Question on the Big Buddy Propane Heater

[Kurt V]

Talking about this one:

It uses 1lb propane cylinders (one on each side) or I can get the optional attachment to use a 20lb cylinder. My question is do I some how need to block off the other cylinder port, leave attached the 1lb cylinder or do nothing? Thanks!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I would imagine the manufacturer would have instructions. I would guess there is a safety device inline at the "T" that would close off the high pressure side from the low pressure side ie; no fuel flow to the unused port. That is what is on my dual tank van and on my travel trailer.

Richard

 

[CNGsaves]

I've had the Big Buddy heater for many years. The small 1 lb propane/LPG bottles screw into place on either side. Heater automatically pulls fuel from either side bottle. The optional hose kit with 20 lb propane/LPG bottle screws into one of the fuel ports.

Once I've used up the 1 lb fuel bottles, I've only used the large 20 lb bottle of propane and only difference is you need to leave pilot light burning longer to eliminate all air in hose, to get steady permanent flame.

The heater is excellent in managing the fuel source. I don't think you'll have any problem. If bottles are connected, the heater will use that fuel.

I just remove the small bottle on other side when I'm using the 20 lb LPG bottle.

 

[JTS]

I have had one for several years. I haven't had any problems with it operating correctly.

 

[snowboarda42]

Any issues with fumes or CO with these? I'm looking at one for my 2 car attached garage, only back wall and the garage door are insulated.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ The Big Buddy heater is INDOOR rated . . . AND . . . has integrated Low Oxygen Sensor that automatically shuts off heater in high CO situation. Also has tip-over shut off feature.

I've used Big Buddy in 14 ft hunting camper as only source of heat (no electric and no batteries). Thus, just the passive heat from 18K Btu Big Buddy did great even in extreme temperatures. Even in that confined space (was an older camper so there was air leakage) I felt safe sleeping in camper. Only negative was slight smell of propane.

For 2 car garage, I'd say that Big Buddy is great solution and would highly recommend both the optional hose kit for 20 lb BBQ propane bottle, along with 12 volt DC adapter so that fan be operated with 120 volt plugin. With the electrical adapter, the fan can be used instead of just batteries. Alternatively a small normal fan could push heat around garage, if needed.

Heck, before I got the Big Buddy, I used an oil-filled electric heater to keep my prior 2 car garage above freezing. This took so long and any opening of garage door quickly lost all that heat . . . not good.

Big Buddy is well worth the money due to it's quick and safe heat.

 

[vartz04]

I got a electric heater for my garage last year but I have a big buddy that was barely used. PM Me if you want it

 

[Kurt V]

Thanks for the answers!

 

[Banjorear]

I got a electric heater for my garage last year but I have a big buddy that was barely used. PM Me if you want it

Dang, I literally just bought one from Mill Fleet Farm. $99.00 w/ free shipping. 20 ft hose was another $28.99. I'm hoping to leave the tank outside and keep the heater inside. the crack in the window will help bring in some O2.

I would have bought your used one without question though.

Dang it!

 

[vartz04]

You got a he'll of a deal on that. I think I paid $129ish for mine at Lowe's.

They work great in an insulated 2 car though.

 

[jvitez]

I've had the Portable Buddy (smaller unit) for a few years with no issues. I also run it on a 20 lb tank.

 

[atfulldraw]

if you will watch cabela's (and sometimes Amazon) they will sell recon units for about half price.

I just bought a portable for $57 delivered.

this is the small one.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/MR-HEATER-RECON-BUDDY-HEATERS/1744199.uts


this is the portable one (new)

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Barg...stype=GNU&WTz_l=SBC;BRprd1744199;cat105771780

 

[atfulldraw]

If you are going to use the large tank, make sure you use a filter or you WILL clog up your heater.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Mr-H...eater+filter&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

 

[Banjorear]

FYI: Overton's has the filters for $7.99 w/ free shipping. Just ordered a few to have on hand.

 

[dsimatt]

I just picked one up at northern tools this afternoon for $100, i showed them fleet farms add and they price matched it for me. now i just need to find a filter and the ac cord and i'm good to go.

