Buddy Heater Issue

nast70 · #1 12-27-2018, 08:31 AM

Boxing Day I was out chasing rainbows on Spring. It was cool, so set up the tent and heater. Haven't used the heater on ice forever, don't remember the last time actually. It does get used hunting season though.

Problem was after about a 5min run time, it would start to whistle, then shut down. I thought it ran out of gas, set up the second bottle and continued fishing. Five mins later the same thing. Shut it off, repositioned it (thought maybe it was not quite level and the tip sensor was activated). Same thing. Shut it off again, let it cool and fired it up, again about a 5 minute run time, then whistles and shut down.

Is it the heater, gas, or was I on the right track with the level?
I was using refilled 1lb bottles btw. Might try buying a new bottle and test it.
Any thoughts on a solution?

PlayDoh · #2 12-27-2018, 11:04 AM

I’ve had issues like that when the bottles got cold, cold. When you draw gas out of a bottle fast enough and for long enough they get real cold and loose pressure.
Unless you switch both bottles with reasonably full ones that are somewhat warm, you’ll run into the same issue again, fairly soon.
I’m not sure this is your issue, since it hasn’t been that cold, and what not. If you have the problem again, I’d consider grabbing the adapter and hose for a 20 pound bottle and try running it off that.
Since it runs fine for a bit, then flutters out, it seems like it has to be a pressure issue. Try to switch both bottles out, and run it with 2 bottles to not draw too much from a single bottle. Keep the other bottles where they can warm up safely, and swap out the pair when it starts to flutter.

Dean2 · #3 12-27-2018, 11:47 AM

Your regulator is freezing up. Check for dust, lint etc where you screw the bottle onto the heater. Also check the burner side to see if any of the orifices are plugged. If it isn't more than -25 and the bottles are full, they should not be the problem but you may have got an extra wet batch of propane so perhaps try a bottle from a new package if the cleaning doesn't fix it.

If neither solves the issue, try running the heater in the house or other warm place to see if it does the same thing, it will help you diagnose the problem.

4x4bowhunter · #4 12-27-2018, 12:04 PM

Not sure if your unit is a single bottle unit (Buddy Heater) or a 2 bottle unit (Big Buddy Heater). I bought a Big Buddy Heater this year and had the same thing happen when running on high. According to the instructions, to run on high, you have to have 2 bottles hooked up to be able to supply the required pressure to satisfy the burner or run off of a 20 pound cylinder. When I run it on low or medium, no issues at all with one bottle hooked up. I'm going to try a 20 pound cylinder this weekend to see if that solves it as well.

Dean2 · #5 12-27-2018, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4bowhunter

Not sure if your unit is a single bottle unit (Buddy Heater) or a 2 bottle unit (Big Buddy Heater). I bought a Big Buddy Heater this year and had the same thing happen when running on high. According to the instructions, to run on high, you have to have 2 bottles hooked up to be able to supply the required pressure to satisfy the burner or run off of a 20 pound cylinder. When I run it on low or medium, no issues at all with one bottle hooked up. I'm going to try a 20 pound cylinder this weekend to see if that solves it as well.

Pays to read the instructions, I did not know that about the Big Buddy.

JohninAB · #6 12-27-2018, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4bowhunter

Not sure if your unit is a single bottle unit (Buddy Heater) or a 2 bottle unit (Big Buddy Heater). I bought a Big Buddy Heater this year and had the same thing happen when running on high. According to the instructions, to run on high, you have to have 2 bottles hooked up to be able to supply the required pressure to satisfy the burner or run off of a 20 pound cylinder. When I run it on low or medium, no issues at all with one bottle hooked up. I'm going to try a 20 pound cylinder this weekend to see if that solves it as well.

I run a single 20 lb bottle on my big buddy and have no issues at all at any heat setting. Just make sure you get the filter for your big buddy heater or use the special mr heater propane hose. Filter goes on the fitting on the side the switch is on.

nast70 · #7 12-27-2018, 12:58 PM

I did do a google search. it is a common thing, typically dirty orifices. they do get plugged and gummed up quite easily.

vic1 · #8 12-27-2018, 06:53 PM

It is more like your oxygen sensor is working properly. Did you have vents open in your tent?

old dog · #9 12-27-2018, 08:29 PM

When using refilled one pound bottles or large bottles. Over time oil can start to build up in the supply line. That’s why they sell a filter. Works great. U can get them at TFH I know. When propane is processed, oil from compressors etc. Can enter the propane in a mist form and eventually drops out from the propane. I learnt this the hard way years ago when my holiday trailer propane line plugged off. I found out the same thing on buddy heaters as I use 10 or 20 lb bottles most of the time. No issues since I installed the filter

nast70 · #10 12-28-2018, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic1

It is more like your oxygen sensor is working properly. Did you have vents open in your tent?

