Tent Heater

[Waytec]

hello everyone big question here. I live in Alberta and love to spend as much time as possible exploring the mountains. The question is my wife is not impressed with having to wear tooke and gloves on the first weekend of Aug because it was that cold. What is out there for tent heaters that will not kill us, ie burn the tent down, create poisonous gases. . I have seen Colman with one. but don't know much about them other then the box said tent heater.

 

[spressomon]

If you haven't seen this thread you may glean info useful to your cause...

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25653


I thought Zodi wasn't offering these tent heaters any longer but...

http://www.zodi.com/web-content/Consumer/zodihotvent.html

 

[mountainpete]

Princess Auto sometimes has specials on Mr. Heater Buddy heaters. Consider one of them if you can't get your hands on a Zodi.

Mr. Heater Buddy

Pete

 

[Corey]

I thought Zodi wasn't offering these tent heaters any longer but...

http://www.zodi.com/web-content/Consumer/zodihotvent.html

They are not at this time, it says on the page.
I have contacted them though in the past, and they are working on a better model.
Something to do with the fact with the discontinued one if the battery source goes dead for the fan, the unit can overheat, not good.

That is the type though I want in the future when they release a newer version of it.

 

[Hilldweller]

They are not at this time, it says on the page.
I have contacted them though in the past, and they are working on a better model.
Something to do with the fact with the discontinued one if the battery source goes dead for the fan, the unit can overheat, not good.

That is the type though I want in the future when they release a newer version of it.

I've been waiting a year for the new model...

 

[Martyn]

We sell this propane heater. http://www.adventuretrailers.com/heaters.html

It's very efficient both in propane consumption and amperage to run the fan. Yes it's expensive, but it's the best of its type on the market.

 

[Dave Bennett]

We sell this propane heater. http://www.adventuretrailers.com/heaters.html

It's very efficient both in propane consumption and amperage to run the fan. Yes it's expensive, but it's the best of its type on the market.

I like this alot. Nothing better than a warm tent in the backountry at night :camping:

My question is this: What about safety in regards to exhaust fumes?

I've used the Mr. Heater variety of propane heaters, and even in the garage with ventilation they can be no bueno... in a tent I bet it could be toxic.

 

[mountainpete]

I've used the Mr. Heater variety of propane heaters, and even in the garage with ventilation they can be no bueno... in a tent I bet it could be toxic.

I've used one in a tent and had no issues - the low O2 shut-off worked. Tell me more about your experience, very curious.

Pete

 

[Dave Bennett]

I've used one in a tent and had no issues - the low O2 shut-off worked. Tell me more about your experience, very curious.

Pete

The one I have is old school, no "low O2 sensor" or anything like that. Just a big 'ol heater head burner.

Do the new ones have this safety feature?

 

[Rando]

The problem with the low oxygen shutoff is that the heater won't work above about 7,000 ft! No so useful in the mountains.

I've used one in a tent and had no issues - the low O2 shut-off worked. Tell me more about your experience, very curious.

Pete

 

[Rando]

I have a Zodi that I got off ebay a couple of months ago. While I haven't used it in really cold weather is does okay in cooler temps in my wildernest. Certainly no where near as nice as the propex heat source, but about 10% of the price.

I am still looking for a better heater solution. The Zodi is loud and cumbersome. You have to go outside to adjust it, there is no thermostatic regulation and it uses 1lb propane bottles. I have tried the coleman catalytic heaters (black cat, sports cat etc) and while they work okay, even at altitude, it unless you have a super breathable tent, it is going to get WET inside. For every gram of propane you burn, you get about two grams of water. If you use up a 1lb propane bottle, it is the equivalent of pouring a 1L nalgene in your tent! Maybe I will find a used propex that I can afford someday.

 

[Dave Bennett]

The problem with the low oxygen shutoff is that the heater won't work above about 7,000 ft! No so useful in the mountains.

That's when you really need the heater too! :REOutCampFire03:

 

[Martyn]

I posted this up on another thread in full detail including references, here is the short version:

The Mr. Heat type of heaters with the low O2 shut off produce Carbon Monoxide as a by product of incomplete combustion. Proven fact.

As CO is cumulative in the body even low amounts can cause serious problems.

If you are going to use this style of heater in your tent provide lots of ventilation and have a battery powered CO monitor.

The heaters that separate the heated air from the combusted air are much much safer.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Kifaru

 

[Lemsteraak]

I think if you can find an old Zodi, it would be good. You place them outside the tent for ventilation and then set up a 3" hose with a blower to blow warm air in. Good concept, the execution was a little crude, blower was really loud and you couldn't adjust or turn on the heater from inside the tent. Also when it gets really cold, the propane might not flow well since it was outside.

I'd use the Zodi to warm the tent when I was setting up. Provides nice dry warm air. Then once inside you have a little while before the cold would set in.

Martyn is right to be concerned about CO gas. If the oxygen level is depleted some or you have incomplete combustion, CO could be a problem.

Several people have recommended some interesting 12 volt heated mattress pads. I've never used one because it is just too much equipment, but if you already have a second battery, might be a solution.

Rich H