SUNFIRE Heater Review
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- *Sponsored video* with great information.
SUNFIRE sent me one of their SUNFIRE 150 heaters to try out in my shop. I’ve been using a ‘torpedo’ heater for years, it works, but it’s quite loud. That doesn’t help when I’m shooting videos. The SUNFIRE 150 is quieter, and puts out more heat than the torpedo. I suspect it will run for much longer too since it has a larger fuel tank.
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Definitely buy red off-road diesel or heating oil to run in that puppy. Going to a gas station and buying pump diesel #2 includes road tax which you don't need to pay. 😎 Saves a good amount of money in the long run.
As a man from Rio de Janeiro, is always funny see someone using a heater. 108 F on summer, 83 F Winter.
And humidity through the roof I'd imagine, Ill take the four seasons thanks, sweaty Rio guy 😉
Adding a ceiling fan, set on clockwise for winter use, made a big difference in my shop blowing the warm air down.
$2300 😯 I think I’ll stick with my noisy torpedo heaters lol
He just wants some heat while hes filming. I dont blame him. If anything I have no doubts that he can getba refund.
@@nevoyu I think it's a sponsored video, so he probably got the heater for free for doing this video. In that case, it's a good deal :-)
I have this smaller version for $300. www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/master-80000-btu-kerosene-radiant-heater-mh-80-ofr
I put a Renzor external intake/exhaust natural gas unit in my garage 15 years ago... Boy oh boy does one get spoiled with a fully-heated home garage!
Looks like a great piece of kit. Why do we never grow out of the joy of unboxing a new purchase? I was excited just watching. I guess boys will always be boys.
So true! I never get tired of new tools. It's probably the best part of this job. Always great to see you.
I have one of these and love it. It won't last as long as a torpedo style heater though due to the extreme temperature cycling and they don't do well with cycling on and off. The torpedo is well suited for long term thermostat driven heating, the sunfire is well suited for those times when you're actually there and want heat while working.
We have one of these things in our truck shop. It's amazing how much heat that damn thing can put out.
Because it's double acting. Radiant heat and air heating at the same time. Eric didn't explain this, and few people know this kind of machine for what it really is, that's why it costs so much. This isn't some run of the mill torpedo junk heater that puts your lungs in a hospital after a few uses.
Thanks Eric I've been thinking of getting a heater for a few years.
I remember when my neighbor who owned a big shop in Minnesota got a furnace that burned used motor oils. It was awesome. It didn’t smoke or stink.
It exhausted outside and had a heat exchanger.
I'm using a fanless propane/butane heater in combination with a super quiet ceiling fan. Works like a charm.
2,295 dollars is the price of about 10 torpedo heaters that can be run in different areas of a shop providing better heat coverage. Not a good deal for a friggin' heater
I have this 80,000 for $300 www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/master-80000-btu-kerosene-radiant-heater-mh-80-ofr
@@Hubjeep have you liked that rig so far? I have a large shop... all stone block and super high ceiling up to the metal roof. Very old building from an old coal mine on my property. It’s a nice shop but absolutely shit winter working. Torpedo heaters don’t cut it anymore.
@@monkeywrangler5200 It's about half the noise of a traditional kero/diesel "torpedo" heater. Minimal fumes once the front grate gets red-hot. I run home heating oil in it. It takes a standard oil burner nozzle, I think mine is partially clogged, ordered a couple new ones. It's nice being able to use "in house" home heating oil instead of filling a propane tank, which is the cleanest burning.
His heater is better than 10 heaters. Those shits throw all kinds of crap in the air which you get into your lungs. I'd fucking ban torpedo heaters because they are dangerous as fuck and people have no clue.
It's not right for everyone, but if you're a commercial operation, or you have a large shop like I do, it can be a very good solution for heat. Thanks for the comment.
Having used one of these heaters, they work well. I hope you enjoy it.
