Experience with a Big Buddy?

Has anyone had any experience with the Big Buddy Propane heater? It uses 2 one pound propane cylinders and could provide backup heat for a greenhouse when electricity goes off. I have not been able to find a local dealer (they are carried by Charley's and several other internet dealers), but I would like to actually see one or find someone who has used one before buying one (it is a bit pricey). My main question is: do the two cylinders work one after the other with some sort of automatic switch or would I have to manually switch from one cylinder to the other? If so, that would not carry it overnight ( I don't look foward to running out at 3 AM to switch over cylinders!). Any experience?

I don't know about the Big Buddy but we use the regular Buddy and hook it up to a 20 Lb tank with a special hose they sell for it. We're using this in our house and left on all the time a 20 lb tank will last about 3 or 4 days.

MollyD

Thanks, MollyD. I have another question. I keep reading that if you use a large cylinder (specifically a 20 lb one), it must be outside the GH unlike the small one pound cylinders. Why? Fear of leaking? Explosion? What? Is it more dangerous than a cylinder used for a cooking grill - those are larger than 1 lb. Any ideas why it is supposed to be kept outside (which would mean cutting a hole in the GH wall to run in the line). But if you used one for your house - was it outside?

Much of the "fear" of propane, unlike natural gas, comes about because it is more dense than air. Any leaks will accumulate at the bottom of an enclosure. Natural gas is more likely to dissipate since it rises. Both are explosive and leaks of either are obviously bad news.

Our tank is inside the house. Have never had any trouble with leaks of any sort.

MollyD

The raw gas & the exhaust are both deadly to plants. Usually a gas heater is vented to the outside. I would check with a dealer on the exhaust part.
We use fuel oil furances in our greenhouses. Very safe! Won't blow up.
I would never have a tank inside.
I don't know about your area, but we have had some terrible blasts here. Luckly only a few people have been killed.
Whole houses blown to bites. One time a guy pulled up to a warehouse & when he hit the remote for the door opener, it was klike a bomb went off. It was in a small town of about 300 people. Took out most windows in town & damaged most buildings, including concrete foundations. Luckily the guy lived.
Bernie

I have three propane tanks and in all three, if you lift up the cap that covers the gauge on top, you can get a little whiff of propane. The company reassures me that it is OK, but yet that alone is enough for me to keep the tanks far away from house, greenhouse, and any other structure.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200307957&R=2003

Northerntool has it on sale.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and experience. I talked today with Customer Service at www.mrheater.com and the lady was very helpful. The switching from one cylinder to the other is automatic - no need to run out at 3 AM to switch in an ice storm! She repeated firmly the admonition about larger tanks being kept outside. The small cylinders are apparently not considered a problem as they are locked tightly into the back of the heater. Ventilation is important with all heating systems. I will be using mostly electric heaters (until the electric bill frightens me), but rarely Wake Electric Coop does let the power go off (surprisingly rare). I would like to be able to at least attempt not to lose everything due to a few hours without electricity. So I think I will get one of these. Thanks for the tip about the sale - I went to the site and saw it. I will see what Lowe's has this weekend - they market the Big Buddy as Tough Buddy with their name. I'll see how their price compares (taking shipping into consideration). Thanks again, everybody.