The new Mr. Heater AKA Big Max unit heaters

ForceFed70 · Sep 24, 2012

Just picked up a 80,000BTU Mr Heater unit heater. I plan to install myself this fall.

Sounds like the old 45,000 and 75,000 units have been replaced with 50,000 and 80,000 units.

Was wondering if anyone knew what changes have been made between the old and the new? The old ones have a good reputation and people seem really happy with them. Hope the new ones are just as good if not better.

rponfick · Sep 26, 2012

I got one on the way also. Will be watching replies.

I originally ordered a 75K natural gas unit from Northern and they sent me a 45K propane. What is this world coming to?

Ralph

ForceFed70 · Sep 26, 2012

rponfick said:
I got one on the way also. Will be watching replies.

I originally ordered a 75K natural gas unit from Northern and they sent me a 45K propane. What is this world coming to?

Ralph

Ha! Yeah that's quite the mixup. Although I think I've got you trumped. I once ordered a Holley Carburator from Summit Racing and received a pair of long tube headers for a BBC. I always wondered if there was someone else out there expecting headers but received a carb.

So far I haven't found any feedback on the new heaters. From the outside they look pretty much identical. Found a couple of reviews but I wonder if people are reviewing the right product cause from the sounds of it the reviewers have had these heaters installed for over a year.

CNGsaves · Sep 27, 2012

Research I've done narrowed down the high-end suppliers as Reznor, Sterling, and Modine. The Dayton's sold by Grainger are just Sterling's with Dayton sticker as Grainger's own brand. Mr Heater and HeatStar are the same company so heaters are same, and becoming big vendor in the low price point market.

Biggest change I noticed in Mr Heater/HeatStar change from 45K Btu to 50K Btu is that cabinet for 50K Btu units now are taller height of around 15 or 16 inches. The little 30K Btu and 45K Btu are still smallest with 12 or 13 inch height.

I ran across come complaints that in past Mr Heater had electronic part that would go bad (control panel?) that got replaced as warranty item but a hassle. Any problems with recent purchases of Mr Heater/HeatStar models MHU45NG or HSU45NG ??? These are great buy now at $399 to $469 with free shipping to Northern Tool store locations.

Only other low price-point competitors I can find are Modine Hot Dawg for HD45 that sell for around $570 with shipping (free thermostat also), and Sterling GG045 for $552 from Oklahoma dealer plus shipping.

Any comments yeah or neah on a particular brand?

JB40 · Sep 27, 2012

Great summary. I think Mr. Heater fixed the control board issue from last year. You missed 1 major point - BUY AMERICAN! Modine's approaching their 100 year anniversary, you have to give credit to that achievement. They also just launched a 93% unit that is residentially certified, that's unheard of in the hanging unit heater market. Mr. Heater is still new to the market and is made overseas. If you're like most, installing this heater for 10-15 years, it's worth an extra $100 - $200 for the piece of mind + your buddies will be jealous.... http://www.hmacsystems.com/Modine_bymfg_18-0-1.html

BL50 · Sep 30, 2012

Haven't seen any reviews so I guess I'll just pull the trigger on one of the 80K units ... winter is coming!

red dogs · Sep 30, 2012

I have installed Mr Heater brand and Hot Dawg brand as well, both seem to work well but the Hot Dawg is a lot quieter, I personally would go with the Hot Dawg

dustymtn · Sep 25, 2014

Fellas - it's been two years since the last post -- I'd appreciate hearing your experiences on the Mr. Heater vs. Modine Hot Dawg. I plan to get a 75 to 80k unit before winter. Thanks for your help!

northeimcustom · Oct 1, 2014

i just got a mr heater 50k unit for 400$ out the door from a local lowes.......in the process of finishing my gas line then we will see! i will definately report back once its fired up. its already getting cold here!

xr4ti · Oct 1, 2014

Must be getting cold out, lots of Garage Heater threads going.

