellow Canadian!
You should try using a geothermal fan to put on top of the buddy heater it will take the heat that rises and blow it around. It is a very efficient and effective tool.
It has a built in fan
“Geothermal” 😂 so it uses the earth to operate the fan on top of the heater? Thermal electric fan.
ITS called Seebeck effect. Not geothermal
Heat from the stove creates electricity.
The Buddy Heater
Won't produce enough
Take this anyway you want.
I was at deer camp a couple years ago we left two buddy heaters running in a converted School bus. When we came back from our blinds the carbon monoxide detector was wailing full blast.
Just saying.
These things can get screwed up. If the pilot light is ever orange and not completely blue then turn it off.
Hi Matt, you kinda left out some important details like heater size and bus size,,, what level was your heater set on,,,low medium or high and when was the last time you changed your batteries in the detector,,, I live in a 30 foot motor home and have 1 mr heater big buddy with 3 heat levels,,, I run it on low and medium 24/7 5 months a year and never have had a problem,,, I'll use high to preheat if I run to town and have it shut off,,, I've used the same heater for 5 years,,, you might be using the wrong type of heater or you might have bumped your heaters around and the heating elements have become dislodged from their seats which will give you the same results as turning your oven on to heat up your place,,, I would check with a different brand of detector and check operation by placing near exhaust pipe of running vehicle for a few seconds,,,
@@bigginspd standard size full school bus up on blocks. No modifications to the windows just gutted all the seats and put in bunk beds. Two double burner little buddy heaters one in each end of the bus. Once we aired it out the alarm stopped going off.
@@bigginspd you know what the more I think about it it was several years ago we also had a big camper too. The school bus had a wood stove in it with beds. But we slept in the camper with the heaters. So I have to correct myself a little bit. Deer camp is kind of a blur. There was only two of us at the time and keeping the bus warm was a pain in the ass.
New sub here I to live in Canada just bought one myself …..I don’t have a vent like that have to open a window a bit …
The balanced equation for combustion of propane is: C3H8 + 5O2 = 3CO2 + 4H2O. The products are 3 moles of CO2 and 4 moles of H2O. ... In the presence of excess oxygen, propane burns to form water and carbon dioxide.
In a perfect combustion yes but when not perfect combustion it creates a bunch of carbon monoxide kill you especially since the sensor for shut off is located on the ground where carbon monoxide isn't because it's lighter than oxygen
@@zorbbful the sensor is for low oxygen not CO hence it will shut off preventing an enclosed area from being starved of oxygen which would also be a main reason for incomplete combustion.
paul, its been 5 years, but this was my first thought. Thank you. But the CO2 can still be no bueno
Just a heads up. What you had there was probably a CO detector, not a monitor. There's small amounts of CO around us all the time, and a sensitive monitor will always show a number greater than zero because of that. A detector, on the other hand, will stay pegged at zero until a threshold of danger has been crossed, then suddenly it jumps from zero up to 70 or whatever (and makes you wet yourself when it starts screeching). So don't be lulled into thinking that just because your detector reads zero, that this thing isn't putting out any CO.
Good info.
That's not encouraging
Thanks for the info. I didn't know that. I guess I should have known at some point but forgot about the differences between the two. THANKS 😊.
Indeed, there's CO in the normal air around us and we breathe it all the time, about 100 parts per billion, so the scientists say. So simply seeing "0" and assuming there is a lack of carbon monoxide or no change in the amount present is a logical fallacy. OSHA gets concerned if it reaches over 50 parts per million. You're right PPB and PPM (parts per billion and parts per million) aren't the same thing, we'd need to shift three decimal places (1 PPM = 1000 PPB) so 50 PPM = 50,000 PPB or 500 times the amount normally found in the air we breathe.
Of course, all that info is useless unless someone holds an air sniffer, not a simple alerting device in front of an active heater to get us some real data.
It's also recommended to place those readers on the wall because they get a better reading from the CO that travels the wall. This I'd what I heard. I get the reading on mine for 30 and today it was 45 with my little buddy... so I am trying to get that number down but stay warm!
Thank you so much I was freezing during the big freeze here in Texas scared to use the damn thing inside, Thank you sooooo much dude!
