It does help to read the instructions for Big Buddy Heater

Thought I’d share my most recent idiot-moment… I use a Big Buddy heater in my larger pop-up or to top up the temp in my garage. I have one of the newer hoses for a 20lb tank (the one that says you don’t need the filter) but it seemed to stop working. I’d get a decent pilot flame but as soon as I tried turning on the main burner, it would go out. Switch out the hose for 1lb tank – works fine… Couldn’t get the hose to work – tested it on the regular Buddy heater – works great. Then, I figured I’d read the instructions – if you’re using a hose (without a regulator), you need to connect it to the left side of the Big Buddy… moved the hose and all is fine… Hopefully this saves someone else from a head-scratcher moment…

Good info I only have the original size buddy, but my friend bought the big buddy and we have only used pounders so far. Thanks for sharing. Cause who reads the instructions

reading the instructions?
What are you trying to pull here MR.

Thanks for doing the reading for me!

Funny you posted I have been wondering about this. Mine is about 10 years old but the instruction manual does not mention this. I’ve read the manual twice.

So dumb question. What do you do with the right side? Leave an empty 1 lb tank on it? Or doesn’t it need anything?

this is interesting… I’m almost positive I’ve ran my tank hose off both sides of my big buddy over the years. I wonder if I’m just dreaming ha.

… and when you say left side, I’m assuming thats when youre looking at it from the front?

I’ve always ran the hose and filter on the right side of my big buddy with no issues.

lindyrig79 wrote:

Funny you posted I have been wondering about this. Mine is about 10 years old but the instruction manual does not mention this. I’ve read the manual twice.

So dumb question. What do you do with the right side? Leave an empty 1 lb tank on it? Or doesn’t it need anything?

My bro has a Big Buddy and we run it with a hose and no tank on the other side.

I literally have the exact same problem right now with my standard buddy. From my understanding, I just needed a new filter. Am I wrong on this? I am using 1lbs right now and want to switch back to the big tank asap after buying green tanks for 10 bucks a piece at the gas station.

Aboxy17 wrote:

I literally have the exact same problem right now with my standard buddy. From my understanding, I just needed a new filter. Am I wrong on this? I am using 1lbs right now and want to switch back to the big tank asap after buying green tanks for 10 bucks a piece at the gas station.

If you have anything other than the 10’ Mr heater hose then they recommend you have a filter

Why not use the quick connect? So much easier

Well, my new filter came and I still have the same problem. The Pilot light comes on and the heater lights for like 10 seconds then goes out. I have tried 3 different 20lb tanks at this point. Do you think there is something wrong with the hose? I don’t know what else the problem could be at this point.

B-man wrote:

Why not use the quick connect? So much easier

yea i’m somewhat confused by this thread?????

i have a big buddy and just looked………i only have one side where the quick connect is located and thats opposite the control knob??????/

Aboxy17……..mayhaps there is dirt in the fuel line. have you cleaned it. this happened to me also. i took a q-tip, shaved the fuzz off it till it fit in the orface/hole put some rubbing alcohol on it and cleaned it out. i’ve also heard that maybe the thermo couple isnt getting hot enough to ignite the burners?????

I figured out the problem was in fact the hose after borrowing a friend’s hose and it working. I will try cleaning the fuel line. Did it work for you when you cleaned out the hose? The problem is there could be dirt clogging any part of the fuel line and only a small part of it is reachable.

Aboxy17 wrote:

I figured out the problem was in fact the hose after borrowing a friend’s hose and it working. I will try cleaning the fuel line. Did it work for you when you cleaned out the hose? The problem is there could be dirt clogging any part of the fuel line and only a small part of it is reachable.

it wasnt the hose.i cleaned the buddy heater itself, where the fuel goes to the pilot light!!!!! and yes it worked after that!!!!!

Instruction manuals are terrible now, that’s my excuse.

Aboxy17 wrote:

I figured out the problem was in fact the hose after borrowing a friend’s hose and it working. I will try cleaning the fuel line. Did it work for you when you cleaned out the hose? The problem is there could be dirt clogging any part of the fuel line and only a small part of it is reachable.

I end up having to replace the hoses every 2-3 years. Not sure if they get filled with crap or what happens

The hose brakes down from the lp. Mr. Heater said if you use there hose it won’t for happen. They make filters for those heaters if you use a 20lb tank.

G_Smitty wrote:

Thought I’d share my most recent idiot-moment…

LOL! I got one of those with many others.
Everytime I hook up my propane tank to the camper I struggle to get it on and I fight my self trying to remember reverse threads or not.

I end up having to replace the hoses every 2-3 years. Not sure if they get filled with crap or what happens
[/quote]

Mine lasted a year. But I used mine a lot more than average, however. I figured out the problem was I did not change the filter soon enough which caused the hose to become clogged.

Nodakk wrote:

I end up having to replace the hoses every 2-3 years. Not sure if they get filled with crap or what happens

Aboxy17 wrote:

Mine lasted a year. But I used mine a lot more than average, however. I figured out the problem was I did not change the filter soon enough which caused the hose to become clogged.

Wow I am really surprised to hear you guys are burning thru hoses that often. I’ve got close to 10 years on my current mr. heater hose and filter combo and it’s showing no signs of its age. Just curious – as far as the propane you guys run, is it always 20 LBers you get from the “swap a tank” places? I wonder if only using my 5 & 11 LB tanks filled at a local propane place are giving me cleaner lp or something like that

Interesting to hear about attaching hose on both sides since I am only able to attach the quick connect hose on the left side.

So, I guess I lied in that original post. The quick-connect is only on the left side (opposite the controls) so that can only be connected on that side; but you CAN hook up the regular hose to either side. I have the hose from Mr. Heater that says you don’t need the filter (the other hoses degraded with the propane flowing through and this can clog up your heater) but I think I’m still going to get one and connect with that in place. Can’t hurt…

It’s like I can find ten different languages but couldn’t find the English one. LOL.

Gitchi- I only use a 20lb tank but do refill it at my local Ace hardware