I was thinking the 6 might be good, given the small size of the van. they last all night, and then some. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. But then, I'd never use an unvented combustion heater. I agree on the Olympian heaters they are nice. Chose on size. I totally understand that! They’re still selling a few parts for it, but not the heater. I have been thinking about and preparing my vehicle to maybe attend the RTR in January. Having a greater variety of heat ranges allows the heater to grow with you. The Mr. Heater heaters have oxygen depletion sensors. Tell us about your vehicle to find the right parts faster. I have a Chalet LTW trailer (folding A-frame trailer). Because of its high heat output, I know several people that use these to heat their RVs instead of the furnace that came with them. I might get a “Little Buddy” for full timing out of my car/tent, or maybe even a “Portable Buddy” if I go with a larger tank and hose setup. C $619.93. 99. The Little Buddy is the smallest and because of that I think it’s the best one for most car and van dwellers–unless you live in extreme cold. They normally run $400-500, and he got it for less than half that price. If you can’t see the heater video below, cut and paste this link into your browser: Mr. Heater Big Buddy (4000-9000-18000): Mr. Heater, BIG Buddy Portable Propane Heater, Mr. Heater Buddy (4000-9000): Mr. Heater Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU Indoor-Safe Radiant Heater, Mr. Heater Little Buddy (3800): Mr. Heater 3800 BTU Portable Heater, Olympian Wave 3: Camco Olympian Wave-3 3000 BTU Catalytic Heater, Marine Grade Carbon Monoxide/Propane alarm here: Marine Technologies Combination Carbon Monoxide/LP Gas Alarm. They all have the potential to become deadly if used improperly. I added a T and SS braided hose to reach the water heater access door area. Thank you! Also for now we are … Stay safe out there my friend. Would I be better off saving my money and use since there may not be any real improvement over the Buddy, or would I be moving up with the Wave 6? Important Safety … Its major drawback is it’s difficult to convert to refillable propane bottles, but in a future post I’ll show you how. That is far more important than anything else! They will keep the heaters from using up your oxygen. I can’t figure out where I would put it when 2 people are inside. Works like a charm as a much larger, deeper, more stable base for the heater. I have used both and can't say that there is a signified difference in the amount of moisture put out by the two heaters. It was made with two ceramic panels that glowed red-hot at full tilt. Drew, it seems to be sporadic, I hear reports both ways. http://www.coleman.com/product/2000004165#.Vkjxh4S37tR, Calvin, I think they are gone. I had the middle sized Mr. Heater Buddy but I sold it and bought this one and I prefer it. I also believe that they may have been discontinued because neither Amazon or Walmart are carrying them. They last 18 hours. I've been a full-time VanDweller for 12 years and I love it. The portable heaters are cheap to buy and super easy to install and a forced-air furnace is just the opposite; it’s expensive and requires a high skill level. At first we used a Mr. Heater, but later moved up to a 10,000 BTU free-standing unit. you will be totally safe! Save olympian wave heater to get e-mail alerts and updates on your eBay Feed. If…..and that is a BIG if…..I can get my vehicle (2014 Ford Escape) to accommodate me with a fair amount of comfort, I will try it. 4.6 out of 5 stars 50. Mr Heater vs Olympian Wave. Required fields are marked *. The bottom line is that most vandwellers are going to be much better off with a non-vented, portable heater because they are much smaller and cheaper to buy and operate and equally easy to install. On the other hand, I feel the Little Buddy is much safer, and you know what? It’s a true catalytic heater so it is safer than the Mr Heater Buddy series and it’s low setting is 1500 btu which is better for a van or car. Mr. Heater Corporation Vent-Free 10,000 BTU Radiant Propane Heater, Multi. Your email address will not be published. Brand: Camco | Category: Heater | Size: 1.81 MB Table of Contents. Bob. To use this on low pressure I removed the built-in regulator and attached a hose which I plumbed into the line feeding my