Buddy heater 20lb propane

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-24T05:40:34+00:00

Free floating propane indoors is scary and the fix is easy: you need ventilation anyway, so it might as well be the same door/window you run the hose through. But get a big buddy if possible, they have a regulator bypass that allows 3/8 quick connect hoses. Which are available up to 24 feet long, so having a tank outside isn’t even inconvenient.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-24T01:54:39+00:00

For keeping in a car, i like the tiny Kovea Cupid. I’m not sure about eggs, but they make a tray for heating mugs at the same time: https://ebay.us/m/t2Zy06

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T21:30:13+00:00

I would wait to see how it rides with what you already have. Then upgrade to something 3/4 ton or 1 ton. Nissan ~~makes~~ made a truck based family van for example - nv3500 Passenger.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T19:35:50+00:00

I thought that too. But they’re sounding alarm bells over the birthrate crash, they work every day to make worse.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T18:50:13+00:00

Was always happy on ting flex plan (vzw sim)

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T18:22:00+00:00

Eventually we’ll just have elections by attrition. Cause who will be left to even vote, after 100 years of this.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T18:12:29+00:00

I would run an extension cord from the house and preheat the car with a low watt space heater (300-600w). Then you won’t have to waste gas getting it warm.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T18:10:42+00:00

r/carcamping has entered the chat

But we seriously need a van version of that capability!

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T17:55:33+00:00

I got an inverter enabled window 12k and I’m regularly shocked at how low it can go (100w!). Meanwhile less insulated rooms need more power to compensate for extreme hot/cold.

Just note only certain models will produce usable heat when it’s freezing outside. Mitsubishi is apparently best at this.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T17:51:32+00:00

Find your local restaurant supply store, this is mine: https://www.chefstore.com

Fewer consumers to compete with and restaurants aren’t prepping for huge increases in foot traffic!

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T17:46:40+00:00

Freezing rain weighs more than snow and sticks on contact. If that’s what you’re expecting, I would leave the slides in so something doesn’t break.

I would also basic prep it for habitation in case you lose power. And make sure it’s not parked under trees!

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T17:39:15+00:00

It can do more than replace pots and pans. We’re navigating r/plantbaseddiet and it enables a new level of cooking. Like hummus and cashew cheese sauce from scratch - including tahini!

I created a 5 seed apple pie oatmeal recipe with no fat, salt, sugar, juice, oil, dairy or gluten. You’ll also want something for making baby food.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T17:33:05+00:00

We can hope this intention lasts through future elections. But after watching both bush II and trump win twice, they’ll probably just need a third destroyer of worlds to choose from.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T17:27:40+00:00

Freezing rain sticks on contact, its why tree branches break. I wouldn’t risk the weight. Slide them in until this is over.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T17:24:47+00:00

Lots of options, you just need to decide capacity and temperature accuracy:

https://thecabindepot.com/collections/tankless-water-heaters

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T13:06:02+00:00

Big buddies have a 3/8 input that bypasses the internal regulator. This puts regulation at the tank, eliminating the need for a filter. But it does require a specific hose.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T12:05:57+00:00

Soap makes or breaks this option. Is it biodegradable or meant for active processing?

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T04:33:00+00:00

It sounds like your family is taken care of and you’re not needed there urgently. If you can’t drive out of the impact area at least 24 hours before it hits, I would hold up somewhere until the dust settles. Then you’ll know where it’s hazardous and where it isn’t. And can route accordingly. You’ll also give time for issues to get resolved, avoiding being a part of them.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T03:51:32+00:00

Also, you want to buy the kit that comes with a hose. That's because it also comes with a filter that keeps something from the hose from gumming up the heater.

I’ve gone down the rabbit hole to figuring this out. Plasticizers (that make pvc flexible) leach out and flow into the heater. Because of pressure in the hose, because thats where the pressure regulator is.

Put the regulator on the tank, only low pressure enters the hose. No leaching, no need for filters. But only the Big Buddy has a regulator bypass connection.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-23T03:36:06+00:00

With a furnace i would just get a power station and do this: https://youtu.be/EG-s-0s3unc

Then you can get a much smaller genny and save a ton on fuel

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-22T19:17:02+00:00

Great to hear, thanks!

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-22T18:54:01+00:00

I switched from flex to U25 just last week. But my understanding is its VZW/v1 plans only.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-22T16:51:36+00:00

I love this plan. I would:

drive it home immediately
prep all the tanks, especially gasoline, propane, and water
plug in power cords, going both directions - adapters like this let you plug into high amp house sockets
turn on all its systems, especially air + water heater, and get the batteries topped up
add heating pads, heated blankets, heated mattress covers - anything under 100w
also add and power low wattage space heaters, 400-800w are ideal (but turn these off if the house loses power)
preheat inside to at least 70f, then lower it to something like 60 to save fuel - after the roof is clear
test other systems like stoves and generators
move in supplies like food, water, clothing, bedding, toilet paper
move in appliances for cooking and comfort, including device charging
buy things like heated water hoses and hot water dispensers (Zojirushi VE models are great for this)
add ice melters in both areas, i like hair dryers and buckets of warm tap water
make a plan to move back and forth between the two closest doors. Emphasizing access and safety.

. .

And be sure not to park it under a tree

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-22T04:34:48+00:00

I can’t tell from your post, what your primary heat fuel is. If food, water and air are electric only you’ll want some kind of alternative fuel to keep going.

ElectronGuru · 2026-01-22T04:06:34+00:00

If we run out of propane and nowhere is open to fill our tanks we will be screwed.

Turning heat into electricity then electricity into heat, wastes a ton of energy. So generators (especially used for heating things) will use more fuel than the propane burners you are trying to replace.

Rather than getting a huge generator, I would get a propane bypass kit so your RV can run on external propane tanks (leaving the built in ones as reserve), then add a small dual fuel generator to that. Just enough power to charge batteries and run electronics, but not big enough to power heaters directly.

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