Author Topic: Focus3 and Focus5 Heater repair (Read 9779 times)

Jigmup · « **on:** Dec 06, 2010, 10:43 AM »

I don't know how many of you fellow anglers have used either the Coleman Focus3 or Focus5 heaters to heat your shanties with but I personally think they are the best heater ever made for shack heat. The problem is that ever since a lawsuit where a Father and son were killed from Carbon Monoxide poisoning, they have not been available. You can't even get replacement burner assembly's. Once the outer screen mesh goes, the unit will do nothing but flame and put out the deadly gas. I have tried using mesh screening to repair them but they always fall apart after cool down on the first burn. Now, I think I might have a solution. I found some mesh that withstands 1700 degree farenheit temperature called Nichrome mesh. Tonight I will measure the "mesh count" on one of my units and order a 12" x 12" sheet and experiment. I think that this mesh will not aneal and hold true to form without degrading prematurely. I'll post results and if anyone wants some of the material I'll have some left over. Its salty as all get out ($24.00 for 20 mesh) but used units on Ebay are going for upwards of $100.00. Also, I am not in anyway saying this is the safe fix, use your own judgement and do not take anything I say as being correct. I will be testing the unit inside an enclosed fixture with a carbon monoxide detector for my own personal, future use.

Anyone else with experience repairing these heaters?

marmooskapaul · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 11:07 AM »

I tried and failed last year to repair one of mine. Finally got a brand new focus 5 on ebay for like 50.00. Couldn't believe it was so cheap. Had a buy it now price and I must of been the first person to see it?
Mark, I would definately be interested in what you find out. I've got the one unit that needs a mantle and would like to have a spare. So, let me know. I'll gladely give you some money and sign a disclamer if this works out. LOL
Paul

GIBBS · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 11:16 AM »

What do these heaters look like,how long ago did they discontinue?

Jigmup · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 12:15 PM »

The focus 3 is similar but there is no housing and it threads right on the bottle. It also has a smaller burner and reflector and only one btu setting

Wags · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 12:32 PM »

I would defiantly be interested in a repair for the focus 5 heaters, I think we have two broken ones and down to 3 or 4 working ones.

AlgaeKilla · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 04:32 PM »

Quote from: Jigmup on Dec 06, 2010, 10:43 AM

use your own judgement and do not take anything I say as being correct.

Now that's some good advice right there.

GIBBS · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 04:42 PM »

Yeah i bet that thing does work well cuz it looks DANGEROUS!! ;

A- bomb · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 05:01 PM »

from what i remember the difuser was made out of stainless mesh...been a while!
at least the general right direction...
http://www.twpinc.com/twpinc/products/TWPCAT_12
at least shows whats out there and mesh count. 316 ss is rated at hi temp...

he he ... must be a hot bite some where... i just saw jigm'up running across the ice like his arsse was on fire...OH WAIT IT IS!!!!

stumper · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 05:09 PM »

Best heater ever made IMO...I need one fixed, cant wait to hear how yours works.

Jigmup · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 07:07 PM »

Quote from: A- bomb on Dec 06, 2010, 05:01 PM

from what i remember the difuser was made out of stainless mesh...been a while!
at least the general right direction...
http://www.twpinc.com/twpinc/products/TWPCAT_12
at least shows whats out there and mesh count. 316 ss is rated at hi temp...

he he ... must be a hot bite some where... i just saw jigm'up running across the ice like his arsse was on fire...OH WAIT IT IS!!!!

316ss has a higher nickel content than 304ss so that might work. The originals had no luster to them so I'm wondering if it was a different alloy. Oh well I'm gonna give it a shot. Oh yeah, and the reason my arse is on fire is because I've been lighting it up trying to get the honey do list finished before this weekend. $:-\$

lakehopper · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 06, 2010, 11:42 PM »

dont know if it would work

what about the mesh they use for the globless gas lanterns

Moose416 · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 08, 2010, 11:07 AM »

Guy's I have repaired mine and several others in the past with some very fine mesh stainless steel cloth I have. In fact the cloth is thicker than original and has worked fine for me. I have a roll that is about 3' wide by at least 500' long ( used it in my fabricating business years ago). If anybody needs some I'd be more than happy to cut a pc out for you, just contact me and handle the postage cost. It just takes up room in the garage and always happy to help out !!

Bronzeback5 · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 08, 2010, 12:18 PM »

Wondered what kind of heater you guys were talking about here.

After i seen the pic, turns out i have one

Yooper_27 · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 09, 2010, 07:04 AM »

Moose. Hello, I have been searching around trying to find a way to replace/fix the mantle on my father's 2 focus 5 heaters and came across this thread. I tried sending you a message, but i'm assuming that being a new member, the site must not let me? If you could contact me, that would be great! Thanks!

