Big buddy heater not sparking on pilot
Posted by Material-Midnight-17@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 18 comments
Just got a brand new big buddy heater from Sam’s a few weeks ago. It came with the adaptor line that connects to a 20lb propane tank. Just bought the 20lb propane tank today & connected it to the heater. So I held the pilot option for 5 minutes & no spark came on. Looked at every YouTube video available on this issue. When I switch it to pilot mode there’s never any spark or anything at all. There was a slight propane smell coming out so I took off the cover & used a lighter on the Orpheus. The heater ignited. 20 seconds later I switched the mode to high. It stayed on for about 3 minutes then the blue flame went away. The heater turned off. How do I get the igniter to spark? If I can’t get it to spark I’ll need to go back to a Sam’s that has the same heater :(. Please help
Living-Question-2468@reddit
On the bottom of the heater is a small round cap you unscrew. That's were the igniter power comes from
Status-Ad2002@reddit
So this is real embarrassing but where does the AAA battery go in this darn heater? I can't find the spot at all. And my heater won't light.
Zircaloy4@reddit
Any luck bro
Zircaloy4@reddit
Found it, under the heater. Twist the black knob place the battery inside.
Cold-Comedian-5914@reddit
I have the buddy flex and was having the same issue after just pulling it out of my storage unit. I totally forgot there was a battery lol Turns out I just needed to put a new AAA battery in it and it started right up! 🤦♀️ Wanted to throw this comment in here in case anyone else is as silly as me and forgot (or doesn't know) about the damn battery... 😅👍
Material-Midnight-17@reddit (OP)
Update:
I called Mr heater & they said I need to use a triple a battery and install it underneath the big buddy. She also said the battery cap is too big, so she’ll send me a smaller battery cap to my address. Once it arrives I’ll see if it works & update you guys. I do find it strange that nowhere online it says that you need to install a triple A battery underneath the heater so I can get the spark.
ElectronGuru@reddit
the lack of battery ignition was looking like a drawback. If you confirm it’s been upgraded to aaa, please do a new post with photos!
JulietSix@reddit
To anyone else who may have this same problem like I did. If you want the unit to perform as advertised and not use a stick lighter, crumple up just a little tin foil down at the base of the cap so that the battery can make contact at the positive end. Just as the OP pointed out, the cap is oversized.
Lancifer1979@reddit
I’ve read on Amazon that the igniters go out on some. You can fix that with a bic
Decent-Cricket-5315@reddit
When you turn the propane tank on, barely turn it on from the tank or turn it super slow. Then prime the pilot by clicking and holding for a few seconds then click it and it should light. I get my tanks refilled and everytime it's as if the tank has too much pressure for the heater. It will turn on like that then goes out. It gets a little finicky with the bigger tanks but once u figure it out you will know what to do. When I'm turning the knob at the tank I listen for a little click. If I hear that click I pretty much know I'll need to start over.
Sarcastic_Sharpie@reddit
The click is the "excessive flow protection", essentally a spring loaded check valve, to prevent propane from blowing out from a broken or open pressure line. If you leave the device off for a few minutes, the tank should trickle pressure into the line, and after it equalizes, the safety should open again. I deal with this weekly on the summer months, people come in saying the tank I filled does not work on their grill. Its because they leave the burner on, so the excessive flow trips.
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
Is the line for the 20lb tank just a line adapter or is it one with a regulator on it? You really need one that has a regulator. I always recommend the official line with regulator from Mr. Heater for this reason.
RandoShootingGuy@reddit
It also takes a while for the hose to bleed off the air. The pilot light is super low flow.
newarkdanny@reddit
Did you turn the propane on
tequila-sin@reddit
We had a similar issue with one of ours in the hunting blind. Best we can figure out is it got moisture inside the lines. Had to light it on its side and light it burn for about 10mins, then it worked just fine.
tequila-sin@reddit
Let it burn...
TheBiophilicGuide@reddit
Make sure the 20lb tank isn't all the way open. May be overloading the regulator. You really only need to slightly crack the valve to get it going.
Interesting_Row4523@reddit
I have a big buddy and I suspect you need to wait 10 minutes and try again. They have a safety feature that prevents it from lighting if it's not completely level. When you hook up a new tank, you have to wait a while before lighting it. It also turns off if it's not level.....in case it is knocked over. It's a feature, not a bug