Big maxx vent kit

[Mike Honcho]

Whos used the big maxx 3 inch vent kit, for the 50K heater? I'm looking for any good/bad opinions, and whether its worth it to buy the kit, or buy the pieces individually. Thanks.

 

[Basstracker34]

FWIW previous homeowner who had our house had a garage heater installed but lost house to forclosure. They took heater and left the chimney(vent). I went to menards and bought bvent parts to make it fit with my 50K big maxx I got from Northerntool.com

 

[AldeanFan]

I used the horizontal vent kit for my 50,000. It worked great, easy to install and it was nice to have everything in one box. It was very expensive, the vent cost almost as much as the heater did on sale. I got the heater at TSC but they couldn't get the vent. Vent came from home hardware, had to order it in. None of the local DIY stores carried the proper vent so this was really the easiest option.
Time to go out to the nice warm garage and work on my woody wagon!

 

[Hajie]

Just had a horizontal vent kit done on mine last week.
TSC had them for 287.00 on line.
So the heater was 500.0 and vent kit etc was another 500.0

 

[Mike Honcho]

i am assuming you both purchased the stainless kits? I have seen non-stainless kits for 99 dollars at lowes, menards, etc.....

is stainless code now? or is the normal B-vent still ok to use?

 

[padronanniversary]

Sub curious to as to why stainless now

 

[dave67fd]

i am assuming you both purchased the stainless kits? I have seen non-stainless kits for 99 dollars at lowes, menards, etc.....

is stainless code now? or is the normal B-vent still ok to use?

It depends on what the heater requires/specifies for a vent system. The newer (i.e..Big Maxx) FHA gas heaters or similar require a Catagory III vent system. B-vent is Cat. I. Cat. III is much more expensive.
Your local codes may have specific venting requirements as well if you plan to adhere to them.

 

[fastjohnny]

I've got a bunch of 3" B vent that was sold to me with a unit that required 4". Make some one a good price if it fits your need. Complete kit...SWMI

 

[Shocker]

I have the Maxx 45k and used the kit. It wasn't anywhere near that expensive. Something like 50 bucks 4 years ago or so.

Worked great for me.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Finally got off my lazy behind, and read the manual. Seems stainless cat III is only necessary for horizontal venting and that has been in place since 2011. Standard B-vent is still ok for vertical. looks like i will just buy the kit.

 

[dave67fd]

I have the Maxx 45k and used the kit. It wasn't anywhere near that expensive. Something like 50 bucks 4 years ago or so.

Worked great for me.

It's because your older heater had a different classification. The newer heaters have new requirements/new classifications. You can use the older cheaper stuff if you want to install it incorrectly and not to code. Even though you used the proper materials for your install it doesn't look like you installed it per the manuf. instructions anyway.