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18 Replies | Page 1 of 11 | Top of Page | Bottom of Page

BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS

by ND-Buckscrape , Posted to Fishing Buddy on 10/21/2007 5:34 PM | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
ND-Buckscrape

Joined: 10/29/2002
Location: ND
We just purchased two of the BIG Buddy heaters. We are trying to get a jump start on our ice houses before the weather gets to cold. We were thinking that these would be a neat heater, kind of portable, ice house, garage, etc. But we cant get either one to work for very long. They both keep kicking out after both ceramic elements get orange. Has anyone else tried these? I need something that is trust worthy! Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks Guys.
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by SP180 on 10/21/2007 6:06 PM | Reply #1 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
SP180
Joined: 12/22/2006
Location: ND
I use the smaller one. I used it all last year and had great success with it. I did hear that some of them do not work very well, but i had no problem with mine.

Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by DonC on 10/21/2007 7:03 PM | Reply #2 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
DonC
Joined: 07/06/2002
Location: ID
Right from the Manual:

If Heater keeps shutting
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by womanspointofview on 10/21/2007 7:13 PM | Reply #3 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
womanspointofview
Joined: 10/24/2006
Location: ND
After my second Mr. Buddy heater started doing the same thing you are describing, I called Tractor Supply (where I purchased it) and asked them what the problem was. They asked me if I was using a 20 lb propane tank with a hose on the end, which I was. They then asked me if I was using an inline fuel filter, which I was not. They told me it was REQUIRED when using the 20 lb cans. (Not written anywhere) I went to Tractor Supply and purchased one ($9.50 or so) and the heater runs all night now without shutting off. When using the little throw away cans of propane, you don't need to use it.
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by Tight Lines on 10/21/2007 9:05 PM | Reply #4 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
Tight Lines
Joined: 04/24/2006
Location: ND
those heaters are equipped with a low oxygen sensor on them. It might be kicking out because of that or any slight bump seems to kick the heater off as well.
 
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by STALKER on 10/22/2007 08:20 AM | Reply #5 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
STALKER
Joined: 01/13/2003
Location: ND
You must not be the only one. I believe Sportsman's Wharehouse in Fargo has a stack of factory refurbs for sale. You could call them to see what was fixed to be resold.

Blood Kin to the Grizzly that bit Jim Bridger's Ass
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by ND-Buckscrape on 10/23/2007 7:36 PM | Reply #6 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
ND-Buckscrape
Joined: 10/29/2002
Location: ND
Hey Guys, after many trips to the hardware store I finally figured it out and I thought I would share what I found out. We were running a hose off of a 20 pound tank, well that hose had a regulator on it and the Big Buddy has built in regulators, so we had double regulators going, NOT GOOD. This didnt allow enough gas pressure to make it function correctly. Now that I fixed the problem it works great and heats unbelievable. Hope this helps anyone else out that is thinking about buying one.
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by Pro V1 on 10/23/2007 7:57 PM | Reply #7 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
Pro V1
Joined: 12/28/2001
Location: ND
I bought one of these when they first came out and it was a piece of crap from the get go. I even took it back and got a different one with the same results. As tightlines said the co2 sensor is very touchy. I have a 1 man fish trap and could never get it to run for any period of time due to the small area. Mine also seemed to be very touchy as far as bumping it. I returned the second one and went back to my old stand bye, the original mr. heater.

