Just found your channel really detailed reviews installed hcalory basic setup for my basement to heat small rooms 350sq and it's been working great. I was actually shocked how well the LF Bros did over Hcalory. I definitely think the build quality and performance LF Bros is definitely worth the price. I think it's definitely worth a few hundred dollars to get a diesel heater maybe more when I was thinking about putting in a pellet stove for $1,000 might have been over kill for my space but the price savings on a diesel heater is definitely worth it. Can't wait to see other reviews and do that test with the propane heater.😊
I have LF and it’s definitely a level up than most of the typical Chinese diesel heaters….and the gas cap is a game changer if you have it mounted in your rig….all the others leak from sloshing around when you are driving ….
I have the HCalory, which I use for over-landing. My heater kept me in my underwear and t-shirt in 28-degree weather. The other setting that may make a difference is the altitude setting on the HCalory. I use a NATURENEST RTT. So being off the ground would be a good test as well.
Thank you for your detail test which I find very interesting. I am very interest about the self generating diesel heater. Can you please show more detail about that heater how works about the power, I noticed you insert kinds of battery cells if so then how long it will last . I am trying to use my Honda Odyssey minivan when I am camping or when I am going long trips. I will look forward to your next video. Once again thank you for your hard work for people like me to have more knowledge about the diesel heater.
Lf bros does NOT have a "rounded molded plastic" bottom side like he says in the video..That is Quality cast metal aluminum..BIG difference........Also the exhaust should be pointed downwards., Not up like a tractor stack.They produce moisture which needs to drain. I'd rather listen to the "wind noise" then the loud clicking... Yes my punctuation isn't good.
thanks for the correction and that was exactly my point, LF Bros has a better build and part quality, and yes I do prefer wind noise over clicking sound as well since when placing the heater outside the wind noise is reduced significantly and clicking noise can easily be heard.
Bought the lf bros,installed it yesterday,the stock pump is incredibly quiet,after having a cheap knock off diesel heater im blown away on how quiet the lf bros has in my new unit,i purchaced the n4 model "tall narrow" wish they made this version with the thermostat controller but i have space constraints
How important is the altitude adjustment difference between the two? The LF Bros is 6500 feet vs the HCalory 18,000 feet capabilities. Thanks for suffering the cold for your review.
Bummer you could not get the Big Buddy heater to work. That is what I use in my Kodiak Canvas Tent. Great information on both diesel heaters that I am considering to choosing. Still on the fence though with purchasing due to the pump clicking noise. Which one would you say is more noticeable when operating those heaters?
Thank you for the comment, I do think the big buddy heater would produce much more heat but the problematic starting kinda shows how this type of propane heater performs if not used for long time. I’d prefer LF bros personally since when you are inside of a tent or vehicle the wind noise is gone but the clicking sound is easily heard.
I get the E8 error code. The fan rubs against the circuit board box. Any suggestion on how to fix? Also - do you have to prime the pump before starting?
Lf bros looks way better and mor compact,the fuel cap is a way better choice,the fuel pump can be replaced i believe the hcalorie 2025 model has a silent pump,i would buy the lf bros and order a replacement pump from hcalorie,🙂,im sure lf bros will upgrade the pump in the future
I bought the lf bros,n4 model,unbelievably quiet pump,zero reason to upgrade it in the future...so quiet can't wait to see what this company does in the future,such an improvement
A lot of good data! Look forward to more
Thanks Kai!
Just found your channel really detailed reviews installed hcalory basic setup for my basement to heat small rooms 350sq and it's been working great. I was actually shocked how well the LF Bros did over Hcalory. I definitely think the build quality and performance LF Bros is definitely worth the price. I think it's definitely worth a few hundred dollars to get a diesel heater maybe more when I was thinking about putting in a pellet stove for $1,000 might have been over kill for my space but the price savings on a diesel heater is definitely worth it. Can't wait to see other reviews and do that test with the propane heater.😊
Longish video but I didn't get bored. Good data. I like that you used actual data on the app to compare temps. Nice job. Thanks for the info.
