Big Buddy Heaters

[Jim Uran]

My gal picked me up a Big buddy for my bday. Has anyone else had a problem with the thing staying lit?? I'm sure this has been through the wash but can anyone give me some insight on what a possible fix may be.

After a while it ran fine but at first it sure was picky, it would stay lit for about a minute or two and the pilot would get weak and the panel would flicker and go dead.

The last two hours it ran flawlessly. Is this something that happens quite often or was it just a first time use thing?

[centralmnguy]

They get moisture on the ceramic part if they have been sitting for a long time (especially in a damp garage or fish house). Maybe bring it indoors for an hour or so before trying to light it.

Another thing I do is use a lighter-a long reach one (be careful) Hold pilot light down for a couple seconds longer.

Good luck, let me know if that helped!

[St_Croix_Banks]

I just got one too. It ran great for about an hour or so and then both propane cylinders (small ones) were icing up and couldn't get anything but the pilot to run.

[wolfman-k]

I've found that it's wise to bring a back-up, just in case. That being said, over the years I've figured out most tweaks & have few problems. I made a small 'stand' for mine, just a pieace of plywood about 2' square with attached legs made of 3" 2X2. It keeps it from melting alot of snow or ice in front of it, plus it seems to help with the pilot blowing out. I did break the red control knob one year up on Mille Lacs, I now have a spare. I do take my heater/cooker with in case, or to heat up some food. I'd also recommend you read through the threads on hoses for these that airjer has put together, good info.

[ilovehardwater]

I had the exact thing happen to me with my Buddy last Wednesday. I re lit it 3 times and it would stay lit for a minute the pilot would get weak and it would sputter and go out. I run a 10# tank and knew I had plenty of gas. I eventually hooked up a emergency 1Lb that I carry and ran that for a few hours with the hose and filter in the porty to warm it up. I then reattached the hose to the 10# tank and fired up the buddy and it worked perfect the rest of the night. I have owned this heater for years and have never had an issue with it.

[merkman]

I'd also recommend you read through the threads on hoses for these that airjer has put together, good info.

+1

If you are having cylender icing problems try running the heater on medium or use an external 5, 11, or 20 lb cyl. hooked up per airjer's instructions.

[wolfman-k]

I run a 20 pounder for mine, but, as much as I hate those 1 pound throw-aways, I carry a couple for emergencies. They saved me one time when it was -25 on Mille Lacs, I had to bring my big tank into my double-wide to give it some heat. After about an hour, I re-connected to the 20 & no more problems, it stayed in the portable that day though.

[riverview]

My regulator froze up once -20 (20 lb tank with black hose and quick coupler no filter) pilot would light but the burner would try and kill the pilot. warmed regulator and worked fine. I like my big buddy because it burns so much cleaner tha a heater cooker.

[bottom-bouncer]

I got abig buddy this year and the first time out with it it worked great second time out it got a little wet behind the fourwheeler and of course iced up rite away. when I lit it the pilot fired rite up and then a minute later went out. then I couldnt get it to relite I screwed around for about an hour then my patients got the better of me I through it on the floor of the house and it has worked fine ever since..

[Ed Carlson]

Could have been a frosting issue with the regulator, or a moisture issue. Cold 1 lb tanks can frost the regulator up at start-up, and cause complications tell they warm.

I believe in general they perform best with a bulk tank attached and a filter on it, if it is not a quick attach hose with the separate regulator on it as that does not require a filter.

[mnguy152]

The other thing might be happening is that the bulk tank is getting cold. What I do is put a 2x4 underneth the tank and the heater is on a peice of plywood to keep it off the ice. If you think about its been really cold out lately.

[freezincold]

I bought one of the big buddy heaters the first year they came out. I had issues with the reg's freezing when the 1 lb tanks went dry. I was told they had a recall some time later. Does anyone know if this is true? I also found that if I hooked up my hose without atleast a 1 lb tank on the opposite side that it only got half fuel and that was a problem. Thoughts anyone??

[Jeremy airjer W]

They where recalled for problems with the regulators. I believe that was back in the spring of '05. There was two options depending on what [parts the heater was built with. They would either send you the new parts or they would have you send in the whole heater and send you a different one.

[freezincold]

Got it! I will give them a shout and see if they still have options for that upgrade. Thank you!

[coombia21]

If you are having issues with ice building up get a carrying case for your heater or put it in a garbage bag on the way out, it has kept my little buddy working every time i need it and it has a place for extra 1lbs