Karl,
I didn't see it mentioned on the packaging but I imagine there are some
cautions in the instructions for the Buddy...
like does it say to keep a window cracked?
and is this thing a catalytic heater???

Thanks,

Bill

----- Original Message -----
From: "Karl F. Bloss" <bloss@ENTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, November 03, 2000 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: re hot air for cold nights

> I just picked up a Mr. Heater Portable Buddy unit from Ace Hardware for
$99.99
> + tax.   They had to order it for me, but when I picked it up, I saw they
had
> ordered more for the shelves.
>
> > two settings, 4,000 btu and 9,000 but
> > can hood to 20 lb external tank with propane hose
>
> Yes...I already have a cute 5lb tank that I've been using for the propane
stove
> with a long hose and a fitting that is the same as the disposable tanks.
They
> tell you to leave bulk tanks outside though.  I'll have to think about how
to
> do that and route the hose.
>
> > they advertise 6 hr of use with the 1 lb canister but don't say on with
> > setting... but knowing American advertising for what it is I'm sure that
> > would be on 4,000 btu setting so I would guess about 2 or 3 hours on
9,000
> > btu setting...
>
> Correct.
>
> > they advertise 110 hours with the 20 lb tank and assuming that is on the
> > 4,000 btu mode that would mean maybe 50 hours on 9,000 btu mode
>
> FWIW, the 4000 BTU mode cranks heat.  I can't imagine wanting to run on
high in
> a Westy.
>
> > disadvantage of all these small canister heaters is the number of
canisters
> > you have to buy.... and I guess you throw them away? can they be
recycled???
>
> JC Ripme sells a gizmo to fill 1 lb tanks from a 20 pounder, but they say
it's
> not for use on disposables.  However, nobody I've talked to has ever seen
a 1
> lb refillable, so I think it's a liability weasel warning and intended for
1lb
> disposables anyway.
>
> > Could go through 10 canisters in a weekend!!! But the portability of the

> > Buddy heater is fantastic... just pick it up and move it around like a
brief
> > case.
>
> Precisely...and it's light.  Piezo ignition...no batteries, no smell (even
from
> a new unit), and you can buy 1lb tanks anywhere (albeit probably $4.99 at
the
> campground...hit the sale at K-Mart for $1.80).
>
> -Karl
>
> Karl & Kristina Bloss - Trexlertown, PA
> '00 Wannabusser "Julia"
> '87 Westy Weekender "Bev" - 201K Miles
> '85 Westy Camper "Fred" - 39K Miles
> http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw - vanagon@makarov.com
> US West Trip 2000: http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vwtrek
> PA/NJ/DE/MD area VW bus "group" http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/pavanagon
> LINUX - for IQs higher than 98
>