Xmas present works great with the small canister. I took a 20 pound tank down the blind and hooked it up with a 12 foot hose. The dang thing will not light. I can put the small can back on and it works great. I switched back and forth several times. The pilot lit once using the 20 lb but went out after I held the button down for at least a minute to make sure it had propane and then switched it to high. Anyone got a solution other than just using the expensive small cans?

thanks in advance!

Change the regulator

X2

I have same problem so I just hooked the small cylinder up to one side and the big to the other and light it with the little one and then turn on the big bottle to burn it. Not sure that makes sense but maybe you can see what I mean

Mr Heater (the manuf) strongly suggests using an inline filter when connecting a Buddy heater to a 20lb tank.
(Pg 5 of the owners manual )

Both mine did exactly what you describe, bought & installed 2 filters no problems since.
I have to hold down the button in pilot mode for quite a while to purge the air from the line. Purging a 12' line full of air through a tiny pilot orifice takes a good bit of time.


---> Buddy heater fuel filter <---

there is no regulator to change. This is a brand new 12 foot hose connecting a brand new buddy heater to a brand new 20 lb tank.

Should I be using a regulator? I assumed I could take the 12ft Mr buddy heater hose and connect it direct. The buddy literature didn't say anything about using a regulator?

Thanks

Yes it has to have the filter, tractor supply used to sell them. Something about bulk propane being greasy or dirty and clogging the orafice.

man up and quit using a heater? NW San Saba ain't Manitoba.

I agree I hasn't EVER gotten cold enough in tx to have me use a heater!!

Long line just take a while to purge

Don't leave that heater in the blind. Just sayin'

This is my first heater and I figure if I want to get comfortable in my blind then you know what Lubbock boy?

Its none of your concern now is it?

Why would a person intentionally be cold and miserable in a blind? Maybe their too stupid to figure out there are easier ways in life to get along.

Very well said!
thank you!

I've never been on a hunt in Texas where I NEEDED a heater...but I've been on a few that I damn sure would've used it if I had one! Let the haters hate...while you sit in your blind on a frigid 32 degree Texas morning in your comfortable t-shirt with your Mr Buddy. You won't catch any flack from me!

...but yes, get a cheap in-line filter. Op was correct though...if it sits for any period of time at all, it will take a while to purge the line air. Yes, you could purge more quickly by disconnecting heater or having a bypass valve in front of the heater, but if you choose to do so, at the very least, blow it out the downwind window. Lighting a match in a propane-filled death box is a little warmer than you probably wish to be.

32 degrees? Heck out in west Texas I got in the blind when it was 13 degrees once, talk about a cold 4 wheeler ride.

There was a little sarcasm there. I'm in West Texas...and I'm not man enough to hop on the 4-wheeler under about 20. I would rather let my truck take me part of the way and have to walk further. 10 degrees with game in the binos isn't bad at all....20 degrees and skunked is damn cold.

I have a fitting that refills small bottles from a 20lb, used it now for years. It refills the bottle about 65% (so i refill 2 etc) You put empty in ice water for 60 seconds, screw it on fitting (which is already on the 20lb) and turn the whole thing upside down. Turn valve on for 45-60 seconds and the propane wants to go where its cold. turn valve off and unscrew. Very simple and I've had some of the green bottles for several yrs now.
One draw back: the valves inside the green bottles occasionally, will leak, seep after a couple yrs. So I fixed that by always having a lantern, whatever, handy so if I do refill one that seeps, I can screw something on it to use up that propane. If I find a seeper I mark it immediately so I won't refill it again.
Can't remember where I got it, but i betcha a Google search would find it easily. Was about $15 and I've got my $$$ back 100 times over probably.

I use a 20lb tank on my Big Buddy heater in our lease trailer. I ruined one Big Buddy by not using the filter so I highly recomment them. If you don't purge the air out of the line it takes for ever to light the heater. I always hook the hose to the tank, turn the valve on and use something, not sharp or dirty, to push the plunger down in the center of the business end of the hose until I smell gas. I then turn the tank valve off, this reduces the pressure necessary to connect hose to heater, connect to heater then light the heater.

You asked for a solution, I offered one. I never said you had to like my answer! .