Dearborn Heater for My Garage

[RedRaider]

Hi, all. I finally scored one of these old Dearborns to use in my garage and was wanting to get any info and advice on utilizing its potential. Its a model OVRC-45. 45000 BTU. My garage is 450 sq ft and fairly well insulated with fiberglass in the walls and rockwool in the ceiling. I was told that the heater worked and was running on natural gas. I'd like to keep it that way unless the line I'll have to install costs too much. Then I guess I'll get a large LP tank. What is involved in changing over from NG to LP?

I'm also toying with the idea of overhauling it. Cleaning and restoring the burners, regulator, valve and so forth. Do i need to have a professional check and set up the regulator? Probably repaint and replace the mica windows and ceramic heat thang. Its gonna be fun! Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[The Cobbler]

to switch to propane you need orifices sized for propane, and the gas valve needs different springs . probably would have to change the gas valve . also if it wasn't manufactured to run on propane you may have a liability by doing the conversion .

 

[The Cobbler]

how long of a line do you need to run for nat gas? parts are available here https://www.hdpesupply.com/mdpe-gas-pipe-coils/?sort=priceasc

 

[Falcon67]

I love Dearborns, we keep one that I could not stand to let go even though we don't have gas. As noted, they can easily be converted. Personally, I would not have any unvented open flame heating in my shop. There is a LOT of fuel in there and it only takes something small.

 

[SteveH-CO]

I would sure invest in a CO and/or smoke detector for that space in which you're using that.

 

[RedRaider]

Thanks, everybody. If I have to go to the meter, Cobbler, it'll be about 60 ft. If I could tie in to where the line enters the crawlspace of the house, only about 10 ft. I have a smoke detector in there already, but I will add a CO detector also. I'm kinda embarrassed to ask this, but I'm not really sure what vented means when referring to an open flame heater. Does it mean a fresh air source for combustion or does it mean the double walled exhaust pipe that I'll run out the wall? My garage is pretty drafty. If I just leave it that way I would probably be safe.

 

[RedRaider]

Jeeze Louise! That pipe is spensive! Might have to look at the propane option although that'll probably end up being just as much what with valves and bottles and orifi, oh my!

 

[Showkey]

Unvented means all the byproducts of combustion stay in the shop.......plus any solvents or chemicals used in the shop pass through the flame and stay in the shop. Not a good idea even witha drafty shop.

 

[RedRaider]

Thanks Showkey. Sorry for the delay. Ive been kinda sick for a few days.