We have used them in the bathrooms of the house since last Sunday Mary...still here. We didn't close doors and we left the windows cracked in the bathrooms and it was nice to have a warm bathroom at night. We use them in deer blinds every winter.
Patrick Biggins
1 second ago
I live off grid and have been using my Mr heater big buddy for 5 years in my motor home,,, even in the bedroom section with door closed and vent closed and windows closed i have no problems,,, motor homes and trailers and tents have enough air leaks to keep oxygen levels pretty safe,,, I run mine 24/7 throughout the winter,,,about 5 months
@Mary Boyd I have lived in a 200 square foot tiny house for the past 6 years. I use a big buddy during the winter with no problems.I live in Ohio.
You should have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. They’re about $15. No excuse.
@@totallyfrozen I have one plugged into the wall and my fire detectors also have Carbon monoxide detectors.
Cool video. I camp in the winter and I use the larger version with 2 tanks inside my tent all zipped up and no issue so I trust it
Thank you, I just bought this heater and I feel better watching this!
I have one in my work shop for winter. Works great keeping the chill out. I also use a co2 detector in the same area. However I have the 20lb hose adaptor and fuel filter. (the filter screws into the buddy connector, then the hose to the filter and tank)
If you get the hose adaptor, the filter is a must. The oils in the hose rubber to make it flexible can and will clog the pilot light, stopping it from working. Then you will have to take it apart to clean.
What exactly is the fuel filter for?
Hope you meant carbon monoxide, not co2
I use two of them in my home and garage when the power goes out, but I would NEVER use any kind of device that consumes fuel to make heat under any circumstances in a small enclosed space, and that includes a tent, camper, or a small room. Homebuiltcamper Dave is absolutely right. His 20 years as a fire fighter is all the experience I need to believe his cautionary tale.
I just used mine on a hippie living event and it worked good. It was in a van and only needed it in short bursts
(10+/- total) had a brand new detector.
It never set it off. Recomend cracking a window due to condensation. Mine was minimal but more use more moisture.
Thanks for the upload.
Thanks a ton. We just bought one for our boat. Common sense and being informed always helps one cross the road, as I was taught over 60 years ago. Many thanks from a fellow B.C. Canadian. Happy trails and safe boating everyone.
Thanks from the North Thompson, BC
I purchased the big buddy 3 years ago as a backup in case my furnace failed. I have a 37 foot Class A. I now use it as my main source of heat as it sips the propane as compared to my furnace. Having an older RV, it has drafts and is not airtight. Also, the vent fan for the stove top is always open. I have smoke, carbon monoxide, and Propane detectors in the coach.
Even new RV's are not airtight. If I close my roof vent , yes i can smell something but otherwise ... the heater still burns clean.
Put in a humidistat. Complete combustion produces both CO2 and water vapours. If you are not careful, you could have mold growing especially if you have foam mattresses on plywood platforms instead of slats or a box base as those are designed to ventilate your mattress to remove trapped perspiration.
According to some posters here, not me, there's no way in hell that you're still alive.
@@terrywaters6186 I'm happy to report that the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated!😂😝😂
Got one of these for me and my wife when we went tent camping with my buddies and their girlfriends. The wifes not big into the outdoor scene or the cold so this was my bargaining chip with her. I must say these things are pretty damn amazing, I did go through 2 tanks of propane though but it was 15 degrees (Fahrenheit) and I ran on high the whole night. Worst part of having a heater while camping is dealing with the ball busting from your friends that you need a heater to go camping.
Hickock
Do you keeps windows down or just slightly open when in the tent?
I lived in my camper for 2 years while I built my off grid home in Vermont. I used a Big Buddy as my heat source both winters. The RV has propane detector and CO2 detector and they never went off. Only issue was moisture that burning propane puts off collecting on the metal window trim. I’m still alive and kicking.
I don't know if you'll get this butt.. homeless and I live in my truck. Is it a good idea for me to use this if I keep all for windows cracked?
I lived in a van for over a year traveling around looking for a place to build off grid. I often used a Big Buddy for heat with a window cracked. Me and my dog were fine but some will say that is crazy. It's also crazy to freeze to death is what i would say. But you, do you. Here's looking up bud. @@justinkanicki8044
@@justinkanicki8044 You could just crack one window and be fine. Sorry for the late reply.
