Roberts-gordon vantage II

[Johnny chaos]

Anyone know anything about roberts-gordon vantage II heaters? I just bought two 80,000 BTU units, model number CTH2-80? I did a google search and found PDF manuals for them but that's about it. The units I bought came with about 80' of pipe and reflectors.

Many of shops I have worked in have had the same type of radiant heaters in them, my understanding is that they heat the objects around them not the air like a traditional forced air heater. I am curious whether this would be a good option for a 30x40x12' residential garage with concrete floors?

I paid $200 for both units and all the hangers, pipe, reflectors, etc, etc. Not sure if it was a good deal or not because I can't find any retailers selling these online doing a quick search? Thanks for any insight you may offer.
Johnny

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Natural gas or propane? make sure they are set up for whatever you have. I assume these are tube radiant heaters. I've never been a fan of that type of heating, but it does do the job.

Charles

 

[Johnny chaos]

It's natural gas. Yes it's a tube heater.

 

[mustangcrazy77]

Mine worked FANTASTIC in my old garage (Howell, MI). I had an oversized 100kBTU unit that I set at 45*F during the winter and kicked it up to 55*F when I wanted to work (it heated up to 55 QUICK!). That particular unit was an industrial rig out of an old ford dealership that I picked up for cheap. That particular design wasn't intended to be mounted at a 45 deg angle. I sliced some new slots in the reflectors which allowed the new angle for better coverage.

Something to keep in mind is, with a radiant heater design you don't need to crank the heat up to be comfortable. You'll notice the same thing on a cool winters day with no breeze and direct sunlight. At 55 degrees I would quite often start off in a sweatshirt and strip down to a T-Shirt once I got working.

Also worth mentioning, I could work within several feet of my 100k BTU heater without harm. Sure, it got a bit toasty...but it wasn't uncomfortable in the least bit. The monthly cost in jan/feb was $30-$50 per month tops.

Here is my old setup (my ceilings were 10'6" and the garage ~950 sq ft).

 

[Johnny chaos]

sweet...mine look as if they can be mounted at a 45 or pointing down. I think they will work well? I just wanted to get some opinions as I probably won't get these mounted and running until next spring.

 

[cowboyjosh]

Since 1980 the shop for the car lot my family owns in rural Colorado has been heated wih a Co-Ray-Vac (made by Roberts gordon) and aside from the occasional burner problem (building has 9 total burners and I think 2 pumps) and the radiant tube rusting through here and there in a few spots that needed replaced, the heat produced cannot be beat. I do know of a warehouse locally catching fire though because the dolts put material less then 4 inches from the tube, so you have be just on keeping clearances.

 

[ctoshack]

Just wondering if you think $400 is a good price for a used unit like this with all venting and intake 20 ' long. Plus thermostat. The one I'm looking at is 80,000 BTU also is it too much for a 25 x 18 foot insulated shop with an 8' ceiling will it be dangerous...

Mine worked FANTASTIC in my old garage (Howell, MI). I had an oversized 100kBTU unit that I set at 45*F during the winter and kicked it up to 55*F when I wanted to work (it heated up to 55 QUICK!). That particular unit was an industrial rig out of an old ford dealership that I picked up for cheap. That particular design wasn't intended to be mounted at a 45 deg angle. I sliced some new slots in the reflectors which allowed the new angle for better coverage.

Something to keep in mind is, with a radiant heater design you don't need to crank the heat up to be comfortable. You'll notice the same thing on a cool winters day with no breeze and direct sunlight. At 55 degrees I would quite often start off in a sweatshirt and strip down to a T-Shirt once I got working.

Also worth mentioning, I could work within several feet of my 100k BTU heater without harm. Sure, it got a bit toasty...but it wasn't uncomfortable in the least bit. The monthly cost in jan/feb was $30-$50 per month tops.

Here is my old setup (my ceilings were 10'6" and the garage ~950 sq ft).

 

[jjpp]

I just paid $500.00 for a 75,000 btu 30' but it looks brand new.
$400.00 sounds ok but 80,000 btu is way to much for a 450sf shop and 8ft is to low unless it is one of the low clearance heaters. Also if the 25X18 is outside dimensions of the building you might not have enough room because the heater unit is 2' plus the 20' of tube plus any clearance for the intake and exhaust pipes.

 

[Infrared Guy]

The Vantage 2 IS NOT approved for residential use. In order for a heater to be used in your personal garage it MUST be approved for residential use. Robert Gordan does make a Caribe residential garage heater and Superior Radiant also makes a garage heater called the GR45.
If there is a fire caused by the heater, your insurance company may not cover it.