big buddy heater?? using 20#

[Ridgerunnr]

Looking to hook up my double sided buddy heater to a large tank.

What's needed to be able to run both sides when its needed???

[highlife4me]

If you hook it up using the quick coupler you don't need anything else. The 1 pounders just don't put out enough gas to run the big buddy on high, but a 20 lber has no problem.

[Jeremy airjer W]

What hoses to use and part numbers for the hoses. Everything you could want to know....

Big Buddy Hose Clarification.

[aczr2k]

Skip the garbage hose that Mr Heater sells, go to an actual propane store that sells and services propane equipment. Take you heater with and have them make you a hose, they will have the correct quick connector and fittings. You will thank me later when you can actually use your new hose in the cold. I already had the quick connect and tank fittings so a new hose set up was $24. Stays nice and flexible in the cold.

[hamms-scooter]

That would be nice. I like the quick connect but like you mentioned the hose is stiff.

[aczr2k]

That would be nice. I like the quick connect but like you mentioned the hose is stiff.

Yeah I can't believe I put up with that poor hose the last few years.

[BigDogRob]

I hooked a 20lb to my big buddy and it worked great, then it acted up like the propane tank was freezing up and the heater went out. Would not having a regulator cause this? I have a filter on the 12' hose just no regulator. That is the only thing I can think, is the gas is moving too quickly or something. It was cold, but not nearly cold enough to freeze propane!

[Mnfisher]

One lmore question.... I have a Big buddy heater with a 20lb tank connected to a filter on my heater. No regulator. Sounds like I need a quick connect hose with an attached regulator. I have had no problems with this set up (hose with no regulator and using a filter) in the past. Last week, I ran it on high with no problems for several hours. Yesterday, it would only stay running on medium but went out when I turned it to high. Why would it work for years and now suddenly not work with the same set up? I tried cleaning out the pilot with Q tip and alcohol and blowing out dust.

[highlife4me]

Did you change the filter?

[CaptainMusky]

If you have the hose with the quick connect you don't need a filter but if the hose does not have a quick connect it requires a filter.

[Mnfisher]

No, but a friend suggested I do that. I just took it off and something rattles inside when I shake it. Should there be a rattle like that? I'm guessing NOT!

[Mnfisher]

I changed the filter today. Today, the pilot wouldn't even light? I've got a call into Mr. Heater tech people. Think it might be the gas line? I cleaned the pilot tube out yesterday and it did light but just not on high. Kept going out.

[CaptainMusky]

Bleed the hose. Hook up the tank, turn on the valve and bleed the other end (that attaches to your buddy) and once you smell propane stop. Then connect your buddy and I bet it lights.

Either that you you need to clean it and there are instructions online somewhere.

[Mnfisher]

Thanks Captain but I got through to the Mr. Heater tech. He instructed me to put the 1lb tank on again and I did and it lit. He said because it lit, he didn't think the machine was oil contaminated and therefore "shot". He told me to buy a 10' hose (don't need the filter) F27304. I got a 10' Buddy Series Propane Hose Assembly F273731 (no filter needed), hooked it up and everything works.

He said to turn the tank valve to 1/4 turn, wait a bit, then slowly open, each time. There is a check valve in the hose that can blow out if you turn it on too fast. To shut off the heater, turn off the gas source first(I knew that) and then when the heat goes off, turn off the heater itself.

He said that if you use a filter, it needs to be changed every year (had mine 7 years) and change the hose occasionally too. He probably exaggerated a bit on the filter and hose hoping to sell more!!!

[PierBridge]

The filters are nothing but problems...IMO.

[PierBridge]

The filters are nothing but problems...IMO.

[Hoey]

I have had the same problems with getting a heater to work. After some D n F'ing (dorking and fiddling) I have found the problem in the hoses. I have also talked to Mr Heater techs and as indicated in other posts here, there is a check valve or some pressure valve added into the hose assembly, especially on the "oil-free" hoses - where a filter is not required.

Mr. Heater claims the problem to be user error, i.e. the shut-off/down and turn-on/start-up procedure. The stuff works the first couple times or so, then gives you fits. Purging the line is a good indicator if the hose is acting up or not. If it has pressure it is working, if it does not have pressure, the valve is acting up. And I do not know how to solve it in the house, on the ice, on a very cold day.... So now I bring extra heaters and hoses just in case. I have no solution to offer, but like the custom made hose concept.