I use the same one in my hunting blind @ 4 hours at a time with out a problem , thanks for video ....
Same here
I despise giving the local utilities company money, so I heat with a woodstove, and this year I bought a heat buddy to use in the bathroom for some extra heat on that end of my mobile home. So far so good, it definitely does the trick! Thanks for the extra reassurance though. And I was confused by what the box said as well, I’m in Tennessee and it says the same thing, not for indoor use., etc.. I only turn it on a few minutes before a shower and turn it off afterwards, works perfect for that! Stay warm!
Good call. My local utility is worse than DMV, so I may follow your lead.
I have used these to heat my small cabins which I live in year round in the cold snowy north and have had no problem! With that said what I do is I crack my back window about a 1/4 inch and front window a little less so there is always fresh air. Oh, I also use 20lb tanks with long hose. 6 years and never set off CO2 detector.
I just recently went deer hunting and stayed in my buddies 14 foot cargo trailer for 5 days. We used one of those heaters to stay warm and I was wondering about the carbon monoxide. So we cracked the door about a quarter of a inch. I woke up the next morning with a sore throat and all that day sinuses were out of control. Felt better later that evening. Went back in the trailer to sleep with the heater on and same thing happened next day. Thought maybe coming down with a cold but the third day started coughing all day ruining my hunt. The fourth night choking and coughing while trying to sleep. feeling worse the next day. Finally packed up and went home and next day felt perfectly fine. So my theary was that cracking the door was not sufficient enough to vent this heater. Maybe to much carbon monoxide not enough oxygen. Either way better have plenty of air flow with that heater. Because I personally think I was a quarter inch away from killing myself. So if you have these symptoms you are probably not coming down with the flu. You need more air flow. I hope this helps. God bless
And there is the difference.....a cabin.... not a camper. Your cabin breaths naturally also the cold snowy north as you put it is very low humidity in the winter. Which also helps. With these heaters people are worried about the wrong thing. They trow a gallon of water into the air for every 3 gallons of fuel burned..
Make sure to use an inline filter if you use a 20lb propane tank with this heater. I friend of mine had his clog up from using large tanks without a filter and he could never repair it. Oily substance clogged up all of the lines and they are TINY.
Thank you! I've been wanting to get one of these for a long time. They make one with a catalytic converter in it, I don't know what difference it makes. I have an older model that sits on top of the propane canister. Although it's efficient, it's a bit unnerving to light. Nevertheless, thank you for a well done review!
I just got mine! I'll be using it in my minivan so this is just the info I was looking for, thanks! I gotta say, you had me shook leaving that heater running with those other canisters damn near sitting right in front of it!😳🤪😂
Great Video.. Ive used a Buddy Heater for years in my Class A motorhome as I'm a full time RV guy and have had No problems.... "Works Amazing"..
I have used the large cabinet buddy heater for years in my sunroom in Victor Idaho, which does get down to zero in the winter. It’s a large sunroom and it does have leaky windows for fresh air input. Works great. Primarily run it during the early morning to warm things upthere. I also use a smaller body heater in my 12 foot camper. Definitely you want to crack vent because it is burning oxygen.
I use this heater in my Dodge Grand caravan when boondocking. I've turned it on with no vent and fell asleep with it on. I woke up about 3 hours later cold as it had shut itself off due to the oxygen sensor. Very safe heaters and I recommend them but if your going to need it a lot based on location definitely get the hose and 20 gallon tank.
I crack my window a bit for oxygen and my buddy heater works all night in the Canadian Rockies. yup. COLD outside, cozy warm in my van.
Hey Taylor. I lost a friend to CO in a camper back in the 90's so do be careful but the testing sure puts a fellas mind at ease. I think your office needs a big screen and a hot tub Lol. Keep Livin That Dream.
Saw a father die after he went to his truck cab w/ propane heater on (his) first campout w/ cub scouts (before Mr Heater); FOLLOW ALL PRECAUTIONS
Nice job, thank you!! I've had mine for like 8 mos and was too scared to use it over Thanksgiving. Honestly, I didn't know how to turn it on and didn't hold the pilot down long enough, so I appreciate that bit of your video. Going forward with confidence! And an open window! One consideration is that burning propane really increases moisture, so you do have to be careful of that/mold. Need airflow. Thanks again!
