Big Buddy Heater Question.

[LaZyDayZ]

I recently purchased a Big Buddy heater, my first.

Was out in the garage tonight doing some practice jigging and noticed if I barely bumped the unit the pilot would go out and it would shut down. I also noticed that when i would go to relight it (right after it went out) I would have to hold down the button to get the pilot to stay lit for about 30 seconds to a minute and often when moving the dial to med or high position the pilot would go out then too.

Do I have a lemon? I tried 2 propane tanks a 20 and a 30. Both pretty full. I have the hose that connects like a 1# cannister not the quick connect.

Suggestions, Ideas?? If this is normal i'm taking it back for sure.

[TTfromBlaine]

I've got one also, 2nd one to be exact, 1st one had same problems plus the recall when they first came out,but the I have now is pretty good I like the quality of the heat..I would consider an exchange.

[PierBridge]

Sounds Lemony....

[Jeremy airjer W]

That is deffinetly not the norm for the pilot light. These do have a tip over shut off device which can be sensitive to "bumping". I have not run into a problem with this but then again how often do you bump your heater when your fishing?

As far as the pilot turning off when you turn it to the heater settings that deffinetly is not right. After the pilot is able to stay on without holding the button it should not turn off until you turn it off or run out of propane or oxygen or it tips over.

[huntnfish]

Mine does the same thing with the pilot light going off if I turn it to any of the heat settings too soon. This only happens when I first light it so I am guessing that the thermocouple needs to get heated up first before it will stay burning in the heat positions. Kind of like when you light the other Mr Heaters and you have to hold the button on the thermocouple for a little bit. Mine doesn't go out when it is bumped. I would take yours back and exchange it for a different one.

[LaZyDayZ]

WEll I traded in the Big Buddy for another on Saturday.

Found good Ice today so I put 2, 1# tanks in it and headed to the lake with the portable. Fire it up and after about 5 minutes it goes out. For 2 hours we fished and had to re light it every 5-15 minutes. Seemed to run a little longer on low, med or high would never stay on more than 5 minutes.

Im done with the Buddy heater model. Gonna look at a double sunflower. All I can guess is Fleet Farm in Owatonna got a bad batch of heaters cause I just cant see people using them if this is common.

[huntnfish]

I had mine out yesterday and didn't have any problems on any of the heat settings. I have noticed that the big buddy doesn't seem to put out as much as the cooker so I always keep the cooker with just in case on those cold days.

[Augusta]

I purchased two new Big Buddy heaters for my two portables. Had them out this weekend for the first time, both worked excellent, didn't have a single problem with either one. There must still be some "bad" ones out there.

[PierBridge]

Two bad Big Buddys I don't think so, your not getting the hose or tank screwed in properly.

[LaZyDayZ]

@PierBridge

Quote:

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Two bad Big Buddys I don't think so, your not getting the hose or tank screwed in properly.

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Other than cross threading how could you not get the hose on properly?

The hose and bottles I assure you were on tight. I even experimented with 1 1# bottle alternating sides but still no go. You could not of gotten the bottles or hose tighter without the use of tools.

While these were my first from the buddy heater series it is not my first heater, Never had issues like this with my sunflower.

I expect Fleet Farm in Owatonna got a bad batch or some held over from the past problems. I want to be fishing not screwing with returns so I am going to get something else.

I did write an email to Mr. Heater but have yet to get a reply.

[lancer]

This is not uncommon, I myself and several friends have had problems with both the regular and the big buddy heater. Return it or call the company. My friend called the company after running into this problem over and over again and was sent a new heater. They are fully aware that some of their units are deficient.

[LaZyDayZ]

I took the second one back to Fleet Farm last night and got a refund. Drove out to Cabelas and bought another. Used it last night for 4 hours without it going out once. Even had a good breaze and some air blowing in under the portable and it did not go out.

Either Fleet Farm does have a bad batch or 3rd time is a charm.

Have yet to hear from Mr Heater, sent them an email yesterday.

[Jeremy airjer W]

AHA!!!!! We are all not crazy! They really do work!!!! Welcome to the Big Buddy Family

[PierBridge]

Glad to hear you got a good one, sorry for doubting you.

[setterguy]

I just got one tonight and am having the same problems...mine is going back tomorrow. I am a little nervous about the quality control with so many issues.

[vikingmeatwad]

yeah, I'm a bit worried about this too as I want to buy a big buddy.

Were you all using the external tanks with hose? isn't is recommended to use that filter they sell?

let me know your updates and how they are working now.

Thanks!

[Jeremy airjer W]

Viking, the link below should answer all your hose questions. I have the low pressure regulated hose and like it more than the high pressure hose by far.

Big buddy hose clarification

[pj4]

i also had problems with the big buddy. 1st one was recalled, later it blew up in my face. thought the hose was loose.tried 1 lbs same thing. called mr. heater, they paid to ship it to them and sent me a new one. i swear the pilot flame looks larger than the other two units.maybe to help with the wind issue.by placing the heater in the otter on the floor solves and flame out problems. i still like the heater better than the sunflower style,lot less noise.