Big Buddy Heater Question - Help!!

[gonehunting]

I purchased a used Big Buddy heater today with an ice fishing package. I got everything at a good price so this isn't a money issue. The guy clearly stated it took a bit to light which all of them do. I cleaned the pilot tube and blew out the back with an air hose as the instructional video showed on utube. Everything lit up fine until I turned it on high. The first ceramic burner had a nice orange glow to it as it should but the second burner when turned on high never turned a nice orange color. There was propane burner however there was a small blue flame coming off the burner and it extended about an inch above the burner. Not exactly how it should work. What would cause the blue flame instead of a nice orange tint. I will try blowing out the pilot light with a low pressure airhose and see if that helps at all. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[CamozKool]

I believe the blue flame issue is covered in the manual under maintenance, you can view it at the Mr Heater HSOforum, it may have a spider web or dust so you might only need to blow it out, them buddies are nice... Good Luck!!

[highlife4me]

If you are using the 1 lb propane tanks you need both of them on in order for the unit to run on high. I don't think one bottle has enough oomph to keep both burners going. Try using two bottles or hook up to a twenty pounder if you haven't done so already.

[gonehunting]

I've done the cleaning and tried the two bottle approach but nothing yet. Pilot light seemed to be clean. I have not tried the hose and filter on a large tank but want to solve the problem so that I can run the 1lb tanks. I couldn't find anything about the blue flame in the maintenance or troubleshooting sections of the manual either. I do appreciate the responses thus far.

[CamozKool]

From the manual for Model MH18B, page 5:

A blue flame that rolls out at the top of the ceramic tile indicates an accumulation of dust, lint or spider webs inside the casing assembly and main burner assembly. If the pilot is yellow or the burner has a noticeable flame, cleaning may be required. Use the following procedure to inspect the casing assembly and main burner assembly.

It is necessary to periodically check the burner(s) orifice and burner venturi tube to make sure they are clear of insects/nests or spider webs that may accumulate over time. A clogged tube can lead to a fire.

I traded a guy for a big buddie with the same issue, it works great now but I did have to basically take it apart and reassemble... Good Luck... hope this works for you...

[gonehunting]

I had originally blown out only inside the compartment. After blowing out the venturi tubes which lead up to the ceramic burners it works perfect. Thanks for info.

[SkunkedAgain]

The same thing fixed mine after two years of not working. Darn spiderwebs

[CamozKool]

Yer welcome...

[quickfish6]

Had a big buddy, keyword HAD. It never lit had the thing apart plenty of times. Wouldnt work with a 20lb on it. Took it back and returned it. Got a double burner sunflower and have had it for 5 years no problem and I use it for a lot of other things as well. I cant stand those things.

[CamozKool]

QF6,

From what I understand about the "Buddy" and "Big Buddy" heaters (and its really not much), the older ones are pressure sensitive and the older hoses leach some kind of substance that can cause issues, I believe this is also true for some sunflower style heaters as well, for a while you were supposed to use either a filter or regulator on the hose, otherwise, because of the safety sensitivity of the buddy and the leaching hose they would simply shut off...I think they have improved the hoses these days so they dont leach(?)...

I was recently given a mr heater single sunflower cooker, the guy said I could have it because he couldnt get it to light, so when I got it home I cleaned it (the pilot/button) with alcohol, straightened out the wire/tube going to the pilot button, attached a new hose with no filter or regulator and attached it to a full five pound tank and it lit, I let it run for 30 minutes, shut it off to cool and after 30 more minutes lit it again, it still works... but even though I feel the buddy heater is nice, I prefer the mr heater Jr (a mini sunflower) which they no longer make, the one I have still works great and I've had it for many years so I hope they consider making them again...

[otterman91105]

I have both the little buddy and the big buddy and if there was a safe alternative to this heater and would buy it in a heart beat. They are hard to light. When they work they are great but it takes for ever to get them going.

[BlackLabGuy]

Does anyone know of a good way to purge the air from the line going from the 20lb tank to the heater? I disconnect at the tank and leave it connected to the heater and it takes a bit to get the air out and gas to the heater, thus longer light time. Otherwise the Big Buddy is way better than a loud, stinky and canvas burning sunflower....

[gonehunting]

I use the 12ft quick connect hose. I attach it to the grill tank, turn, on valve and then use a screwdriver to push the ball valve in the quick connect hose to purge the air. I only do it for a second or two to avoid propane build up in air. I also do this outside the portable in the open air. Buddy heaters take 1-3 minutes to purge all the air out before they will light. Too many people are impatient and think they should light in the first couple clicks of the red knob. That is not the case. I will gladly take the extra time to light a Big Buddy heater than listen to the whistle of a sunflower heater, burn my portable door/pants leg, and suffer a headache the whole day with a sunflower heater. I will admit I leave a sunflower heater in the truck as a backup. The big buddy heater to me is one of the best investments I have ever made for ice fishing.

[wishing for walleyes]

Does anyone know of a good way to purge the air from the line going from the 20lb tank to the heater? I disconnect at the tank and leave it connected to the heater and it takes a bit to get the air out and gas to the heater, thus longer light time. Otherwise the Big Buddy is way better than a loud, stinky and canvas burning sunflower....

I solved this problem by putting a shut off valve in the 12 foot hose 6 inches from the tank. Lights in 2 or 3 clicks every time now. I shut the valve off before turning the tank off.

[401TE]

Disconnect at the heater, turn tank on, depress nipple in quick attach end til propane comes out, reattach to heater, and voila, it will light immediately. Obviously, you need to be careful since your releasing propane, but figuring out this trick makes owning a buddy way more enjoyable.