Just tossed out my Buddy heater

[Mike #1]

Well I finally did it, today it went into the trash and I feel so much better. After so many times of this POS failing on me I got to see the garbage man crush it up and it felt good! After sending it back to the manufacture it returned working OK (still blowing out but not as often) I was using 1 lb cylinders and I asked them if I could use a larger tank, they then ended up selling me a special hose and filter and then things got worse, I cleaned it out like they suggested and still nothing so back it went over the summer. I got to try it this past weekend using a brand new 1 lb cylinder and it ran for about 10 minutes shutting off inside my shack no matter where I put it. I changed out cylinders, moved it, only to have it fail and fail again. Any suggestions on a reliable heater for an Eskimo Quickflip 2? I also have a sunflower but, it is too hot for that small of space.

[CalamityJohn]

Pulsar, tin foil trick you say? I'm assuming by your pic the trick is to block the wind by putting foil on the lower half of the heat shield.

I'm about to kick the little buddy to the curb, so maybe I'll give it one last shot at winning me back with this mod.

Thanks for the tip.

[goose89]

Well I finally did it, today it went into the trash and I feel so much better. After so many times of this POS failing on me I got to see the garbage man crush it up and it felt good!

Congrats Mike1! That was one of the best moves I've made as well. I've got enough problems keeping things "simple" (vexilar, batteries, camera's, two lines, tip-ups) without having to worry about whether I've got the proper combination of propane bottle size, regualators and filters. I tried one with success for a season, but had to abort 2 trips the next season with same problems as alot of us have had with em. I don't want to know how to fix / tinker something as important as a heater, when there's something as simple and bulletproof and a "cooker".

[goose89]

If it is cold out at all, I use my heater cooker as it heats so much more.

That's about the only time a Buddy is nice ...."if it's not cold out at all". They're really nice when it's warm out.

[Ed Carlson]

I don't get all the problems with the Buddy's?

I have previously owned 3 Buddys, 1 Big Buddy and two Buddy 4000's. And not one of them had caused me any problems that were not my fault to start with, purely user related..my fault.. such as too much wind draft...I just sealed up the draft leak in the shack. Never had a regulator or flow problem with any of them.

I now run all new Buddy's, as I do not need a Big Buddy to heat my Frabill R2 Tec's, and I think the new Buddy's are even better yet. Stronger pilot burners, better regulator controls, no problems to report from my end at all. I am very happy with them in fact.

TIP: Having "Draft issues" on a portable, just don't put your flap to the outside. Put it inside and then set the Big Buddy or Buddy on top of the flap next to outer wall. This cuts off the updraft that will cause you problems with pilot lights extinguishing, and cooling drafts that kicks out the thermocouple.

[EBass]

5yrs on the big buddy and no issues. I NEVER clean it nor do I use a filter. I use the 1#er's and a 20#er with a 6' black hose that's not a qucik connect. I guess I've been lucky.

[candiru]

I got a buddy about 6 yrs ago. It would not stay lit. I did move the thermocouple closer to the pilot. It seems to work now though I have not really put it to the test.

There is an alternative made by heat plus in Angora MN. heatplus dot com Click on portable heat. They burn clean and quiet like the buddy but without all the fancy switches. Turn on the valve and gas flows. I think Cabela's has a heater that is like this as well.

If you want your sunflowers and heater/cookers to burn lower carefully pry the knob (high/med/low/off) off. Underneath it is an allen head screw. Back that out and put your knob back on. It takes a little trial and error but your heater will not put out as much heat.

[FishGUY]

I am on year 6 or 7 with my big buddy and it has always worked perfectly. I

keep it in a case when traveling in the sled and use the quick connect hose with a 11 lbs tank or 1 lbs.