Whining about Sunflower Heaters

[jBohmer]

What do you guys think about this:

I have the sunflower heater, the one that also works as a stove. I have had it for a couple of years and it heats great. The first year I used 1 lbers and last year I moved up to a 20 lber with a 6 ft hose so it can sit out side of me flip up. Well here is my issue, when I first turn it on it makes a whining noise. How long it lasts varies and seems to be proportional to the temp somewhat. The colder it is the longer the whining lasts. It seems that once it warms up is when it stops. I think the propane is restricted somehow. The only reason I am not quite sure that the ambient temp is not related is because when I used 1 lbers and the tank emptied and I quickly replaced it before it got cool in my flip up it would again whine for a while (a few minutes to longer) and then operate ok after some time. Saturday I was sitting outside fishing and I had it running near my feet and it would not stop whining until I moved it out of the wind. One more thing, I used it at the drive-in once with 1 lbers. The temp was around 40 or warmer and the whining still occurred. The noise does not seem to matter if I use 1 or 20 lb tanks.

Anyway I think I have mentioned most of the symptoms. Anyone got any ideas about what is going on? Does anyone else have this issue? And before anyone mentions it I am not going to get a Buddy. Nothing against them I just like the simplistic sunflower heaters.

[Hardyboy]

I have the same thing with mine i just attribute it to being cold theres nothing wrong with it

[jBohmer]

It does drive me nuts though. At least it seems to stop eventually. Thanks for the input

[Ed Carlson]

Blow out the air/fuel mix tube and the head on the burner. Take a wire brush to the surface of the wire mesh, and then blow it out.

Also check to see if the mixing tube is loose or the nut on the bottom in loose.

The air/gas flow through the mixing chamber acts like a horn once it reaches the bell housing.

Occasionally something inside the mix chamber will make it howl too. Spider webs or a spider nest inside the tube can even cause it.

On the Mr.Heater web site there are tips on how to deal with troubleshooting issues on all heater models.

[Hd Wtr Hillbilly]

Mine does the same thing

[Farley]

Mine does it too. So does my buddys

[DTro]

It's related to pressure. Mine does it worse with a 1lb than the 20lb. It always does it at startup with either one.

I was showed a trick this past weekend with the 1 lbers. If it is howling, pick it up and rock it back and forth, the whining stops.

[fishinfey8]

It's related to pressure. Mine does it worse with a 1lb than the 20lb. It always does it at startup with either one.

I was showed a trick this past weekend with the 1 lbers. If it is howling, pick it up and rock it back and forth, the whining stops.

LOL...oh great, we better not let the significant other know that we do this!!! I can hear it already, "You will rock your stupid heater to get it to work right, but why don't you want to rock a cut little baby??!!

[creepworm]

I had a sunflower that did not do this. I bought one of those new cooker/heater style and it does it. I always figured it was just something I had to put up with.

[tsande00]

My sunflower never does this either but it's not the heater/cooker style. It's the kind that mounts directly to the tank.

I was fishing with Jbohmer this weekend and it seemed like at one point the thing howled for 5 or 10 minutes straight...we also had trouble getting it to stay lit at times. Obviously wind plays a part but it wasn't excessively windy. These things shouldn't need to be babied like that.

I realize they need to warm up before the thermocouple acts right and the noise goes away but the problem with Jbohmer's was much more excessive than any one I've used in the past.

I think Ed Carlson may be on to something.

[DTro]

I've found that when using a large tank and hose it seems to act differently in the sequence I start up and shut down in realtion to how fast the valve is turned on or bled or if the hose was disconnected.

This is why I think it's pressure related.

[fishersofmen]

Mine does it only when cold at startup for a moment.

[flyboy10]

I would like to know why my sunflower heater has a 3 foot flame come out of it at times? I am guessing its that thermalcouple thingy. Thank god for fire resistant fabric.

[fishersofmen]

Lol... Run like he!l.

[tsande00]

Mine does it only when cold at startup for a moment.

This has been my experience too from using several of them over the years. JBohmers definitely goes way beyond the immediate startup though.

[hoggs222]

My heater/cooker also doubles as a flamethrower from time to time. What do you think that could be from? I'm pretty sure I don't wanna get torched inside my fish house. It's almost happened 3 times now.

[paceman]

Mine is mounted directly to the tank. It will make the whining sound for about a minute at start up and then it stops and is fine the rest of the time.

[Grainbelt]

Maybe the pressure regulator is causing the flames.

[tip_upclyma]

That is the sound of "The Orchesta of Catching Fish" warming up!

[magnum mike]

The flame thrower effect is usually when liquid gets to the heater instead of vapor. The most common cause is tipping the tank on its' side and pure liquid gets to the heater.

[eyeguy 54]

I would like to know why my sunflower heater has a 3 foot flame come out of it at times? I am guessing its that thermalcouple thingy. Thank god for fire resistant fabric.

chuck it! yikes

buy a buddy :>)

[JimBuck]

Does anyone use the green hose with their heater/cooker? I have a buddy I bought the green hose for and would rather use the green one I have instead of buying another. Hopefully I'm not hijacking with this question but with all the other threads about heaters I'd rather not add another. Thanks!

[theicehooker]

My buddy has one that does that too. "I see your heater is playing in the band again!" Annoying

[DTro]

Does anyone use the green hose with their heater/cooker? I have a buddy I bought the green hose for and would rather use the green one I have instead of buying another. Hopefully I'm not hijacking with this question but with all the other threads about heaters I'd rather not add another. Thanks!

The green hose will work, but a major PITA. It will get rock hard when it's cold and coil up and force the heater to move around etc etc.

I tossed mine in the trash.

[Esox_Magnum]

My heater/cooker does not make this noise but my partners tank mount sunflower does only difference is he has the 3 position valve mine doesn't, maybe it's in the valve???