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Ejm
Member
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# Posted: 24 Aug 2026 01:00pm
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Hello,
Looking for some help. I have a small 8x8 outhouse that I would like to heat so the pipes and toilet do not freeze. I would like to use propane with a thermostat, so it kicks on when needed. I see a few I could use but I am scared the oxygen depletion sensor would go off and shut my heater without knowing and everything would freeze. Do they make anything that does not have the sensor or something anyone could recommend for such a small space.
Thanks,
EJ
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darz5150
Member
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# Posted: 24 Aug 2026 05:11pm - Edited by: darz5150
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Is it off grid. No electric?
I have at least 5 propane heaters with thermostats.
But all have the low O2 sensors.
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Fanman
Member
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# Posted: 24 Aug 2026 07:48pm
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Direct vent heaters don't have nor need O2 depletion sensors. Unvented propane heaters... well, if you like fumes and moisture in the heated space...
But, if the outhouse is well ventilated, it shouldn't be an issue.
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Ejm
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 08:40am
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Good morning,
It has electric but limited on power, cant do electric heater.
I think it will have to be direct vent does anyone know one small enough for 8x8 room?
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 09:08am
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Any of the small (about 10"x10") elec heaters are enough to heat that and run on any basic 120vac 15amp circuit
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Ejm
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 09:10am
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electric is limited, due to being on solar
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 09:19am - Edited by: gcrank1
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Direct vent fuel oil heater.
How deep are your feeder and sewer pipes in the ground; ie, you may keep the structure warm enough to not have the inside pipes freeze but if not deep enough in the ground......
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Ejm
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 09:29am
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After thinking about it. I could use an electric heater that is efficient and has a thermostat that could be set as low as 45 degrees so it would not kick on too much. Let me know if anyone has a good electric heater that they could recommend.
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Fanman
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 09:50am
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All electric heaters are 100% efficient. The power consumption will depend on how well the building is insulated (and on the outside air temperature, of course).
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 11:54am
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Tell us about your solar set up to better evaluate for you
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Ejm
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 12:20pm
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I have the following...
- Victron 5000 watt 48 volt
- 3- batteries PHI-3.8-48-60-M 3.8kWh Lithium Ferro
- 8 solar panels: Q-Cells 400w Mono Solar Panels Model: Q.PEAK DUO L-G7.2 400
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jsahara24
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 12:47pm
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I have a 500 watt ENVI heater that I use in my fishing lodge bedrooms. You can get them that plug into a regular outlet, or you can hardwire them. They also connect to Wifi so you can monitor and adjust the temps remotely. They mount to the wall so they don't look terrible like most space heaters. ~200$ when I bought them a couple years ago.
I'm not sure how it would work with your solar system especially if you are in a snowy climate?
I see some 8k BTU direct vent propane heaters which would probably be my choice if I was offgrid/solar.
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philpom
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 01:29pm
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Thermostatically controlled heat tape uses 2-7 watts per foot. Apply it to the pipes and put a good insulation over the pipes.
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Ejm
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 01:39pm
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was thinking about the heat tape but how would I keep the toilet tank water from freezing without keep adding antifreeze when we use it.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 05:22pm
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And this is why we have a composting T
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philpom
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 06:14pm
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You could do a heating pad on the back of the tank with insulation over it to force the heat in to the tank, maybe same for the underside of the bowl (12v or 24v best) and if it's used multiple times a day plus doesn't experience hard freezes this would probably work but for certainty you'll need some form of propane freeze guard.
This might work, can be wall mounted and permanently installed, flame less. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-Olympian-RV-Wave-3-LP-Gas-Catalytic-Safety-Heater-Ad justable-1600-to-3000-BTU-Warms-130-Square-Feet-of-Space-Portable-and-Wall-Mountable/ 29764634
The issue is it doesn't have a thermostat so you'd need to rig something (safety). Turns out there are some agriculture freeze heaters but they are generally in the $1000 range or higher.
I'd add the heat tape no matter what.
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philpom
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 06:17pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 And this is why we have a composting T
Outhouse for the boys, composting indoor toilet for the ladies.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 07:22pm
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Or, 'out' for the boys, most of the time house not required 
Imo 'we' waste far too much water running toilets for just liquids
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 08:37pm
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What happened "grin an' bare it" no matter the temperature?
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 09:29pm
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BTDT
A diy blue DOW styro seat made all the diff
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2026 11:49pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 A diy blue DOW styro seat made all the diff
And no continuing expenses
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 26 Aug 2026 08:19am - Edited by: Brettny
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After owning a composting toilet in a very well vented out building il never put one in my living space.
Do you live at this property?
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 26 Aug 2026 08:23am
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Oh boy, toilet talk! My buddy heater sits right next to the toilet.
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Ejm
Member
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# Posted: 26 Aug 2026 09:11am
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It is a 3-season cabin in the Adirondacks. I shut it down end of December, but we would like to make a few winter trips, so trying to figure out of it is worth it.
I am leaning towards heat tape and an Envi electric heater, only 500 watts when running. I think my solar bank could handle it. Worst case maybe I will add another battery, there just so expensive.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 26 Aug 2026 10:14am
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Winterize it near the end of October and de winterize when in use. Theres really no other fool proof way for a few weekend trips.
We have a weekend cabin in central NY. Our winter plumbing is a foot operated pump from a 5gal water jug to a sink. Takes me 1min to winterize. I let my 5gal LCI water jugs freeze every winter.
If/when I have more indoor plumbing il be blowing out lines with compressed air and putting RV antifreeze in the toilet. 1gal of RV antifreeze is about $4. A new toilet is about $150. Not including any other plumbing. Piece of mind to.me.comes from it can all freeze and nothing will happen vs hoping the riged up heat will operate enough to keep from freezing. All it takes is a failed heater or dead solar system. Could be a frozen propane regulator to 3days of no sun. And I know the ADKs get alot of gray fall/winter days.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 26 Aug 2026 10:45am
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YES, that!
When it gets close to freezing overnight temps winterize the water 'system' and go to using the 5-6 gal 'bucket T' (the snap on T seat lids are available online or even Walmarts) with the liner bag. The 6gal buckets are taller if you need taller, available at home improvement stores.
Put a disposable diaper in the bottom of the bag to soak up the liquids. Btw, I recommend dbl bagging the bucket in case of a leaky primary liner.
Inexpensive and effective.
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Ejm
Member
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# Posted: 26 Aug 2026 10:49am
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what is the 5-6 bucket T?
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Ejm
Member
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# Posted: 26 Aug 2026 10:59am
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I get it, it's a bucket toilet lol the good old days.
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spencerin
Member
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# Posted: 26 Aug 2026 11:34pm
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Adding marine/RV/pink antifreeze to the toilet tank water is about as easy as winterization can get.....
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travellerw
Member
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# Posted: 27 Aug 2026 02:11pm
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Since this question had taken a bit of a turn, I will throw my solution in the mix.
We use an RV toilet. Winterize it, then if I'm lazy we just manually pour water in before use, if I'm not lazy I dewinterize it for the weekend. Works well for us.
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