Great video man! I appreciated the lengths you went to so as to cover all areas and answer any questions we might have. Also your sponsor seems like a really nice guy.
I use one to take the chill off my bathroom before I jump in the shower or when I'm working in my garage. It's an awesome little appliance.
The catalist raises the Temperature enough to burn off the CO. CO is a flammable gas.
You did a marvelous job with the CO aspect!! VERY impressive and thorough.
It would be great to also test the O2 levels in much the same manner. Yes, the Buddy has the 'low O2 shutdown', but at what level of O2 does it shut down and how safe is that level, whatever it is?? A CO2 monitor would be an indirect way to test it, but there are O2 level monitors available that have a digital display similar to the CO monitor you used in the video. If you had added the O2 monitor during the test you did, we'd all know how much the O2 levels were affected in the test.
It's worth mentioning about the condensation - open flames from propane produce water vapor as a byproduct, which is the source of much or all the condensation you had. Some viewers would benefit from learning this.
Thanks, water vapor yucky
Pretty sure I read where a guy did a test in a barrel with one and it shut down at 16% 02 concentration. So plenty safe that way
He did not do a marvelous job with the CO. That’s incorrect use and I’m surprise it’s not mentioned. The unit he used is alarm only. Not measurement indication.
@@Peeziejizzle At the end he tests it on his truck exhaust and it definitely showed a measurement first, followed by alarm.
I've had one for years and it is awesome. Tent, camper or inside as long as you have air flow.
Just bought one and plan to use it in a tent. Glad to hear it works
Awesome testing real! TIME.. cool watch, and bought one a couple days ago for emergency JEAT if electricity cut OUT in MN... 20 below easy and furnace does not work!!! AKA. Big Buddy I bought, 50 tank... 200 total!!! worth it for 20-30 hours on LOW of heat to stay alive in COLD weather house... and I camp also or work on truck in the GARAGE.. unheated. very good video!!!
I've used my Mr heater for several years in my 12x24 cabin in New Hampshire woods without ever having problem
Thanks for the practical use test! I just bought the smaller version for my 8x16 trailer. I will immediately purchase a CO detector too. And thanks for the temperature in C and F for an American guy!!! R
Thanks for the video. Very informative. People get paranoid over things they don’t understand or care to use some logic. I’ll bet you that you would get a little CO from using your stove or oven in the camper. That is flat out combustion without any catalyst to take care of the CO like in the Heater Buddy. I would use the Heater Buddy before the oven or stove burners.
As an aside I bought mine for $25 at Pep Boys. Never saw that price ever. Must have feared litigation !
Thanks for your video.
As you can see when you walked in at 12:25, these give off a lot of humidity. That alone is enough reason to vent your RV. You will get "sweaty" walls and eventually, mold. For the record, every newer RV has CO and propane monitors built in.
I've hooked this up to a 20lb tank and ran it overnight without issue in my RV. (Vented of course).
When hot meets cold you get condensation. Condensation with stop once the temperature equalizes
I got one of these for my wife, she ran it night and day,...now I’m a happy single man patrolling the local bars, I absolutely love these things!
So, she gave you up for a heater? Pleas respond quickly. Tractor Supply is open two more hours.
bobberguy1 r/wooosh
LOL
Well..your both are likely happier.
Checked with my wife though and she’s against it...SURPRISED.
@@strangedays4 why are the girls whores?
Thanks very much Taylor. I'm looking at getting one for my boat and was wondering if it will heat enough, as well as will it poison me. I Googled and got lots of conflicting reports on these propane heaters. Your tests and subsequent results have put my worries to rest. Much appreciated.
they need to be kept level, so not sure how well they'll work on a boat. i've fished with a guy who uses those ones that mount on a 20 lb tank, for on his boat, and those work great.
@@zzz7zzz9 Thanks for that. I'm hoping I'll be OK in that regard because I get seasick quite easily so generally only go out in calm conditions.
