Topic: Have unheated garage without heat, should i get a propane heater?

[daewon774]

Keep in mind the obvious: you don't need to heat the garage, or even your work area, to household temps.  When I work in the garage in the winter, with temps below freezing, I don't work in shirtsleeves.  Sweatshirt, even flannel lined jeans, are fine to work in and greatly reduce how much you're trying to heat the place.  I also don't work without a few cups of tea handy. 

That's the direction I'm heading for too.  I don't want to fill up on the propane often so I'll be in sweatshirt, long sleeves and jeans.  Coffee and tea will definitely help too, lol

[bucky katt]

i also got a several sheets of 4" thick blue foamboard insulation i'm going to put in between the studs and up in the rafters. if i can keep the shop at around 65 or so i'll be happy. see, i hate working in long sleeves so that temp should be perfect.

[andy8190]

ok so i set out to make my bike its own person heated garage (within my garage) 
from looking at the pics you will prolly get the idea of what im doing. I plan on getting a decent ceramic heater with a thermostat to keep the inside of the box about 50 or 60 and this way it stays warm inside the project but doesnt heat the whole garage. I will be putting plastic over the top as well when finished

[daewon774]

Be careful, that box will also trap any fumes escaping from your gas tank and/or battery....

BOOOOOM!!!

j/k, neat idea though.  Better empty that tank... 

[Bob Wessner]

Andy,

Is this just for over-winter storage, or are you going to try working on it in there?

[andy8190]

no i wont be working on the bike in there. i would pull it out if i need to work on it. Also it isnt for typical over winter storage because i want to still ride the bike some even in the winter here, maybe to and from my classes since motorcycle parking is so close to the building and there is never any car spots available. with that said i was think of putting a vent hole in somewhere to let fresh are in, and i read that gas fumes will lay low to the floor so maybe a vent hole in the bottom to let and fumes out. I would use an electric ceramic type heater so no open flame.

[Bob Wessner]

Good, I was thinking if you planned working on it in there, you would have to be one of "the little people."  With it insulated, if you feel the need for some heat, small an area as it is, you might get by with a light bulb, seriously.  You might try a 100w and see. No flame. I guess I have to ask though, why do you feel it needs heat at all?

[ColinMc]

Maybe it's just me...but i would be absolutely paranoid of that being an extreme fire hazard...if I can ask, why does the bike need to be kept warm when you aren't working on it? Just bring the battery inside and whatnot...

[andy8190]

the reason i want to keep it heated just a little is because of condensation and that forming rust, since my shed is outside, wood, and not insulated at all. im not looking to keep it like 85, i just want to keep it above say 50

[andy8190]

everyone is getting me paranoid now  i just want to be able to do this safely

[Bob Wessner]

To be honest, you should be a little concerned. My garage is "unheated." I don't find condensation to be much of a problem during the winter until I introduce heat. I had been using a propane fired, fan forced heater when I went out to work on the bike. It heated the garage quickly, but also introduced a good deal of condensation. I've since rewired the garage to use fan forced, elec. heat but only when I plan to work on it on more moderate winter days. You can offset any condensation by wiping bare metal parts with WD-40.

The only other time(s) condensation is a problem is during fall/spring when it has been quite cold and we get one of those sudden warm days. If I open the garage, I can see the moisture collect on the bike, tools, etc.

[andy8190]

i read that if i let the bike cool down after riding it in a cold place say like my unheated garage then it would get condensation on it and in it

[Bob Wessner]

Remember, that condensation is warm, moist air coming in contact with cold surfaces. If your bike is the same temp as the outside air, condensation will be minimal. You definitely want some ventilation though that will allow some air movement. As for after a ride in cold weather, your engine and pipes will be hot, but slowly cool to the temp of the surrounding air.

[andy8190]

ok so do u recomment i just finish the project and not heat it but stilll park the bike in it after a ride, or do u recommend scrapping the project and using the material to build a bigger dog house for my dogs

[Bob Wessner]

I would (just my opinion) give the dogs some better digs and just keep the bike under cover (shed) with some ventilation, and try to have "its" temperature as close to the outside air temp as possible. Use some protection on the metal parts and you should be OK.

[andy8190]

ah all that work, thanks for the advice

[ColinMc]

Or you could still use it as an insulated storage area for your bike...I just wouldn't run the risk of heating that enclosure. It's still overkill...but not nearly as dangerous. If you fully insulate it, and have a simple door on the front or plastic sheeting you leave in place most of the time, it'll still be "less" exposed to the elements and quick temperature changes than just sitting in the shed.

[andy8190]

i think i might go the doghouse route since they are going to need a bigger one anyways for when the pup gets bigger. as for the bike i will just put a fan around it so the air stays circulating 24/7 to keep the condensation down i guess