BajaNomad - INSEN card strikes again!

INSEN card strikes again!

beachbum1A - 11-29-2007 at 05:58 PM

I've been looking for a portable propane heater lately. You know, one that has all the desired features that I want and yet at a price I could afford. Well all the usual stores I tried didn't have anything I wanted so I called my amigo, BajaBound2005. who without any hesitation pointed me to a store up on Av Adolfo Lopez Mateos here in Ensenada (a couple of blocks off Reforma.) A place called Pro-San that had just what I wanted and after a 10% discount from my INSEN card, was at a price more within my budget.

They weren't familiar with the card but asked what I wanted. I said that most stores gave a 10% discount and they said that was fine and they included a 10% discount off my total purchase. So it does pay-you just need to ask.

fandango - 11-30-2007 at 08:13 AM

beachbum:
is this the type of propane heater that uses a 5 gallon size propane tank with 3 or 4 ceramic panels? did pro san have more? i would like to get one. last year they were available at the home depot in ensenada, did you happen to check there? what was the cost?

CaboRon - 11-30-2007 at 09:19 AM

Awesome BeaachBum,

I guess sometimes all you have to do is ask :bounce:

CaboRon

z

[Edited on 11-30-2007 by CaboRon]

beachbum1A - 12-1-2007 at 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fandango
beachbum:
is this the type of propane heater that uses a 5 gallon size propane tank with 3 or 4 ceramic panels? did pro san have more? i would like to get one. last year they were available at the home depot in ensenada, did you happen to check there? what was the cost?

Yes Fandango, that's the type, holds a 5 gal tank in the rear and is on wheels. PLUS it has (2) fans that can be used to distribute the heat from the ceramic panels OR you can use the fans for even more heat using a setting that uses a heating coil (which I won't use as it will take a lot more electricity in that mode) but it's available to use if you want to.)

Yes they did have more, both in an off white and a black model.

Out the door price including the regulator and a new (empty) propane tank was $2,548.00 pesos.
I have been watching Costco, Home Depot, and Procansa but none of them had a model with an electric fan to distribute the heat-this was the first place to have the model that included it.

[Edited on 12-1-2007 by beachbum1A]

DENNIS - 12-1-2007 at 09:15 AM

Bruce...

Don't get too comfortable with an unvented propane heater. The fumes are lethal.

CaboRon - 12-1-2007 at 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Bruce...

Don't get too comfortable with an unvented propane heater. The fumes are lethal.

Yes, these heaters should NOT be used indoors.

Be safe, not sorry,
CaboRon

vandenberg - 12-1-2007 at 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Bruce...

Don't get too comfortable with an unvented propane heater. The fumes are lethal.

But, you're very comfy while you're going and won't feel a thing

beachbum1A - 12-1-2007 at 11:21 AM

Can't understand why they advertise that they are safe to use, unvented and indoors. Are they THAT determined for a sale?
You know I've seen lots of folks using these "vent less" heaters, both wall mounted and portables. I wonder if they are aware on the hazards? Perhaps leaving a window opened slightly would alleviate that problem?
Much to think about.....................

DENNIS - 12-1-2007 at 11:25 AM

The heater itself will give you plenty of warning. First indication will be a splitting headache. Just make sure you don't doze off while one is warming the room. It could turn into a very long nap.

comitan - 12-1-2007 at 11:42 AM

The new heaters that are non vented usually have oxygen sensors and turn off when the Oxygen level is to low. But I would never go to sleep with one of them on, it might be your last. But, Saint Peter, it had an Oxygen Sensor!!!!!!!!!

toneart - 12-1-2007 at 11:56 AM

Last year I bought a "Big Buddy" model made by Mr. Heater. They claim it, and the smaller "Buddy" heater are the only ones they make for indoor use. The say to run a 12' hose with regulator to the tank which should be outdoors. I put the tank out the front door and the door is open just enough for the hose. This provides ventilation even though the manual doesn't state that you need ventilation.

The problem I had was that there was a leak inside the heater casing where the hose connects. I have tried to tighten it, but can't. The finger space is too small. This year I will take apart the whole casing and try to fix it. Needless to say, I stopped using it. Being in Mulege for the winter meant that I couldn't return it to where I bought it, in Sacramento.

Barry A. - 12-1-2007 at 01:52 PM

Tony------

I have the smaller "buddy" heater by MR. HEATER, and it normally takes 1 of the little skinny propane cylinders you use with lanterns, and such---you just screw the cylendar in. I normally hook my 5 gal propane tank to the heater, using the regular hose that I use with my propane camp stove. Does your heater have the same kind of a fitting like a campstove has, where either a small cylindar or hose would attach? If so, all the other plumbing within the heater itself should be hardline, with no hoses.

I cannot imagine where it could be leaking as long as the washers are in good shape? How do you know it is leaking-----can you smell the propane fumes before you light it? or does it catch fire in places it should not?

