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Author Topic: Portable Buddy Heater?  (Read 3529 times)

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Offline HD

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We have 3 types of Buddy heaters. The portable buddy, the regular buddy and the big buddy.
The regular buddy heater and the big buddy heater, we have never had any trouble with.

The portable buddy heater had problems right out of the box. It takes many clicks to ignite the pilot, once the pilot is going, turning it to the low setting, the ceramic grid starts to glow. Once it is red and glowing, in a short time, it reverts to a blue flicker. If you tilt the heater a bit, it goes back to the red glow, then slowly goes back to the blue flicker. If you tilt the tank, you get the same results. We have tried it with the 1 pound tanks or a hose with a filter and 20 tank with the same results. We even cleaned out the orifices to make sure nothing was plugged....same thing...

I posted this elsewhere, and the consensus is to return the unit.

What do you think?
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Offline Rebel SS

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I would. NEVER had a problem with my two. Sounds like a bad thermocouple assy or valve to me. (No regulator on these, just valve switch assy).
« Last Edit: December 12/31/17, 10:40:42 AM by Rebel SS »

Offline Gunner55

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We have the same unit & no issues. It's just about new as we've only used it a couple times, only once out on the ice. Last year was just to make sure it still worked correctly. 1 # ers for us
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Offline Boar

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Id say thermos coupler, you should beable to take a needle nos pliers and bend it toward the orifice, if you try opening up the cabnet, which ive done to replace one, its biotch getting back together
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Offline LPS

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Id say thermos coupler, you should beable to take a needle nos pliers and bend it toward the orifice, if you try opening up the cabnet, which ive done to replace one, its biotch getting back together

Offline Rebel SS

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It's more than the thermocouple when tilting the unit/gas, which changes the line pressure, affects the burn pattern......just my experience with fixing these units.  ;) Take it back. As long as it lights, has the blue flame when firing up, 99% sure the thermocouple is working properly. That's when they won't fire up. Dat's my opinion, anywho.  :azn:
« Last Edit: December 12/31/17, 11:08:08 AM by Rebel SS »

Offline HD

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To me, it seems like a pressure problem....like it's just not getting enough gas....

Like Rebs said, if it had a regulator...should be an easy adjustment.

Kinda weird though, never had a problem with the other 2 "Buddy's"....just the "portable" one...
Mama always said, If you ain't got noth'in nice to say, don't say noth'in at all!

Online Leech~~

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To me, it seems like a pressure problem....like it's just not getting enough gas....

Like Rebs said, if it had a regulator...should be an easy adjustment.

Kinda weird though, never had a problem with the other 2 "Buddy's"....just the "portable" one...

I would agree with a pressure (flow) or gas air mix issue. It's not the thermocouple or it would not light at all.
Cooking over a open fire is all fun and games until someone losses a wiener!

Offline Rebel SS

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To me, it seems like a pressure problem....like it's just not getting enough gas....

Like Rebs said, if it had a regulator...should be an easy adjustment.

Kinda weird though, never had a problem with the other 2 "Buddy's"....just the "portable" one...

Maybe the new guys first day on the job put it together....blame Pedro.   :rotflmao:

Offline Boar

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i bet its a pressure problem if it was the thermo it wouldnt light at all.
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Offline Rebel SS

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I'll bet it's the fireball pressure valve that's outta whack.   :evil:

Offline Boar

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Online Leech~~

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i bet its a pressure problem if it was the thermo it wouldnt light at all.

Is there an Echo in here?  :scratch: Back here you were all about the orifice  :moon:

Id say thermos coupler, you should beable to take a needle nos pliers and bend it toward the orifice, if you try opening up the cabnet, which ive done to replace one, its biotch getting back together
Cooking over a open fire is all fun and games until someone losses a wiener!

Offline dew2

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We have 3 types of Buddy heaters. The portable buddy, the regular buddy and the big buddy.
The regular buddy heater and the big buddy heater, we have never had any trouble with.

The portable buddy heater had problems right out of the box. It takes many clicks to ignite the pilot, once the pilot is going, turning it to the low setting, the ceramic grid starts to glow. Once it is red and glowing, in a short time, it reverts to a blue flicker. If you tilt the heater a bit, it goes back to the red glow, then slowly goes back to the blue flicker. If you tilt the tank, you get the same results. We have tried it with the 1 pound tanks or a hose with a filter and 20 tank with the same results. We even cleaned out the orifices to make sure nothing was plugged....same thing...

I posted this elsewhere, and the consensus is to return the unit.

What do you think?
I,m Bacccckkk how long who knows?some how the net is runnin fast right now???
 Any way my guess would be >>Return it if possible if not check the tip over safety shutoff it may be faulty or stuck, If it even has one I think all have to have em as safety device
Which Buddy you talkin about??>>http://www.mrheater.com/product/heaters/buddy-series.html
« Last Edit: December 12/31/17, 11:22:14 PM by dew2 »
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