So I'm having an issue with my Mr. Heater Big Buddy heater. I recently got a Big Buddy to use in the pop up, but for some reason I'm having issues with it staying on. I use it with a 20lbs or a 5lbs tank. When I initially start it up, i have no issues, but after about 4 hours of continuous use, the pilot turns off and then within 2 seconds the whole things shuts off.
I was using it this past weekend on an overnight and started out great, but then the issues started. I thought the propane froze. But then I got back from my trip and stored the propane indoors to see. Then I took it out again yesterday and it was only -9 where I was fishing and I kept the tank inside the hut just in case and again, 4 hours of good use, then shuts off.
Its a brand new unit so it can't be that the pilot hole is dirty… but I've cleaned that out just in case. Its not the tipping sensor, because it was on a flat surface. My hut is also well vented.
The other thing too was that last weekend when I did get the pilot going and turned it to the low setting, just doing that was enough to snuff out the pilot.
I've also changed hose just in case and it even did this with the new hose.
My brother has this exact same heater set up the exact same way too and has never had an issue.
Is there something I'm missing here? I've never had this happen with the Portable Buddy.
Posted by G-R-Riv
18 Comments
Maybe a co detector will tell you the answer
Sounds a lot like the CO auto shut off
I’ve had my buddy heater not work after sitting directly on the ice, I put some foam between the ice and the heater and never had the problem again.
Mine has / does that same thing…. My theory is that it is switching from one tank to the other.. but IDK
I’ve had this issue and it was the pilot light. Since you’ve cleaned it, I’d say contact Mr. Heater. Could be a defective unit
Do you use a filter?
ISO 5lb tank for under $60…
They shut off when there is low oxygen. This happened to me too. Did you have good ventilation?
Not sure what the issue is here but for the sake of throwing an idea out there:
We leave our tanks at camp in the shed so they’re frozen when we arrive. A full tank will fire right up, but one that is only 25% full will not work.
It could be that your tank was still pretty froze up. When it was full it still had enough pressure to feed propane, but when it got below a certain level it couldn’t feed.
Lack of oxygen… Open a window door. Open more then just vents.
I’ve had this problem. Try a new gas line.
Mine was shutting off within a few minutes of being on. Long story short, it was the tip over switch. Easy to test, by bypassing it, which many will then choose to leave as is. Not recommended. But also ready to repair once you know that’s what it is. I couldn’t guess if you’re problem is the same given how long it stays on for, but again, easy to test.
https://youtu.be/iaoj0XCptjA?si=G9deGvimgytE8p4x
Do you have a filter on the fuel line? If not, you want it if you’re running a 20lb tank.
I’d also ventilate your hub, the CO sensor may be tripping as well.
Mine doing this too after a few hrs. I think it was the tank getting low. And it was cold on the ice. Fill it up and elevate the tank
I always struggled with buddy on that. I switched to heat hog and it’s much more consistent.
It’ll happen at times still, but I crack a window and no problem. I think the CO sensors are set too sensitive sometimes, which is a weird statement to make in a vacuum.
It is kicking off because your oxygen levels are dropping too low. You need more ventilation. If you have snow on the skirts, remove it from the area behind the heater and get something to prop up the skirt a bit behind the heater so it gets fed air directly, that’s what I do.
We have a similar issue with one of our buddy heaters. We don’t use it much. I always assumed it was some safety feature shutting it off. Like it thinks it’s getting too hot or something.
Propane doesnt freeze, but the 20lb may not be keeping up with the cold weather. The heater actually burners the vapor produced by LP. A bigger tank might help