@@keithscott9774 ya. And now that i think about it, i did take mine out a few times, on a friend's boat, trolling on winter days. The buddy heater did work fine while trolling.
@@zzz7zzz9 The heaters that mount on top of propane tanks are NOT SAFE. They generate too much CO.
@@Dxyzxyz ya, but this was out on a boat. No way of any harm.
Great video! We live full time in our 40ft 5th wheel. The furnace blower fan decided to go on the fritz last night with the temps dropping to 16°F. Our electric fireplace helps a lot in balancing the heat with the propane furnace but that alone does not do it. We have one of these and my wife was concerned about using it also last night. We will use it tonight to help. Warner weather is coming so hopefully that will give us time to stay warm and get the furnace fixed.
Hi. Tip for natural gas home furnaces. You can (I have) wire your furnace via extension cord (of appropriate gage) and plug it into a 110v wall outlet for normal operation. I’ve mounted a wall outlet with one plug and an on/off switch to the outside of my furnace. If you have kids, choose an appropriate place for mounting. When (not if) you have a power outage in the winter you can unplug furnace from the wall outlet and plug it into your generator outside - repeat OUTSIDE! (my generator is only 4300 watt output, works great). I got the idea from other TH-cam videos, search for and watch for more details. Of course you should consult an electrician and local electrical codes first. Unfortunately, I don’t think you can power your whole house AC in this way with anything but a large generator.
If someone hasn't already said so, the 4 square inch opening is for the heater to have enough oxygen to operate at optimum efficiency
I've used one in a house room once. No problems with CO. I did keep the window cracked open though. The only real problem I had with one of these heaters is that it got fouled quickly. A propane filter is a must.
What is a propane filter?
@@michaeldaley1861It is an inline filter that traps impurities in the propane. It comes in an aluminum body. Various hardware stores sell it for this heater under the brand name Mr. Heater. However there appears to be a shortage on it right now.
I use a similar indoor rated heater and something to note is that it creates humidity. I like it because where I usually camp it's quite dry, but it's something to be aware of. On days with more humidity I've woken up to find the windows 'sweating' on the inside. I like that it's quiet, uses less propane, and no battery power. I leave the RV's thermostat on in case it gets too cold for the little heater to keep us comfy.
I use mine all winter in a 29 ft trailer , never have a problem
@@TheMgd2929how much propane does it use per night if you don’t mind me asking
Hey Taylor, having a 1 ton truck and a truck camper is a very expensive combo. A better low budget option is the Ram Promaster cargo van. Now you can have fun building it out and you’ll have a ton of content from just the build!
I have a couple of buddies. Use in home, trailer home and tent. I love the product. It only runs for 5 1/2 to 6 hrs on low. I have used them for about 4yrs now. Works awesomely.
I like the buddy heaters but the small canisters of fuel dosent last long enough for me. I would recommend a larger 30 or 40 lb tank outside. Then use the small canisters for back up.
Awesome i need this
I was always under the impression that, regardless of what the manufacturer says, we all need to leave a window or a roof vent cracked to prevent condensation, if nothing else. I've been to numerous "unattended deaths" caused by carbon monoxide as an Criminal Investigator. Most of them were accidental, some were intentional, (which I'll just leave as that.) ALL of the accidental deaths were preventable with more education. It amazes to that, even in this day and age, people still misuse devices that run off of carbon-based fuels. Bottom line is, you made a very good video, and did a good job testing the heater, but there's no way I could use one in an enclosed area without fear of injury to myself or my wife.
Have run a Buddy for years now and found that they will shut off from the oxygen sensor long before CO builds up - so much so that it's too sensitive. The major difference is that with the combustion of propane you create water vapor. The furnace in your camper is vented so that only the heat comes into the cabin and the propane combustion happens in a separate combustion chamber that is sealed from the heated air and then the exhaust from that gets vented outside so it drastically reduces water vapor / condensation in a camper or tent. The Buddy isn't able to be vented outside, so all of that water vapor + human's breathing stays inside. This is also why opening a vent helps mitigate condensation. After using a Buddy for years, I was so much happier installing an actual furnace and using the Buddy as a backup.