Also, even tho it says that it will shut down if the "air" gets fouled, I would not trust it completely----I am paranoid as to these life-threatening things, if you know what I mean----make sure you have some ventilation outside.

barry

fandango - 12-1-2007 at 09:11 PM

bb1a: sounds like a great heater. the one i am looking for does not use electricity. it does use a 5 gal propane tank inside the case though. did you happen to see any of those while you were shopping?

i use a plug in type carbon monoxide sensor when i use a small propane heater in a small house. is there is propane sensor (like a smoke alarm) available.
is it needed if i use the carbon monoxide sensor?

toneart - 12-1-2007 at 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
Tony------

I have the smaller "buddy" heater by MR. HEATER, and it normally takes 1 of the little skinny propane cylinders you use with lanterns, and such---you just screw the cylendar in. I normally hook my 5 gal propane tank to the heater, using the regular hose that I use with my propane camp stove. Does your heater have the same kind of a fitting like a campstove has, where either a small cylindar or hose would attach? If so, all the other plumbing within the heater itself should be hardline, with no hoses.

I cannot imagine where it could be leaking as long as the washers are in good shape? How do you know it is leaking-----can you smell the propane fumes before you light it? or does it catch fire in places it should not?

Also, even tho it says that it will shut down if the "air" gets fouled, I would not trust it completely----I am paranoid as to these life-threatening things, if you know what I mean----make sure you have some ventilation outside.

barry

Barry,
Yes, it has two screw on fittings for the little canisters inside little doors on the sides. The problem is that they don't last very long. The sales info when you go online to research or buy the Big Buddy offers the optional 12' hose w/ regulator. I am not in Mulege right now, but the heater is, so I cannot go look at it. As I remember, there is a fitting to attach the hose in one of the side doors that open where you attach the little canisters. The leak is not at the fitting where it attaches, but somewhere inside and up near the top. There is a strong odor of propane when I stick my nose in that area. I don't get that odor when I attach the small canisters. The odor occurs as the stove is lit and producing heat. No flame or fire appears at that odor spot.

If I can't fix it, I won't use it. I will use an electric space heater and I also have a fireplace, if I can get wood. I hate being cold.

Barry A. - 12-1-2007 at 09:40 PM

Tony-----

That is strange. You get no odor when the cannisters are attached, but you DO when the hose is attached.

The hose that I use between the bulk tank and the heater is a regular hose like is used with my camp stove, and when I use it with the heater I screw it into the same fitting as the small propane cannisters fit into. From your discription, it sounds like your hose fits someplace OTHER than the cannister fittings, and I have never encountered that.

I am at a loss as to what to advise.

Barry

vandenberg - 12-1-2007 at 09:45 PM

In the late 80's early 90's I bought an old 11 ft overhead camper that I gutted to haul my stuff accross the line while I was building my house. Very Sneaky, but it worked like a charm. It had a catalytic propane spaceheater that was not vented. Thing worked like a charm and I used it for a while in the house. If it was designed for inside a camper use, it had to be safe, otherwise it would never be allowed to be installed in the States. Right :?:

BTW, after I was through with it, I sold it for more than I paid for it. :yes:

bajamigo - 12-1-2007 at 09:48 PM

U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20207
September 1, 2005

Mr. Joseph M. Mattingly
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
GAMA
2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 600
Arlington, VA 22201

Dear Mr. Mattingly:
I have been asked to respond to your May 27,2005 letter requesting information about whether the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff is aware of any fatal carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings attributed to unvented gas space heaters equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor (oDs).'

Since 1984, when the Commission revoked its mandatory standard for these products to rely on the voluntary standard, American National Standard for Gus-Fired Room Heaters, Volume II, Grnvented Room Heaters; ANSlZ21.11.2, we have continued to collect incident data. CPSC staff assigns investigations for all fatal CO poisonings, and then reviews the completed investigation reports.

CPSC staff is not aware of any documented incident in the CPSC In-Depth Investigation (IDI) database of fatal CO poisoning associated with an ODs-equipped unvented gas space heater. However, given the lack of technical detail in many Dl's, CPSC staff can not say that no fatal poisonings
have occurred; only that none are readily identifiable in the ID1 database.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions, or if I can be of
further assistance, please contact me by phone (301-504-7534) or e-mail.

toneart - 12-1-2007 at 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
Tony-----

That is strange. You get no odor when the cannisters are attached, but you DO when the hose is attached.

The hose that I use between the bulk tank and the heater is a regular hose like is used with my camp stove, and when I use it with the heater I screw it into the same fitting as the small propane cannisters fit into. From your discription, it sounds like your hose fits someplace OTHER than the cannister fittings, and I have never encountered that.

I am at a loss as to what to advise.

Barry

Thanks, Barry. I'll figure it out when I get back there in three weeks. If not, I will not use it.

beachbum1A - 12-2-2007 at 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fandango
bb1a: sounds like a great heater. the one i am looking for does not use electricity. it does use a 5 gal propane tank inside the case though. did you happen to see any of those while you were shopping?

Fandango yes, they do/did have models available without an electric fan that were considerably less money and available in off white or black.

fandango - 12-2-2007 at 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by beachbum1A

Fandango yes, they do/did have models available without an electric fan that were considerably less money and available in off white or black.

thanks beachbum, i will go there in about 2 weeks and check it out. cross your fingers that they have one, its cold!