Hopefully when you do your follow-up video, you'll be able to use a decibel meter to test the volume.
Thank you Eric I always enjoy watching your videos keep warm I am from South Africa
Greetings from Hamilton, Ohio (yes, I'm nearby). It's great to see a superb product proudly displaying the Made In The USA for all to see.
We had a similar one in the UK in our workshop and we made a tray to hang on the bar in front of the SUN and we used it to heat pies and other food on it, try it pies are good
Get a diesel fuel can so we don't have to see a "What to do if I put diesel fuel in a gasoline car" video.
I think I heard him say a new gas can, so its possible he bought that just for diesel.
@@DeatGaming a gasoline can is red. A diesel can is yellow. No mistaking them.
Or worse..:what happens when you put gasoline in a diesel heater.
3:54 See the big "DIESEL" written with permanent marker on the top near the handle? Yeah, that'll work for people with an IQ above room temperature. Correct color is nice but not necessary if you're not a complete idiot. Eric is in fact, not a complete idiot. 👌
@@paulsmith9341 Roses are red, kerosene cans are blue...
Ahhhh, the mystery crated pallet is resolved! 😎
They are very nice heaters, the dealership i work at just started selling these. I would suggest putting it outside and letting it run on high for an hour or 2 to burn off all the stink, it is pretty bad for the first couple hours. The biggest difference i noticed is unlike a torpedo heater that heats the air, this is radiant heat that heats objects. So the more stuff thats in the shop to warm up the longer the heat will last in the shop between running. Good luck with it and hope you enjoy it. We have sold a couple units already.
Yea, the smell of that red paint baking in can't be too great!
Too late, but you're exactly right. After firing this up and using it for the first time there was quite a smell. Nothing too offensive, but something to be considered when using one of these heaters for the first time. For me, it's been much better than the torpedo heater. It takes a lot less time to heat up the shop when I work now. Thanks for the comment.
Why not get a propane vented furnace for the shop? Quieter, forced air. No fumes.
Better yet a natural gas one because I believe eric already has a natural gas line in his shop. Really easy to tee off of and run the line wherever needed.
@@scallywag1716 they arent that expensive new either, and you dont need to have them professionally installed for the warranty. I
@@chubbysumo2230 you don’t have to convince me....I only suggested natural gas because the supply is already available.
Doesn't have the heating power of this machine. When Eric's shop gets cold (because of the concrete floor and large open space, that kind of heater just can't compete. This, not only puts out heat in the radiant fashion, but also heats it up. This is the supercharger of heaters, and it doesn't put out anything either, if you look this type of machine, it's rated, within reason, to run inside a shop.
@@aserta true, but you can put multiple heaters overhead. Probably cost just as much in the end.
That thing is SWEET! I’d run that on number 2 heating oil, so you’re not paying road taxes to heat your shop. 💡 It’s much cheaper per gallon, too.
Looks like you’ll be using that today. It’s 26° up here in MA this morning. 🥶
That's a good idea. Heating oil is diesel, it's the same thing. Except it has a red dye for tax purposes. Dyed Diesel Fuel. I mentioned he could use Kerosene too, some people choose to run Kerosene over heating oil for their home oil burners. They both have different advantages, so it's really up to preference.
@@TheRabidPosum - Kerosene is nice and clean burning, but out here in MA it's very expensive. Last I checked it was $4.30 a gallon, while #2 can be had in my area for about $1.60 a gallon. Not sure about OH where Eric is at. Usually everything is alot cheaper out that way ... or anywhere outside of the Northeast if I'm honest, lol. You get a few more BTU's with #2 / diesel over kerosene, too, but kero works better when the temperatures are super low..
@@SmittySmithsonite I'm in New York. I really don't know much about the pricing, but I did hear Kerosene is more expensive over Diesel/Home Heating oil, because basically it's just a higher grade of Diesel. But some people choose it because it's cleaner and doesn't gel up in the winter. But the disadvantage is Diesel does have a higher BTU output.