First...,
Yep, that's the downside to the Buddy. Condensation is a thing. But it just doesn't take that much ventilation to fix it.
The downside to the furnaces with the outside vents is that they blow a lot of their heat out with the exhaust.
Nothing is perfect. We make the best of what we have.
I couldn't tolerate the condensation,I'm putting a wood stove in, a dry heat that I've used all my life and feel totally comfortable with.When the buddy heater wouldn't light during a 0 degree power outage during a ice storm for the 2nd time I gave it up.When I can see my breath in the air using a heater i have to open vents for I feel I've wasted my money.
@@maxinemcclurd1288 I'm curious as to what type of wood stove your going with. I've been researching portable camp stoves for the past year and there are some real good options out there.
Is this why my buddy heater always shuts down is because of the o2 sensor? I use is it a shed and garage.
@@rprovasoli probably.... do you have any air circulating into the shed? Sometimes helps to leave the shed door a crack open. The O2 sensors are designed to shut it off. Either that or something is wrong with your unit. I'd try opening the door to the shed a crack and seeing if it works after getting some fresh air...
These are great for the jobsite, i just got my first one the other day and gotta say when your in the rocky mountains in the middle of January and its below freezing your not gonna be able to charge any of your batteries for your power tools or have a warm place to take a break other than the work truck, this does a pretty decent job for setting up a battery charging station somewhere thats safe and somewhat enclosed
Great video! Little Buddy kept me from freezing to death when I had to live in an uninsulated bus for 5 years in the PNW. Please, my Canadian friend, the vital importance of readily accessible Fire Extinguishers cannot be emphasized enough in any type of RV. I have two twenty pound ones next to my bed and one near my woodstove.
I have twenty two pound ones 🤔
Want so badly to get a wood stove to heat n cook but then there's the issue if venting it which cost $$$$$
I have the same one and use it for winter tent camping. I never had any issues with mine but my tent is ventilated so you have to keep that in mind.
Thanks for taking time to perform the carbon monoxide test. I trustMr Heater more now and am getting ready for the frigid weather🙌🏼
I'm not worried about the CO levels (the Buddy has a built-in CO monitor). What I worry about is condensation, which always seems to be problematic for propane heaters. The last thing that I want when I'm camping 4hrs North of Moosonee, in the winter, is condensation build-up inside my camper, or tent. That's instant death, mate!
For real, I use my Big Buddy in north eastern Nevada mostly during October and May and I go to a lot of trouble to put RainX on my windows...ON THE INSIDE of the Fifth Wheel because of the condensation. And I never leave it on while I am asleep. During November through April I use a micro woodstove from Cubic called Grizzly and it takes the moisture out of the air...very nice.
@@boydwhite3708 did you even WATCH this video? As.s
I used this model in the cabin of my sailboat. It worked very well when I set the output to "High". My CO detector did not alert. The heater worked well on the "Low" output setting, but the CO detector alerted to an abnormally high level. This made sense since CO is produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. So, fair warning... Keep the CO meter/detector functional!
You should read some of the comments....a firefighter says it's not safe..
I'm a paramedic/firefighter as well. I use the same CO ("Four Gas") meters at work. I kept my reply at a Harry Homeowner level instead of trying to explain the varying levels of carboxyhemoglobin that the human body endures. I simply intended to cast a warning.
@@ryannorris2878 the unit literally says it will k*ll you. To each their own. I wonder if this guys okay, he hasn't posted a video in a year.
@@Alien_isolationistI watched a video they did tests at the fire department in a camper and it was completely safe
I was yelling into my phone put the monitor by your tail pipe to test it and then you did! 👍
Same
Believe it or not, that's a great way to burn out the sensor in a CO meter on the quick.
Ditto LOL
I was thinking fart into it
@@fishingnotcatching594 - BEST idea so far!
I've had one of these for years- the big buddy, run with a 20 lb LPG can. With it on full blast it's like sitting next to a campfire. I lived in an older house built in the twenties in Central Florida, so the windows were anything but airtight. It really was a buddy during the occasional severe cold snap that we get compliments of Canada. I now have central heat but keep my buddy in its box for that special occasion.
The small buddies are good BUT I wish it had a thermostat that turns it on and off.
