Description
Sunstar SPH Golf Range & Hospitality Heater | SPH40-20-L7
The Sunstar SPH40-20-L7 is a 40,000 BTU/hr propane infrared heater built for driving range bays, covered patios, outdoor dining and other semi-open spaces where forced air simply blows away. It carries a 20-foot aluminized calorized steel emitter in a push-through (positive pressure) layout, and it is one of the few Sunstar tube heaters approved for both vented and unvented installation.
It use a push-through (positive pressure) burner: a blower sealed inside the burner box drives combustion through the tube, so the heater runs quietly, and Sunstar’s Tube Integrity Safety System (TISS) continuously monitors the space above the reflector for overheating or a compromised tube.
This is a two-stage model: it fires at 40,000 BTU/hr on high and drops to 25,000 BTU/hr on low, so it can hold temperature on milder days with less gas and fewer on/off cycles. Control it with a two-stage 24V thermostat or a three-position High/Low/Off switch.
For planning, mount it at least 10 feet above the floor when level, and keep 62 inches clear below it and 22 inches to the sides. It can be installed unvented in open-air spaces or vented through a 4-inch flue with Sunstar’s vent kit. Installation must be done by a licensed contractor to the manufacturer’s instructions and local codes.
Key Features
- 40,000 BTU/hr propane input, 25,000 BTU/hr on low fire
- 20' aluminized calorized steel emitter for open-air bays and patios
- Quiet push-through burner with Tube Integrity Safety System
- Approved for vented or unvented installation
Frequently Asked Questions
How high should the SPH40-20-L7 be mounted?
Sunstar lists a minimum of 10 feet above the floor with the heater level. Mount it as high as the space allows for even coverage; going below the minimum can make the area right underneath uncomfortably hot.
What clearance does it need from combustibles?
Keep at least 62 inches below the heater and 22 inches to the sides clear of anything that can burn, including stacked materials and vehicles parked underneath. The full clearance chart, including ceiling and end distances, is in the installation manual.
Can I convert it to natural gas?
Conversion requires the Sunstar factory kit for this exact model, installed by a qualified technician, so the simplest route is to order the heater for the gas you have.
How do I control the two stages?
Use a two-stage 24V thermostat to switch between low and high fire automatically, or a three-position High/Low/Off switch for manual control. Several heaters can share one control with a two-stage relay kit at each heater.
