Big Buddy Heater keeps turning Off

[Mooselaker]

Hey I have a Big Buddy Heater which created some trouble last time out on the ice. It kept shutting of. Has anyone else experienced it before? I have it hooked up to a 20 lbs tank which was more than half full, had it checked at co-op in Selkirk. I kept igniting it, it worked than for a few minutes, than it made a clicking sound and turned off. It didn't matter if I had it on Low, Medium or High Power. Plus I was in my tent, so there was no wind that could have turned it off. I used it all last winter too, never experiened anything like that. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[Icedrillinen]

You may have tried all of this but if not, Double check all your connections are not sticking and that they are open for the gas to run freely.  Also the heater has to be on a level ground. Hope this will help you.

[Icetester]

Put some alcohol on a q tip and carefully push it thru the pilot hole. I break the q tip down a little because it's just a bit too much cotton and causes the q tip to get jammed. You are basically looking to clean it out. I usually spin the q tip as I push it thru and out again. This has always fixed the problem.

It's probably not the name " pilot hole" but where the flames comes out, I think you get my drift.

[Icedrillinen]

Good to know, I will keep that in mind for my heater as well.

[hardwater diehard]

You must have a filter with a large tank ..or the replacement hose that does not require a filter (cost a lil more ) regular hoses break down and the oils muck up the regulators an fuel lines . Lota video on youtube on how to clean them ....no dollar store platic bodied q tips ...the heads fall off ...and a real pain to get out . also make sure you clean/clear the low oxigen sensor .Good luck .

[Mooselaker]

Thanks guys. I will try all your suggestions

[danger1337]

I'd get the proper hose but are you sure the heater is level? You might be tripping the tip over switch if its not.

[nubote]

If you have the tent zipped up tight with no vents open, you could be burning enough oxygen for the safety to shut it off. Doyou poen the valve all the way?

[Mooselaker]

Yes I did make sure that the heater was level, and yes I always open the valve up all the way.

[fishinfirefighter]

If you have the tent zipped up tight with no vents open, you could be burning enough oxygen for the safety to shut it off. Doyou poen the valve all the way?

x2 on the CO sensor.
If you don't have the tent vented properly and the CO levels get up to high the heater will shut itself off.

[golden eyes]

sounds like low oxygen level in tent.crack a door open once in awhile to refresh your level,even with those vents in the tent not enough.

[Bowkes]

sounds like low oxygen level in tent.crack a door open once in awhile to refresh your level,even with those vents in the tent not enough.

Second this statement, was having the exact same issue last year, opened the tent quickly every 30 minutes to let some air in an it wouldnt randomly shut off.

[30-30]

First, I would make darn sure you have enough fresh air.

I Had a similar situation with an HWT in an RV. Ended up being the propane tank. Had it purged and refilled and it was fine.

Here is a video about the Mr Buddy that may give you some hints as to your issue:

[ungulate72]

I was having the same problem - buddy heater had a hard time getting started, then would shut off after ~20 seconds with a "click".  This suggestion of cleaning the "pilot hole" with qtip-alcohol totally worked, and now its running perfect.  Thanks so much for this suggestion!

[chilly-willy]

Some times the flame proving devise..  gets sooted up and we all know soot is a insulator to heat..  so the devise shuts off .. basically a flame proofing devise has freon in it basically a bulb that open the gas valve by freon pressure on these units .. the freon heats up with the piolt flame and expands pushing the valve open.. ok? The sooty flame proving devise  would be across from the pilot  orfice were the pilot flame can hit it .. looks like a  little ballon. What you can do is carefully scrape the edge with a pocket knife..  if you use sand paper the glass in the paper some time sticks and melts to the the ballon surface. .  all that is needed is a real light scraping motion with the pocket knife to remove the soot..  really no pressure.. after done restart it see if it works?? This is if the orfice tube is not sooty and the cleaning icetester decribed earlier does not work try the above??

[Icenflies]

+1 for the cleaning being the fix. Mine did the same. Using cheaper propane tank hook up hoses leads to this. Buddy made brand hoses are better and keeping orifices in the heater clean.

[3300]

i moved the flame sensor closer to the pilot flame. the bracket holding the sensor will allow for this. the heater is a hassle to take apart. i still want to make a bart pilot flame guard.

 i noticed the colder it is, the longer you need to hold the pilot knob down before trying to ignite the pilot.

ungulate72, thanks for joining us! strong first post.

[Itried]

Here’s the real fix

[/youtube]

[Gunflint]

Thank you!

Fabulous video.

[DR.SPECKLER]

Ahh im sbout ready to pull out and do battle with the buddy heaters and go try to get them to light after setting all year.things dont want to light when it gets real cold and thats when i need them.so unreliable for a icefishing heater.

[Rebelss]

One tip guys: Blow out the ceramic heat element with yer air compressor every year. Amazing the crud that collects in there, and will keep it from "taking off". I clean my thermocouple every year with a Q-tip and alcohol, lightly polish with emery cloth if needed, blow out the cermamic element, and in 15 yrs never had an issue. In fact, fired up both yday to heat garage, and heated like a charm!   

[Iceassin]

Sunflower...mic drop. 

[hardwater diehard]

Good Video and tip ..filter and proper hose should be part of the Big Buddy tips also

&pbjreload=101

[Itried]

Here is the real fix

[blue igloo]

Here is the real fix

Well done!
Blue Igloo