Mr. Heater - Buddy

[Raven]

I bought a Mr. Heater - Buddy recently and am having a real problem getting the thing to fire up. Using the spark doesn't work. Have to use a BBQ lighter to heat the cut-off to light the main grid. The pilot then comes on also. It is supposed to be able to fire up on its own.

I bought it at L&M Fleet in Bemidji and they have a sign posted that says spiders can cause ignition problems by blocking the tube. I am sure there are no spiders in my Frabill at this time of year

Any ideas?

[steve schmidt]

These posts are under the Expert Equipment Forum of the Main Page. Sounds like the same problem you have. Go to that Forum when you have equipment problems. THese were under the date of 2/11/03

Fourplay
FishingMN Family
Posts: 58
Registered: Nov 2002
posted 02-10-2003 01:18 PM
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My Mr. Heater started acting up this weekend. First it quit running and low and I had to leave it on medium. Then it quit running on medium and now it will only run on high and that sounds like it's going to quit on me too. What's going on with this thing?
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drowned minnow
FishingMN Family
Posts: 24
Registered: Jan 2003
posted 02-10-2003 08:15 PM
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could be thermo coupler going bad or it's not close enough to heat shield, bad tank,
clogged line.
these things sure get some abuse but are essential on days like this one,good luck.

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jigglestick
FishingMN Family
Posts: 656
Registered: Mar 2001
posted 02-10-2003 08:57 PM
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sounds like a piece of crud in the orifice. or maybe spider webs or cocoons in the air intake. more likely the first one. if you can get it apart, you should be able to see an extremely tiny pin hole through the orifice if not you'll have to un plug it, try maybe the wire off of a wire brush if you can't come up with something small and sturdy enough. try not to scratch the passage of the orifice itself as it is only brass. give it a wirl, it's not that hard. just don't lose any pieces, and don't forget where they go. good luck, jigglestick.
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ice-man/vexilar-king
FishingMN Family
Posts: 43
Registered: Jan 2003
posted 02-10-2003 08:59 PM
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I would have to second the thermo coupler idea. This sounds like a problem from that little copper line. Also take out the little orfis on the top of the thermo coupler and clean it out. Use whatever you have laying around, toothpick ect. make sure you dry it out before you reinstalling. The thermo coupler will run you around $11. (good luck)
C&R~~~~>')))))><
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ice-man/vexilar-king
FishingMN Family
Posts: 43
Registered: Jan 2003
posted 02-10-2003 09:02 PM
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jigglestick good idea, you beet me to the post. Fast fingers! The wire should work perfect.

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Gadgetman
FishingMN Family
Posts: 44
Registered: Feb 2002
posted 02-11-2003 12:15 AM
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Nothing worse than a plugged orifice...My $ is on the thermocoupler
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Surface Tension
FishingMN Field Staff
Posts: 1128
Registered: Feb 2002
posted 02-11-2003 07:10 AM
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orifice for sure. Use wire like that of a bread twister to reopen it.
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nunzio
FishingMN Family
Posts: 240
Registered: May 2001
posted 02-11-2003 08:03 AM
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I ended up replacing both my thermo-coupler as well as my regulator. BTW the new regulators are made out of alum instead of brass.
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GEEMAN
FishingMN Family
Posts: 222
Registered: May 2002
posted 02-11-2003 08:19 AM
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I'd bet it's the thermal couple but it could be your propane tank is too cold too. A few years back my Mr.Heater acted up just like you described. It was -28 and windy pushing windchills to -70. We were fishing out of our perm shack but the tank was outside as usual. After a few hours fishin the heater started acting up for no appaerent reason. Went out and checked the tank and it was frosted up bigtime. Brought it inside and after a while it must have warmed up ? and the heater worked fine.
Just a thought since it's been a fairly cold winter so far.
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jigglestick
FishingMN Family
Posts: 656
Registered: Mar 2001
posted 02-11-2003 12:40 PM
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never thought of that. there's a good chance that it was just to ****ed cold. imagine that. he's right, if the tank was frosted up that would do it too. a bad thermo couple wont control the size of your fire, or the amount of gas getting through, just whether the electromagnet will hold the valv open or not. try a warm tank first off.
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keep a firm grip on your jiglestick!!....jigglestick....

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Big Dave2
FishingMN Family
Posts: 107
Registered: Feb 2002
posted 02-11-2003 09:49 PM
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Mine did the same thing last year. I put a new regulator on and the problem was solved.
Dave