How To Install Mr. Heater Big Maxx Unit Heater

[@dalecronk4377]

Thank you, this is the best video I have seen on installing the Big Maxx,

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

You’re welcome! Thanks for your comment! Cheers! Rob

[@bdoering3101]

Thanks Rob, I mounted the heater and the gas line 5 years ago, just avoiding the exhaust, you made it look easy. Thanks and Merry Christmas.

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@bdoering3101 Glad to help! Good luck on your project! I love the heater! 🍻

[@datadev1]

Happy New Year Rob. Nice job.

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

Hey! Happy New Year! Thanks! It’s nice to have heat again

[@robsplace3589]

Great video. Does the thimble have to be framed with 2x4’s or can my OSB hold it in place?

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

I believe code would require a “fire stop” of uninsulated space around the thimble. The instructions were a little vague but that’s how it was done with my fireplace when it was installed. I’d add the 2x4 box to your OSB. Thanks for your comment and good luck with your install!

[@robsplace3589]

@@robsgaragewoodworkin I will do the same to be safe and more compliant. Another question, did you buy the vent kit or individual pieces? I am having trouble finding the correct adapter.

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@robsplace3589 it’s a whole kit. You can buy vertical or horizontal. The horizontal kit is very expensive. I show it in the unboxing video. I got mine at Peavy Mart but they have a better price at Princess Auto. They were out of stock on these almost everywhere. Even the Unit heaters were out of stock everywhere. Peavy Mart got a big shipment in. The store I went to only had one horizontal vent kit and a full skid of unit heaters and vertical vent kits.

[@carldrew]

Could be wrong on this, but my understanding is that the sediment trap is to have gas entering vertically from above, with trap vertical below, and the feed to the furnace coming out the side of the T.

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@carldrew He’s a refrigeration tech with both residential and commercial gas licenses so I’m assuming he knows what he’s doing. Most home furnace installs would have the gas pipe coming off the ceiling and the drip leg would be how you are describing. Also the code in your specific area could be different. I’m in Ontario 🇨🇦 Thanks for your comment! Cheers 🍻 Rob

[@whitecapmadness7181]

Should have flexible gas line right off the furnace, not solid?

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

Flex lines are for a gas appliance like a range. Not for a furnace.

[@WilleJamesHuff]

@@robsgaragewoodworkinwhat would happen if you used flex on a furnace

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@WilleJamesHuff nothing. Should have a drip leg though. It’s only an issue if it’s not up to code in your area.

[@WilleJamesHuff]

@@robsgaragewoodworkin ok thanks. I do have the drip leg.

[@robsplace3589]

Regarding the electrical, you said said simple black, white, and ground connection. Did you just cut the ring terminal off the heaters ground wire, as and connect it to your appliance cord?

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

Yes

[@robsplace3589]

@@robsgaragewoodworkin thanks for the super quick reply. It’s cold out here 🥶.

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@robsplace3589 lol! Almost done!

[@123MrComf]

Thanks for the video! I may have missed it, but what size hard line did you need for the gas supply line?

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@123MrComf it had a 3/4” line running to a copper flex line and we tied into that. The flex line ran a large furnace in the shop before. The unit heater is 1/2 the size.

[@candagreif4345]

How big is your garage? Mine is 24x36 with 9' ceilings. walls are insulated but not ceiling. Wondering if I should bump up a size or the 50K big enough?

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@candagreif4345 Is the ceiling covered or open. I’d get a bigger one. I would have upsized because the price wasn’t that much more for the next size up.

[@candagreif4345]

@@robsgaragewoodworkin ceiling will be covered with 7/16 OSB, and above about half covered with the same and all sorts of stuff stored up there.

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@ My shop is 24x30. Walls are insulated and I’m insulating the ceiling now. I would go with the 80,000btu so the shop heats up faster and especially if you aren’t insulating the ceiling. Good luck with your install!

[@edwardwiley9083]

What is the smaller line running along your gas line?

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@edwardwiley9083 The thermostat wire runs from the thermostat by the entry man door all along the gas line to the unit heater. I just used an old school mercury thermostat from the Re-Store. Cost about $5 😉

[@JayDubCustoms]

Does it run on natural or propane gas? Do you have a tank outside?

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@JayDubCustoms mine is natural gas. There is a propane conversion available for these units.

[@dealinwithit1]

Good video, do you have part # for wall thimble

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@dealinwithit1 no, it comes with the chimney assembly.

[@muttieb]

How high off the ground is your vent termination? I thought I read that it had to be 12 feet from the ground?, Hoping I read that wrong because I’d like to have the same setup as you have!

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@muttieb It’s around 9 feet. There is a minimum space between the exhaust pipe vent and the outside wall. Can’t remember what it was but if it’s too close it will melt your siding (hence the distance code). You can put these almost anywhere. Pretty awesome! In hindsight I would have got the next size up to heat the shop faster.

[@BlackDragonNationalPresident]

Thank you

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@BlackDragonNationalPresident you’re welcome!

[@davidfitch7188]

Good job 👍

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@davidfitch7188 Thanks Dave! Thanks for your comment 🍻

[@RonStreet-65C10]

Well I feel alot better now since I bought the same heater only min is 80,000 btu

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@RonStreet-65C10 Yeah I should have got the 80k one. I think it was only $100 more. Would have heated it up a bit faster 🍻

[@JustFixinGarage]

Same feeling way better as I imagined doing it exactly like this but didn’t know if it seemed crazy to use wood not metal for it. Either way I feel much more confident ! Thanks

[@darrellsaturnbigfoot]

Start by returning it and invest in a real garage heater. That’s pretty much anything than a mr heater

[@robsgaragewoodworkin]

@@darrellsaturnbigfoot They make all sorts of heaters and stick different labels on them. It’s common in every industry