Heater buddy vs. Sunflower

[Esox_Magnum]

I tried a big buddy for a couple weeks last year but I didn't feel it was worth the added cost to have 2 heaters and the room the BB takes up. Did work good for thawing the sled out in the garage but wasnt for me in my shack. My wife goes along alot so I need something to keep the shack warm for her and with my big 3 man it takes a little heat.

[pureinsanity]

14.99 not 19.99

21 hours of run time on 4 D cell batteries.

I am going to take this fan apart and wire it up to a large rechardable 6V battery. Than I can attach my solar trickle charger to it so It can charge in the sun. Camping or Ice fishing.

[pureinsanity]

here is one for cheaper that uses a magnet to hold its self up.

16hours of run time on 1 D cell battery.

[topcat3820]

Quote:

Buddy Heaters are plagued with problems

Seriously... plagued ??? Come on, now... I get that you & Esox don't like them, but a statement like that

When used properly, with the proper hoses, filters (or not, depending on the model & hose), tanks, ventilation (just like a sunflower or ANY heater, for that matter), they do exactly what they're intended to... keep you warm & comfortable on the ice .

[Esox_Magnum]

here is one for cheaper that uses a magnet to hold its self up.

16hours of run time on 1 D cell battery.

Thats what I use sticks right to the overhead supports.

[TubaDr]

I can't remember if my hub house has any metal in the center top. I do have a camp fan for the tent in the summer, I will give that a try first. I'm not to concerned with keeping myself warm but my son like to stay out all day and into the night so I want to keep the interest there and it is easier if he can stay warm. He doesn't care if the fish bit or not but if he gets cold he's done.

[tonkapat]

Over ten years of buddy heater use and still have yet to encounter one problem. The most common issue I have seen is that people think they don't need to crack the door to run one and the heater shuts off because of low oxygen. Place the heater outside for a second at it restarts immediately. Also in your manual they give you instruction on maintainence involving cleaning the buddy heater, it really helps to do this every year or two.

[DeeJ]

Big buddy for 3+ years and counting. Not. One. Issue.

I don't like the idea of an open flame (Or darn near it) around me. As many have correctly stated, the sunflower is perfectly safe if you use good judgment and safety. So is driving.

However, accidents DO happen and I'd rather fall onto or bump into a protective grille than a sunflower heater. I've just never understood the affection for the sunflowers. Personally I can't shake the idea that people use them out of habit (It was that or a lantern way back when, right?) and price point, but I've been wrong before. Ed made a great point about the age of the sunflower design. I would definitely take a look at them if they made them more sturdy and "Dummyproof".

I'd also rather cook on my propane grill than either heater. I RARELY see people dragging out after you can drive on the lakes anyway so it's hard to buy the "It adds mass or weight..." argument against bringing a little grill.

Is the Big Buddy perfect? Nope. But it works best for me.

You guys are hardcore carrying two heaters... Can it really be that far back to your house? lol

[luckydog25]

We have an 18ft (plus v nose) Ice castle and a 8x20 skid house and we heat them both with big buddy heaters. I don't like the noise of the forced air heater in the ice castle. We have been using them for 4 years and have never had a problem with ours. We run the 8ft hose with 20lb tanks and no filters. I own 2 and my uncle owns 2 so we can run them in portables too. We heat both shacks up so we are comfortable in t-shirts without a problem. They are safe to sleep with them running, and IMO are very easy on propane. I guess we have just been lucky with our units.

[Kevlaro]

This will be my third season using my Big Buddy and I haven't had any problems at all with it. I have beat it around alot of miles in my otter sled behind the 4-wheeler and it has always fired right up and worked as it should. I use a 20 lb tank with a filter most often, but have also run off 1 lb tanks as well with no issue. I do have the padded carry case that I pack it in when not being used, that may help keep it from getting messed up .. I am just picky about my stuff so I try to keep it nice. I also have used sunflower heaters for years with no issues and think they are great and very reliable, I switched to the buddy heater because my one son said that the sunflower gave him headaches no matter how much ventilation I tried with it, since switching to the buddy heater he hasn't complained of one headache... just my 2 cents.

[TubaDr]

OK, So I am thinking that I may get a Big Buddy as many of you have suggested and I have a question. It looks like the BB uses two 1# cylinders how does that work if you want to use a 20# tank? Is there a special hose needed? Or do you just leave a 1# tank in one side and use the 20# on the other. I did look it up on line and I coundn't find any answers to these questions. Thanks again for all the advice on all of this.

[luckydog25]

I think you are going to get a few different answers on this one. We use the hose that it sold for the Big Buddy. I think there are 3 diffent lenghts. We have 8 foot hoses on all of ours. No filter and no 1lber on the other inlet. Never had an issue with a TON of hours of use. We make a ton of trips every year with multiple days running non stop on each trip. Keep this in mind though. With a longer hose, you will need be patient for the line to fill with propane if you run a tank empty or diconnect. I usually start it up at home, to get the line filled so I don't have to fart around with it in the cold. Good Luck!!!

[topcat3820]

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2426349/Big_Buddy#Post2426349 ... get the hose when you buy the heater & read the instructions .

[pureinsanity]

I can't remember if my hub house has any metal in the center top. I do have a camp fan for the tent in the summer, I will give that a try first. I'm not to concerned with keeping myself warm but my son like to stay out all day and into the night so I want to keep the interest there and it is easier if he can stay warm. He doesn't care if the fish bit or not but if he gets cold he's done.

Take a break from fishing, Take him outside the fish house and get him running around, chase him play a game? Play catch, just to get the blood flowing. it will be a change of pace and also allow you to get some warmth flowing again.

[pureinsanity]

My buddy had a big buddy he almost sold me because it would never stay light. only one burner would light when using a larger tank. He couldn't figure it out. but for some reason he needed the 1# cylinder on the other side for it to work correctly. Once the 1# ran out he'd have to put another on or it would go out.

[EBass]

Big Buddy going on 5 years and not one issue. I don't use a filter and never cleaned it. I use the pounders and a 20# tank w/6' black hose.

[TubaDr]

I can hear it now...... But Dad if we take a break we might miss the bite!!!!

You go out and run around and I'll stay here and fish. You gota love the dedication.

[NoWiser]

I thought about this thread and laughed last night when I was at Cabelas and saw 3 Big Buddy heaters in their return bin at Customer Service. I, and people I know, have had nothing but trouble with them. Apparantly there must be a few good ones out there, though.