Garage Heater

[richy]

I don't detail in the winter and basically just wash my car in the garage. When I do, or even towards the end of my season (usually late November or early December) I sometimes need a heater in the garage. I have had an electric unit which 1) isn't very strong and 2) I hate using as I usually have water on the floor.

So I found a propane powered one on Kijiji and bought it for $80 including a used propane tank that feels pretty full. It's a 40,000 BTU unit and it really kicks out the heat. I'll probably still open the garage door a crack as anything that is burning has the potential to diminish the oxygen level but I don't think that's too big of a concern.

Here it is:








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[custmsprty]

That propane tank valve looks pretty sketchy, you might want to get it replaced or get a new tank. You wouldn't want it leaking in the garage.
Heck down here in Tampa today it was 91! ( so like 100+ in the garage) I need an ac unit in my garage, I rarely detail in the summer because it's so hot, but man it's October, we need a break!

 

[richy]

That propane tank valve looks pretty sketchy, you might want to get it replaced or get a new tank. You wouldn't want it leaking in the garage.
Heck down here in Tampa today it was 91! ( so like 100+ in the garage) I need an ac unit in my garage, I rarely detail in the summer because it's so hot, but man it's October, we need a break!

My portable a/c unit in the garage gets more use than this heater will, that's for sure. I've got a 14,000 BTU a/c unit that I've had since 2007. Would NOT be without it!!

And thanks for your concern about the valve.

 

[Sicoupe]

That will definitely keep you warm when you need it

 

[bugeye]

The tank valve is the old style. I suggest trading for a new tank/valve when empty. The tanks do have a certification date. If you are concerned of leakage, place a bucket over the top of the tank and leave for a few days. If the tank valve is leaking, the propane odor will be easier to smell when the bucket is removed.

 

[java]

If you are concern about the valve you could try spraying soap and water on it and look for bubbles I know it work for house gas line not sure about propane.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

IMO you guys are getting a little too exercised about the valve. The change that was made to propane tanks was to prevent overfilling, which could cause rupture of the tank under a narrow set of circumstances, it didn't have anything to do with the valve per se.

We all used propane tanks for decades without overfill devices and we're all still here to tell about it.

 

[BillE]

The tank valve is the old style. I suggest trading for a new tank/valve when empty. The tanks do have a certification date. If you are concerned of leakage, place a bucket over the top of the tank and leave for a few days. If the tank valve is leaking, the propane odor will be easier to smell when the bucket is removed.

:iagree:

Bill

 

[sparkism13]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but is it a good idea to use a propane heater in an enclosed garage, especially if you only plan to "probably open the garage door a crack"?

 

[yakky]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but is it a good idea to use a propane heater in an enclosed garage, especially if you only plan to "probably open the garage door a crack"?

Agree, that style heater needs lots of ventilation. I have a smaller propane unit and after an hour or so in the garage you get lightheaded.

Might be ok to warm up the garage before doing in, then open the door completely to let fresh air in.

 

[sparkism13]

Yeah, that lightheadedness is almost certainly a precursor to death by carbon monoxide!

 

[BobbyG]

IMO you guys are getting a little too exercised about the valve. The change that was made to propane tanks was to prevent overfilling, which could cause rupture of the tank under a narrow set of circumstances, it didn't have anything to do with the valve per se.

We all used propane tanks for decades without overfill devices and we're all still here to tell about it.

I Agree

I use something very similar in my garage Richy. While the take looks old it's no doubt fine because it's full and as far as I know propane doesn't go bad....or at least I've never had one go bad.

The valve is the older style but I suspect it connects with the heater connection. Here in the states, the older valves like the one in your photos aren't used anymore and might even be outlawed.

The newer tanks and connections use a different screw on type that connects to any propane device of the same design. Wrenches are no longer needed with the newest design which does make swapping out tanks much easier.

To heat my garage I use a combination of propane and wood. My propane heater warms things up quickly then the wood stove maintains nicely. rops:

 

[richy]

Thanks guys. I do plan on getting some fresh air in while using it.


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[BillE]

IMO you guys are getting a little too exercised about the valve. The change that was made to propane tanks was to prevent overfilling, which could cause rupture of the tank under a narrow set of circumstances, it didn't have anything to do with the valve per se.

We all used propane tanks for decades without overfill devices and we're all still here to tell about it.

I think everyone (I was) using the new valve vs old valve as an indication of the tanks' age.

Hence, has the tank been recertified?

Bill

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I think everyone (I was) using the new valve vs old valve as an indication of the tanks' age.

Hence, has the tank been recertified?

Do they recertify those? Those lightweight tanks are throwaways, I thought.

I just think this gets overblown (so to speak) because one time some knucklehead overfilled a tank for a guy who put it in his car and parked it in the sun until it got to 150° and the tank blew up (because the relief device failed), and then we all had to get new tanks, forgetting the other 400,000,000 times a tank got filled and nothing happened.

Just like my outdoor faucet has a leaky anti-siphon valve because one time some knucklehead left a hose-end sprayer (a Gilmour, lol?) full of insecticide on the end of his hose with the valve open, on just the day when he lost water pressure, and siphoned the poison into his house on just the day when his wife was making a pitcher of iced tea instead of going to the bathroom first (and flushing out the pipes). So because of those five things that had to go wrong now all of us have to live with leaky outdoor faucets.

We as a society today (for a variety of reasons) get confused between what could happen and what's remotely likely to happen. A lot of these thing are pushed, surprise, by companies that make things like propane tanks and outdoor faucets.

/rant

 

[BillE]

Do they recertify those? Those lightweight tanks are throwaways, I thought...

In a word...yup.

Not sure how every state does it, but when I lived in Washington, I'd get my tanks refilled at a propane dealer. They had signs stating, "Out of date, non-certified tanks cannot be refilled." Or something close to that, anyhow they could re-test and also re-certify the tank. Think it cost $5 or so. This was about ten (10) years ago.

When they tested them, they would fill them with high pressure air an submerge 'em in a tank of water for an hour or so to test for leaks. Also a weight test, look at the actual weight of the empty tank (as stamped on the tank) and compare it with the current weight. What weight difference would determine a non compliant...ain't gotta clue.

Bill

 

[BrandonS]

I use a similar set up here in Michigan. I keep the garage door open about a foot and a window open. Most of the heat stays in as heat rises towards the ceiling. I don't do much detailing during the winter other than wash and vacuum. If we get a warm up I put on an extra coat of bfwd. One thing I learned is to have two lp tanks. I use the small one from my grill and I have a larger one I bought on Craigs list. I found a local place that charges for the amount used instead of just doing a swap and I save some money. With having two tanks I wont run out. It always happens at the worst times. My garage is insulated and 24x36. I find I can heat the garage up in about 20 minutes in the dead of winter and then turn the machine off. Great tools but be careful of the flame, and the reduction of o2.

 

[Hazcat]

I use hot water to heat my garage. You can run tubing in the walls, ceiling, floor, or all the above.