Jigmup · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 09, 2010, 07:27 AM »

Thats great news Moose....I guess the NiChrome mesh was overkill but I'm gonna use it up I guess.

NFDWALLY · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 09, 2010, 08:18 AM »

Just curious...are these heaters that much better than the Mr. Buddy? If so, please tell why? I have never seen one of these heaters and have only used my Mr. Buddy. I am very happy with this heater and for less than a $100 you can have a new one...that is safe! Thanks

Jigmup · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 09, 2010, 08:39 AM »

Both models are safe from a carbon monoxide stand point but for me the focus 3 is the perfect size to heat my one man. Mr Buddy's are good to0 but they are much bulkier and the biggest mr. Buddy would dry my eyes into saw dust in the Poalr express. I think the biggest Mr. Budy is what.....6000 btu on low and 12 or 18000 btu on high? After an hour of that I'd be ready for the Polar plunge!

Yooper_27 · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 09, 2010, 11:36 AM »

My reasoning for liking the focus 5 is that you can take a wedge of wood and stick it between the control knob and handle which makes it pretty much adjustable to any heat setting. With the buddy heaters, you have high, low or pilot. And i'm sure alot of it has to do with the fact that i've been using one forever.

stumper · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 09, 2010, 05:39 PM »

I like them because of how light they are, narrow footprint in my one man shack. Lots of heat. My only dislike is the sound . Not bad,but loud enough to affect my hearing when trying to chat with buddieas set up near by.

Jigmup · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 09, 2010, 08:27 PM »

SD...huh? Lucky dog....you got all the jumbo perch and walleye a man could ask for!

littled62 · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 10, 2010, 03:51 PM »

got 2 Mr. Buddy's when Cabala's opened up in Hammond, I used mine 2 times and the wife used hers once then went back to our focus5's, now they just sit in the garage collecting dust. We got the Focus5's 20 years ago camping in yellowstone in June it got down to the low 30's at night, they were $25 each at the store inside the park, didn't want to buy them thought they were to much, now wish I had bought 10 more!!

stumper · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 10, 2010, 05:48 PM »

Quote from: Jigmup on Dec 09, 2010, 08:27 PM

SD...huh? Lucky dog....you got all the jumbo perch and walleye a man could ask for!

You know it

high_flags · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 10, 2010, 07:56 PM »

I have had my focus 5 for many years and I always wondered why they were not around anymore. Law suits. I love that thing, It works great. I wondered what i would do if it broke,now I know. thanks for all the info.

marmooskapaul · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 10, 2010, 08:00 PM »

I love my focus 5's You can use them out in the wind and move around with them and they won't shut off.Great heater.
Paul

ggoblue · « **Reply #24 on:** Jan 11, 2011, 10:23 AM »

i bought a small stainless strainer at walmart...bent the handle and bolted it in...lasts about 2 yrs and works fine...

Eklb · « **Reply #25 on:** Oct 06, 2016, 06:33 PM »

Hello:
I have been rebuilding the focus 5 heater burners for over 10 years now.
Made a forming jig and rebuilding tools to do it.
I rebuild a 3 layered high temp stainless steel screen which is much more robust than the factory burner bulb by at least 5 times stronger so they will last.
I normally rebuild the burner back onto your old burner tube assembly but I also offer a bushing style you thread back onto your tube.
The bushing style you cut three saw cuts in your old burner hub just short of the tube and then split hub into 3 pcs and toss into garbage and you now rethread my bushing burner style back onto your old tubes old messy threads as the bushing recuts its own threads with just a wrench or big pair of pliers.
I'm charging 25 dollars for rebuild and 5 to mail back so 30 dollars total.
I also bought out colemans focus 5 parts way back when they said they were tossing them so if you need parts at this dates posting I have absolutely every part you could ask for all though some might be good used but many new. 10-06-2016
I'm the person if you do a google search coleman focus 5 burner youll find me on at least 5 web sites mentioning me.
I'm the gentleman from iowa they mention and known as eklb.
Want more info or pictures of these rebuilds or having a problem with your coleman focus 5 or 10 heater then shoot me an email and ask away.
Thank you
EKLB
[email protected]

filetandrelease · « **Reply #26 on:** Oct 06, 2016, 06:54 PM »

I also am a 5 owner it's perfect for my 1 man , I can't even remember it's been so long when I got it
Wish they still made them , and thanks guys for all the info , much appreciated

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Author Topic: Focus3 and Focus5 Heater repair (Read 9779 times)