Buddy heater, 11 lb. tank hookup

[gopher_nation]

How necessary is the filter in this set-up. It's a brand new tank and new hose.

[zamboni]

I would say about 3/4 of all the reconditioned units you see for sale at stores are there because ppl didn't use filters. It doesn't matter if the tanks new- its the LP thats in it thats usually the problem.

[sodajerk]

With a brand new tank I don't think I'd worry about it much, but I could be wrong. I think the filter is needed more for exchanged tanks that have been used by who knows who for who knows what.

I just bought a new 4 1/2 pound tank for ease of hauling around, and though I already had the filter on my buddy heater, I don't think I'd be too concerned if I didn't. The filters are about 8-10 bucks and places like Gander or Menards have them if you want to get one.

[weeds]

I'm no expert, but I think the bulk tanks are prone to taking on debris when filled.

[al jr]

from what i understand it is the hose itself that creates the debris. any debris in the lp tank would settle to the bottom, the vapor is what moves through the hose. i made my own hose and have been using it without a filter for 4 years with no problem

[Huey]

I talked with Mr. Heater customer service this morning. They said to definitely use a filter. If I understood them right, propane can cause the hose material to break down. Then you get oilly crud that messes up your heater. The filter protects your heater from this crud.

I use the buddy heater with a 11# tank, hose, and a filter. My heater started to die after it was lit. It would worked fine with 1# tanks. Mr. Heater said to try purging the hose. I did that and the heater worked fine tonight.

[gopher_nation]

What is and how do you purge the hose??

[sodajerk]

 Originally Posted By: al jr

from what i understand it is the hose itself that creates the debris. any debris in the lp tank would settle to the bottom, the vapor is what moves through the hose. i made my own hose and have been using it without a filter for 4 years with no problem

What did you make your hose out of?

Seems to me that Mr Heater should make hoses that are designed for use with propane in a way that they don't break down when in contact with it.

Then they couldn't sell you a filter every year and a new hose every couple years though.

[PierBridge]

Of course Mr Heater wants you to use the filter they sell the filter.

Until I have a problem with my Buddy or Big Buddy while using my hose which I have done going on 6 years with my Buddy and 3 years with my Big Buddy I'm not going buy or Buy into this filter non-sense. Personally I have seen more problems with people using the filter then not. Heck one of my hose's is over 10 years old.

Just my opinion and experiences!

[Jeremy airjer W]

The following post along with a post that includes part numbers for hoses and filters can be viewed here

Big Buddy Hase Clarification

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.

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.

[al jr]

airjer is right the hose with the 1 lb adapter is high pressure that is why there is an issue. i made mine from lp rated hoses and fittings

[slipperybob]

 Originally Posted By: PierBridge

Of course Mr Heater wants you to use the filter they sell the filter.

Until I have a problem with my Buddy or Big Buddy while using my hose which I have done going on 6 years with my Buddy and 3 years with my Big Buddy I'm not going buy or Buy into this filter non-sense. Personally I have seen more problems with people using the filter then not. Heck one of my hose's is over 10 years old.

Just my opinion and experiences!

Wow! What luck running without a filter.

Even on Coleman stove/burners, high pressure hose is recommended with filter. I've seen some units absolutely not work, unless a filter is connected while others seems to work okay without a fuel filter. If you're running a 20# tank, then for certain use a fuel filter. If you're running an 11# tank, I'm sure you could do okay without it.

I'm not the guy who says, "I've got a car running 100,000 mile and never gotten an oil change." I believe him, but I don't think that I can be that lucky or be lucky like the other guy who never change's the oil filter. I'm already pushing 5,000 mile for each oil change already. Got a 14 yr old car that runs smoother than the (now wife's) newer 4 yr old car. Since then, she's been getting the regular oil changes and her car now runs smooth. Oops tangent thought, but I think it's a comparable analogy.

[Jeremy airjer W]

One thing that will help a lot with a high pressure hose, is shut the tank off and let the heater burn off the propane left in the hose. Storing the hose without pressure in it will help reduce the chance of contaminates being squeezed out of the hose.

[slipperybob]

 Originally Posted By: airjer

One thing that will help a lot with a high pressure hose, is shut the tank off and let the heater burn off the propane left in the hose. Storing the hose without pressure in it will help reduce the chance of contaminates being squeezed out of the hose.

That's a great reminder that often even I would get lazy and not do. You know sitting in the ice house and packing up to go, getting lazy and not going outside to shut off from main valve first.