Big Buddy Heater

[pathogen]

I assume the hookup of the big buddy is the same as the regular buddy? My fuel filter connects to the heater, the hose to the filter, and the other end of the hose to the propane tank. No regulator should be used because the buddy has a built in regulator. And I do have the quick connect hose. Or are they fundamentally different? Anyway what I described is the way mine hooks up and it works like a champ.

[hovermn]

The setup I bought says at the top of the package, "Big/Tough Buddy 12' Hose With Regulator with quick connect and reg. with acme nut." At the bottom, it shows the big buddy hooked up to a 20 lb tank with the setup. The quick connect looks like those used with air tools. Just slide the coupler down, push it on the nipple in the heater and release the coupler.

Just read the manual, it states that any hose connection to a quick connect must be regulated to 11" W.C. pressure.

[TTfromBlaine]

I've had my big buddie hooked up every way it can be, wasnt overly impressed with the Q.D set up, probably ok for camping or where your not moving around much but heres why, every time I would unhook the hose QD or other wise you have to wait what seems like forever for the gas to get back thru after you hook it back up, so what I do now is just leave it hooked up. when I shut it down using the tank valve I waitfor the pilot to start to flicker or get smaller then I shut it off with the heater valve trapping alittle in there then it usaully restarts in 2-3 clicks after re=opening the tank valve. dont know if its right but has been workin real good for me

[Jeremy airjer W]

Hover, did you get the hose with this part number?

F271803 - 12 ft. PROPANE HOSE ASSEMBLY w/quick disconnect fittings and 11” W.C. regulator w/Acme nut.

[hovermn]

Yup, that's the part number.

[hovermn]

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I've had my big buddie hooked up every way it can be, wasnt overly impressed with the Q.D set up, probably ok for camping or where your not moving around much but heres why, every time I would unhook the hose QD or other wise you have to wait what seems like forever for the gas to get back thru after you hook it back up, so what I do now is just leave it hooked up. when I shut it down using the tank valve I waitfor the pilot to start to flicker or get smaller then I shut it off with the heater valve trapping alittle in there then it usaully restarts in 2-3 clicks after re=opening the tank valve. dont know if its right but has been workin real good for me

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Good point. Maybe I'm over thinking this a bit. If I left the hose connected, I could buy the filter, leave everything together, and shut the unit off anyway I wanted, right? Besides that, I'm sure there's a bit of a cost savings going with a straight hose without the added QC and reg.

As long as we're on the topic of leaving everything conected, here'a another question. I've noticed that when people mod their portables, they make a space for a propane tank. Are you guys placing the tank outside of the portable once set up, or leaving it in the sled? If outside, what's the difference between using the 1 lbers attached to the heater, inside the portable, and using the 5-11 lb tank in the portable?

[minneman]

I leave mine in the sled. I dont think you'll be satisfied with the performance of the pounders.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Hover- I have an 11lb tank and its in the house with me at all times.. not sure how smart that is.. but I move so much that taking it outside the house seems silly.

[hovermn]

Minn,

I doubt very much that I'll use 1 lbers with the Big Buddy, that's too much hassel, especially on those cold nights. Plus, I'm not a huge fan of the waste generated by those tanks. I wish there was some sort of recycling program setup for them, much like fishing line.

Deitz,

I'm not sure it's that unwise to leave it in the portable. The only thing I can think of is that escaping propane, should it happen, would get trapped in the sled if setup for a while and could cause a problem, especially if a match or lighter was lite. However, when hole hopping all day, there's little chance for collection. Even if you're setup all day, I'd think that enough air circulates through the portable anyway.

Besides, if it's so dangerous, why do they make sunflowers that sit on top of tanks? Those are run indoors... No, I wouldn't jump off the cliff, too

[Jeremy airjer W]

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Besides, if it's so dangerous, why do they make sunflowers that sit on top of tanks? Those are run indoors... No, I wouldn't jump off the cliff, too

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The sunflower Heaters have the FOR OUTDOOR USE ONLY Disclamer!

I guess I don't understand the question about the quick connect and the regulator?

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

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Besides, if it's so dangerous, why do they make sunflowers that sit on top of tanks? Those are run indoors... No, I wouldn't jump off the cliff, too

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Gee, maybe I shouldn't have used my sunflower for the past 12 years in the portable...

The sunflower Heaters have the FOR OUTDOOR USE ONLY Disclamer!

I guess I don't understand the question about the quick connect and the regulator?

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[Wookiee]

So put the filter on the buddy and then attach the hose to the filter and connect it to the tank. So don't use the hose with the regulator?

[Gus]

A point of clarification about the quick connect. The quick connect for the big buddy is very simialr to an air chuck in how it works. I have a feeling not everybody is on the same page about exactly what this quick connect is. When using the quick connect you need to use an external regulator. When using the quick connect the internal regulator is bypassed. It is also not possible to use the fuel filter with the quick connect because the fuel filter screws on inline between the regular type screw in hose and the disposable tank fitting. By "regular type" I am referring to the hose that will work with a Mr. Heater/cooker, little buddy, in addition to the big buddy. When I talked to Mr. Heater last season they told me that more or less the quick connect was for use in an RV or camper situation where there would already be a regulated propane supply available. They urged me to use the "regular" type of hose connection with the fuel filter. However I have had good luck using the Quick connect with external regulator anyway. You can lead a horse to water...

