Tent Heater

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I haven't used the ZODI heater but I have used my single burner stove several times over the years to take the chill off prior to climbing out of my sleeping bag in the morning. On a solid surface I see no issues but in a RTT sitting on the mattress I would have fire hazard concerns about knocking it over. It looks like you might be able to hang it inside, that may be an OK option.
As far as keeping you warm it should be awesome. I can heat a big 10x8 with my single burner in about 15 minutes. (insert carbon monoxide warning here)
 
The Zodi is designed to sit outside the tent and then pipe hot air in via the duct tubing...no CMO worry. However Zodi states they are not intended to be used when unattended...such as overnight. FYI: Their air heater is designed just like their water heater: If air/water stops flowing past the burner, for whatever reason, they go into melt-down/destroy mode. I know first hand about this!!!
 
I got one on sale (retail $120, sale $50) at a local sporting goods store, and with a November camp trip coming up I thought I'd give it a whirl.

I need to modify it to put a switch on the fan, remote ignition and remote valve control so I can operate it in the tent. Need to figure out a way to decrease the volume of the fan as well- reminds me of a blade server firing up.

The heater works pretty well, upping the temperature by about 20 degrees from outside (in a Hannibal 4-season tent). It was about 20 degrees out and blowing about 40mph.

Make sure you come up with a stable base for it- it is top heavy.

Zodi also makes a two-container burner that lasts longer (6 hours for a single cannister), but costs about $250 retail.

Overall- this is a decent device, but it has it's issues.

Ultimately I would rather find a 12volt electric blanket with the 30 or so minute shutoff. Much less hassle, greater piece of mind, would warm you much better. see ebay under "12 volt auto electric blanket" types of search strings. Make sure you look at the ones that have self-timers. About $20 per blanket.
 
esh said:
Ultimately I would rather find a 12volt electric blanket with the 30 or so minute shutoff. Much less hassle, greater piece of mind, would warm you much better. see ebay under "12 volt auto electric blanket" types of search strings. Make sure you look at the ones that have self-timers. About $20 per blanket.
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Bought one for SnT...but it was so warm there it wasn't needed. And I have not had an opportunity to use it yet.
 
esh said:
....

Ultimately I would rather find a 12volt electric blanket with the 30 or so minute shutoff. Much less hassle, greater piece of mind, would warm you much better. see ebay under "12 volt auto electric blanket" types of search strings. Make sure you look at the ones that have self-timers. About $20 per blanket.
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spressomon said:
Bought one for SnT...but it was so warm there it wasn't needed. And I have not had an opportunity to use it yet.
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IIRC you also run dual batteries. I would be reluctant to use an electric blanket run from my starting battery.



Would you use that blanket so I know if I want to invest in one? :D
 
rusty_tlc said:
IIRC you also run dual batteries. I would be reluctant to use an electric blanket run from my starting battery.



Would you use that blanket so I know if I want to invest in one? :D
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I would run it off the dual batteries in the Horizon...but only for an hour in the evening to preheat the tent...then again an hour before jumping out of the sack...that is if Sandy is along;) . Otherwise my down sleeping bag is toasty fine...
 
A few years back we used a Coleman Catalytic Heater. It generated quite a bit of heat. It was 17°F outside. Inside it must have been close to 32°F.

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They are about $40 and a single propane canister lasts over 12 hours.

Regards

Alvaro
 
Here is a company (Kifaru.net )that has refined heated tents t, mostly for backpackers but they are awsome. We have used early models of the 4 man tipi and I am looking at the Paratipi for CHristmas to me.
 
I'm sorry to bring up such a old threat, but I have a question. Does anyone know why they stopped selling the Zodi hot vent heater? I can't find it in stock anywhere, and the web-site says it's no longer available. Did somebody end up getting killed or what?
 
I bought a Big Buddy last winter. It rocks. I cannot tell you how many times I used it this year. I use it to warm the garage as well as anyone who goes car camping or tailgating. I've used it in the boat, out on the deck, sporting events, camping trips. I will say one thing though. plan on bringing a lot of the green cylinders. Even with two in it they go fast. Maybe 3 hrs on high. I bought the adapter hose and a 5lb cylinder. It can run all day and night with that. Use a 20lb tank and run it all week. The fan makes it throw out a lot of heat.

I cannot tell you how many times I've busted it out on a camping trip and had everyone piling around it.

Mr Heater is also coming out with an even smaller model.
MR. HEATER - America's Most Popular Brand of Portable Heaters
 
I don't want to pump CO2 into my tent. The idea with the forced air heater was that it wont pump your tent up with CO2 or CO gas... both of which will kill you in the right amounts.
 
Deadly said:
I'm sorry to bring up such a old threat, but I have a question. Does anyone know why they stopped selling the Zodi hot vent heater? I can't find it in stock anywhere, and the web-site says it's no longer available. Did somebody end up getting killed or what?
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What I've heard is when the 12VDC power running the fan dies they tend to overheat and sometimes self destruct.
 
I used an electric blanket hooked up to a booster battery pack. The only problem was the blanket was a POS from Cabela's, barely any heat output. Before I go on another cold cold trip, I will try and pick up a real elctric blanket like one of these:
ElectroWarmth® Bedwarmers - 12 VOLT ELECTROWARMTH® BUNK WARMERS
My thought is you get what you pay for, the only problem seems to be that they do not have a power off timer. I searched for a viable safe tent heater and I dont think one exists. An open flame or carbon monoxide inside my Maggiolina wouldn't let me sleep well.
 
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