Big Buddy lighting issues

[DRH1175]

When I change bottles or attach the 20lber it takes forever and a day to get the propane flowing to light the pilot. Anyone else have this issue. I just bought a buddy and do not have the same issue. Anyone else know what the deal is? I quit using my Big buddy and went back to the Sunflower because of this.

[Jim Almquist]

I have to assume you are using a hose with the 20 pound tank. A little trick that I have found is to use a lighter with a good flame and heat up the thermocouple while you have the Big Buddy on 3. It will get the gas to flow through faster.

Another way is to turn on the gas and have the only the hose connected. If you press down on the center pin on the end that connects to the Big Buddy you can release the air until the gas comes out.

Hope at least one of these tricks will work for you.

[DRH1175]

Thank you. It does it with either the Tank or 1lbers connected. The Lighter may be the trick. Once Heater has been running seems to work fine. Just at the pilot it takes forever to get the gas flowing. Thanks. Apparently this is a big buddy deal and just not My big buddy

[Gus]

yeah, I've run a BB since they came out. Had 1 of the early on recalled ones and had it replaced. I wish they would just put a ignitor button on like the regular buddy. I think the constant off/on trying to light just doesn't work good to get gas flowing. I've taken to using my torch or a lighter to light it. Seems to work 10x better.

[fishing tech]

Hold the knob down, Turn the knob like you are trying to start it and then hold the knob down. This bypasses the thermocouple and allows the gas to flow up for the pilot. Retry lighting it after about 5 seconds. If it doesn't light repeat.

[Buck_Hunter04]

I will disconnect the gas line from the Big Buddy instead of the tank. This way the gas stays in the line and the pilot light starts faster. Just be careful of all your fittings. That cold brass is easy to break.

[highlife4me]

One thing I have found with my Big Buddy is that if I connect the hose from the tank to the quick coupler and then turn the gas on, the pilot light will light but the flame will be small and the heater will not light no matter how long I leave the pilot on. But if I connect the hose to the tank turn the gas on and then connect the quick coupler the heater lights and works fine every time. Weird.

[TruthWalleyes]

I returned my big buddy last year for a sunflower. Sunflower has yet to fail me and bib buddy left me with no heat twice within 2 weeks of purchasing...

[Hookey]

agreed, hold the valve down for at least 20 seconds and re spark it. continue to hold it down until Thermal warms up.

Another tip buy a case or keep the heater sealed in a bag over the summer as all it takes is a small spider web or dust to plug up the orifice.

[lispeej]

There are numerous videos online that show you how to clean it. Makes a huge difference. When I first bought my big buddy, I used mainly 1 lb. bottles. Now all I use is the 20 lb. tank. I used to have the sunflower too, but that one gave me headaches. Good luck.

[wishing for walleyes]

I put a shut off valve in my hose up by the tank.I just shut it before turning off the tank.It keeps the line full of gas.Lights right away everytime.

[DRH1175]

I tried it with the lighter. Works much better!

[SkunkedAgain]

When I change bottles or attach the 20lber it takes forever and a day to get the propane flowing to light the pilot. Anyone else have this issue.

It does take a while, but once it's there it's pretty easy to light. I follow the instructions and it works well. I also leave my 10lb tank connected unless it runs out. That way I don't have to do the long prime, so my only advice is to limit the number of times that you change fuel sources