Buddy Heater Flow Issues

[AJ]

Buddy heater (small) will not maintain the narrow/blue almost horizontal pilot light. Looks like a lit match, pointing up, so the thermostat is not heating up (and therefore not allowing the gas to flow properly). Assuming I need to clean it some how. I called Mr Heater and they had me cleaning the pilot opening with rubbing alcohol. Did not work at all. Other ideas? THanks.

[wishing for walleyes]

A very small diameter piece of wire and carefully open up the holes.

[Eric Wettschreck]

If you have, or can get your hands on a set of cutting torch tip cleaners.......use the smallest one. It sounds like your pilot oriface is getting plugged.

[AJ]

Thanks, guys.

[fishtrap3]

a buddy of mine has one of these and is having problems keeping it lit. It will run fine for about 5 or so minutes and then the pilot will sound like wind is blowing on it and will eventually go out... Looking at his there is just a big opening where the gas comes out nothing small just a 1/4 inch or smaller pipe. Any ideas for this one???????

[goose89]

Wish I would have read this thread earlier. I threw my Buddie in the garbage can 3 weeks ago. Couldn't keep pilot lit either. It started last year with the sound like wind blowing on it, as mentioned before. Totally went downhill this year. Pilot would lite, but wouldn't stay lit when I let up on the knob.

Still okay w/ throwing it, b/c it never was real reliable, or warm in my portable (if it was real cold). I always carried a backup "sunflower / cooker", and usually wound up using that instead. Would be a nice heater if they were "dummied down" a bit (pilot lite, thermostat, ect) as they were quiet and wasn't as easy to burn line / pants/ walls on portable with. I'm guessing then they wouldn't be "as safe" with regards to their low oxygen shut off safety system. Just guessing.

Good luck.

[country boy]

I have a buddy and the only thing I don't like is it won't operate even in a slight draft. If it is sounding like a wind is blowing on it it usually means there IS a draft somewhere. Otherwise it works perfectly. If you are in a portable it typically won't operate if you have the door unzipped and the first breeze hits is.

[goose89]

Mine sounded like wind blowing on it even indoors. It still worked (for a while) then, but not long after. Definately won't operate if air is moving too much.

[fishtrap3]

well in the garage with all doors closed and such no air movement and it still sounded like wind was blowing on the pilot lite, he said it worked great for about a half season (this guy doesnt fish much, so maybe he used at the most 10 times) and this started.. Also found out he started having the problems when he hooked it up to a twenty pound tank!

[Dave]

Also found out he started having the problems when he hooked it up to a twenty pound tank!

Search for other threads here. I seem to remember threads about having to use a line with a regulator or filter in it, when using a 20-pound tank.

[SkunkedAgain]

Yup, my new one worked exactly two times before the pilot died. What a piece of junk.

[fishtrap3]

it wont work with the 1 pounders, as thats what he is trying to use now

[SkunkedAgain]

Finally took the buddy heater back and traded up to a Big Buddy, a 5lb tank, and the hose. I couldn't be happier, except that all of the upgrades cost me an extra $150! But I guess that you CAN buy happiness.