Little Buddy Heater

[Whisker Trout Slayer]

I am sure there is a thread about this somewhere but here goes. How many people have purchased the 5 ft hose connector to hook their little buddy heater to a 20lb tank?

Did you buy the filter also?

Reason be is I bought the hose last night at Cabelas and an employee told me that I need to filter as well as propane is dirty. I thought ok, but then got to thinking isn't the propane in the little cylinders dirty as well so wouldn't you need a filter for them as well? This got me thinking as to if I need the filter for the 20 lb tank if you don't for the 1 lbers.

This is the 2nd ice fishing season I have owned this heater and have had no propblems with it as for starting it, and restarting it after switching the cylinder like I have heard other people comment about it. I just want to save some money and not have to keep buying the little cylinders.

Any info is appreciated. Thanks

[Duffman]

The "dirtyness" comes from oils or other particulates that are released from the rubber hose under pressure. That is the main reason one should use a filter when running a hose to any of the Buddy heaters. It's not the propane that's dirty, it's what the propane picks up as it travels through the hose that makes it dirty.

Use a filter, it's cheap insurance.

[Jeremy airjer W]

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.

[Whisker Trout Slayer]

Thanks guys that explains it better.

[Whisker Trout Slayer]

Great, I checked another icefishig HSOforum that I asked the same question and they posted that they have had no problems with not using a filter, one guy has been filterless for 3 years and no problems.

One guy said that he started out using the filter and had problems keeping his pilot light lit. That it would go out every every 15 seconds.

Now I don't know what to believe. I guess I might just have to do trial and error.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I had a little buddy for a couple of years and uses the hose with no filter. I used the same hose on my big buddy for a year without the filter. I had no problems. At the time the filters where not easy to come buy so nobody really used them. Now they are just about everywhere and I would likely use them. I currently use the regulated R.V. quick connect hose (low pressure hose) on my big buddy which does not require the use of a filter.

[PierBridge]

 Originally Posted By: Whisker Trout Slayer

Great, I checked another icefishig HSOforum that I asked the same question and they posted that they have had no problems with not using a filter, one guy has been filterless for 3 years and no problems.

One guy said that he started out using the filter and had problems keeping his pilot light lit. That it would go out every every 15 seconds.

Now I don't know what to believe. I guess I might just have to do trial and error.

I too have found more problems with using the filter then not.

I know my one of my hose's is at least 10 years old maybe more and I have never had an issue with any of my heaters.

I won't be using a filter anytime soon thats for sure!

[harvey lee]

I have been using a Little Buddy for either 3 or 4 years. I have run many smaller tanks thriough it and also many twenty pound tanks also. I must be lucky as I have never had an issue to date.

[NCLaker]

When I was checking into this same question for my big buddy heater, I was told that if you are using the gase hose with the regulator then you do not need the filter. If using it without the regulator they recommend the filter (probably for the reason airjet described above).

I recently purchased the adaptor that allows you to refill the 1lb tanks from a 20lb tank. Haven't tried it yet but heard it works well as long as you get the 20lb to room temp, make sure it is empty, and I think you have to tip it upside down. I like the portability of the 1lb tanks and usually don't use many. I picked up the hose setup for those extended trips.

[wishing for walleyes]

I just bought a big buddy and a 12 foot hose.I like the idea of being able to refill the 1# tanks.How much does the adapter cost?

[jwhjr]

I picked up the hose with the regulator because the filter isn't needed as others have stated.

[Jeremy airjer W]

* Please note: The regulated R.V. quick connect hose only works with the big buddy and does not apply to the little buddy*

[ChuckN]

My 5 year old Buddy worked for about 3 years, mostly with the 20lb tank. The regulator went bad, and I blame the 20lb tank/hose and lack of filter. The manufacturer recommends it now, so I use the filter. No problems.

I know of at least 3 friends who's Buddy Heaters with the same issue.

I have seen one guy place a regulator on the tank and a hose that goes directly to the heater fittings, and that works also. I almost went that route, but I couldn't find the proper fittings locally.

[jwhjr]

 Originally Posted By: airjer

* Please note: The regulated R.V. quick connect hose only works with the big buddy and does not apply to the little buddy*

Thanks for the clarification airjer, I've got the Big Buddy. Sorry if I added any confusion.

[Whisker Trout Slayer]

I think the refill adapter was about $20 at Cabelas up in the camping section.

[icehousebob]

I picked up the refill adapter at Northern for about 15 dollars. My brother-in-law and his brother were using refilled one pounders on their Buddy heaters and they both plugged up. The loose stuff inside the 20 pound tanks would go into the one pounders when the twenties were turned upside down for the refilling. Does anyone know whether a filter will fit with the refill adapter?

[doughnut03]

I have a Clam 2000 and was wondering if the little buddy would work? I had one before I got my shed and the pilot wouldnt stay lit in the slightest wind- Im willing to try it again if its warm enough (looking to take my niece out and want her to be comfortable- dont want to turn her off to fishing her first time out)

[Jeremy airjer W]

I had a little buddy in my old 2 person clam. It was fine on the warmer days but barely took the chill off on the really cold windy days.

[doughnut03]

Ok, thats what I was afraid of that. Big buddy works just fine? Its a 2 man Clam and space is at a premium

[NCLaker]

I picked up my 1lb refull adapter at Northern Tool - I think it was $16-18. I also saw them at Fleet Farm.