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Mr Heater Buddy Connection To Aux Propane Port?

What could be different between our buddy heaters? It appears Mr. Heater changes the design details from time to time, which could account for different expected pressures at different input points. Maybe.

Informal poll:
What year was your Buddy heater new?

Mine - late 2023, looked like fresh stock from the factory.
Mine - only MH’s regulated hose to the Buddy QC seems to work from the CI gas outlet.

RMB - older or newer?
Steve?
Sweeney?
Cary?

Grasping at straws here between “some things we aren’t mean to know” and “just gotta’ know”!
 
Seth:

New Big Buddy fall 2023

Mr Heater hose and regulator:

View attachment upload_2024-1-7_16-51-17.jpeg

... with the tank connection removed and replaced with a male QC that mates with the CI side port, which registers 20 PSI out. This device also works "as purchased", meaning that I could go directly off a tank into the heater QC, as it was designed to do. However... the hose was too short to make it from the CI tank at the front all the way to the back of the trailer where the heat was needed. And I didn't want to buy/bring a second tank, or try to extend the long hose any further. Hence the need to find a way to go off the side port.

Mr Heater hose with filter and without regulator that goes direct from a spare tank to the 1 lb bottle port:

View attachment upload_2024-1-7_16-54-20.jpeg

All of these above combinations and permutations work. What definitely doesn't work for me is the CI-supplied short hose from the 20 PSI side port to the 1 lb connection on any version of the Buddies that I've tried. (I've since given away my "middle" Buddy, without the QC, as there was no way for me to get it to work off the side port).

All of my Buddy versions have worked flawlessly with a 1 lb bottle attached. Which, unfortunately, is the configuration we were all trying to avoid.

Heater is a Canadian brick and mortar sale. Hoses are Amazon buys.

One more workaround possibility for those who don't want to experience our collective anguish: Make your own 16' hose exactly like the last pic above (with filter) using a direct tank connection coming off one of these Y's:

View attachment upload_2024-1-7_17-19-6.jpeg

... which is probably what I should have done at the very beginning.

20-20 HS.
 
My buddy has a SN that has 230908 in it --- I assume 2023-sept-08, so it really new.

I have a manifold pressure test kit capable of measuring the water column. These are used to test for propane leaks in 'big rigs', by attaching to the stove and turning off the gas valve at the tank. You'll see a drop from your start point to the end of the test if there is a leak. The quick disconnect on the trailer is much higher than this device can test....

The only thing I can say, is my 'new' unit seems tow work flawlessly off the propane bottles, as well as the CI quick connect port to a 1lb propane screw on hose that has no regulator in between.

Cary --- can you verify the PSI output on the quick disconnect of the trailer? Has that number changed over the years, and does it depend on the existence of a furnace?


Just for reference, I contacted Mr Buddy about this. Per their tech, to use the quick disconnect hose (F271802) you need an 11-inch water column at the flare fitting.

The hose I am using, equivalent to F271117, requires full tank pressure officially and requires an inline filter F273699. These are the official numbers from 'mr heater'
 
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Sweeney said:
My buddy has a SN that has 230908 in it --- I assume 2023-sept-08, so it really new.

I have a manifold pressure test kit capable of measuring the water column. These are used to test for propane leaks in 'big rigs', by attaching to the stove and turning off the gas valve at the tank. You'll see a drop from your start point to the end of the test if there is a leak. The quick disconnect on the trailer is much higher than this device can test....

The only thing I can say, is my 'new' unit seems tow work flawlessly off the propane bottles, as well as the CI quick connect port to a 1lb propane screw on hose that has no regulator in between.

Cary --- can you verify the PSI output on the quick disconnect of the trailer? Has that number changed over the years, and does it depend on the existence of a furnace?


Just for reference, I contacted Mr Buddy about this. Per their tech, to use the quick disconnect hose (F271802) you need an 11-inch water column at the flare fitting.

The hose I am using, equivalent to F271117, requires full tank pressure officially and requires an inline filter F273699. These are the official numbers from 'mr heater'
Click to expand...
Thanks Sweeney.

That’s one idea down in flames - we have Sweeney’s, Steve’s, and my Buddy heaters all of recent manufacture behaving differently on the pressure available at the CI gas outlet port… Och.
 
Sweeney said:
My buddy has a SN that has 230908 in it --- I assume 2023-sept-08, so it really new.

I have a manifold pressure test kit capable of measuring the water column. These are used to test for propane leaks in 'big rigs', by attaching to the stove and turning off the gas valve at the tank. You'll see a drop from your start point to the end of the test if there is a leak. The quick disconnect on the trailer is much higher than this device can test....

The only thing I can say, is my 'new' unit seems tow work flawlessly off the propane bottles, as well as the CI quick connect port to a 1lb propane screw on hose that has no regulator in between.

Cary --- can you verify the PSI output on the quick disconnect of the trailer? Has that number changed over the years, and does it depend on the existence of a furnace?
Click to expand...

