Big Buddy Heater

[macminn]

Picked up a Big Buddy Heaterr but they didn't have the components to hook up to a 20 gal propane tank. Where can I get them, and what do I need? I think I need a "Y" adapter, is that right?

[Random guy]

I bought the adapter for mine at Mills Fleet. They had all the stuff to adapt it over to a bigger tank.

[The Crumpler]

All you need is the "Propane Hose Assembly" with the correct fittings and the "fuel filter". If you don't have a Fleet Farm nearby check the Mr. Heater HSOforum for a retailer near you.

[jigginjim]

A fuel filter for propane? I have used propane heater for over 30yrs and have not heard of that before. What does it look like? Or you refering to a regulator?

[GatorBait]

http://www.mrheater.com/productdetails_extended.asp?catid=41&id=116

On the bottom of this page you will find the 3 accessories that will adapt to your heater. I agree, never heard of the fuel filter, but it's available. A cleaner and regulated burn I guess

[The Crumpler]

It is referred to as a "fuel filter" and allows you to connect a large LP tank to the Big Buddy heater and bypass the 1 lb cylinders. They recommend that the hose not connect directly to your tank.

[GatorBait]

That explains it. Takes the common knowledge out of a fuel filter, but that solves his problem. Thanks for the info.

[PierBridge]

Actually there is fuel filter you are supposed to use with the Big Buddy, although it's not necessary the hose will attach to your Buddy Heaters with out it.

C&P.

Mr. Heater strongly recommends using disposable fuel

filter F273699, which connects to tank swivel on heater

to trap any oil substances when connected to a remote

cylinder that can make the heater inoperable.

• Screw hose connector into tank swivel or fuel filter on

heater or connect to quick disconnect and screw

connector on other end of hose into LP-gas supply

cylinder valve. Tighten all hose connections.

[Random guy]

WOW a fuel filter for propane, that is new to me.

I used to have trouble with the older sunflowers heaters gunking up oil residue, that would have solved the problem, neat.

[vikzilla]

You wont need the filter if you just remember to shut off at the bottle first. Its the remaining propane trapped in the hose that leads to break down and residue build up that may clog the heater.

You also only need to feed it from one end not both. Nothing is needed on the other end, not even an empty one pounder.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I personally have not used the filter and have had no problems so far. However I would recommend following the manufactures advice and make your own decision.

I do, as does vikzilla, turn off my tank and let the heater burn off the pressure in the hose.

If you using the hose with the one pound fitting on the end you can hook it up to either side of the unit. there doesn't have to be anything hooked up to the other side either.

If you’re using the hose with the R.V. quick connect fitting, it will only fit on the RV fitting of the Big Buddy. I have heard that this is the way to go. I will probably by this hose before I use it this winter. Apparently the RV regulator opens up at a much lower pressure which would allow the heater to continue operating even if the tank is exposed to the really cold days. I have not run into any problems with it not working but the convenience factor of the quick connect fitting for easy on off is appealing!

The hose with the one pound fitting is pretty much available just about anywhere. The only place I have seen the hose with the RV fitting is Sportmans Warehouse in Woodbury.

Hey vikzilla, did you now that the spell check corrected spelling for your log in name is vacillate? Its the only vocab word I remember from high school!!

[pb700]

[Note from admin: Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank you.]

[cold one sd]

Probably a good way to blow yourself up. They have more of a tendancy to leak and other problems when they are refilled. Just my .02.

[gvg_uwec]

It is also ILLEGAL to transport refilled 1lb bottles (aka driving to the lake) I'll stick to my 11lb bottle. not too heavy yet so much more conveinent than changing one pounders or risking leakage by refilling them.

[GatorBait]

?? here. How does one tell it's been refilled?? I'd never do it as I just buy them and I don't trust things that may blow up in my face. Just wondering, cause I've never heard of such a thing.