Eric go to your local general aviation airport and talk to a few mechanics that work on jets. They may be able to hook you up with some sumped or drained fuel. Once it's out it's illegal to go back into an aircraft. Jet a is pretty much an extremely processed and clean kerosene and diesel blend.
Should make for more convenient winters in your shop Eric!
Looks like a jet engine-----and er---it sounds like one too.
Pros & Cons; I'm concerned with carbon monoxide and any stink. Any info would greatly help I'm getting ready to buy one. Just don't want to spend money if there may be a better route.
Clicked on the video to see the sunfire cattle brander! :D
That thing is no joke! I've used jet heaters, that thing is an oil burner! You could put that in a boiler, furnace, or water heater, I bet it's enough BTU's for a house. You can substitute Kerosene, burns cleaner and won't gel up like diesel. Just doesn't burn as hot you get more BTU's from diesel. That's up to personal preference.
That thing looks neat. Unfortunately I purchased a heater for my new shop last week.
Your shop is so nice eric. Whish I had a quarter of it.
Super Nice and Quiet compared to the small torpedo model @EricTheCarGuy
I have a similar heater, just smaller. Works great, except it isn't thermostat controlled. That's my main reason for not using it much. I may have to look up the schematic for yours and see what's different compared to mine.
Try propane or natural gas radiant heater probably is your best option for video shooting. Anything with fan or blower will be too loud.
I thought it was a woodchipper! LOL
That thing is HUGE!
Hey Eric, Amazon sells old style fuel can spouts with vents so you don't have to fight with those stupid spring loaded deals.
All you need is the marshmallows and the party begins.
Need some fans in the high ceiling. All that hot air just hanging out overhead.
Don’t know if it was previously mentioned but you should really get a specific can for diesel. They should be colored yellow so you don’t use diesel in the wrong application on accident. Also, the can material may be different so the diesel doesn’t break it down over time
This was the only fuel can available at the time, and I needed the fuel to make this video. I'd have to order a can like that because I couldn't find one locally. That said, I wrote in big letters on the top of the can what it's for. Given that I pretty much work alone, I don't think it'll be an issue but that's a great suggestion for others. Thanks for the comment.
Another great video. Thanks Eric
Personally I use a tarp over the car and a mr. Buddy Heater with one pound tanks because I live in an apartment building and the garages have open Rafters across the units I just do small jobs on my car change oil maybe a water pump or I got a inner tie rod end on my 1999 Toyota Corolla LE I'd like to see a video on that repair thanks Eric
Hey Eric thanks for all your videos!
Very helpful to me I’m starting my own shop heck I have very little knowledge about car,s but hey with guys like u and a good lord Jesus! What’s there to fear!!😅
Have bless day!😃👍 rock on 🤘
It should be easy to use the thermostat hookup to turn the unit off and on remotely, using a wifi enabled thermostat.
I’d like to see you hook up a thermostat to it and then do a “day in the shop” video with it running, then give your viewers the choice of whether it’s too loud for videos or if it’s a acceptable noise level that’s not going to interfere with video quality
Eric should get a Pontiac Sunfire to fix up and drive around. Eric could build the best custom hot rod Sunfire ever
That’s pretty good my dad still has an old kerosene heater and as a kid I remember that thing man how smelly it was ..
Seems like a fine unit. Sunfire confirms that basic torpedo heaters like you have are EXTEREMELY LOUD! This must mean the noise is more than just EXTREME!
