Bargain shop heater or good way to die?

"MoCamino" (mocamino) 01/13/2020 at 15:40 • Filed to: None

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School me in propane torpedo heaters, Oppo. I found a 43k BTU propane torpedo that is normally $80 that can be bought for $55 due to it being discontinued. I know this type of heater has to be used with “sufficient” ventilation due to carbon monoxide output. How much is “sufficient” ventilation? My shop is 24'x40' with open rafters, a single-wide garage door in one end and a standard 30" door at the front and back. While it is insulated, I use that term very loosely. There are several places along the bottom of the walls where you can see daylight, and the garage door has a 2"-3" gap all around it. The walls and garage door more block the wind than seal it out.

Given the circumstances, I think I could safely use the torpedo, especially if I opened the garage door 4" and opened the entry door at the back of the shop to let air circulate. I’d use a CO monitor as well for safety’s sake.

What does the Oppo hive mind think? Cheap heat or recipe for a trip to a six foot hole in the ground?

Amazon wagon for your time.

lone_liberal > MoCamino 01/13/2020 at 16:00

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Get some CO detectors to go along with the ventilation just to make sure and I think it would be ok.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > MoCamino 01/13/2020 at 16:06

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Most of these have built in CO detectors but 43k btu is a big heater. 20k btu would probably suffice . 

Enginerrrrrrrrr > MoCamino 01/13/2020 at 16:07

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Honestly, just do what token said and maybe put a few CO moniters in place. Remember to place them low as CO is heavier than normal air.

Also Amazon wagon ftw.

slipperysallylikespenguins > MoCamino 01/13/2020 at 16:10

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Those things are awesome. We used them a lot in shops when I lived in MN. We would crack the garage door 6-12" and never had a problem. That was with a well sealed shop. Monitors are a very good idea though.

MoCamino > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/13/2020 at 16:11

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I have an 18K BTU propane vent-free heater that I use now. It doesn’t have forced air though - it’s one of the radiant heaters with plaques that glow. When it’s 40 ° F outside, that heater keeps it at least comfortable. When it’s 30° F or colder, it just doesn’t cut it. The one I’m looking at has a 45K BTU setting and a 37K BTU setting. I can always turn it down. :)

Thanks for the input folks.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > MoCamino 01/13/2020 at 16:22

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Getting one with a fan or forced air seems like it would do a better job of getting the heat circulated. I keep my garage at 45 degrees in the winter. I don’t even try to get it to room temp, like today it’s 10 deg. F. For what I use my garage for heating to 60 it is a waste of energy.  

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > MoCamino 01/13/2020 at 16:26

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Yes on One. Yes on Two.

I’d have at least TWO other CO detectors in earshot-- just in case.

Steve in Manhattan > MoCamino 01/13/2020 at 16:31

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Use the savings to buy 2 good CO2 detectors ...

MoCamino > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/13/2020 at 16:55

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Yeah, in most circumstances I wouldn’t worry about it.  However, my wife and I are doing an engine-out repair on our Suzuki Grand Vitara, spending 6-8 hours at a time out there.  Gotta get some warmth out there.  :)

Sovande > MoCamino 01/13/2020 at 16:58

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I have a Big Buddy propane heater made by Mr. Heater. It heats my 8x20 garage with 9' ceilings to the point I have to turn it down after an hour or so. It will heat up the space in 20 degree weather. It has a little fan in it will move the air just enough.

Have you considered forced air heaters?

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200578579_200578579

Textured Soy Protein > MoCamino 01/13/2020 at 17:12

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So, this incident at a gas station along my commute happened with a kerosene heater, but, well, that’s what popped into my head when reading your post.

MoCamino > Textured Soy Protein 01/13/2020 at 17:22

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Yikes.  Well, that’s terrifying.

MoCamino > Sovande 01/13/2020 at 17:24

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I have, but once you get into the 40K BTU range the price of entry is pretty high - as well as pulling a LOT of current.  I do have 220 in my shop, but honestly I’m not sure how good the wiring is. I’ve never used it.

Wacko > MoCamino 01/13/2020 at 17:25

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What does your insurance think about it?

MoCamino > Wacko 01/13/2020 at 17:32

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Well, honestly I hadn’t thought of it from that aspect.  Good question.

66P1800inpieces > MoCamino 01/13/2020 at 17:53

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+1 on the Big Buddy. They sell a hose to connect it to 20lb propane tanks (get the better material hose as it doesn’t require a filter, something about plasticizer s in the cheaper one clogging things ).  It has a couple of settings low mid and high.  It is rated for indoor use unlike most of the torpedo ones. CO is not the issue with the Big Buddy if I recall but combustible air supply so you have to open a window a bit .  

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > MoCamino 01/13/2020 at 17:55

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I use a similar heater under similar conditions and have not had issues.  If you’re concerned, buy a carbon monoxide detector.  Actually maybe just do that anyway because better safe than sorry.

RangerSmith > MoCamino 01/13/2020 at 23:51

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I’m not a huge fan of open flames inside a building. I wouldn’t leave it running unattended. And I would think very carefully about carbon monoxide poisoning.

I heat my 24x40x14 ft shop in Eastern Washington, with a 5000W Comfort zone. They run around $100. Do you have plans to seal up your space? I would seal and insulate before I would worry about heating.

If you’re standing in one spot you might think about about an infrared heater. That way you’re heating yourself and not the air.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > MoCamino 01/14/2020 at 03:41

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Yes

Grindintosecond > Sovande 01/14/2020 at 14:10

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Dude! Thats a cool heater! How have you mounted it? It would be great for my garage however probably too hot if you ahve to turn yours down...in your use case, how would that smaller HQ11500 model work out?

Sovande > Grindintosecond 01/14/2020 at 14:52

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My father has an electric one in his garage (12x 24ish) and you could bake bread in there if you run it wide open. He also has AC which is just cocky, if you ask me. I have a propane heater that I like. I don’t have enough power to run both a heater and a welder so I had to use something other than electric.

I have read that those infrared heaters are good, but they do a better job of heating areas as opposed to whole spaces. So if you wanted to heat the workbench area they work well, but maybe not be up to  the task of heating the whole garage space, if that makes any sense.