big buddy heaters

[pj4]

has any one recieved news on the recall of the big buddy heaters? I sent in for the new valve and have not heard a word or recieved a part yet. The last time i tried using the heater, it put out less and less heat as it became colder.

[andy j]

I would give them a call. I would think you wouldn't have a problem returning it to a dealer also. I heard that is a safety issue with the Big Buddys so you maybe shouldn't be using them.

[pj4]

if i knew it would take this long to fix i would of tried returning it. the heater was a gift, so i dont have a reciept. mr heater recommend not using the heater. I just want to know if anybody else has recieved there new valve.

[poutpro]

I too have not received my valve. I am overall not too impressed with the heater. I dont like that you cant use the disposable propane tanks if it is below 0 degress. The issue with them is that in a small percentage of the heaters, propane leaks out from the control knob.

[FisherDan]

I just got a letter from Mr Heater today with a UPS shipping label to send it in and they are sending a new one out. They said it would take 3 weeks to get the new one.

Dan

[Papa Grump]

Same here, it may have taken a while but at least they are replacing them. I didn't have any problems with mine but couldn't take the chance.

[pj4]

ill be watching my mail close for the ups notice.

[Tom I Am]

I received my New Buddy Heater Saturday. I'm impressed it arrived so soon. From the time I shipped my original back it took only 8 days to get the replacement.

I fired it up in the warm garage on a 20lb cylinder with the 12 foot non regulated hose extension. It took about 5 minutes to purge the hose and worked great.

The real test was out on the ice in the portable which I did yesterday. Temp was 15 and very light wind. I could not get the thing lit at all with the lp cylinder outside. The cylinder was completely full. The fixed regulators in the heater do not seem to like cold weather. I pulled out the good old sunflower and heated the house up. I then reconnected the Big Buddy with tank and hose in the house and it fired right up and worked great thereafter.

Does anyone know if using the Buddy regulated hose with QD fitting corrects this problem. It's as though the problem is the fixed regulators in the Buddy. I like this heater for several reasons and don't want to give up on it. ANy advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Gus]

Barsky, I have the QD hose for my big buddy and have had extremely good luck with it. I have not sent my Buddy in for the recall yet because it's been working great and the season is almost over. When I use two disposables I can get through about 2/3 of each tank and then she quits on me so I figure I have the same crummy valves as everyone else but when I use my quick connect with external regulator I have no problems. I have not used it when it's been -20 out, but I have used it to 0. I could not find a place that sold the MR. Heater hose so I put one together myself by buying the components. Seems to work well. I really like the acme nut on the tank end that I put on. Good luck. I hope you get your problems sorted out because this heater can be great when it's working correct.

[FisherDan]

Gus, I did the same but did a soap test and the QD fitting was leaking it was not the same fitting/match to the male fitting part on the heater. Did you test yours for leaks? where did you get your QD fitting? I couldn't find a QD fitting that had a cheack valve in the male part like what is on the heater. Thanks for any info.

Dan

[Tom I Am]

Sounds like I will pay the 50.00 for their hose and regulator. I'm sure I could get by for less at the local hardware store. I like the heater and want it to work. I'm sure they will get further complaints though.

Thanks for the input fellas.

[Gus]

FisherDan,

The component I got was a Mr. Heater brand, it was just on a different hose setup. I bought a couple different setups and pieced together the parts to make my hose. I tested all the connections EXCEPT that one! I'll do that before I use it again. Thanks for the heads up.

[Tom I Am]

Gus,

Where did you get the correct regulator for your tank? It recommends a 11" WC gas regulator. If you look at the type for gas grills they are rated type "A", "B" etc. Perhaps there's a conversion chart some where. Maybe I'll do a search on that. As for the QD, you can remove the male fitting from the heater and I'm sure it's 1/4 or 1/2 pipe thread. Should be easy to find something for that. Let me know what you did for the reg. if you get a chance.

Thanks,

[FisherDan]

Barsky, I looked for the QD with the male fitting. I could only find the open flow male fittings. You HAVE to have a male fitting with a check valve in it to close the gas flow from leaking when you use the one pound tanks. If you know where to get the whole QD fitting (male/female parts)with the check valve I sure would like to know. Thanks

Dan

[tomfromblaine]

Fisher Dan I got mine at a propane supply place in ham lake on hiway 65 on the west side about a block or 2, realclose to that Jam hops place(kid's gymnastics)same road even, sorry I can't find the guy's business card, just bring in the heater and show the owner, the only thing I'd have done differnt is to get a more flexable supply line, man that sucker gets tough to use when it's cold.

[FisherDan]

Tom, That is were I got my setup from. You gave me the info on were to get it. They told me to do the soap check on the QD that it my leak and it did. Did you check your setup? It was a small leak but I thought small leak small area big problem. Last I heard you can't use explosives while fishing

Dan

[Gus]

You can open up the regulator to change the pressure setting on the one I got. I went to my local Ace Hardware and purchased all the parts.

[Tom I Am]

I see Camping World carries the 11" WC regulator with the Mr. Heater brand name. Less than 10.00