724tim · Oct 1, 2014

JB40 said:
Great summary. I think Mr. Heater fixed the control board issue from last year. You missed 1 major point - BUY AMERICAN! Modine's approaching their 100 year anniversary, you have to give credit to that achievement. They also just launched a 93% unit that is residentially certified, that's unheard of in the hanging unit heater market. Mr. Heater is still new to the market and is made overseas. If you're like most, installing this heater for 10-15 years, it's worth an extra $100 - $200 for the piece of mind + your buddies will be jealous.... http://www.hmacsystems.com/Modine_bymfg_18-0-1.html

link not working for me.

northeimcustom · Oct 2, 2014

that link is over two years old...........

Steevo · Oct 2, 2014

I installed my Mr Heater/Heat Star 75K three years ago, and it has performed flawlessly since then.
I leave it set to 50º all the time in winter, and bump it up whenever I need to.
It is very efficient, but some of that is likely attributed to excellent insulation as well.

KULIWOBBY · Oct 2, 2014

I will be coming up on my second year with a Beacon Morris 75,000btu from Menards. It is the same thing as a Hot Dawg (made in same factory). I am very happy with it and it is quiet.

vectorw8015 · Oct 2, 2014

I have a BIG MAXX 75,000 BTU unit in my garage (Propane) and I love it. I have a very well insulated garage and the heater has no problem sustaining temps in the garage during our -30 degree winters. It has been a great unit for 4 years now. I would highly recommend MR Heaters products to anyone looking to heat their garage.

724tim · Oct 2, 2014

northeimcustom said:
that link is over two years old...........

I just saw that I was looking at the month never noticed the year.

dave67fd · Oct 2, 2014

Mr.Heater 75K going on my third year, Runs flawless.

JonnyC · Oct 4, 2014

Just picked up the 50K for $430 locally. I was NOT aware that Beacon Morris and Modine are made in the same factory, but there were very few reviews so I opted for the Mr. Heater (which I realized just now was made in China, damn). It looks like these are the main changes - the external wiring hookup.

KCarGuy · Oct 4, 2014

My 75K Beacon Morris is on its 7th Year...This winter will make it the 8th Year of Warming my Garage.
It works Great for Me.
Once I turn the Gas Line on, in the Basement...(Un Attached Garage)...It will fire on its second attempt for the first time of the season.

The only noise that I used to get was the vibration from the Fins.
I took some fuel hose and cut thin 1/8" washers out of it, and put them over the "Tangs" that hold each fin in the Locating hole and....No Noise!

Very Quite and Very Reliable Source of Wonderful Warm every Winter!

dave67fd · Oct 5, 2014

Yes, external thermostat, outlet box, Robertshaw to Honeywell gas valve and maybe a control board revision. Heater class changed after 2011 model year.

Mine was just before the class changed and has the robertshaw gas valve. My Control board had a revision change from the previous semi problamatic ones. Most were failures due to improper installations. China or not, if installed and serviced properly their great heaters and run great. Their customer service also blows away the others.

chadman · Oct 6, 2014

If anyone is looking for the Beacon Morris Menards has an 11% rebate going on this week.

JonnyC · Oct 6, 2014

chadman said:
If anyone is looking for the Beacon Morris Menards has an 11% rebate going on this week.

I actually just returned the Big Maxx and picked up the Beacon Morris 45k, which after rebate is about $20 less.

97CV · Oct 22, 2014

Menards rebate WARNING!

I bought my entire garage package from them, the rebates are store credit!

You will not receive cash or check back.

JonnyC · Oct 22, 2014

Thanks for reminding me! I need to send mine in.

Yeah, they are in-store credit, but I spend enough money there anyways that it's basically cash.

ripper70 · Oct 26, 2014

I love mine! Heats my 30x40 fast and is cheap to run.No problems yet.

Basstracker34 · Oct 26, 2014

JonnyC said:
I actually just returned the Big Maxx and picked up the Beacon Morris 45k, which after rebate is about $20 less.

Did you notice any difference in build quality between the big maxx and beacon morris?

I'm torn between the two and see the big maxx has 2 more louvers to deflect the heat down.

JonnyC · Oct 26, 2014

Basstracker34 said:
Did you notice any difference in build quality between the big maxx and beacon morris?

I'm torn between the two and see the big maxx has 2 more louvers to deflect the heat down.

I didn't really compare them too much. Fan motor is built in Wisconsin instead of China, and has the air intake mounting. I'm not sure I like the air deflector design though. I haven't even had it running yet though.

