Forced air "turbo" heater?

[BDaugherty]

I want to buy a diesel fired forced air heater for my shop and I'd like some feedback. My shop is 2500 square feet with 16' side walls. The insulation is fiberglass batting 4" in the roof and 3" in the side walls. The doors are not insulated. I'm looking for one of the smaller forced air heaters. My only requirements are that it run on diesel and it needs to have wheels.
Sam's Club has a great price on a 125K BTU but I'm scared of the brand. I do like the solid wheels and "low" setting that supposedly only consumes .75 gal/hr. The others are brands I've heard of before and feel a little more comfortable with. I don't expect it to outlast my business, but it needs to run for several seasons. Advice?



http://www.samsclub.com/sams/125k-kero-forced-air-outdoor-hrt-t-stat/prod7270418.ip

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/masterreg;-kerosene-diesel-forced-air-heater-135000-btu

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395535_200395535

 

[JR]

If your insistent on a salamander I would stick with the propane heaters. Fumes get to be over bearing after a while if your shop is closed up tight enough with an oil burner.

 

[mwilson]

If you go with the oil burner use K-1, not #2 Fuel or heating oil. Big difference in the longevity of the heater plus way less fumes. Once you put #2 in it there is no going back either.

We used to use a lot of those up here, still have one here for very cold days that we move around as needed. Only fuel that gets is K-1. That goes for our portable pressure washers as well.

The big built in pressure washer in our wash bay runs on #2 but has a chimney and vents outside.

#2 heating oil is even nastier these last two years, furnace techs all say that it is the worst that they have ever seen.

 

[JR]

If you go with the oil burner use K-1, not #2 Fuel or heating oil. Big difference in the longevity of the heater plus way less fumes. Once you put #2 in it there is no going back either.

We used to use a lot of those up here, still have one here for very cold days that we move around as needed. Only fuel that gets is K-1. That goes for our portable pressure washers as well.

The big built in pressure washer in our wash bay runs on #2 but has a chimney and vents outside.

#2 heating oil is even nastier these last two years, furnace techs all say that it is the worst that they have ever seen.

Yep, we have several at work that we used extensively last winter to keep various pumps throughout the plant from freezing, and i had every single one of those units apart at least once and in some instances 2 and 3 times to clean the gunk out of the nozzles. I ran a furnace years ago off of #2 and never had this problem, and I went 2-3 years between filter changes.

I still vote for propane over any other fuel source, but that's just me.

 

[BDaugherty]

Down here in GA, there are quite a few winter days when you need heat first thing in the morning, but by mid to late morning it's warm enough to not need supplemental heat. Also, the main source of heat in my shop is a wood heater, but for those cold mornings when the shop needs a jump start, it's hard to beat a turbo heater. As to running kerosene or diesel...I agree that kerosene is cleaner and less stinky, but not quite as available in these parts. Some of what it comes down to is a heat source that my employee(s) can fuel and operate without my direct supervision and without my going broke buying fuel.
My main question is whether the cheaper heater from Sam's might be worth a darn or if I should spend the extra money for the "Mr. Heater" brand that I have experience with.

 

[mwilson]

I would want one that had local parts availability. Plus Sam's seems to buy a bunch of whatever at once. Then when they are all sold you never see that brand again.

Mr.Heater would be my choice of the two.

Mike.

 

[JR]

http://m.tractorsupply.com/en/store/masterreg;-gas-forced-air-heater-125000-btu?cm_vc=-10005
I have the propane counterpart of the "Master" brand you linked through Tractor Supply and it seems to be of decent quality. I've only had it about 4 winters now so can't tell you how long it will last. Plus there are a lot more parts involved and a lot more to go wrong with an oil burner so probably not the greatest of comparisons. It did come with a parts diagram and a website in the owners manual to order replacement parts from.

 

[BDaugherty]

What size tank does the propane heater connect to and what kind of run time should I expect?

 

[JR]

According to the manufacture a 100lb bottle will last 22 hours at full tilt.

I can tell you that one tank lasts me quite a while. I will crank it up on high to take the chill off, and then turn it down to make it comfortable and a tank will last quite a while. I also don't use it everyday like it sounds like you may so your results may vary.

 

[crispyboy]

When I use my standard kerosene heater in the house I find that using clear K-1 that does not contain the dye does not smell. You have to shop around for the clear K-1.

 

[jojon01]

#ad

 

[rscurtis]

Propane fumes will eventually get to you by the end of the day. Additionally, they can be noisier than their oil-fired counterparts. However, both are an excellent ignition source if you ever have a fuel (gasoline) spill in your shop. I would rule them out for that reason alone.