cook-top. If you are in an RV then I recommend the Mr. Heater Big Buddy Portable Heater (4000-9000-18000 btu). Renogy® 100W Mono Bendable Solar Panel, Find everything you need to know to start vandwelling in my book! The only bad thing about them is they cost quite a bit more to buy and are slightly more complicated to install (they need a standard regulator on the refillable, bulk propane bottle). It’s ideal for RVs because of its higher heat output and yet some vandwellers chose them for their other advantages: Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Heater: This is the middle sized heater in the Mr. I’ve learned a lot from you and all your video subjects. Its more difficult to find a propane heater that puts out as low BTUS as 1600 yet can still be attached to a 20LB tank. This is something he wanted to do for some time. This is a Wave 8 model from the Olympian heaters from Camco. I have three of them. Mr. Heater Big Buddy Portable Heater: There are three sizes of Mr. Heater Buddy Portable Heaters  and this is the largest, most expensive, and puts out the most heat with three heat settings, 4000-9000-18000. ), I know most of your readers probably have vans and cars (or maybe a Class C), but I enjoy the information I get from your posts as well and would welcome any insight you can offer. In the winter I am in the desert so I never need it at high elevation so I can’t comment. Yes, I’ll show you another way to use the smallest Buddy heater. Given that Maine has some cold winters, what size Olympian Wave would you recommend? If I use a wave-3 or a wave-6 how much room do I need to leave around them? Bob. Bob. 100 percent safety shut-off valve prevents non-ignition fuel discharge. HOWEVER, they’re calibrated to work below 7,000 feet. If I depend on my Fantastic roof vent, it might close automatically if it rains. I've read some reviews about the Wave 6 and many say there should be no real issue with moisture, which would be great. Get it from Amazon here: Mr. Heater 3800 BTU Portable Heater. Bob, Bob, in that post perhaps you could address how the biggest Mr. My thought is this problem is endemic with the Blackcat and that’s why Coleman does not sell them any longer. The moisture doesn't come from the propane tank. I missed that... My big point was to have something that was vented and not hve to worry about that. I am leaning towards the Wave, but don't know what size to get. Howiet, they are really good heaters and work great in a van! Hi again. Heating your RV can be simple and uncomplicated with a radiant heater. The Olympian Heater Wave 3. If you follow the manual and give them adequate ventilation (usually just lowering your front windows by several inches is enough–but don’t guess, read and follow the manual!) The thermal mass of the van and its contents will continue to radiate heat over night so if you run the heater before bedtime and adequately insulate the van, it should be surprisingly warm the next morning. It seems the Mr Heater is ginormous and I am not exactly sure where I would put it where the dogs' tails wouldn't catch on fire, also I don't want to do the Buddy mod. Bob. They make a larger Wave 6 and Wave 8 but you only need them in extremely cold areas, which most of us won’t be in. I bought a small Olympian 3000 (now called the Wave 3) when I purchased our 1992 Starcraft. The last two years it never got under 40, but in the past I’ve seen it down into the teens and windy, so that was cold. If you are a person who runs cold or live in a very cold area, then I’d recommend the Olympian Wave series of heaters. Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:58 pm Post subject: Aux heater : olympian wave 3 vs. Mr. Heater buddy ? So, would like some input from those of you that use any of the Olympian models as to how well they keep you warm and "dry". In future posts I’ll tell you how to connect your Mr. I found a video from Mr. Heater that clued me in. Bob. The Camco Olympian Wave 6 Catalytic Safety Heater for Mid-Sized RVs # CAM57341 is a good choice for heating up to 230 square feet of space, but it sounds like you're likely going to be better off with the Camco Olympian Wave 8 Catalytic Safety Heater for Large RVs # CAM57351 which can heat up to 290 square feet. The unit is easy to start and looks good in the Camper. Camco 57341 Olympian Wave 6 Catalytic Heater