Buddy Heater Problems

[snowgoose]

I have had my Original Buddy heater for about 5 years know. Other than it going out when it is windy I have not had a problem until this year.

I went out to Buffalo the other night and got set up and went to light the heater. I can get the pilot light going but when I turn the gas to low or high the flame flickers and goes out. The flame stays on for about 10 seconds and the screen that normally turns orange and supplies the heat does not get going.

Has anybody else had this problem? Do I need to tinker with the unit or just go buy a new unit?

Thanks for any help!

Todd

[JWB475]

You probably need a new thermocoupler, I don't think they are very expensive and you can install it yourself.

[hip_hop_fisherman]

Don't know if I'd buy a new buddy heater, know three people who bought them this year, one person twice, and they all went back to the store!

[Cheif Catchemall]

Same thing happened to me. Had to return it only once (so far). It was shot right out of the box. pilot light only. It is a thermocoupler problem. As far as fixing it yourself, i have not looked into it. If i were to go back in time i would buy the heater/cooker with the buddy heater style ceramic rather then the sunflower syle heating element. i have only seen them a few times and the price is about the same as the buddy.

[icecold]

Mine did the same thing I cleaned out the orfices with a swab and then blew some low airpressure through orfices works great know, I also bent my therm o switch tip alittle closer to flame that also helped alot.

[marine_man]

One needs to be carefull when adjusting the thermocouple on the buddy style heaters... the thermocouple by the pilot light is part of the carbon monixide sensing of the heater.. basically, as the level of oxygen gets lower in the house the pilot light burns lower, eventually too low to keep the thermocouple working, which then shuts the gas off...

I understand the desire to have a heater that works.. but I'd adjust the thermocouple last... otherwise all you've got is a overpriced sunflower heater that you can put against the fish house wall...

marine_man

[maj330]

I returned mine on Sunday with the problem described above. Unit was two days old. Worked Saturday in the garage then Sunday it wouldn't stay on at all. Same trickle out of the pilot light problem.

[harvey lee]

I had a problem with my little buddy and called the company and they said to lightly tap the ceramic burner plate in front as one of the corners might be loose. When I looked at it they were right and when I gentle pushed the corner back in place the heater worked.Mine would light and then try to start and would go out.Maybe some kind of safety involved.

[FishingwithJake]

If you are using a propane tank larger than 1 pound, you should use a filter. I was told that when you light it the first time, then try to light it the second time and you do not have a filter, the condensed gas in the hose can clog the back side of the screen to the burner. Has anyone else heard this?

[Shawnny B]

Hmm, I have 2 of them that are both about 5 years old, sometimes it wont light from the pilot and I have to click it a few times, im just being lazy on cleaning it out. I have never had a problem with it, sometimes if the wind is blowing directly on it it will go out but otherwise shes worked great. As far as a filter, do you mean a Regulator? I have never heard of a filter for propane, but then again I have not looked for it either. I have also used a 20 lb tank with out any problem, did that for about a year, then got tired of carrying the thing around.

Shawnny B

[Seeker of Clayface]

Strange... I have the same problems described above, but it seems to work OK after 2 or 3 "restarts". The heat output is something to be desired however.

[snowgoose]

Thank you everyone for the advise.

I think I will try cleaning the thermocoupler and check the ceramic plate on it tonight. It has taken a pretty good beating being carried in the fishhouse and in the truck over the past years. If that does not work I think I will just buy a different unit. I don't want to mess with having gas leaks.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Todd