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Big Buddy One Pounder Freeze up Question????

ZOOM

By ZOOM
in Ice Fishing

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ZOOM Enthusiast

ZOOM

Posted
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I bought a Big buddy heater last year and when I used it in my portable it heated just fine for the first half hour or so but then the two one pound tanks seemed to start freezeing up. Soon after the heater would go out. This happened sevral different trips to the lake before I gave up on the heater. I like the fact of useing the one pounders to save on weight.I also like the heater. It is the perfect size and when it works it really puts out the heat. I drag my stuff out on the ice and the lighter the better. Anyone else have this problem and were you able to solve it other than going to the 20 pounder????

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hanson Grand Master

hanson

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I posted about this in "Refilling 1 lb Cylinders" topic which is probably a page back now.

1 lb tanks are not that effective when used with a Buddy Heater or Big Buddy Heater. They'll work great for the first half tank or so, but after that, the 1 lb tank doesn't have the ability to provide the pressure required to run the heater efficiently.

We have the exact same problem in our permanent shack, just on a larger scale. My Empire furnace will work great for awhile on a 20lb tank, but then there isn't enough pressure in the line to keep the furnace going. The problem is solved by going to a 30lb or larger tank but its basically the same issue.

Cold air temps are what causes this problem. I believe "Airjer" knows the specifics with air temps and tank surface area required to vaporize the propane liquid, but the colder it gets, the harder it is for you to run a heater from a small tank.

If you want that heater to work well for you, get a 20lb tank and accessory hose and you'll be good to go.

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DzNuts Contributor

DzNuts

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Zoom, I've had the same problem with my big buddy. I always tried carrying around any extra or two. One time I got stuck sticking a 1 lbs'er down my overalls.

But the main problem I have is with the big buddy I have is that the termocouple doesn't work worth a carp. When I try and fire it up, sometime it just wont work, and other times it will go out then when I fire it up again right away, it wont take.

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Squirtis Contributor

Squirtis

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Zoom, is there any way you can keep the heater inside your home before taking out on the ice, if this is a short trip? If you are using this for a long trip on the lake, then you should look into a larger cylinder that has a larger surface area for the LP. The surface area is what counts. When the temp of the LP is low, the vapor pressure is low and it will take longer to boil the necessary amount of propane (liquid to gas) to maintain the proper amount of flow rate to keep the flame lit. If need be, turn the heater down for a time and let the internal pressure build a bit. Hope this helps.

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Wallyeyes Enthusiast

Wallyeyes

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I have the big buddy and have never had a problem with 1# tanks. I'll go out no matter the temp so I know I've been out in the really cold stuff. I do however fish mostly out of my frabil single-man flip-over so maybe the heat generated in that small of a space is enough to keep me from having any issues with it. I love that heater. Fish in a t-shirt and shorts if you want to!

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FrontenacPike Proficient

FrontenacPike

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Hey Zoom I also had that same problem that you had. I also pull everything on to the ice and anywhere I can cut weight I do. I first started off with the one pounders, the first problem I experienced was the freeze up. The next was a a near death experience. I had a fire ball come off the heater, I ended up opening the door and throwing the whole unit outside...everyone on the ice sure laughed!!! That night I went to Menards and picked up a 11 pound tank, and haven't had a problem since. Filling it is cheaper than ever, just go down to the local co-opp and have them fill it...somewhere around $8 buck to fill.

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ZOOM Enthusiast

ZOOM

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ooo.gif I sure don't need a fire ball in my one man shack!!! It sounds like my only choice is to buy a little bigger tank.I think I'll try the 11#. I know I should maybe start another post for this question but if I get a bigger tank with a hose do I just leave one of the one pounders hooked up? Won't the heater leak out the empty side if I don't, or is there some kind of check vavle that only allows the gas to flow one way? Thanks to everybody for all your help!!!
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FrontenacPike Proficient

FrontenacPike

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Zoom all you need to do is close the valve on the top of the tank (all tanks have this). Don't worry no leaks and no loss of fuel. Also to put into prospective is, when you are running a 11 pounder you will actually burn way less fuel vs running 1 pound tanks. It has to do with the proper pressure and once your 11 is full it will last much longer than you would think possibly

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Everclear Explorer

Everclear

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Quote:

Zoom, I've had the same problem with my big buddy. I always tried carrying around any extra or two. One time I got stuck sticking a 1 lbs'er down my overalls.

But the main problem I have is with the big buddy I have is that the termocouple doesn't work worth a carp. When I try and fire it up, sometime it just wont work, and other times it will go out then when I fire it up again right away, it wont take.

I run my big buddy with a 20lb tank, high pressure hose and filter. Works great when not super cold. I have noticed that the pilot flame does not engulf the therm. cplr. and when the heater is completely warmed up the quickly rising air accross the face of the heater causes the pilot flame to become more vertical pulling it even farther from the therm. clpr. I believe this in ability to keep the therm. cplr. at operating temp is the cause for it to shut off on extremely cold days. A drop in pressure from frozen tanks coupled with the change in direction of the pilot flame when the unit warms up may be the cause for it to shut it's self down. I screwed a piece of metal on the left side of the pilot light hole where the therm.cplr.is to try to reflect or trap some of the pilot flames heat back down to the cplr. Just waiting for a -30 day to see if this improves the performance

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