The Mr. Heater Little Buddy is powerful enough to heat a small space. (3,800 BTU/hour) There are two drawbacks, though, both of which this hack solves.
The first issue is that the Little Buddy is tall and top heavy and can easily tip over, even with the plastic ring that attaches to the bottom of the propane bottle. The Little Buddy has a tilt sensor that turns off the heater if it falls over, but there remains a risk the still-hot heater can scorch or burn something.
The second issue is that the Little Buddy uses 1-pound propane bottles, which are compact and convenient but are also a more expensive way to use propane. Refillable bulk tanks are much more economical. But how can you attach a 20-pound propane tank to a Little Buddy and also keep it upright and stable?
There are hoses that can attach Mr. Heater heaters to bulk tanks. It’s the same type used to connect something like a Coleman single burner stove. They come in five and twelve foot lengths. However, there’s a filter that must be used when connecting to a heater. Over time, propane and the pressure it’s under leaches a substance from the hose that can clog the heater’s system. The filter keeps that stuff out of the heater. As a bonus, that filter makes this hack possible. Here’s how.
Make (or repurpose) a wooden box, about 12 inches square and 6 inches tall, with 1/2-inch thick wood. That 1/2-inch thickness is important. If making a box is too difficult, you could attach 6-inch legs to the corners of a piece of 1/2-inch wood instead.
Next, make a hole a little smaller than 2.25 inches in diameter in the top of the box. A hole saw or jigsaw should do the trick. You might want to make the hole slightly to one side so the angled head of the heater will be centered on the box for maximum stability.
Now put the filter into the hole, from the bottom. The widest part of the filter—the flange—should keep the filter from going all the way through the hole. Then screw the heater onto the filter. The filter will act like a big nut, holding the heater in place. Finally connect the hose to the filter.
If you make the box 13 x 12, you can store the heater and hose in it when you don’t need to use it.
If you prefer to keep using 1-pound bottles but want a more stable base, you can screw the plastic base ring to a larger piece of wood. Or there are rings with feet that swing out to make a wider base.
For an even easier hack that requires no carpentry, see my new video here.
What a fine idea!
Hello, Bob. Can you comment on condensation when using one of these heaters in a van?
I’m planning a build in my step van, and haven’t chosen a heat system. Although, since my van is diesel fueled, I like the Wabasto heaters very much! But, they are expensive in comparison to the propane heaters.
Thanks!
i hope you dont eat crackers in bed with the heater on HA! thats another great idea to share to others i know, always enjoy reading all your storys and thoughts
Where do I find the bottom ring with feet?
Dee, Somewhere like here: tinyurl.com/2p9un5uf
Good job Bob. You hooked me up now i got cheap heat in my new wood working shop.
This is Genius, and I knew about the 20 lb Propane and Hose, but had no idea about the Filter. Bulk Propane is 60 Cents Per Pound vs $5 per Pound in Canister. I bought a 5# Refillable tank from Costco for $50 so I’m done with the Lil Green Tanks & Throwing them Out. If you want to get off Cheap Hobo Freight sells an Adapter to fill the Lil Green Tanks from a Bulk 20# Tank. It’s not hard, but leave them outside in the event they Leak.