Buddy Heater filter

[Mnfisher]

I forgot this year to use a filter for my Big Buddy when using my 1 lb canisters and now I am having problems.  cleaned out pilot and blue out dust and will try using my 10' hose (which is supposed to work without a filter) hooked to a 20 lb tank.   I will try it this coming week.   Questions?:  Would it be better to use a filter with the hose?   I did read a post somewhere that that would be a good thing to do.  If I went back to a canister on each side, would I need a filter for both sides?   Thanks....Jim

[cam7069]

You only need to use the filter when you are using the hose with a bigger tank than 1lb.

[Jim Almquist]

cam7069 is correct. The filter was to be used when using a hose connected to a 20lb tank. The 1lb tanks do not need a filter. It has something to do with the filling process of larger tanks that use's a lubricant and that is what the filter is filtering.

[Mnfisher]

I have always heard the opposite.  Use filter with the cannisters.   The hose instruction at menards says to use filter on the 5' and 12' but although they didn't have any 10' hose, they used to say you don't need a filter for the 10' hose.  I can't figure out why not as they all look the same to me.  I will start using a filter with my 10' hose too.  Shouldn't hurt, should it?  And...I don't have a regulator on my 20 lb tank.  Do I need one?

When I first turn it on, I turn it on high and then if I don't turn it down to medium, the whole thing goes out and even when on medium, it still will go out after a fashion.  I cleaned out the pilot and tried to blow all the dust out and will now try it again with the hose and filter.  It is close to 10 years old.  I have had trouble with the thing off and on but actually just bought another one on sale at Menards which I will return if the cleaning job doesn't work on my old one.  How long do they last?   Thanks for  the info and clarification.  I didn't believe  cam.     Jim

[ozzie]

I have had a little buddy since they came out and that is a solid unit!  I have a big buddy that I have had for close to 10 years and that thing has run great also.  You do need to use a filter (or at least I have) always when using a hose.  If you are having issues with your unit not staying lit on high, I would imagine that you don't have enough propane, or pressure to keep it on high.  With the big buddy you need to have a 1lber connected to each side to make it work properly or a hose and bigger tank with a filter.  Also I have found that I need to buy a new filter each year to continue to have a functioning big buddy.  If you are still having issues with it instead of buying a new one take it to a repair center.  I believe there is one at a hardware store near Cambridge...a few years ago I needed to buy a know for my big buddy and they had the part.

[Mnfisher]

Thanks everyone!  Today when I tried it, the pilot lit fine but when I turned it up higher, low, medium or high, the pilot blew off.   I'm thinking the pilot is still dirty.   I started up the new one and it worked so nice I think I'll still with it and maybe find a  repair shop to look at the old one and use it as a spare!  or I might try cleaning the pilot again.  I did use the filter with this hose even though the instructions said no filter needed for the F273704 which I am pretty sure I have.  And....I didn't realize you needed to buy a new filter every year.  Mine was 3 years old.   I apologize for not believing you Cam!
 

[Jim Almquist]

I think the reason for not needing the filter with that hose is because it was considered a low pressure hose so the lube would not be pushed into the heater.  I have had mine for so long I forgot just which model I am using. I feel I am using the same low pressure hose because I use no filter on my big buddies.

 

[fishingstar]

does the oil come from the lp or the hose.

 

[leech~~]

14 hours ago, Jim Almquist said:

cam7069 is correct. The filter was to be used when using a hose connected to a 20lb tank. The 1lb tanks do not need a filter. It has something to do with the filling process of larger tanks that use's a lubricant and that is what the filter is filtering.

I had read some where that the 1lb gas tanks are filtered when Mfg, but bulk propane is not filtered and dirty from all the transferring from the Mfg process, to large bulk holding tanks, to tanker trucks, to the tanks at gas stations and then peoples old rusty used tanks, so they pick up craap all along the way. That's why 1lb tanks don't need to use a filter and bulk gas does.

[Jim Almquist]

I thought the lube was for the moving parts that transfer LP from one tank to another.

[fishingstar]

This is the description from the 10' hose that I have 

 

Swivel 1"-20 Male Throwaway Cylinder Thread x Soft Nose Excess Flow POL with Hand wheel

Eliminates the need for a fuel filter / unique green hose material does not leach oil

For use with low pressure appliances that are going to be connected to high pressure systems or bulk propane tanks

 

 

[Hoey]

The Buddy hoses have a some-type of built-in regulator and back flow preventer, check valve.  They can be frustrating.  These seem to impact the performance of any heater connected.  Make sure to release the pressure on the tank end by disconnecting the hose.  Disconnect the heater end the release the pressure there with a needle nose pliers or something that will depress the valve there.  Reconnect, open the heater pilot, slowly open the tank valve, then light the pilot.  This all assumes that there is not blockage in the heater lines, valves, and internal regulator.  

To check if the hose is the problem, connect a 1lber to the heater and test.

[PRO-V]

The regulator is in the heater not the hose. Otherwise you would need a regulator on a 1# tank also. I've run 4' - 12' hoses and never had a problem.