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Big buddy heaters

fishfart

Asked by fishfart,

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Norsky Community Regular

Norsky

Posted
Posted

I just picked one up from Cabelas last weekend. They put out a lot of heat- very equivalent to the mr. heater sunflower unit. The unit itself weighs 15 pounds though. I was getting a little to much carbon monoxide from the old sunflower I think-headaches, dizziness, etc. The new unit should be much better. I will run it from a 20# cylinder.

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KJSnider Enthusiast

KJSnider

Posted
Posted

Norsky, question for you.

Can you run both sides of 1 20 pounder, or can you just hook it up on one side and have gas to both sides???

Or do you need a "Y-Type" hose?

I read the instructions at the store, but still couldn't figure it out.

Thanks in advance.

KJ

PS---If you have the Cabelas card, did you get the members only clearance that they have going on??? You can get $30 for just showing up again.

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Moose-Hunter Mentor

Moose-Hunter

Posted
Posted

KJSnider...

I called the company that makes the Big Buddy, just today, with that same question... After close to a half hour on hold, I was told that just a single hose from a 20lb tank will work. It will feed both sides of the heater. I have the hose I use for my Mr. Heater/Cooker and Lil' Buddy and they said it will work fine. Or that the other hose available, that has a "quick connect", will also work. So the "y" type hose is not necessary.

Also, as another F.Y.I., I was advised to run the filter when using a "bulk" tank. This is for both the Buddy style heaters.

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Gus Mentor

Gus

Posted
Posted

Moose-Hunter,

What is the "filter" you are talking about. I've never heard of it.

Would you guys feel safe sleeping in a house or cabin heated by a BigBuddy? All the literature on the box and website say it is ok for indoor/outdoor use. I have a cabin I stay at that can get rather cold with just the wood stove as heat. I'm looking for a good option for supplimental heat in the winter.

Thanks.

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Moose-Hunter Mentor

Moose-Hunter

Posted
Posted

Hi Gus..

Although I have never actually seen this filter I was told about, this little gizmo is supposed to be installed in-line with the hose from your bulk tank. My neighbor across the road tells me he has one of these filters so I'll check with him tonight as to it's installation and location.

As we speak, I have my Big Buddy lit up and out in the garage. Running from a 20# tank, hose location does not seem to matter. Either side works. The Big Buddy seems to work GREAT in a "controlled" enviroment. I.E.... No wind. Plenty of heat for my Otter Lodge and will soon be called on to heat my lil' green 8x8 hard house. I used it's little brother last year with good results. Now with twice the output AND a small fan to get things moving, I should be sittin' prtetty...

With these cold temps finally upon us, actual field testing should begin shortly. I'll keep you posted.

As for an extra indoor heat source... I really don't know if I'd try it while sleeping. With all "open flame" heaters some C0 is produced. And if for some reason, the heater malfunctions while you're in dreamland, sleep could become a permanent condition. shocked.gif Personally, I don't think I'd try it. BUT... If I were to give it a shot, at the very minimum I would have a high quality CO detector and at least a fresh air intake measuring 18 square inches (4.25 x 4.25) as recommended in the Big Buddy owner's manual. Even after that, I'd probably turn the heater off at bed time, put another log on the fire and grad the extra blanket. Better to be a bit chilly in the morning than DEAD...

The decision is yours and what ever you decide to do...

PLEASE be safe!!

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Fergus Mor McErc Enthusiast

Fergus Mor McErc

Posted
Posted

I'm going to pick up a big buddy heater after x-mas because the smaller buddy just doesn't do the job, in the fish house, when it gets near zero.

I use the smaller buddy all fall during hunting seasons in my 9x9 tent. The tent is very well vented and I think the buddy heaters have a low oxygen sensor so I've never worried about sleeping while it's on. I bought the buddy because it didn't foul up the air like a sunspot heater does. With my old sunspot, I would get a sore chest and eyes after a day and evening fishing. This year I'm not using my Coleman lantern or the sunspot; I'm using battery lights and the buddy heater. The inside of my ice house (5600 Clam) is a much more pleasent place now.

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Gus Mentor

Gus

Posted
Posted

Moose-Hunter, Thanks for the reply. I hadn't read the manual yet. Now that I see they require ventalation I am not so sure of using it overnight. Mabye just use it as a kicker in the morning when I get up to get things heated up quicker. (I can never seem to wake up to throw more logs on the fire). Thanks again for the info!

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Dano2 Mentor

Dano2

Posted
Posted

fergus mor, are you saying the regular buddy heater doesn't do the job in your clam 5600? Or a different fish house?

reason I ask is because I have a clam 5600 as well, and I'm prety sure the wife got me a buddy heater for christmas (for the same reasons you mention about the sunflower type) and I'm wondering if I should just leave it in the box and return it,plus pay the extra for the big buddy.

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Fergus Mor McErc Enthusiast

Fergus Mor McErc

Posted
Posted

Yes, Dano, leave it in the box and go get the Big Buddy if you have any aversion to being chilly while you fish when it gets really cold out. The regular Buddy does not do a good job of heating in my 5600 Clam when the temp gets below 10 above (or so). I admit I'm one of those people who can get a chill in July so what's uncomfortable for me may be just right for someone else. However, two of my buddies have the Buddy heaters, as well, and both agree that they could kick out more heat. One of the guys is a big fella who wanders around all winter darn near half dressed. He makes me cold just looking at the way he's dressed sometimes. Even he says the Buddy isn't enough,,,he has a 5600 also. The other guy has a 6800 and the Buddy is woefully underequipt to heat that one.

On Lake Harriet last night my holes were freezing up really fast and I could see my breath the whole time I fished. As soon as Christmas is over (next week) I'll be going out and getting the Big Buddy. I've never had a problem heating with my sunspot (16,00btu on high) so at 18,000btu (and a fan) the Big Buddy should do the trick quite nicely. smile.gif

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Norsky Community Regular

Norsky

Posted
Posted

The big buddy worked great out on the ice for the first trial run with it. It lit fairly quickly, warmed up quick, and I kept the whole shack zipped up tight the whole time. It can be run with a hose hooked up to just one side of the unit since both sides have a valve that keeps the gas flowing in only one direction. The only place you can find a filter for these appears to be the Northern Tool and equipment in Forest Lake. Or, you can order it online, not sure if you really need it though. Overall, I'm impressed with the heat output of this heater, I was able to keep it on low to medium once my portable warmed up. And, yes, I did see the extra $30 card from Cabelas, amazing deal, I actually brought my wife and her parents when I bought the heater, it ended up costing me about $10 because of the $30 credit/voucher for each person you have with you, heck-uv-a-deal!!!

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    • Kettle
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      By Kettle · Posted

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    • smurfy
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      I got all the time in the world to getter done!
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