It's Fa-reeeeezing Cold and Mr. Buddy is NOT my Buddy!

Рет қаралды 957

7 ай бұрын

My two heaters completely failed in 16° degree weather - just as I needed them the most. This is less a review of these products and more of a testament of the kinds of things that go wrong with off-grid living, especially when winter hits hard and early.

Пікірлер: 11

@kf5hcr176 7 ай бұрын

The vapor pressure for LP gasses drops when cold. I bet you would have trouble lighting a butane lighter as well You need to SAFELY warm the propane canister. When sufficiently warm the propane will change states from liquid to gaseous state. During the TEXAS freeze my diesel genset was too cold to start, so I tried using my propane torch to warm the intake manifold, the torch barely had a half inch flame since it was too cold. Eventually it did start. You might want to build a solar greenhouse contraption to store your tank in, cover it up at night so it'll stay warm, maybe even an electric heating pad would work. Also, 12 volt electric blankets are inexpensive on Amazon or most truck stops. You might appreciate having it warm your bed, my daughter uses one when camping, uses 12 volt extension from her car to the tent. Take care and hang in there

@utopiancow 7 ай бұрын

Thank you! I was going to make a follow up video (and I probably will). I managed to figure out the igniter problem, and it turned out to be the smallest of things: I shaved off the plastic coating around the positive end of the aaa battery, and just that little bit more contact area made the difference, and the heater started right up. I was amazed. And yes, the propane tank froze. I simply wrapped a space blanket around the tank and it’s worked like a charm. I think my lack of sleep and the utter cold made my brain freeze, too. When I was able to step back, think logically, and try a few things, I was able to figure it out. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and help out. This is why I love the KZfaq diy community!

@brandons9530 7 ай бұрын

you really should run both the tanks on the same heater propane when it gets cold cant vaporize you can beat it by increasing surface area. a $50 dual tank hose kit they have them at Lowes. also a deisal heater cheaper to run for you just dependes on how much deisal cost where you live. good luck.

@utopiancow 7 ай бұрын

Thanks! I’ll give this a try.

@trumpingtonfanhurst694 6 ай бұрын

I see you got it, good deal. Yes, when you need it most, freezing ur azz, propane won't work. You need to heat it up but you can't because the propane heater won't work because the propane won't work....argh. You can buy electric heaters for the tank they work fine but you have to have 120 volt power. The heater blankets are a little pricey, you could also use heat tape which is cheaper.

@timothyedmiston8756 6 ай бұрын

You need to learn how to use a Mr. heater with a 15 pound to 20 pound propane tank which is what you have you can fire up that buddy heater or the big buddy heater either one and run it on low for 96 hours straight

@derekduchamp4603 7 ай бұрын

Your propane froze

@utopiancow 7 ай бұрын

It did indeed! I’ve made some upgrades (thanks in part to other comments here) and I’m in a much better place with it all. I’m new at this off grid living sitch. Day by day I’m starting to figure it out.

@derekduchamp4603 7 ай бұрын

@@utopiancow stay warm,what part of the world are you in

@utopiancow 7 ай бұрын

@@derekduchamp4603 northern New Mexico

@HH-zg8zm 6 ай бұрын

I see this all the time you have to put insulation around your tanks.keep them from freezing. Or keep them warm when propane turns to ice not good. Second no offense second heater in box un tested rookie mistake. 😂 Any thing can happen from shipping damage to factory issues buy and test . Make sure it's good