[IceWrangler]

Been Thinking about getting one of htese. I however bought the Buddy, when they first came out. I was very disapointed with it. It only worked the first year I had it.

But to get it to work I had to take tin foil and create a wind break if you will so that a draft would not blow out the Pilot.

Second year it just would never fire up. I tried both with a hose and with the 1# bottles no luck. I was in talking to one of the sales people in Gander and told him this. I told him I was looking at the Big Buddy to heat my Otter Lodge. That I wanted to lighten my load as i travel in some very remote areas and that a couple of 1# bottles would be better than packing my 20#er.

He said he had a Otter Lodge as well and that the Big Buddy didn't heat it as well as a Sunflower. I thought that was odd cause the Big Buddy is 18,000 BTU where the Sunflower is 12 or 14,000Btu (can't remember ).

So any input both good and bad. just the honest facts would be appreciated.

[tonyjor]

With your regular buddy heater take a pipe cleaner and clean the pilot tube. I had the same problem and this got it working again. Now I have a pipe cleaner taped to the side of the heater

[Shawnny B]

I too baught one when they were new, Paid I think 100 for it, I just baught the big buddy for less, Check fleet farm and Menards. I have had the blow out problem but nothing that I coudlnt fix, I have had the heater out on Upper Red several times. I have now also decided to Elevate the heater so that its not directly on the ground where all the wind comes threw on. Most heaters are elevated 1-2 feet up, not much that a milk crate wont fix

ShawnnyB

[macminn]

I want to use my Big Buddy with a 11 lb tank. Someone at the place I bought my Big Buddy told me I have to hook up both sides of the heater, in other words I have to get a "Y" and a couple hoses. Otherwise it will only give me 9,000 BTU's (1/2 the heat). Is this correct? I snooped around the Mr. Heater site and coudn't find an answer.

[hovermn]

You can hook it up to either side and it will work fine. The salesman at Northern tool told me the same thing you heard, but it's not true. Either side will work. I just bought mine and plan on buying a quick connect hose. No fumbling with screwing the hose in on those cold days

[Deitz Dittrich]

I used mine last winter and at the end would have it shut off on me... I didn't use a filter.. oopsy.. .I hope to try and clean it this next weekend and get a filter and hope it works better for me.. has anybody had this happen?

[Jeremy airjer W]

Quote:

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I want to use my Big Buddy with a 11 lb tank. Someone at the place I bought my Big Buddy told me I have to hook up both sides of the heater, in other words I have to get a "Y" and a couple hoses. Otherwise it will only give me 9,000 BTU's (1/2 the heat). Is this correct? I snooped around the Mr. Heater site and coudn't find an answer.

---

That is incorrect!!!!! one hose, no "Y", one side or the other. Where do these guys come up with this stuff??

Quote:

---

I used mine last winter and at the end would have it shut off on me... I didn't use a filter.. oopsy.. .I hope to try and clean it this next weekend and get a filter and hope it works better for me.. has anybody had this happen?

---

Only when I was out of propane!

[Deitz Dittrich]

air- its not a propane issue...plenty of propane... I think it got clogged or something? I give up.. hope to get it fixed.. ortherwise I'll get another and then have this one as a back up if I can get it fixed.

[IceWrangler]

Alright, I am leaning on NOT getting one of these after what you guys have said.

[hovermn]

So since we're on the filter topic, I have a question. When using the hose specifically for the Big Buddy with the quick connect on one end, a regulator and tank connect on the other, there's NO WAY to hook up a filter. If Mr. Heater recommends the use of their filter, why wouldn't they have made it possible to use one with their quick connect setup. The last thing I want to do is ruin this $100 heater, but I'd like to keep the user-friendlyness of the quick connect. I could some how get the filter in the line, but it would require buying a few adapters at upwards of $10 a piece, however, it would be in the line, not on the heater. Much more prone to damage and failure.

Dunno. Does anyone know anything about this? How necessary is the filter, really?