Something tells me the price of those would be jacked with thermostats...dunno
@@robertallen6710 true
Short answer: YES! They are designed to be used indoors. A heater that only works outside would make no sense at all.
A carbon monoxide detector is only about $15. You have no excuse not to have one.
Short answer: NO the carbon monoxide detector for the Buddy heater is located on the ground the last place the carbon monoxide is going to be. You can die from using these I nearly did.
@@zorbbful Carbon Monoxide is heavier than air, so the bottom is exactly where the sensor should be. If it was on the top like a smoke detector, you'd be long dead before the sensor realizes there is a problem.
@@AndrewPowerTower I’m afraid you’re mistaken. According to the US EPA: “Because carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and also because it may be found with warm, rising air, detectors should be placed on a wall about 5 feet above the floor. The detector may be placed on the ceiling. Do not place the detector right next to or over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance.”
Might you be thinking of propane, which is indeed heavier than air?
@@JeffFreemanPresents guys, what if we take 2 detectors, one we put in the floor second one to the ceiling. Cmon now... its just $15 per device...
@@jabuvduvatel By all means, do what you feel is safe for you.
And that applies to far more than smoke and CO!
Ok. Thanks for this video. I have one of these and have been nervous about carbon monoxide too. I use it in the truck as a heater. So far have used it for several years with no problems. However, I can smell a few fumes from the actual propane. I still think it's best to ventilate a little bit.
Now I know. Slept in a remote shed on Northern Arizona high country, cracked the window just to NOT run out of oxygen and woke up the next day. Your video tells me more about why. :)
I love my buddy heater, Its a good ( back up ) for me and because I refill the 1 pound bottles it costs virtually nothing.
my motorhome has a forced air propane furnace and it does use a lot of energy to run.
Great video. Your personal results were very impressive. Not gonna lie, I bought one of those several years back and never used it because of the CO fear factors. I'm in Central Florida and running our full-on furnace heats my Motorcoach too harm. Using the little heater for the bedroom would be a great option, window vented, of course. Yep, might need to drag it out and give it a go I the terms get belo freezing a few times this winter.
GREAT VIDEO! One of the best review videos I've seen! I'm looking at purchasing one of these heating units for my cargo trailer to hunting trailer conversion. You've answered all the questions I've had about this unit. However, I plan to connect mine to a 20 pound propane tank so it will last for an entire hunting weekend. Thanks for sharing!
Any plans available for this conversation?
@@packpride23 not sure if you discovered yet but go to a tractor supply or farm/ranch store that seeks these heaters and they should have a connector hose to run a 20lb tank to the buddy heater. 👍🏼
I got the smaller BTU output "little buddy" it runs for 6.5 hours on the one temperature setting it has. It's plenty for my VW bus. But eventually I'm going to get a mini wood burning stove. I think you should go that route too. And the reason why you should crack a window is because moisture will build up and actually make it colder
A mini wood stove will kill you without massive venting.
A catalytic heater zero Carbon Dioxide
Zero carbon monoxide
99% efficiency
No flame
No combustion
A Simple fresh air intake at the floor and an exhaust at the ceiling will get rid of the only process from a ceramic heater that being H2O
A Mr Buddy Heater isn't a catalytic heater it a combustion flame heater
A catalytic heater isn't a combustion ie flame heater
No flame
No combustion
Ever
@@robcrissinger776 Catalytic heaters don't have an open flame but they ARE oxidizing the fuel - that IS combustion.
@Donald Carey Study the science
No flame low heat ptocess Catalytic heater.
Mr Buddy Isn't a catalytic heater
Catalytic heater are an entirely different process
Not combustion...
The world is getting surrounded by morons you're one of them Donald
@@robcrissinger776 You failed chem 101 - MAROON. (You also failed reading comprehension 101.) Oxidation IS a kind of combustion - d'oh.
We’ve been using a BIG BUDDY heater in our 27’ Class A RV (through Canadian mountain winters) for six plus years, without incident. We simply leave both the driver and passenger windows open 4” each, even in -50°F weather.
The only detraction is that, after a year, it’s necessary to purchase a new hose (it accumulates ‘gunk’), which costs about $70 CAD. We use 20 lb propane tanks exclusively, and in wintertime we use our BUDDY 24/7. We do clean (using compressed air) our BUDDY every two or three days.