is a portable heater which means you can take it anywhere you go. Page 11 57704 Wave 6 57713 12 ft. 57721 Wave 8 57715 For portable heaters with leg stands Wave 3 57722 Wave 6 57723 Wave 8 57724 OLYMPIAN GUARANTEE ™ Elbow OLYMPIAN™ GUARANTEE: Camco Mfg., Inc. 90° Elbow warrants the original purchaser that Olympian 3/8" SAE male with 3/8" SAE Wave heaters are free of defects in manufacture female connector. I … Olympian Wave Heaters There is no open flame to worry about, heat is radiant like an open oven door. So I got creative and just used my stove to warm up the van. Topic: Mr Heater Buddy vs Olympian Wave 6: Posted By: Makin' Do on 09/30/15 09:33pm I'm considering buying an Olympian Wave 6 to replace my Mr Heater Buddy to use in my 05' Pleasure Way Excel. Get it as soon as Tue, Jan 5. That’s a great plan Ben, I 100% approve. Now I have a 24+ MPG 4cyl, 4 door hatchback with a roof rack & box, and soon to be hitch and rear cargo box. I always have two windows partially open for ventilation with my Wave 6. The self-generating piezo starter lasts for around 20,000 starts for consistent, long-term performance. I camp at 6800 foot all the time and up to over 9000 in Nevada so the Mr heaters will not work. For example, the Portable Buddy needs at least 30″ of vertical clearance, 24″ of front clearance, 6″ on the sides and none at the back. I will be living in my home state of Maine for 1 full year in the van, while saving money to start my travel adventure. To start. With the lower output of this smallest heater, you can turn it on and leave it on with less time spent fussing with it. It’s the short wheel base. I know that the nights can get pretty cold from what Bob says, so I was thinking about using the Little Buddy for a heat source. I remember how wonderful it felt to finally be able to turn it off and know summer was near!! I also have found that the hand warmers that sell at Wal-Marts, Amazon, etc work great. It looks to have an inch of insulation on the roof, but that’s not enough to prevent condensation from 2 people and a dog breathing in there all night. Marine Technologies Combination Carbon Monoxide/LP Gas Alarm, Mr. Heater Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU Indoor-Safe Radiant Heater, Mr. Heater, BIG Buddy Portable Propane Heater, Camco Olympian Wave-3 3000 BTU Catalytic Heater, How to Connect Your Buddy Heater to a 20 Pound Bottle, http://www.coleman.com/product/2000004165#.Vkjxh4S37tR, #194 – Let’s Play A Game Of Musical Chairs. At one time my life was ruled by the time-clock but fortunately those days are gone forever!! Olympian recommends the Wave 8 for my size of camper but reviews that I read before purchasing indicated that the Wave 8 was too much and they wished they bought a Wave 6. I wouldn’t hesitate to leave one on while I was sleeping. This nearly new Olympian Wave-3 Propane Catalytic Heater is one of the best and safest heaters I've ever used. How does a catalytic heater work? The key thing with portable heaters is to follow the manuals instructions of ventilation and clearances around it exactly! I used my Little Buddy at Wheeler Peak Campground in Great Basin National Park, elevation 9886 feet. But that chilly October night, the little auxiliary heater simply would not stay lit. Skip to main content. I hope to never live in a house again! Baseboarders are the only one-size fits-most perforated steel baseboard heater covers that just slip over your existing baseboard heaters. Al Christensen recently posted…What is a guy without a house doing at Ikea? This is recommended by the manufacturer. This heater features adjustable heat settings, no flame, no flue or chimney, no fan or blower and no noise. In particular I’ll show you how to connect the smallest Little Buddy heater to a bulk bottle because it’s more complicated than the others. Of course the colder it is outside and the less insulation the van has, the more you’ll be glad you have this size. It comes from the combustion of the propane which produces carbon dioxide and water. Thanks for all the quick answers, good to hear from those that own and use a product. + Update your shipping location 7 S 0 P O N S O A R P A 7 E E D-1-1 U J-1 0 F J-1-1. . It’s really hard to guess how cold it will be. Full 360° and workmanship for a … Heater Dust Cover Replaces The 57727 Compatible for Olympian Wave 3 Heater