Eric:”We can actually have a conversation”
Me:”Oh not bad”
**AFTERBURN!!**
Eric, with a bit of tinkering, you could probably add a timer switch to it that runs that heater for 1 hour before you arrive at the shop, then you turn it off manually and let the fan run, or with a bit more tinkering, it could even turn itself off. You just have to hope that there isn't a power outage while the thing is hot so it can finish its 300 second self-cooling cycle. Also, a follow-up video once it's really cold would be interesting. Something like "OK, after running the old heater for x amount of time, the shop thermometer now shows y degrees, and after running the new heater for the same amount of time, the shop thermometer then shows z degrees" to show whether it's really better. Also, I find it strange to measure the size of the room it's suitable for in square feet instead of cubic feet, because your ceilings look like something around 20 feet high, and that's much higher than a normal room that has maybe 8 feet. Plus, hot air travels upwards, so it'll heat up the place literally from top to bottom...
Very NICE,
I'm in Edmonton Alberta and it's 21 F and tomorrow it'll be 10 F. Come here and test it. hahahaha. Cheers
Nice shop heater @EricTheCarGuy
Now there is no excuse, to get out of work. Back to the Factory Five now.
Great video. Didnt think it was totally quiet. I was interested in the 80000 BTUmodel but seems like all i see is the 150000 BTU model. THANKS
you should install several mini split heatpumps.. my shop is 30x60 and i have 4 of them in there and they put out plenty of heat and you can't even hear them when they are running.
I wouldn't give up considering it during production. I don't think it would be that disruptive especially if not very close. The type of sound and level of it seems very ambient, albeit moderately noisy ambient, but not overwhelming or intrusive. The torpedo on the other hand produces air movement that adds buffeting to the sound equation. Maybe run it in the background of a few short vids like on ETCG first to see if anyone notices.
If you set up a mic recording the sound of the heater, you may be able to remove the signal from the audio post production.
Haven't tried this yet, however why not get a bumch of IR heat lamps and wire them up to additional light sockets in the ceiling? I did that in our bathroom (NYS), and works pretty nice in the winter.
Just put a couple of switches to zone your work area, and turn on/off as needed. Electricity is gotta be a lot cheaper than fuel.
Rev up your heaters! Oh wait.....
Reminds me of the situation in our old shop. We had one of those tornado heaters, it was noisy and (while theoretically adjustable), in practice it was either roasting hot, or off.
It meant the shop temperature would vary up & down hot/cold all day, it created tons of moisture so all the internal walls would get wet, and it ate all the oxygen out of the air in the shop.
We swapped it out for a 3 phase all electric heater and the difference was night & day. The electric heater was properly quiet, created no moisture, did not burn up oxygen, and kept the shop at a constant temperature all day.
The electricity rate was not cheap where we were (on a marina), but the price was worth it for the increase in productivity and wellbeing it brought.
Wow...that's a monster, and Made in the USA....NICE!
Great heater and wonderful video
Awesome to see a made i the usa item
And they are proud of it.
Thanks for the video
As I just fired up Mr. Heater, lol.
Yup...got me trusty Ridgid propane heat thrower....lol...$100 .... can't complain i guess....lol
Eric I know you have a NG heater. I would just pay whatever to get that to work. Also a smart thermostat and schedule it to bump temp before you arrive.
I've been over this. The gas company wants $45 per month just to run gas to that heater, even in the summer when I'm not using it. In addition they want me to pay for the gas I use. Since I''m not at the shop everyday, it doesn't make sense to do it that. Also, that's just as loud if not louder than both of these heaters. Thanks for the comment.
@@ericthecarguy Ever thought of running the NG heater off a propane tank (convert it obviously)? Your new $2500 heater isn't exactly a cheap solution. Non vented as well.
Here’s to next year’s video in which this heater gets replaced with one that’s actually quiet, per Eric’s desire!
Yeah they did the uncrating thing at the factory I used to work at and put a dent into a something that cost probably about $200k.
Might be a dumb question, but is there any risk of carbon monoxide poisoning with this thing?
Eric, I was wondering... If this new heater has better coverage and heats up almost 3500sqft - and is quieter... I presume, you can simply keep it further away from you then? Albeit, you did mention that it's infra-red - which would then be redundant to keep far away (because infra-red heats up living/organic stuff; humans, animals, plants - but not furniture, equipment etc., per se) - but I think that's just a coincidence in nomenclature. Because radiant heat is simply radiant heat; it rises and the process repeats over again... But I do like your new heater it looks great!