Had 2 upper vents and one door open, keeping an eye on the jawjacker.

PlayDoh · #11 12-28-2018, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old dog

When using refilled one pound bottles or large bottles. Over time oil can start to build up in the supply line. That’s why they sell a filter. Works great. U can get them at TFH I know. When propane is processed, oil from compressors etc. Can enter the propane in a mist form and eventually drops out from the propane. I learnt this the hard way years ago when my holiday trailer propane line plugged off. I found out the same thing on buddy heaters as I use 10 or 20 lb bottles most of the time. No issues since I installed the filter

I’ve talked to a few propane guys about this, and it seems the ‘oil’ or dirty propane is a debatable issue. I was told to only get propane from co-op and looking back the only time I’ve had issues with ‘junk’ was when I got propane from elsewhere.

I’ve seen the ‘oil’ with my own eyes, since it was so ‘thick’ or abundant in one bottle fill it gummed up my burner on a large heater in like a couple hours. It’s yellow, and is like glue.

I should grab a filter just to be safe, yet I haven’t had a single issue or seen a speck of gunk since using only co-op propane. And in all consideration, if it was prevalent in all propane, replacing trailer hoses, burners and everything else that uses propane, would be big business.

To the point it would be much more wise to filter the source, then deal with the millions of gunked up orifices, regulators and burners. Hence why I believe it’s only an issue with certain sources.

PlayDoh · #12 12-28-2018, 03:21 PM

So I did a bit of google research and it seems as though the ‘oil’ comes from rubber hoses that have full pressure propane in them. The solution is to use a regulator before the hose, like right at the bottle.

Winnebago did a huge recall of propane lines and this is from their report.

“The cause is re-condensed gas extracting plasticisers from the high pressure rubber hose and depositing a resulting oily substance into the regulator preventing it from passing gas”.

Since Buddy heater hose / adapters attach right at the heater, the hose is exposed to high pressure, thereby creating this oil. Hence the filter.

Since filling a 1 lbs bottle without a hose couldn’t create this oil, I don’t see a need for a filter.

old dog · #13 12-29-2018, 08:51 PM

I agree one pound bottles should be ok. But if u r refilling them over and over again some oil could find it way into those bottles

nast70 · #14 12-30-2018, 06:44 PM

Here's the verdict...
Cleaned it out per Mr Heater instructions. Tested it before to see if it behaved the same, it did. Ran for about 5 mins and shut down. Not the o2 sensor then.
After the cleaning ran it again. No issues at all. Good to go!

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

Dean2 · #15 12-30-2018, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nast70

Here's the verdict...
Cleaned it out per Mr Heater instructions. Tested it before to see if it behaved the same, it did. Ran for about 5 mins and shut down. Not the o2 sensor then.
After the cleaning ran it again. No issues at all. Good to go!

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

Glad that worked out. Far and away the most common cause of problems with Buddy heaters is dirt and fuzz.

Poppa · #16 12-31-2018, 08:54 AM

We're having a similar issue with our regular Buddy....starts, but shuts off soon. We tore it apart and put it back together and everything is very clean, but still not working properly. It's only 2 years old and only used maybe a half dozen times. We're thinking it's a part issue....something preventing the fuel from getting to the element. We YouTubed a solution and think we'll be able to fix it...

Ryder450 · #17 12-31-2018, 10:17 AM

Ive had a problem with the tip sensor in a little buddy heater and a few sunflower heaters. If you store your heater laying down the next season the microswitch in the tip sensor will get sticky and the little ball inside cant push it down. I normaly disconnect the tip sensor the day i buy a heater and connect the wires together to bypass the sensor.

Dean2 · #18 12-31-2018, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryder450

Ive had a problem with the tip sensor in a little buddy heater and a few sunflower heaters. If you store your heater laying down the next season the microswitch in the tip sensor will get sticky and the little ball inside cant push it down. I normaly disconnect the tip sensor the day i buy a heater and connect the wires together to bypass the sensor.

That qualifies as a REALLY bad idea. Unless you are present 100% of the time one of them is running a flipped over heater that keeps running has a big chance of starting a fire or even blowing up. Those safety features are on there for a very good reason. A whole lot easier to just store the heater right side up and avoid the problem. Your property and your life so do what you like but not a good thing to recommend to others.

RavYak · #19 12-31-2018, 11:11 AM

Yeah don't bypass your tip sensor... Change it if it isn't working properly...

Moosetalker · #20 12-31-2018, 02:49 PM

Make sure your tip sensor is in the flame.

Had trouble with my big buddy right from new noticed the sensor was only barely touching flame used my Leatherman to gently bend it closer has worked flawlessly ever since have used 20 lb propane most times and also use refilled 1 lbs with filter otherwise going on 5 years now.

Also have a Hunting buddy no issues with this newer unit.