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IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: Fishnfool4 on Dec 03, 2016, 11:47 PM

Title: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: Fishnfool4 on Dec 03, 2016, 11:47 PM
I have a mr heater little buddy. It agnites but will not start the flame so i'm thinking it's the thermocoupler. I tried to find one but they are no longer available. has anyone had one go out and if so where were you able to get a ne coupler?? This unit is 12yrs old and I can't figure out why they changed the unit that much so you can't get it fixed. I use it once a yr for the wife and now to replace it is about 75.00 any help will be much appreciated
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: hardwater diehard on Dec 04, 2016, 12:05 AM
You should add your location to your profile ..may be a part near you .

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=cleaning+the+mr+heater+little+buddy&view=detail&mid=55DE81BE72FB34409A4355DE81BE72FB34409A43&FORM=VIRE

http://www.mrheater.com/product/faqs/little-buddy-troubleshooting/
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: 3300 on Dec 04, 2016, 11:44 AM
thanks for joining us!

i have one and it does seem like it will never light at times. you have to hold the button down longer than you think you should have to, to get it to start.
otherwise check it for bugs in the pilot line or just blow it out any way.

the colder it is, the harder it is to light and that's when you need it the most so it's more frustrating. just try it inside where it's warm and see if it works before spending more money on it to get started. heat makes the energy (electromagnets) or it has to push the valve open with mercury inside the coupler and has to be hot enough in the thermo coupler to open the gas valve. so you have to get that hot enough first. so once you get the pilot to stay lit keep holding the button down to make sure it's hot enough to open the gas valve. you parts are probably okay.

also, cold gas has less pressure so the pilot light when cold is harder to get going. once it gets some heat the flame gets taller.
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: ice dawg on Dec 04, 2016, 11:49 AM
Are we talking "Little Buddy" which mounts to the top of a one pound propane cylinder or the "Portable Buddy" which 3300 seems to be describing??
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: 3300 on Dec 04, 2016, 12:14 PM
i am speaking about the little buddy i have and use.
i do have and use the portable mr heater too. they have the same mechanics tho, so i am speaking about both.
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: ice dawg on Dec 04, 2016, 12:36 PM
A lot of people confuse the Portable buddy with the little buddy.  That's why I asked the OP the question. I have and use the little buddy, portable buddy, mr heater cooker and two tank top sunflower heaters. The buddy heaters seem a bit temperamental at times.
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: hardwater diehard on Dec 04, 2016, 01:30 PM
http://www.basspro.com/Mr-Heater-Little-Buddy-Heater/product/10209944/

free shipping
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: Fishnfool4 on Dec 04, 2016, 10:40 PM
Ice dog it's the one that sits on top of the 2lb tank
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: ice dawg on Dec 05, 2016, 02:22 PM
Ice dog it's the one that sits on top of the 2lb tank
if it is older than 2011, call 1 800 251 0001 and the techs should be able to help you. Mine is the newer model  MH4B and the part number for it's Pilot Assembly is 15155. Good luck to you. :tipup:
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: Fishnfool4 on Dec 05, 2016, 07:17 PM
Thanks everyone found the problem a pure fluke I ran a que tip down the orfice and to my surprise a spider stuck to the tip.I took the nozzle off and blew it out,more part of the spider came out lit it and it worked great after that  luck was on my side this time
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: ice dawg on Dec 05, 2016, 07:36 PM
Glad you found it. Spiders cause a lot of problems in gas heaters.
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: OldSailor on Dec 05, 2016, 07:40 PM
Best to store them in an airtight, at least bug proof, container in the off season!!  ;D
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: 3300 on Dec 05, 2016, 07:42 PM
i keep the little buddy head in a litter bucket all of the time except when in use.
glad you found a problem! bet your glad to be one us now.
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: UFCreel on Dec 06, 2016, 06:37 AM
Cleaned mine for the first time yesterday after reading this. It worked before. But now it seems like it works. Like when i bought it all those years ago.  ;D
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: Fishnfool4 on Dec 06, 2016, 09:30 AM
What a great site thanks for all the help and yes I'm glad I found and can use this site  Jim
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: ice dawg on Dec 06, 2016, 09:39 AM
At least here you didn't get two pages of people arguing about different types of heaters like on the "other site". Makes me appreciate Ice Shanty even more. ;D
Title: Re: Mr Heater Little buddy
Post by: Unclegillhunter on Dec 06, 2016, 03:40 PM
Glad you got it fixed! And you know when I think about it this particular site does feel a lot more forgiving then some others I visit. More info less personal bashing!
Keep it safe and come on ice!! JDL