Thank you for the response, I believe the trending of the data is a better representation of just initial and end temp data points.
I have LF and it’s definitely a level up than most of the typical Chinese diesel heaters….and the gas cap is a game changer if you have it mounted in your rig….all the others leak from sloshing around when you are driving ….
100%, glad you are enjoying your LF bro diesel heaters like I am.
I have the HCalory, which I use for over-landing. My heater kept me in my underwear and t-shirt in 28-degree weather. The other setting that may make a difference is the altitude setting on the HCalory. I use a NATURENEST RTT. So being off the ground would be a good test as well.
Thanks for staying up to get those tests! I have a Silvel and an LF Bros. I agree the LF Bros is much better.
Thanks, glad you also thinks LF Bros is a better unit.
Thank you for your detail test which I find very interesting.
I am very interest about the self generating diesel heater.
Can you please show more detail about that heater how works about the power, I noticed you insert kinds of battery cells if so then how long it will last .
I am trying to use my Honda Odyssey minivan when I am camping or when I am going long trips.
I will look forward to your next video.
Once again thank you for your hard work for people like me to have more knowledge about the diesel heater.
Thank you for the kind words, yes I am going to be making a video about the self generating diesel heater soon. 🎉
The Hcalory is either a Model W1-N or a W1-S w/ Bluetooth. I got mine for $90 on clearance
Lf bros does NOT have a "rounded molded plastic" bottom side like he says in the video..That is Quality cast metal aluminum..BIG difference........Also the exhaust should be pointed downwards.,
Not up like a tractor stack.They produce moisture which needs to drain. I'd rather listen to the "wind noise" then the loud clicking... Yes my punctuation isn't good.
thanks for the correction and that was exactly my point, LF Bros has a better build and part quality, and yes I do prefer wind noise over clicking sound as well since when placing the heater outside the wind noise is reduced significantly and clicking noise can easily be heard.
Bought the lf bros,installed it yesterday,the stock pump is incredibly quiet,after having a cheap knock off diesel heater im blown away on how quiet the lf bros has in my new unit,i purchaced the n4 model "tall narrow" wish they made this version with the thermostat controller but i have space constraints
How important is the altitude adjustment difference between the two? The LF Bros is 6500 feet vs the HCalory 18,000 feet capabilities.
Thanks for suffering the cold for your review.
HCalory has 18000 ft capability? I did not know that. But am going to check. To me 6500 ft is more than enough.
Bummer you could not get the Big Buddy heater to work. That is what I use in my Kodiak Canvas Tent. Great information on both diesel heaters that I am considering to choosing. Still on the fence though with purchasing due to the pump clicking noise. Which one would you say is more noticeable when operating those heaters?
Thank you for the comment, I do think the big buddy heater would produce much more heat but the problematic starting kinda shows how this type of propane heater performs if not used for long time. I’d prefer LF bros personally since when you are inside of a tent or vehicle the wind noise is gone but the clicking sound is easily heard.
I get the E8 error code. The fan rubs against the circuit board box. Any suggestion on how to fix? Also - do you have to prime the pump before starting?
What diesel heater do you have?
The little buddy heater won't start if it's below operating temperature.
I think that maybe what it is, it was 8F and I saw Mr Buddy is rated down to 0F however the recommended lowest temp is 20F.
They would work better if you put them inside the tent and ran the exhaust out.
good point, however the hot exhaust may need some work to not burn my three season tent lol
Lf bros looks way better and mor compact,the fuel cap is a way better choice,the fuel pump can be replaced i believe the hcalorie 2025 model has a silent pump,i would buy the lf bros and order a replacement pump from hcalorie,🙂,im sure lf bros will upgrade the pump in the future
good point, and I do believe LF bros higher end models come with silent fuel pump.
I bought the lf bros,n4 model,unbelievably quiet pump,zero reason to upgrade it in the future...so quiet can't wait to see what this company does in the future,such an improvement