80K Big Maxx in a 24x24 shop

[Alexsha]

I need to get a new heater for my 24x24 workshop. It has 12ft walls plus an attic space. 2 windows, 1 regular door, 1 roll up door (insulated). Insulation in the walls is decent. I think it's fiberglass. Roof has foam board panels. Outside Winter temps run from 0*F to 32*F.

I can get the 80K BigMaxx heater locally for $460 or so. The 50K isn't sold here. I'm not planning on keeping the heater on all winter. Just run it when I want to be in the shop. Will it short cycle too much? I've read that one burner could be closed off to reduce the output and prevent short cycles, but I'd rather not do that if possible.

Bottom line, will the 80K be too much?

 

[spudley]

IMHO Yes.

Last year I used a 75K unit in an uninsulated 24 x 40 with a 10' ceiling in cold northern Wisconsin. From no heat to 70 in about two hours. Then I'm opening windows.

I'm getting ready to insulate and look for a 45K model.

 

[Alexsha]

Most places around here only sell 80K+ units and used ones are either junk or cost more than a new unit. Really annoying.

I did find the 50K unit for $30 less, but it's out of stock and no in stock date available.

At this point I feel like the 80K derated by 20% or 40% is my best bet.

 

[Showkey]

Agree 80k is too big by almost 2x.

Northern Tool has 50k in stock ready to ship for $399........... plus $40 for shipping ?

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...MIrNzLrtXf6wIV6h-tBh09HQu-EAQYAiABEgJ3m_D_BwE


Likely others have them stock as well. Menards rebate won’t help for you

https://www.menards.com/main/heatin...age-heater/f260550/p-1444441200665-c-6861.htm

 

[Alexsha]

Lowes has the 80K for the same price plus I'll get 15% off that and I can go pick it up. I'd rather not have it shipped as it won't get here in one piece. Anything that size that I've had delivered has been damaged to some extent.

I might try seeing if lowes can order in the 50K unit. At least that'll guarantee a working unit.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Can I ask what "short cycling" refers to please? Thanks.

 

[TractorJeff]

Can I ask what "short cycling" refers to please? Thanks.

Basically the Unit turns on blows a large amount of heat in a short period which satisfies the Thermostat. T-Stat turns off the Unit in a short period of time. This causes the Unit to never get up to a proper working temp(by design) which causes stresses on the Unit plus it will cause the room to fluctuate in temperature because all the air and objects never get warm evenly.
This is if I understand it????

 

[Showkey]

Lowes has the 80K for the same price plus I'll get 15% off that and I can go pick it up. I'd rather not have it shipped as it won't get here in one piece. Anything that size that I've had delivered has been damaged to some extent.

I might try seeing if lowes can order in the 50K unit. At least that'll guarantee a working unit.

You do realize that the heater units are shipped at least twice if not three times to get the retail seller like Lowe’s . Places like Northern Tool ship 1000’s for package per day.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Basically the Unit turns on blows a large amount of heat in a short period which satisfies the Thermostat. T-Stat turns off the Unit in a short period of time. This causes the Unit to never get up to a proper working temp(by design) which causes stresses on the Unit plus it will cause the room to fluctuate in temperature because all the air and objects never get warm evenly.
This is if I understand it????

Thank you. That makes sense. I have a well insulated 25x35 pole barn with a 12' ceiling and now I'm wondering if my 80k Big Maxx is oversized. It was new late last winter so I don't have a lot of experience heating my barn with it yet.

 

[Alexsha]

You do realize that the heater units are shipped at least twice if not three times to get the retail seller like Lowe’s . Places like Northern Tool ship 1000’s for package per day.

Lowes will take it back if damaged and get me one that isn't damaged. Going back and forth with northern tool will be a hassle.

 

[CJGLLY]

I have the 50K in a 600sq ft shop and wish I would have went bigger. I'd like to switch but don't feel like redoing the vent for a 4". Go with the 80K or 125K

 

[D45]

3" vent will handle a 75k heater

 

[spudley]

I have the 50K in a 600sq ft shop and wish I would have went bigger. I'd like to switch but don't feel like redoing the vent for a 4". Go with the 80K or 125K

You're kidding right? I'm heating a 1200 sq ft cottage with a 60K furnace in northern WI. Costs a buck a day to keep it at 50 degrees all winter.

I'm using a 75K in the uninsulated 1000 sq ft shop that I turn off after a couple hours cause it's too friggin hot.

 

[Showkey]

I have the 50K in a 600sq ft shop and wish I would have went bigger. I'd like to switch but don't feel like redoing the vent for a 4". Go with the 80K or 125K

That’s crazy........does the building have doors and windows and are they closed ?

 

[JOE.G]

I heat my shop with a 80 K Big Maxx, is is a well insulated 28x28 10 Ft ceilings with 2 stories,I purchased it to give me quick heat to supplement my radiant ( Haven't finished my radiant yet ) Looking back I should have gone with the 50 K, I believe the 80 K short cycles a bit and then doesn't give a even heat, Don't get me wrong I can make the building very hot and quickly. I do leave the heater set between 50 and 60 all winter and turn it up in the 70's when I am out there.

 

[Alexsha]

UPDATE: Well, sometimes things just fall into place. I sold the old 100K furnace that was in the shop (and was not installed well and was overkill for the space) for $300. Yesterday I was able to pick up a 45K unit heater for $50!

ADP - 78012303 - FSAN-45-1-1-1 CAYENNE Compact Natural Gas Unit Heater

It's been in a cabinet maker's workshop for over 10 years so I've been cleaning out a lot of sawdust. Otherwise it looks to be in great shape.

TODO list:
Get it mounted (only needs 1" clearance)
Wire it to power and thermostat (going to install a wifi unit so I can turn it up from the house)
Attach propane (already converted from NG)
Hook it up to existing 4" vent (need 3" to 4" adapter)

 

[coppah37]

I have that heater in my 30x36x9’(tall) shop. Garage is insulated but isn’t super tight. This heater will get to 65 in the dead of winter within an hour or so. I don’t run mine when I’m not out there. I have it set up to a WiFi thermostat so I can turn it on from my couch and wait for it To heat up. I’m in Nh and it gets to be 0 degrees for weeks on end. Always turn it off when I’m not out there. My father put the same heater in his 24x24 shop that has a 1 bay addition on the back of one side. His works absolutely fine. If it’s well insulated put the thermostat in the coldest part or last part to get the warm air and you’ll be fine. My thermostat is literally on the wall behind the heater and is the last spot to warm up.

 

[The Cobbler]

Nice score!

 

[Alexsha]

What thermostat are you using, coppah37?

And if it only takes an hour to heat your shop, mine should warm up quick!

 

[jgreg65]

Nice job Coppa, you solved my issue of which one


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