adamis
Northern California
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Joined: 06/09/2016
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Recently was headed out for another trip to Pismo Beach to play with the toys in the Dunes. Sadly the 99 7.3L Super Duty elected to choke on the lift pump from junk in the fuel tank so we only made it to Paso Robles (limped along the highway at 10mph for 20 miles to get to a shop).
At any rate, shop couldn't help us and we stayed the night in their lot. It being cold during our trip, I had decided to bring a Mr. Buddy Heater because the furnace in the camper sucks juice from the battery on cold nights. I setup the heater on the stove top with a propane bottle, cracked a window and a roof vent. Amazing how well it worked! Temps dropped into the 30s overnight and camper stayed in the 70s the whole time with no juice from the battery and hardly any propane used. Clearly this is the most efficient way to stay warm in off-grid situations.
It worked so well I am considering doing a permanent install by taking the heater apart and making my own mounting bracket and heat shield that is a lot narrower and mounting on the backsplash of the stove. I would route a gas line up from the stove to complete the setup.
I know there are a couple of others that use the Buddy Heater. Has any of you taken it apart and done a more permanent install? Please share pics if you did!
As far as the Pismo Trip and the 7.3L... sadly we had to cancel our trip and scramble to get toys and trailer back home. Truck and camper will be towed up on Monday and dropped off at mechanic whom will eliminate screens in the tank and put a new fuel pump work inline fuel filter in place.
1999 F350 Dually with 7.3 Diesel
2000 Bigfoot 10.6 Camper
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wanderingaimlessly
Garrison , Mt
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Joined: 08/23/2017
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Another option Camco the olympic wave units are made to be mounted, and use even less energy. The little 3000 btuh would probably be all you would need.
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Tom_M
New Hope, MN
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Joined: 04/24/2011
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You will need to remove the regulator from the Buddy. I connected mine with a hose and teed off the line feeding my cooktop.
Tom
2005 Born Free 24RB
170ah Renogy LiFePo4 drop-in battery 400 watts solar
Towing 2016 Mini Cooper convertible on tow dolly
Minneapolis, MN
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Geewizard
WA
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Joined: 08/25/2004
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I plumbed in a flexible propane hose from my cooktop for my Camco Olympic Wave 3. The hose has a shutoff valve and quick connect so I can disconnect the Wave 3 and store it when not in use. The Wave 3 gives me very adequate heat.
I looked at Mr Buddy heaters but the Wave 3 was much better for me.
2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB
2014 Toyota Tundra Double Cab
300W solar, MPPT controller, LED lights
Xantrex Freedom X Inverter 3000W
2 Fullriver 105AH AGM batteries
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TenOC
On the road -- Full time
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Joined: 03/08/2004
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The only problem I have had with the Big Buddy heater is there is NO thermostat. It is either too hot or too cold.
Please give me enough troubles, uncertainty, problems, obstacles and STRESS so that I do not become arrogant, proud, and smug in my own abilities, and enough blessings and good times that I realize that someone else is in charge of my life.
Travel Photos
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cewillis
Tucson, az, usa
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Joined: 01/24/2005
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And another option that is designed for permanent install - The Vented Cat .
Cal
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Sounds like a bad idea. Both form and function.
Too much moisture induced into the enclosure (camper) with regular or prolonged use, and in general, just doesn’t seem like a good idea to gut out the business end and mount it near combustibles.
I recalled you putting a lot of time/effort/$ into your battery system due to your reluctance to use the on board genny, no?
Yet you won’t use your furnace?
* This post was
edited 01/02/22 12:31pm by Grit dog *
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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bigfootford
Fair Oaks, California
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Joined: 12/03/2002
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I would install a Wave 3....
Here is mine done 11 years ago. It still works perfect! Used it on our cross country Thanksgiving trip to Fla..
Bigfootford's Wave3 installation.
Jim
2000 2500 9.6 Bigfoot,94 F250, Vision 19.5, Mich 245/70XDS2's, Bilstein shocks, air bags/pump, EU2000, PD 9260,Lifeline 100ah, 200W. solar, Morningstar Sunsaver 15A/ display panel, Trimetric, Delorme/laptop, Holux gps rec,led lights, Wave-3 heat.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Interested in how you know the tank screen is plugged.
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adamis
Northern California
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Thanks all. Didn't even realize there was a Wave 3 on the market. I will take a look and head that direction!
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