fits for The Wave 3 or 3100 Catalytic Heater with Portable heaters (not Wall Mounted). They put off enough heat to warm 290 square feet of space, and if it gets too hot, the heaters can be turned down from 8000 to 4200 BTU an hour. I did read on some van life forums that this van heater stops working about 7,000 feet, but others say they’ve gotten it to work at altitudes up to 10,000. At normal winter temperatures, many people have found that leaving just the pilot light on overnight keeps the van warm enough to be comfortable with adequate bedding. Anyone considering any ventless heater just needs to consider that it may not work for them. Its cheaper given that it uses less propane because it uses low pressure propane vs the Mr. Heater Buddy which uses high pressure. On the second Blackcat, the fabric tore away from the piezo-electric lighter (which kind of looks like a big rivet). Try Prime EN Hello, Sign in Account & Lists Sign in Account & Lists Orders Try Prime Cart. 4 (0) Camco 59035 12' Propane Supply Hose By Camco USD $49.95. Wish I had bought the Wave6 in the first place. PAPERBACK: How to Live In a Car, Van, or RV: And Get Out of Debt, Travel, and Find True Freedom, Or as an eBook for the Amazon Kindle for only $2.99: No it, won’t! They are a true catalytic heater while the Buddy heaters are not, so that makes them inherently safer, although the Buddy heaters are perfectly safe. For most people in a van in average cold areas, either the Mr. Heater Buddy Portable Heater (4000-9000 btu) or the Mr. Heater Little Buddy Portable Heater (3800 btu) is the best choice. The built-in automatic electric Piezo sparker will last for 20,000 starts. It’s a true catalytic heater so it is safer than the Mr Heater Buddy series and it’s low setting is 1500 btu which is better for a van or car. I have a Little Buddy for my conversion van and like it very much. I liked that the Blackcats because they had two heat settings, while Little Buddy has only one, and it seems to me the the Little Buddy produces a lot more water vapor, which is a big deal if you winter camp on the coast in WA or OR! Started out with the Mr Buddy for comfort heat in the 5th wheel and replaced it with a Wave6 four years ago. bottles. My next choice would have been to try a Wave but in our case I was concerned about spending the money and having it bother our sinus and headache issues. Two Wave-3s and one Wave 6. FREE Shipping. Most people find that to be plenty and that the middle size Buddy puts out too much heat for the tiny space of cars and vans. Bob, Steve the clearances are very important and they make it hard in the tiny space of a small SUV. The Wave 3 should be warm enough unless you are in a very cold area. Works a treat with the 20lb bottle. I’m making Videos with my good friends James and Kyndal on their YouTube Channel. for the moment we want an easy solution for heating, no complex installations like the propex. The self-generating piezo starter lasts for around 20,000 starts for consistent, long-term performance. 40’s at night sounds like ideal weather! Personal observed difference between my Mr Buddy and Olympian 8000 heaters. The Olympian is rated for it and doesn’t give me any problems. They also have a 1500 btu setting, which is a much better size for most cars and vans because it provides a steady heat and burns less fuel. Being portable you can have them in the living area during the day and in the sleeping area in the evening. Keep the good info coming it is a big help. Get a marine grade one from Amazon here: Marine Technologies Combination Carbon Monoxide/LP Gas Alarm. 2. Which one is safer? This small camper van heater is powerful, pumping out up to 4,000-18,000 BTUs for spaces up to 450 square feet. Low-Cost heat: Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:58 pm post subject: heater..., not Little Buddy is much safer, and you know if Olympian... Be much happier to spend a few extra dollars and get the 6 be... Air quality, some are susceptible to the air quality, some are susceptible to the small space that may. Then the smallest Buddy heater I ’ ll show you another way to use,. Are dripping wet in the RV great again Lance 480 use e in! You need, this heater features a self-generating piezo starter lasts for 20,000 starts for consistent long-term! 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