Any of the Camp-Inns that have a external gas port have a 20psi regulator at the tank so would have approximately 20psi on the hookup hose.

It is starting to sound like there must be some other component inside this heater such as a pressure check valve or something that is causing an issue. Somehow 20psi is not enough pressure sometimes to allow it to work even though it is only needing 11" of WC. Since a 1lb bottle has a fairly high pressure over 100psi and a larger tank the 200psi we have been talking about if they have a check valve in the system what would the spring pressure point of the check valve be?

Cary
 
Sweeney said:
Cary --- can you verify the PSI output on the quick disconnect of the trailer? Has that number changed over the years, and does it depend on the existence of a furnace?
Click to expand...

Mine is 20. Actually a few lbs higher at the port than at the tank.

Cary Winch said:
Somehow 20psi is not enough pressure sometimes to allow it to work even though it is only needing 11" of WC.
Click to expand...

This would indeed seem counterintuitive, but a check valve with a wide swing in pressure points, as you suggest, (or a malfunctioning valve or no valve at all) would be one explanation as to why we have such a wide variation in performance amongst us. I don't think that we should place too much faith in quality control of any of these components.

The fact that these heaters do work directly off tanks, as they are supposed to (in the two different MH hose configurations) and each of us has our own workaround, would seem their saving grace.
 
The only thing I can think of other than what Cary said --- is that may be I didn't let mine run long enough. I've got a project that will likely have me in the garage this weekend, and I will use the buddy for a couple hours. Doubt it will change anything, but I only let it run long enough before to have the plates turn bright red on high....
 
That likely won't change anything, as you say. Whenever I've had a "flame out" of the pilot, it was only lit for a few seconds and pretty feeble at that. Just some latent gas in the lines. There was certainly nothing pushing it through.
 
Steve and Karen said:
That likely won't change anything, as you say. Whenever I've had a "flame out" of the pilot, it was only lit for a few seconds and pretty feeble at that. Just some latent gas in the lines. There was certainly nothing pushing it through.
Click to expand...


Next thread: Diesel heaters
 
rmbrowder said:
Going for a stretch, does your short CI QD hose have the Schrader valve in the outlet? (Does it have the small pin like a bicycle tube)
Click to expand...


Let's not forget Bob's question here by the way. This type of 1lb bottle replacement hoses would normally come with a Schrader valve in them. The gas appliance has a pin in the fitting that pushes in on the pin in the valve to open it up when connected. What we found out years ago is the length of this pin varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and that the connection hoses don't always work consistently when it has the Schrader valve in place. So, for many years we have been removing the Schrader valve from the ends of the hoses we provide with the Camp-Inn. If you have a hose that has a Schrader valve in though it may cause inconsistency issues and I would recommend removing it. Take a peek into the end of the 1lb bottle end of the hose to see if has a valve or a open hole. The O-ring and the plastic ring holding the O-ring in place should be there but the valve should be absent.

Cary
 
Curiouser and curiouser...

Indeed the pin is gone on the CI hose (left side) but present on the Mr Heater version:

View attachment upload_2024-1-9_11-44-59.jpeg

Unfortunately, my MH hose is crimped at the other end (with a tank connection) and I have no way of spinning on a male QC to connnect to the side port to see if the presence of a pin (combined with a 20 psi regulator) can be a functional combination.

Maybe somebody has these odds and sods to give it a whirl?
 
Steve and Karen said:
Curiouser and curiouser...

Indeed the pin is gone on the CI hose (left side) but present on the Mr Heater version:

View attachment 10203

Unfortunately, my MH hose is crimped at the other end (with a tank connection) and I have no way of spinning on a male QC to connnect to the side port to see if the presence of a pin (combined with a 20 psi regulator) can be a functional combination.

Maybe somebody has these odds and sods to give it a whirl?
Click to expand...


Excellent picture showing the Schrader valve in position vs the valve being absent. Removing the valve requires a Schrader valve removal tool, it is a cheap common little tool.

We have also wondered if that valve (when it is properly opening all the way) is still maybe a flow restriction for larger gas appliances. Probably depends on the pressure.

I would be sure to do the Buddy testing with the Camp-Inn hose with no Schrader valve and not with a hose that has a valve in it. Just to remove another possible variable.

Cary
 
Steve and Karen said:
(Snip)
Mr Heater hose and regulator:

View attachment 10200


"One more workaround possibility for those who don't want to experience our collective anguish:

Make your own 16' hose exactly like the last pic above (with filter) using a direct tank connection coming off one of these Y's:

View attachment 10202

... which is probably what I should have done at the very beginning.

20-20 HS.
Click to expand...

Heh. The easy way. Where's the fun in that? J/k
Plus ya got another LOongggg hose to stow, somewhere...

Which might be said to be dual purpose, say if you were to set up your Clam or other standalone tent on the only flat spot that happened to be within 16' of the tongue and propane tank, it should work.