I hope this is useful.🙏🏻
Love and All Good Things,
Jess.🌹
You will get alot of moisture from that Mr. Buddy heater but you have vents so as long as you're comfortable with it then it's fine I've used it in a cabin and in a van for few days but they can cause mold and mildew if not ventilated good
Sounds good, it's also a humidifier.
My suggestion is you get a MSA single gas detector for CO2 to measure your ppm in the fire service. Some departments usually issue to our members a single gas detector besides the units we carry on the trucks. My suggestion is to contact your local fire department
i was very excited to finally buy a Buddy, and even more excited when it exceeded my expectations in build quality and heat performance. BUT... it emits an exhaust, a faint but still noticeable ‘burnt fuel’ odor, almost like a BBQ. i am super sensitive so i wasn’t surprised to discover that these fumes cause me to get congested (almost any dust/dander/smoke/etc does), but i *was* surprised to have sleeping issues (in the house) after a day of Buddy use at my job site (enclosed shed with 9”x9” open window). those fumes cause my blood pressure to go up, and when trying to sleep later that night i can feel my pulse throughout my body; it takes a couple days of no Buddy use to return to normal. Alas, i cannot use the Buddy unless i suppose i’m actually outdoors, because the exhaust is too reactive with my body. so i would imagine that other sensitive ppl, especially those with asthma or high BP for example, may also have issues with “indoor” Buddy use. it’s a shame cause i really like this heater and planned to
keep it as a backup option, but the side effects are unbearable for me. Oh also yes it produces tons of moisture and condensation, which i found counter-productive for “staying warm” in frigid temps.
Elevated HR could be because of the high moisture in the air. Get an inexpensive digital humidity meter and measure. More likely, your symptoms occur when humidity is elevated. By the way, it's more of a drag on a body when humidity and temps are high vs temps low, humidity high. Your cardiovascular system and lungs are affected. (of course, I'm not a Doc)
Joseph, something you wrote struck a chord with me. Regarding the pulse you would feel throughout your body. What, if anything, have you found correlate to the pulsing? I feel them occasionally along my spine, and I thought it was just me.
@@doradean3097 not sure how i can state it any clearer... breathing Buddy propane exhaust is what correlates to the BP symptoms.
@@aperson1181 incorrect, at least in my case. first of all, i said BP not HR. second of all, high humidity has never caused my body to react that way. it is the propane exhaust, without a doubt. stand over a lit BBQ for 8 hours and tell me you feel weird because of humidity... it’s because you are breathing burnt fuel exhaust. the Buddy smells like a BBQ when running. my body has never reacted to a humid environment, a humidifier on full blast, nor any other humidity related scenario like this. it is the chemical exhaust fumes, beyond any shadow of a doubt.
I too would not be able to live with that smell...I get lung issues too easy..
Got to remember these are not meant to be use for extended lengths of time. Their for hunting sheds and ice fishing shacks and emergency heating.
Of course you need open vents for the depletion of o2 alone. I recommend getting a diesel heater that has a sealed combustion chamber. You route the exhaust and combustion intake outside. They work great and have a pretty neat control module that shows you error codes. Very fuel efficient I use one to heat my house.
which one you use in your house?
A really great presentation.
I will use in my unheated garage.
I will probably crack the door but the heater
will help keep my hands warm while using my lathe.
You great video has put my mind to rest while using.
Thanks,
Steve
I like the exhaust test :) I was begining to think the meter was defective
I'm a 40 year home renovator. I purchased one only for extreme emergencies. That kidde dector only goes off after 30 whatever. In the USA they consider that ok, here in Canada we have stricker rules.
It produces water vapor, hence condensation around the perimeter of your vehicle, hence possible mold build up.
Like the Firefighter said be careful
Is this detector good? www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005FU5J5Q/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1#aw-udpv3-customer-reviews_feature_div
@@johncpen2000 I'm not sure. I have two wall mounted 'Kidde' carbon monoxide detectors with 10 year batteries. Contrary to what I said back then these only go off after a certain point is passed. I'm in Canada.