This heater is much more efficient than my torpedo. I don't need to run it nearly as long to get the same or better results. That alone makes it better. Thanks for the comment.
I have not seen you around for the last couple years I thought you gave up.
I wish you look with the shop sun Fire heater to keep your warm in the shop I love ❤️ your video 📷 the are the best ones I just can't wait for the next video 📷 #NewSunFireShopHeater
I think I'd prefer a simple wood stove, even if they're not the most convenient thing to use. It would be virtually silent, and any crackling noises would be a nice touch on a cold day of filming.
Unfortunately the company doesn't provide db noise specs in their online manual. As someone else mentioned, you can run a test with a sound level meter and compare the two heaters in a future video. No big deal. Just a thought. Stay warm this winter.
I thought about doing that in this video, but I didn't think it would be relevant to most people needing a heater like this. I was wrong. Thanks for the comment.
Here are the decibel ratings of the SunFire 150: @20 feet: 67 db
, @10 feet: 73 db, @6 feet: 73 db. It's not silent but people can stand next to the heater and still have a conversation and clearly understand each other. We will add to our website - thanks for the heads up.
reminds me of Crossfire. Sunfire! You'll get caught up in the! Sunfire! (just one more game!)
HELP! I need to know do you have videos on how to fix the gauges. None of my gauges work 😢
Where the fumes from the space heater go? Kinda weird that diesel fuel space heater doesn't produce odor
It's an ultra low emissions heater. More info when you click the link in the description.
What about hydrocarbons, I've a gas or what yous would call propane. Everytime I use it I've a banging headache the next day.
Nice review. 😀
Do you have natural gas service? If so that has some nice quiet options like radiant units on the ceiling. Burning wood in a shop is questionable (gas fumes), but some do it.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Looks awesome!
I bet inside the control box is something like a house oil burner furnace head.
You must be in Southern California
Record the noise from the heater and use that sound to cancel out the noise in post production
Why make life hard? The more you can do during the shoot, the less time you need to spend in post.
Sure is nice, sadly way outside my price range.
Nice ..perfect for hotdogs..
Nice heater! IMO I think you'd be fine to leave it running while making videos, especially if it were at the other end of the shop from where you're filming. I could still hear you just fine even with the torpedo heater running, but at least you wouldn't have to shout over this one. People can live with a little background noise. Your comfort matters! :) If you set up a thermostat where you usually work to keep a comfortable temperature with the heater at the other end of the shop, maybe you could time your video takes to coincide with the heater turning off with the thermostat.
I have one it runs for a minute than shots off. I have done everything in troubleshooting still doesn't run.
Link doesn't work.....looks like a nice heater though.
If you have it in the other end of the shop, is it quiet enough??
Even though it's noisy, it's not as loud as the old heater, and doesn't take as long to heat the shop up. That means I don't have to run it as long to get the same result. So it will still save me time in the end. Thanks for the comment.
5 months later: any update? how's it been?
I asssume if you really wanted to fill it with 100$ in K1 Kerosene it would behave, I prefer K1 as it tastes better than #2 or road fuel in a ready heater anyway
Big red
LOL 😂 there is No way some one hate on you Eric ....
Can it run on gasoline or crankcase drainings? What about wood chips?
No thank you. I got a used garage natural gas furnace on offer up for $600 plus another $200 to have it installed. Now it's toasty toasty toasty in my garage.
Hopefully you stay nice and warm. You should get a coal burner heater.
How can that be safely run indoors? No Carbon Monoxide?
You should have good ventillation when running them, but the burning should be pretty efficient so hardly any CO, just co2 and water
Good question, more info on that when you click the link in the description for the heater.
Have fun
Whooooooo made in Wisconsin