Which heater

Tim M · 28 December 2005, 16:28

I am organising a new years eve party for about 12 people in someones garden. We're going to use my 6x4m mini marquee. I need to get some sort of heater for it so we don't all die of hyperthermia (if the alchol poinesing doesn't kill us first). I went to HSS Hire today and hired a gas fired catalytic cabinet heater, which cost me £50 for two days hire, including a bottle of gas (this seems expensive to me). I'm now worried that this isn't going to keep us warm and I've just blown half the party budget on a heater. Doesn anyone have an experiance with this sort of gas heater and confirm to me that it will indeed keep a small tent warm on a freezing winters night.

codprawn · 28 December 2005, 16:33

Never mind hyperthermia - watch out for carbon monoxide instead!!!

Make sure you have some ventilation - better cold than dead!!!

Yes it should keep you warm but I reckon people will be fighting for the best spot!!!

There is a REALLY revolutionary solution - some extra clothing.....

And just one tip - NEVER hire anything from HSS again - got to be the biggest rip off ever - do you realise you can buy heaters like that new for not much more???

Anyway take care and have fun - don't want to see you in the Darwin awards this year!!!

Tim M · 28 December 2005, 16:46

Mmm, now I'm thinking I should cancel the booking and get something else....

bogib · 28 December 2005, 16:51

Tim, honestly I really doubt this heater will be doing anything really to me it seems to be approx equalvant to 4200 watt heater and if you have tent which is 24 square metres it will only heat let say 10% of the space.

Bogi

codprawn · 28 December 2005, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogib

Tim, honestly I really doubt this heater will be doing anything really to me it seems to be approx equalvant to 4200 watt heater and if you have tent which is 24 square metres it will only heat let say 10% of the space.

Bogi

Just realised he meant metres and not feet!!! Unless the tent is foil lined not a chance!!!

What you need is a space heater

A little one like this will do

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product...0&r=2138&g=118

http://www.northerntooluk.com/produc...lt.asp?id=5504

They run off the big propane bottles - still got to watch out for CO but the stink will get you first - great for garages or small ind units as well.

Shop around - may find them a bit cheaper or may be able to rent but everyone wants them this time of year!!!

codprawn · 28 December 2005, 17:02

If you were any closer you could borrow mine - must be someone on here who can help out????

Tim M · 28 December 2005, 17:19

Thanks codders.
I did consider one of these blow heaters, but it was going to cost £100 to hire one from HSS. I will shop around tomorrow. My budget is about £50 now having bought some carpet for the tent.......

Edit: I take it you can't run a propane heater on butane and visa versa.....

Hightower · 28 December 2005, 17:33

How many students can you fit into a 6x4 space. I was thinking of Tim surrounded by an all female contingent. Wouldn't need a heater in that case, Air con unit might be order of the day.

Tim M · 28 December 2005, 17:35

Lol I wish!!

codprawn · 28 December 2005, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

Thanks codders.
I did consider one of these blow heaters, but it was going to cost £100 to hire one from HSS. I will shop around tomorrow. My budget is about £50 now having bought some carpet for the tent.......

Edit: I take it you can't run a propane heater on butane and visa versa.....

£100 from HSS??? See what I mean - 2 days and you could buy the bloody thing!!!

Technically you can run them on either gas but Butane crap when it gets cold and they only come with propane regs!!!

Try to borrow one if you can - badger people on RIBNET!!!

Tim M · 28 December 2005, 17:38

Problem is I'm in Norfolk at the moment and there are only about 3 other members within about 100 miles of here!

If however there is someone with one..............

Tim M · 28 December 2005, 18:11

How much will a 13kg bottle of propane cost me.....

The Garfish · 28 December 2005, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

There is a REALLY revolutionary solution

heers anuvver wan.

tipp sum creem de menth ova a stoodints sokks an aply a lytid mach.

ifn i reemembir correkly fromm mi yewnivirsitty daiys lore stoodints birn de bestist

gArf aRf

codprawn · 28 December 2005, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

How much will a 13kg bottle of propane cost me.....

Usually comes in 19kg bottles - not sure how much - about £20???

If you have electricity nearby why not run some extensions out and use fan heaters - 3kw each - 3 of them about the same as a small space heater - just make sure you only have 1 per outlet as they draw almost 13amps each!!!

Most people have a few fan heaters lying around or get them from a cheapy shop for about £10 each!!!

Poly · 28 December 2005, 20:30

13kg propane cylinder should cost about £24 including a £10 deposit for the cylinder. (i.e. net cost £14)

As codders said don't try to use butane instead at this time of year - it is useless below about 5 deg C as it starts to freeze around 0 C. Propane will continue working down to at least -30 deg C.

As for Carbon Monoxide poisoning - its less of an issue with the heater you were originally planning to use than the space heaters. As the heater you were planning to use is catalytic it doesn't produce CO (unless it is faulty).

Neil

codprawn · 28 December 2005, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

13kg propane cylinder should cost about £24 including a £10 deposit for the cylinder. (i.e. net cost £14)

As codders said don't try to use butane instead at this time of year - it is useless below about 5 deg C as it starts to freeze around 0 C. Propane will continue working down to at least -30 deg C.

As for Carbon Monoxide poisoning - its less of an issue with the heater you were originally planning to use than the space heaters. As the heater you were planning to use is catalytic it doesn't produce CO (unless it is faulty).

Neil

Actually a catalytic heater DOES produce CO - not as much as a an open flame but more than enough to kill you!!! It doesn't produce CO when there is sufficient oxygen but if there isn't look out!!!

The danger with the catalytic type is they lull you into a false sense of security - a space heater will chuck out so many fumes you will open a window or a door before much harm is done.

There have been loads of instances of people dying in tents etc from catalytic heaters and lanterns etc.

Luckily I am allergic to the fumes these gas things give off so I am gagging for air long before anyone else!!!

Poly · 28 December 2005, 21:08

SORRY CODPRAWN IS CORRECT. I HAVE DONE SOME DIGGING AND IT SEEMS I MADE THE MISTAKE OF BELIEVING MANUFACTURERS MARKETTING MATERIAL! WHEN OPERATED IN REDUCED OXYGEN ATMOSPHERES CATALYTIC HEATERS DO PRODUCE CO. Although you would probably notice the lack of oxygen before you suffered the ill effects of CO.

I doubt that small heater is such a large tent would cause a problem (especially with people entering and leaving) but then it also won't heat it.

Neil

jwalker · 28 December 2005, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

...Most people have a few fan heaters lying around ...

I find myself agreeing with Cod twice in about as many minutes.

Yeh, in a tent, get the air moving. And, it's just possible you won't be paying the bill.

Just for info., butane boils at about -4°c, propane boils at about -40°c.