Basstracker34 · Oct 26, 2014

JonnyC said:
I didn't really compare them too much. Fan motor is built in Wisconsin instead of China, and has the air intake mounting. I'm not sure I like the air deflector design though. I haven't even had it running yet though.

What do you mean by air intake mounting? The big maxx didn't have it?

JonnyC · Oct 26, 2014

It's for separate combustion air, which requires a different venting kit if you want to utilize it.

Basstracker34 · Oct 28, 2014

JonnyC said:
It's for separate combustion air, which requires a different venting kit if you want to utilize it.

Did you get the 45k beacon morris? And is that the 50k big maxx that you showed on page 1?

How many sq ft is your garage? I've got a 3 car garage with 10' ceilings. Not sure what size previous owner had installed when they had one.

JonnyC · Oct 28, 2014

Correct and correct

Mine is about 800 sq ft... http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263169

sagent · Oct 29, 2014

I am also thinking about the Beacon Morris unit from Menards but can't decide which size. I have a 24x24 garage, R13 in the walls, about 5-6 inches of cellulose in the ceiling, an R7 16x7 overhead door, 36 inch mandoor and 3 windows about 32x24 inches. The furnace I have in there now is 125,000 btu and way too big / short cycles. I was thinking the 80K btu. Any suggestions ?

C2 Turbo · Oct 29, 2014

ripper70 said:
I love mine! Heats my 30x40 fast and is cheap to run.No problems yet.

What make and size is your unit? Bear with my ignorance, these furnaces don't act as an A/C or do they and what do you do for air conditioning?

Basstracker34 · Oct 29, 2014

C2 Turbo said:
What make and size is your unit? Bear with my ignorance, these furnaces don't act as an A/C or do they and what do you do for air conditioning?

Heat only.

Red89gt · Oct 29, 2014

My Modine hot dawg 75k died after 10 years use. I just picked up a big maxx 80k tonight from lowes. It was $440 with 10% off open a charge card promo, $475 with tax out the door. Hope to have better luck with this one.

northeimcustom · Oct 30, 2014

sagent said:
I am also thinking about the Beacon Morris unit from Menards but can't decide which size. I have a 24x24 garage, R13 in the walls, about 5-6 inches of cellulose in the ceiling, an R7 16x7 overhead door, 36 inch mandoor and 3 windows about 32x24 inches. The furnace I have in there now is 125,000 btu and way too big / short cycles. I was thinking the 80K btu. Any suggestions ?

80k seems rather large too! unless its always -40 by you all winter.

i have a 50k big maxx in my 24x28 with 8'4'' ceiling with r13 in walls and just osb on the ceiling (untill i insulate this weekend). i have a r7 16x7 door and a 36'' service door and 72'' double door and 2 4'x3' windows. i also have a ceiling fan. it seems to me the cycles are also short. however it hasnt been to terribly cold yet. the 50k big maxx is rated for 700square feet.

Scott V · Oct 31, 2014

This is just the thread I was hoping to find here. My garage sounds very similar to yours northeimcustom, 26 x 26, 9.5' ceiling, R 13 in the walls, etc, and I just picked up the Big Maxx 50k BTU heater. I did some calculations and ended up with a need of something like 37k BTU's and this size seemed perfect. Then I read the box and it says "good for heating a 1 1/2 car garage." :headscrat

I'm hoping it's enough for a Chicago winter.

Scott V · Oct 31, 2014

How have some of you guys with tall ceilings installed yours? Anyone attempt to raise it yourself?

Red89gt · Oct 31, 2014

I have just over 11' ceiling in my 4.5 car garage. Going to have a friend come over and help me lift it up. I will see how it goes. I will try and take some pictures and post them up when done. The 80k Big Maxx weighs 90 lbs if I remember correctly looking at the spec's, just too much to wrestle by myself. Box was heavy enough picking up the other night at Lowes to load into my suv that I know I will not be able to do solo.

Basstracker34 · Oct 31, 2014

Scott V said:
How have some of you guys with tall ceilings installed yours? Anyone attempt to raise it yourself?

I'm very tempted to rent a drywall lift to install mine when it comes.

The new Mr. Heater AKA Big Max unit heaters

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