"Guns cause crime like fly's cause garbage"
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by sjs on 10/23/2007 8:37 PM | Reply #8 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
sjs
Joined: 01/18/2002
Location: ND
I used my Big Buddy twice and didnt like it at all, a friend of mine uses the regular Mr. Buddy heater and it works well. I sold mine and went back to the old trusty single sunflower and a 20 lb tank.
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by ND-Buckscrape on 10/24/2007 06:29 AM | Reply #9 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
ND-Buckscrape
Joined: 10/29/2002
Location: ND
Ya I'm still very skeptical and I was thinking the same thing why cant it be simple and reliable like the old sunflower heaters. After I got rid of the regulator on the hose that thing works really good. I jumped on the floor, I moved it around while it was going and it stayed on. I know its not that cold out yet, but in about 10 minutes on high 18000 BTU's I couldnt take it anymore in my enclosed house, it got to hot. I also bought the 6 volt adapter to run the fan and if you wanted to dry things out that will do it. I'm going to give it a try, hope it works out.
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by PatsPlace on 10/24/2007 08:05 AM | Reply #10 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
PatsPlace
Joined: 06/11/2002
Location: ND
I bought a reconditioned Big Buddy this fall and used it 4 nights in a row in my tent with no problems. Worked great!! I had an 11 pound tank hooked up with no regulator and no filter, and used about 4/5 of the tank in 4 nights on low. The manual says if anything larger than a 20 pound tank is used you need a pressure regulator on it, otherwise the built in regulator is OK.
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by tshort on 11/08/2007 07:09 AM | Reply #11 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
tshort
Joined: 12/16/2001
Location: ND
Stalker.
Thanks for the heads up on Sportsman's carrying the refurbished heaters!! Apperently they had a recall as the Oxygen sensors were faulty. Supposedly they installed new ones and are selling them for 30 bucks less than new price/with warranty! Seems to be a hell of a nice heater!!??
Time will tell!
Terry
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by HNTRFSH on 11/08/2007 6:04 PM | Reply #12 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
HNTRFSH
Joined: 06/24/2006
Location: NE
MR. Heater is the only way to go!

I have used Buddy's before, nothing but problems plus they only take the edge off as they do not produce a lot of heat.
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by DiverDave2011 on 01/25/2011 6:37 PM | Reply #13 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
DiverDave2011
Joined: 01/25/2011
Location: Me
I have a big buddy heater I use for ice fishing and it works great I made up a hose that hooks to my big buddy where the small tank hooks on and I run it off from a 20 pound tank and it works Great
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by Captain Ahab on 01/25/2011 7:19 PM | Reply #14 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
Captain Ahab
Joined: 12/01/2008
Location: ND
I have used my Big Buddy for 2 years with no problems.  I like it A LOT better that the sunflower head.  It heats near the ground to keep my wife's feet warm and doesn't make that hiss of the sunflower head and puts out 4000 more btu's.  I think it burns cleaner also.....I used to get sunflower headaches after a long day.  I know the first ones had issues, but mine has been a trooper. 

"Diligence is the mother of good luck."

"The constitution only gives people the right to pursue hapiness.  You have to catch it yourself."

"Well done is better than well said."

"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

All by:  Benjamin Franklin
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by Captain Ahab on 01/25/2011 7:22 PM | Reply #15 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
Captain Ahab
Joined: 12/01/2008
Location: ND
BTW I have a sunflower head heater also and I haven't used it in 2 years.  I also forgot to say that I haven't roasted my bibs or coat(or my clumsy wife's gear) since the Big Buddy came to town.

"Diligence is the mother of good luck."

"The constitution only gives people the right to pursue hapiness.  You have to catch it yourself."

"Well done is better than well said."

"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

All by:  Benjamin Franklin
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by jaksamas on 01/25/2011 7:47 PM | Reply #16 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
jaksamas
Joined: 12/16/2001
Location: ND
been using mine for 2 yrs and it works great , no probs, heat comes out lower and dont have to worry about burning canvas, coats etc. plenty of heat will buy another
Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by sdwxman on 01/25/2011 8:02 PM | Reply #17 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
sdwxman
Joined: 04/06/2007
Location: SD
My buddy heater ended up in the garbage a few weeks ago. What a piece of junk!

Re: BIG BUDDY HEATER PROBLEMS
by birddog131 on 01/25/2011 9:12 PM | Reply #18 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |
birddog131
Joined: 12/18/2001
Location: MN
I haven't had any issues with my big buddy this year, other than I burn through a ton of the small bottles in a short amount of time! 2 1lb bottles last me a couple of hours max!
For me I think fish house = mr. heater on the 20lb tank, deer stand = big buddy:
If you have wind or moving a lot it seems guys are disappointed with the big buddy: I think it will be a fine deer stand heater (small enclosed 4X8 stand that is fairly wind free):
My fear is that when I die my wife will sell my hunting and fishing gear for what I told her I paid for them!
18 Replies | Page 1 of 11 | Top of Page | Bottom of Page
Posted By: ND-Buckscrape
Posted On: 10/21/2007 5:34 PM
16470 Views, 18 Comments

Tags: buddy, heater, problems, ice, trying, heaters, jump, purchased, houses, start
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Region: North Dakota

Categories: Fishing
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