Heater Efficiency and Choice

If your even in question when going to light a fuel water heater, just walk away for a few min and let any excess fumes air out.

Then go back with bbq lighter and just click it under the LG keeping your face as far away as possible.

I took a small mirror and glued it to the floor of the LG so you can always see the pilot light without having to lean in.


When I blew up Mil it was my own fault. It was with the #3, I had put a gauge on the propane tank that would show how much fuel was left.

what I didnt know was that the orifice on this little gauge was smaller than what the LG required, so the pilot light kept blowing out. At one point the pilot light was out but the heater was still set to "ON" I leaned into re light before the I had the mirror with my face wayyyy too close and BOOM

no eyebrows and some hair on the top of my head LOL not that funny though, it was actually really scary

I think I need to find some local guys and see the two heaters side by side in operation. That will be the only real way to decide for certain.

I actually found a NorthStar heater within an afternoon's drive for $900 (used for 4 months to clear ice dams) that has me tempted.

Just too many variables on paper....need to see them in captivity.

hard to say, Ive never used a diesel heater. I know the hotsy heated pressure washers are really nice, they run on diesel

I was going to have just a vac TM built and then run a hotsy for water and heat.

I guess there is no perfect method of heating water. Each has negatives, I just have to pick my poison and go with it.

Hotsy units are great, but even those heated Northstar units look like a bargain....get hotter as well.

I have seen a "Y" adaptor for propane tanks to allow the use of a portable grill bottle in addition to a vehicle mounted tank. This would allow you to take extra tanks with you on a large job.

William Weaver wrote:I have seen a "Y" adaptor for propane tanks to allow the use of a portable grill bottle in addition to a vehicle mounted tank. This would allow you to take extra tanks with you on a large job.

I told the gas company that was supposed to rebuild my tank the same thing....they claim that parts are hard to find for my tank. I dropped it off last fall and told them I needed it done before Spring. Last check, hasn't even started yet.

I added a Tee fitting to my belly tank in about 10 min, that allows me to connect a hose to a BBQ tank anytime needed. Nothing hard about it.

So don't let them BS you.

Davey Cracker wrote:I added a Tee fitting to my belly tank in about 10 min, that allows me to connect a hose to a BBQ tank anytime needed. Nothing hard about it.

So don't let them BS you.

They already have.....I don't see why parts would be so difficult, it isn't an antique. I think I will give them a call in the morning since the truck should be back from the fab-shop soon.

Davey Cracker wrote:I added a Tee fitting to my belly tank in about 10 min, that allows me to connect a hose to a BBQ tank anytime needed. Nothing hard about it.

So don't let them BS you.

I also carry my barbecue grill with me just in case I get hungry after a job, carne asada yum

Mo wrote:

Davey Cracker wrote:I added a Tee fitting to my belly tank in about 10 min, that allows me to connect a hose to a BBQ tank anytime needed. Nothing hard about it.

So don't let them BS you.

I also carry my barbecue grill with me just in case I get hungry after a job, carne asada yum

I wonder if a forklift tank could legally be fitted underneath a box truck. Then have a cage underneath to carry a spare.

cush83669 wrote:I wonder if a forklift tank could legally be fitted underneath a box truck. Then have a cage underneath to carry a spare.

The DOT tanks have a shield covering the valves, so do those forklift tanks actually. Might be worth looking into.

Just got the LG fittings from little giant. They don't send just send the fitting the send the tube too.

Dave did you try the other unitrol?

check this out

http://www.ebay.com/itm/manchester-32-gal-frame-mount-motorhome-propane-lp-tank-/291178987078?hash=item43cb9ebe46&vxp=mtr

Looks like a good deal on a big tank, except the shipping cost seems kinda high. But maybe that's what it would actually cost to ship it, I really don't know?

Mo wrote:..............

Dave did you try the other unitrol?

Now pushing 250 deg.!!!!!!!
Time to test that heat on a wool rug!.......

cush83669 wrote:

check this out

http://www.ebay.com/itm/manchester-32-gal-frame-mount-motorhome-propane-lp-tank-/291178987078?hash=item43cb9ebe46&vxp=mtr

That's actually a pretty good candidate....thanks!