Big Buddy hose clarifaction

[Jeremy airjer W]

I just hung up the phone after talking to tech support at Mr. Heater about the different hoses available for this heater.

According to Mr. Heater the hose with the quick connect fitting is the ideal hose for this unit. This is considered a low pressure hose because the propane is regulated before the hose. This means that the hose is never under pressure which can cause the oils/contaminates to squeeze out of the hose and contaminate the heater. This is why the filter is not needed if you are using this hose.

This hose is available with and without the regulator. If you are using it with a portable propane tank you will need the hose with the regulator. The hose without the regulator is intended for use with an already regulated propane supply that you would find on an R.V. hence the R.V. quick connect.

The other hose option is the one with the one pound thread fitting. This hose threads to the same fitting as the one pound cylinder would. The propane is regulated by the internal regulator of the heater. Because this hose is run directly from the tank to the heater it is considered a high pressure hose. Because of the high pressure oil/contaminates can be squeezed out of the hose. This is why it is strongly recommended to use the filter.

I was wrong in posting that the quick connect setup is better in the cold weather. It makes no difference which hose you use in the cold. I apologize for any confusion I may have cause regarding this aspect of hose function!

The quick connect hose;

- is ideal according to Mr. Heater

- has to be externally regulated (there is no internal regulator for this fitting) A regulator needs to be between the portable tank and the hose

- Because the Quick connect hose is a low pressure hose it requires no filter.

The hose that screws into the one pound fitting

- is a high pressure hose

- is internally regulated by the heater and requires no external regulator.

- the filter is recommended with this hose because the high pressure can "squeeze" contaminates out of the hose

I hope this helps clarify the two options a little better.

[DEADhead]

from what I read, both hose setups are suitable to use on the Big Buddy heater. For the little Buddy heater, only the one pound connection may be used. I wish I could use the quick connect on my little Buddy heater...

[The Crumpler]

Perfect! Crystal clear, Thanks Airjer.

FYI here are some part numbers:

F273701 5ft NON-Quick Connect Hose

F273702 12 ft NON-Quick Connect Hose

F273699 Fuel Filter

F271802 12 ft Quick Connect Hose with 3/8" Flare (for connection to an already regulated propane source)

F271803 12 ft Quick Connect Hose with inline regulator.

Hope this helps.

[Wookiee]

Thanks AirJer!

[Augusta]

Thanks Airjer,

I already have the "high" pressure hose, so I will be going out and buying a filter. Thanks for the info, you just may have saved me a headache down the road.

[NAGORSKI]

I'm sure I got a hose with my little buddy heater and I use a 20 lb tank with my heater.

[hovermn]

Airjer,

You're my hero! I've been going through many options and fittings trying to figure out how to quick connect to a filter. Thanks for making that phone call! You just saved me a big headache and a few bucks, too :-) Maybe I'll have to buy the bait when we hit the chisago area this winter!

[Jeremy airjer W]

Sounds good to me!!

[harvey lee]

I also use a hose with my little buddy and it works well.Has been for four years now.

[macminn]

I have the Big Buddy, and the guy where I bought it said if you're using an external tank, you need to get a "Y" adapter and hook up both sides, otherwise you will only get half the output. Anyone know if that's correct?

[PierBridge]

Quote:

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I have the Big Buddy, and the guy where I bought it said if you're using an external tank, you need to get a "Y" adapter and hook up both sides, otherwise you will only get half the output. Anyone know if that's correct?

---

Nope, at least on mine which is little over a year old now.

[hovermn]

You don't need a Y spliter. Hook the hose up to either side and you'll be fine. Again, no "Y" hose is needed.

[katofishingguy]

Thanks for the part #s I have the 5 ft hose and was not aware I needed the filter. I will pick one up at work tomorrow.

[PierBridge]

Quote:

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Thanks for the part #s I have the 5 ft hose and was not aware I needed the filter. I will pick one up at work tomorrow.

---

Call me crazy but I'm not using any filter.

[wolfman-k]

Thanks for the clarification Airjer! I'll have to purchase a QC 12ft. hose with the inline regulator for my BB & 20lb. tank. Also thanks to The Crumpler for the part numbers!

[Cheeser]

This issue was brought up at the Portable Modification seminar last Saturday so I thought I would give it a bump back to the top.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I know from very personal experience that if you hook up to a 20 lb-er and do not use a filter you will be bumming. I had to take my entire pilot assembly apart and seriously clean it.

Got a filter on it now. Lesson learned.

[nytelyter]

i use mine both ways. i have a 20 for when i am on the 4-wheeler and have a regular hose with no filter and use the 1.5 bottles for when i am pullin the sled on early ice and quick outings. my buddy is 4-5 y.o only problem i have ever had is reconnecting a sensor wire that fell off when it took a tumble out of the sled on a wild ride to the hole. ... paul

[Jeremy airjer W]

I totally forgot about that! Thanks for dusting it off cheeser!!

[hamms-scooter]

I am wondering about needing it on my htr/cr also is this imoprtant?

[Jeremy airjer W]

A filter? Not required on a heater cooker!

[WhiskeyPete]

Good read. Thanks.

[Northlander]

After several bad buddy heaters I decided to give them 1 more shot. I got the Big Buddy heater for $90 and then got the 12 ft. hose with regulator and quick connect. I love the quick connect option. So far so good but havent had to use it much in this warm weather we are having up here. I hope this Big Buddy lasts unlike my past ones.

[Jeremy airjer W]

You would be the hardest sell. I hope this one works for you!

[goose89]

After several bad buddy heaters I decided to give them 1 more shot. I got the Big Buddy heater for $90 and then got the 12 ft. hose with regulator and quick connect. I love the quick connect option. So far so good but havent had to use it much in this warm weather we are having up here. I hope this Big Buddy lasts unlike my past ones.

I thought the Mayan calendar ended next December!! I just checked the skies and didn't see anything, but I'm pretty sure we're coming to the end of the world! (Tongue planted firmly in cheek)

good luck Northlander...If you can be turned, I may consider it, but only after my Cooker dies....no signs yet, but it's day will come. I'm guessing we'll hear if you have any issues.

btw..I quit reading about all the add-ons, special filters and regulators, ect....can you clarify for me....does the 12' hose you bought come with the regulator and quick connect?? thanks in advance

[Northlander]

Yes it does have the regulator and quick disconect. They say no need for a filter if you use the hose with regulator. I really like the quick disconnect feature of this hose. I sure hope this Big Buddy heater works out for me. I like the quietness and o2 sensor. Its more than enough for my Thermal Otter Lodge. Just in case it turns out to be as bad as all the others were I got a extra years warranty for something like $9.