[Shawnny B]

You know, I was looking at my big buddy the other night, I managed to look inside and find the quick connect, its just to the inside of where a 1 pound tank would fit. So if I am reading this correctly your telling me that if I hook up a 11-20 or whatever size tank to the quick connect that somehow its bypassing the built in regulator? but if I go not even an inch to the outside of the unit and plug my tank and hose into that, that the internal regulator will do the job?

Is it me or is this just gettign cornfusing?.....

And about this "filter" My reagular buddy heater has worked for 5 + years with no problem, Ive had that hooked up to a 20 and used 1 lbers, and I never used a "filter" or Regulator, and never had a problem. Is there anybody out there from MR. HEATER that can Chime in on this? Does the filter really filter anything out?

So If im going to use my 20 lber I need the regulator, the filter and the hose? .....seams like the I could carry just about the same amount of things if i go with the 1 lbers.....

Shawnny B

[hovermn]

Gus,

I'm on the same page as you. The problem that I have is that they urge you to use a filter, but make it darn near impossible with the quick connect, which to me seems like a much better option.

Right now, I don't know which way I'm going to go.

[minneman]

Is there a possibility that a regulator on the quick connect hose is considered a "filter" by Mr. Heater Co.?

If any of you remember hooking up a blue flame type heater or possibly the orbis types have found in the hook up instructions that there should be a T in the fuel line with a short pc of pipe (held verticle) capped off to let all the solids fall into before entering the heater, "a filter in a sence". catching all the oils etc...? Thus a regulator fitting the bill for this "filter" application???

Just a guess...

[Jeremy airjer W]

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So if I am reading this correctly your telling me that if I hook up a 11-20 or whatever size tank to the quick connect that somehow its bypassing the built in regulator? but if I go not even an inch to the outside of the unit and plug my tank and hose into that, that the internal regulator will do the job?

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You are correct. The "fittings" that the one pounders screws into go directly to an internal pressure regulator. The quick connect fitting is not internally regulated as its intended design was to run off an already regulated R.V. propane supply

[UdeLakeTom]

I am having the same problem as you....My brother and I have '70 model 20ft trvl trls that we use for deer shacks. Both have had the furnaces go out. We were thing of pulling the original units and replace them with MR. Buddy Heaters. Now I'm not sure this is a good idea. Anybody help?

[trapperdirk]

Ok now I'm getting confused too . I don't quite get all this quick connect etc . terminology but can someone tell me can I just buy a line with a regulator on it and attach one end where the bottle goes on my lil buddy and will it work or do I have to absolutely get this filter .

TD

[westrush]

Well I just bought one at fleet farm 99.99 but they don't carry the hose with the quick connect had to get at gander

The guy at Gander said bring in the add from fleet farm and they well sell it for the same price I use this week at LOTW and it was the best very warm This is the wat too go

[Only Eyes]

I bought one today and it would light fine but go out within a minnute. Tried everything hooked it up on both sides shook propane tank tried 1lb same thing. Sound like you guys arn't having this problem. Should I bring it back or what? I'm leaving on a trip up north tomorrow. Do I need to bring my Mr Heater or did I just get a bad one..

[PierBridge]

I would take back and purchase one somewhere else.

[SXViper]

OK HERE GOES

Hovermn,

If you get the quick connect hose you DO NOT need the filter. The quick connect hose has a regulator on the tank end of the hose. The quick connect is a low-pressure hose. WIth a non-regulated hose you need to use the filter, because it is considered a high-pressure hose. The high presssure may push oil or debris out of the inner wall of the hose and clog the heater. I have the quick-connect hose, when I am moving I shut the heater off and leave the tank on if I disconnect the hose it stays full of propane. When I re-connect the hose it re-lights rather quickly. I love my big-buddy no burnt canvas, lines or jackets, and no headaches.

Brian

[jiffypop]

I've only used my Big Buddy twice, but I like it. I had a 5ft hose for my sunflower, I bought the filter to avoid any future complications, and away we go. I'm happy with the purchase. Two of my friends have had the Big Buddy for two years now, neither have ever used the filter and both work fine.

[pj4]

wow, why doesn't mr. heater clarify the info on hose,quick connectors,filters and regulators? it is my understanding,the filter prevents oil from the hose inner walls from entering the heater. leaving the tank on and shutting the heater off with the hose still attatched,the pressure in the hose releases small amounts of oil from the inner wall.to avoid this, turn off tank first, run heater till it goes out. leave hose hooked up and restart will be faster. a person can put a 1 lbs on one side and hose other side for faster start up with a hose that has bleed out the propane from disconnecting.the filter is cheap insurance for preventing problems.