I've run a Big Buddy with an external propane tank for 3-4 years, multiple tanks. My 8x6 fiberglass blind is on a utility trailer, about 4-5 feet above the trailer floor. This AM I swapped in a new tank down below and a few hours later reattached the external hose (I used the remainder of small Coleman tank) to the heater and attempted a re-light. Didn't fire right up, so I assumed it needed to flow up from the tank below, paused 10-15 seconds and hit the pilot re-light again. After about 10 seconds, got an unusual puff of blue flame and what sounded like the propane tank exploding below. It scared the shat out of me! It was loud, shook the whole blind and knocked things off the upper shelf. One of my lease-mates a ways away heard it. The hole in the floor is maybe a 1/2", but is largely stuffed full with the propane hose and some wires. The tank looked untouched, the hose looked untouched. Nonetheless they are both gone now, I'm going back to the Coleman tanks. I have no idea what happened or how it happened, but not taking another chance.

Please be careful and NEVER put the tank in the blind/tent/camper with you.

Charlie

Glad you are ok.

That’s wild. That’s also my exact set up in my stand. Bottle on the ground, line ran up to the stand. There was obviously a leak somewhere.

I don't understand why folks have these things. Between being blown up and being gassed to death, no thanks. I just wear proper clothing and stay warm just fine.

That’s one way to wake the neighborhood. Glad you’re okay

Wow, glad all is okay.

Glad you are ok and it wasn't any worse.

glad your OK!!!

I’m glad you didn’t get hurt!!! We have that exact set up in several blinds but I keep a bottle of soapy spray handy every time I swap a bottle to check for leaks on the connection and hose. Propane is a dangerous substance given the right circumstances, you can never be to careful and even then you can blow yourself up. Stuff has always scared me

This ^^^^^^^^
Were you using a flexible rubber hose?

Yes, glad you're okay.

Don't we all know that sometimes a few bucks saved doesn't justify having more things that can go wrong.

First, glad you are still with us. Was the tank in an enclosed area? Also for those of you that use one of these heaters in a tent, a carbon monoxide/smoke alarm is a must. Those small disposable propane bottles can get pricy, they can be refilled from a bulk tank (you may already do this). Sounds like a frightening experience.

The trailer the blind is on, looks like any utility trailer, just that the sides are about 4ft tall, very open. The tank was on the trailer floor. I don't understand how it lit off from inside the blind. Static somehow?

The Buddy heaters are very safe, rated to run in enclosed spaces (not all space heaters are) and I have no issue running one in a blind, without any kind of adapters now...

Charlie

Glad you're ok, but did you check to ensure the tank and the hose was attached correctly?

My Uncle changed out a tank on the gas grill and laughed at me when I suggested we check the seal. Needless to say the seal was not good, and we had a small gas fire by the screw knob.

Upside I put the fire out while he ran, and as long as I have breath i will remind him how he ran like a little school girl.

Certainly could have been a seal issue, I did not check it. I am certain it was fully connected and tight, as I couldn’t get it started under the blind and had to take out to complete.

You can bet your azz I’ll be eyeballing that black ring from now on.

Charlie

A spray bottle with soapy water comes in handy....

Are you running the regulator that you screw into the heater and attach the hose to? I've read that people had problems with their heaters until they put the regulators on them.

I'm not running a regulator which I don't believe is necessary, but I did have one of these filters installed.



Charlie

Charlie, I think in the post regarding the regulator, he has it confused with the filter. The regulator is built in. Again, glad you were not hurt.

Somehow I didn’t get the “rest of the story” posted before.

I began religiously using soapy water on all flammable gas connections. I had done some metal work in my shop a couple years ago. Used the cutting torch and then a grinder. Apparently a spark from the grinder ignited a small leaking gage on the acetylene regulator. I was in a hurry and didn’t turn my bottles off. Almost two weeks later I went out to my shop and saw a small light by the torch. When I went to investigate I found a candle size flame at the base of the gage that had melted the lens cover on the gage.

I was extremely lucky I didn’t burn down or blow up my shop.

Now all bottles are off and soapy water is sprayed on all connections.

Link to my almost burning down my shop post

Wow! That'll make a believer out of you SW!

Dang, Jes. Very glad everything turned out ok!

It got my attention for sure....I just posted here as a warning, like the OP. Leaking gas lines can hurt you in a fast way. Still don’t know how I dodged that one...extremely lucky.

A spray bottle and a little soapy water is cheap insurance....