broken buddy

[Bothun]

Beginning of the season last year i couldnt get my big buddy to ignite due to moisture in my tank line. forgot about it and bought a cooker to get me through. after purchasing a JM x2 thermal i want to get back to my big buddy so i dont have to haul around the 20lb tank.

Anywhere I can buy the parts to get it fixed or where to ship it to?

[nubote]

Are you sure it's broken? The hose takes quite a while to get propane to the pilot. Maybe try a 1 pounder on it and see if it lights.

[toughguy]

My first light of the season is usually tough. I get one of those long nose lighters for gills and candles stick it in right next to the pilot and turn on the gas. After that it's good for the season.

[247outdoors]

+1 Toughguy, works for me too.

[Bothun]

used it my first time out and it quit after hooking switching from a one pounder to the 20lb tank. moisture in the line.

[pike79]

I recently watched a video on you tube on cleaning out a big buddy and did that on my buddy it was easy. I would give that a try before spending any money.

[toughguy]

Are you running a filter on the 20 lb line? Try running without it. I've always had issues with the filters. I've had issues running 1 lb tanks too. I haul around my 20 lber.

[finnedfakes]

My buddy has a 5ft. hose. I clean my line by holding the vlve open at one end and stick an air hose at the other. Basically blow all the fluid out of the propane hose. Ive also had to completely strip down the buddy heater a time or two but most of the time, blowing the hose out fixes everything for me

[otterman91105]

I use the 12 ft hose and found that my big buddy runs better without the filter on it. Seems like they are always hard to get started the first time that you use them every year.

[MNCPRGUY]

after purchasing a JM x2 thermal i want to get back to my big buddy so i dont have to haul around the 20lb tank.

I know this is slightly off-topic, but I have never had a need to run anything more than a little buddy in my JM x2. If you're looking to save a little weight or space, it might be worth consideration.

[cavalierowner]

Like others have said, mine takes a LONG time to start the first time of the season. In addition, when I put mine away for the season, the whole heater gets wrapped in a trash bag and sealed up and I rubber band a baggie on each end of the hose. I also go through the cleaning process that pike79 mentioned each year. I have the written instructions I received from the factory if anyone would like me to post them.

[woodsmanmn]

Yes, please post. Mine needs to be cleaned properly.

[cavalierowner]

Here's the instructions they gave me when the pilot was going out occaisionally; no trouble at all since I started doing this regularly:

With rubbing alcohol (drug store stuff), Q-tips and a one pound can of compressed air with the long nozzle extension in hand, remove the front grid.

Take a Q-tip and tug on the cotton to make sure it will not pull off the stick. Then dip this Q-tip in alcohol.

Insert this Q-tip all the way down to the bottom of the pilot tube ....

about 2". You will be resting against the crystal face with the tiny hole that the gas goes through for the pilot flame.

(if it is too tight going in, there is too much cotton on the Q-tip, so remove some cotton, re-dip in alcohol and proceed.)

Let the Q-tip rest on the face for about 1 minute. Rotate the Q-tip to clean the crystal face. As you continue to rotate the Q-tip, pull it out to clean the tube. Insects, especially spiders, are attracted to the smell of propane and will result in a poor pilot flame from properly heating the thermocouple.

Repeat this process with a second, identically prepared Q-tip.

For best results, use a one pound can off compressed air with the long nozzle extension. Place the nozzle extension into the pilot tube. When the extension is near the bottom of the pilot orifice, pull the trigger

3-4 to blow air out through the two small holes that draw air into the pilot tube. This will blow away anything that may be interfering with the air/fuel mixture.

Bruce, replace your safety grid give your heater a try at this point and give your heater a try.

[paxz71usa]

Bruce,

If your who I thinkl you are, think back to 1970. We served together at LZ Weigh-Davis

[cavalierowner]

Bruce,

If your who I thinkl you are, think back to 1970. We served together at LZ Weigh-Davis

Yep, I was there in 1970! I was a radar operator for the Q4. I will send you a PM.