Best Way to Set Up Propane Sunflower for Flip Over Shelter

[Nevertooearly]

Hi all - I am getting ready for the upcoming ice fishing season.

I normally heat my Fish Trap using a propane cyclinder with a "sunflower" type head.

The dang thing is way too big and bukly though for insdie the shelter and I want to do things right for once and for all by keeping the propane tank outside on the ice, running a line into the shelter and attaching the sunflower head to it.

I want the heater head to be real stable though as I often fish with my young 6 year old grandson and I don't want him tripping into the thing and over it.

I'd sure appreciate hearing any ideas on how the pros here place the heater heads inside the shelter so it is safe and out of the way and efficient and effective? Do you put them into milk crates or make a special holder?

Thank you

[Ice King]

Go to fleet farm in the propane section or to a propane dealere or online, there is this great little plastic thing you set your tank into,it fits to the bottom only 15.00 and its a life saver! I bought one last year and put a bunjee cord around it, my shack flipped completly over when I went to check on a tip up a couple hundred feet away, amazingly it stayed put and even more incredible nothing got burned on my brand new otter. After that I drilled two holes in the frame and ran ice screws through, now I can fish through a hurricane.

[ulwent522]

I run the MrHeater sunflower, 10lb.tank outside with the hose running in. I use the stock mr heater heater/cooker holder, but made a few changes. My biggest problem was after a couple hours I'd get a lake and the ice in the house would get slick. I took a piece of 3/4" treated ply, cut a piece of ductwork to fit the ply, screwed it on and also stapled the mrheater holder to the ply/duct. Works great, stays stable, won't tip and the duct reflects all the heat away from the ice, no more puddle. The ply/duct extends about 10" past the front of the heater.

BIRDDOG

[Unlogged Auggie264]

I place my propane tank in a plastic milk crate. I zip-tie the bottom of the tank to the crate. It is very stable. They do make a heater/cooker that sits by itself and you can run a hose to it. Another heater to look at is the big buddy. It has a low O2 sensor and turns off automatically if it is bumped or tipped over.

[Waldo99]

Unlooged Auggie264 - can you leave the propane tank outside the shelter and use a hose to connect one of those Mr. Heaters to the tank.

In other words - can you have just the heater in the shelter and leave the propane tank outside???????????????????

[Fish For Fun]

Yes you can run a hose from the tank to a Mr. Heater Buddy or Big Buddy. for your size shack I would get just the regular buddy it will heat it easy. That is the exact setup that I use, Mr. Heater does recommend that you install a filter between the tank and the heater if you are using anything bigger than the 1 lb tanks. Apparently there is more oil in the bigger tanks and it will plug the heater if you do not have a filter. Here is everything you need.

http://www2.northerntool.com/product-1/200310651.htm

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0005701516933a.shtml

The filter screws right on the heater where the 1 lb tank goes and then the hose connects to the filter and the tank. Just make sure all of your connections are tight before lighting the heater. These are the safest heater out there, they have an O2 and a tip over sensors for safety.