With a fuel filter. A youtoob search shows many reviews by sportsmen, campers, boondockers who note that the Buddy products are subject to oil clogging the pitot tube such that instead of the slantwise blue flame heating the thermocouple you get a weak yellow vertical flame which does not, and fails to ignite gas flowing up along the ceramic that is the source of radiant (not convective, nor air heating design of other propane heaters.)

So ya need the Mr Buddy short hose that doesnt leech oil from the Mr Buddy made tube material,

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-As...70f-bc45-0e4fb5cc5742&ref_=pd_gwm_dealz_dotda

or else make sure you connect to the Mr Buddy fuel filter to collect any leeching from other hoses, longer lengths.

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-Bu...df-bbc1-60b494d6cb6e&pd_rd_i=B00PJYL9IO&psc=1

There's a couple tips on how to clean the pitot burner, q-tip method or airhose, after long enough use for soot to accumulate.

Ya could also try a more shop style propane heater that puts out 9-15k btu. Just to see if thats less sensitive to the 20psi output, which RMbrowders gas grill, gas fireplace, and Sweeneys Weber Q is not...

This one lights with a match...no pitot tubes, bat-trees, etc. It does have a tip over switch, and a 1" connector but the description notes you can buy a hose to attach to a 20lb propane tank.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCJQCJH...2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwyp13NParams
 
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S
Steve and Karen said:
Mine is 20. Actually a few lbs higher at the port than at the tank.



This would indeed seem counterintuitive, but a check valve with a wide swing in pressure points, as you suggest, (or a malfunctioning valve or no valve at all) would be one explanation as to why we have such a wide variation in performance amongst us. I don't think that we should place too much faith in quality control of any of these components.

The fact that these heaters do work directly off tanks, as they are supposed to (in the two different MH hose configurations) and each of us has our own workaround, would seem their saving grace.
Click to expand...
I suspect the Mr Buddy valves have a narrow range of acceptable inlet pressures that somehow the CI regulator changes enough, vs just connecting via the Buddy hose to a propane tank without the CI regulator in line.

This Mr Buddy product w/ piezo igniter lists specs for min 11" WC and max 14", for example.
The battery ignition versions are 14" max, 7" min.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DPZ5B2...lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM
 
Kevin said:
roducts are subject to oil clogging the pitot tube such that instead of the slantwise blue flame heating the thermocouple you get a weak yellow vertical flame which does not, and fails to ignite gas flowing up along the ceramic that is the source of radiant (not convective, nor air heating design of other propane heaters.)

So ya need the Mr Buddy short hose that doesnt leech oil from the Mr Buddy made tube material,

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-As...70f-bc45-0e4fb5cc5742&ref_=pd_gwm_dealz_dotda

or else make sure you connect to the Mr Buddy fuel filter to collect any leaching from other hoses, longer lengths.
Click to expand...

Kevin: That's been my understanding as well.

However... I now see that my two MH hoses are made using two different hose suppliers: Deltec (ULH201) 1/4" and Flex Tech. Both are rated for 350 psi; the Deltec appears (from a web search) to be made in China while the Flex Tech hose sports a Made In USA stamp on the hose itself. Which is somewhat concerning from a quality standpoint.

I have no answer as to why this would be. However, if I were to forced to use the Deltec hose on a MH heater, I would be using it with the filter, just to be on the safe side, and despite it being touted as an OEM MH product that is not supposed to foul up the heaters.

Luckily, for me, my side port connection setup (that doesn't incorporate the filter) uses what appears to be the higher quality Flex Tech hose. So no worries about contamination. For now.

FWIW, the hoses don't feel or look any different from one another.

Also... the short CI hose (mine, at least) is an Accuflex, which is also a US-made hose (despite the Canada stamp on it) and appears to be a quality product not given to the shedding of oils and leading to contamination of sensitive devices.
 
Last edited:
Or, back to RMBrowders example: try non-Mr Buddy devices:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KY4S38...d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwp13NParams

I wanted the Buddy heater as a toe warmer and subsitute for a campfire in places (more and more out west where local wildfire authorities are prohibiting ANY open flame type fires or fire pits, that I imagine might include my little solo stove, which is great for the "look" of a fire and not much else...;)

Plus enough BTU to take the chill off inside a separate tent, setup standalone or more likely- draped over the galley of CI, like the Clam, Gazelle G6(?), or the New Breeze 12x12 which were popular on this forum a few years back, leaving a cozy sitting area after dinner to watch sun go down, out of the rain and bugs, warm enough in high desert shoulder season with a bit of extra heat for DWs and My old bones...

At 58,000 btu this is the smallest, most popular open flame firepit on Amazon, that may just melt a hole in my roof...

There is a square version too, lights with a match:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZK2DT4...d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwp13NParams
 
Last edited:
Bl
rmbrowder said:
I have three Mr Heaters: Buddy, Big Buddy, and the “new” BuddyFlex.I have had no problems. Depending upon the length of extra hose used I do bleed the hose until I smell/see gas, then connect the appliance. I do use the fuel filter. Please, no safety comments (A Christmas Movie: You’re going to shoot yourself in the eye!)
Click to expand...
...bleedng the hose seems to be key...
 
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