Edit
Well i'm kinda kicking myself on getting this, it works pretty good and pumps alot of heat out around it but by the time you add the cost of the unit, power cord, fuel hose and inline filter i coulda bought the 75k-125k propane turpedo heated and gotten alot more heat output.

 

[Banjorear]

I just picked one up at northern tools this afternoon for $100, i showed them fleet farms add and they price matched it for me. now i just need to find a filter and the ac cord and i'm good to go.

Edit
Well i'm kinda kicking myself on getting this, it works pretty good and pumps alot of heat out around it but by the time you add the cost of the unit, power cord, fuel hose and inline filter i coulda bought the 75k-125k propane turpedo heated and gotten alot more heat output.

I need an indoor rated heater and I like that it's not too loud. The torpedoes do a great job, just a lot more noise.

 

[dsimatt]

I need an indoor rated heater and I like that it's not too loud. The torpedoes do a great job, just a lot more noise.

Its a very nice little heater that i'm gonna find plenty of use for and is easy on fuel. I had no plans on heating my garage with it, but mainly was just adding it all up doing it right i coulda got a nice torpedo heater but that to has its own drawbacks.

 

[dave67fd]

They all produce the same amount of CO per BTU. Keeping this inside in a relatively small space without fresh air can kill you regardless if it has a OD monitor or not.

If you want to use this heater, provide fresh air and buy a quality CO monitor.

 

[GoodEnough]

I just picked one up at northern tools this afternoon for $100, i showed them fleet farms add and they price matched it for me. now i just need to find a filter and the ac cord and i'm good to go.

Edit
Well i'm kinda kicking myself on getting this, it works pretty good and pumps alot of heat out around it but by the time you add the cost of the unit, power cord, fuel hose and inline filter i coulda bought the 75k-125k propane turpedo heated and gotten alot more heat output.

The bigger one would burn a lot more propane, if that's any consolation.

Is the Big Buddy heater safe in a small 1 car garage just to raise the temp a few degrees? It doesn't need to be 72 degrees, but it ***** working in 35 degree cold. I can deal with anything over 40 degrees. 50 even better. Do people run these heaters with the garage door open?

I don't see where I can get the 18k BTU for $100. I only see $120.
http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/mr-heater-18-000-btu-big-buddy-indoor-propane-heater/0000000007108

 

[Banjorear]

The bigger one would burn a lot more propane, if that's any consolation.

Is the Big Buddy heater safe in a small 1 car garage just to raise the temp a few degrees? It doesn't need to be 72 degrees, but it ***** working in 35 degree cold. I can deal with anything over 40 degrees. 50 even better. Do people run these heaters with the garage door open?

I don't see where I can get the 18k BTU for $100. I only see $120.
http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/mr-heater-18-000-btu-big-buddy-indoor-propane-heater/0000000007108

They must have just raised the price, for I got it for $99.00 shipped. Should be here by the end of the week.

 

[dsimatt]

The bigger one would burn a lot more propane, if that's any consolation.

Is the Big Buddy heater safe in a small 1 car garage just to raise the temp a few degrees? It doesn't need to be 72 degrees, but it ***** working in 35 degree cold. I can deal with anything over 40 degrees. 50 even better. Do people run these heaters with the garage door open?

I don't see where I can get the 18k BTU for $100. I only see $120.
http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/mr-heater-18-000-btu-big-buddy-indoor-propane-heater/0000000007108

I was at menards last night and they raised the price back up also so musta been a promotional deal. This heater is nice but in your 1 car garage if its really insulated you might get it to raise up a few degrees but will take a few hours to do so.

I would look at the smaller torpedo heaters like the 40k btu thats less than a hundred and should heat alot warmer and faster. The one ding on the big buddy is to use it for longer than the small bottles then you need the hose adapter, fuel filter, a/c adapter that all added up so the whole deal is easily over $150

 

[cagullett1]

I got a electric heater for my garage last year but I have a big buddy that was barely used. PM Me if you want it

Vartz,

What made you decide to purchase an electric heater, rather than just using the Big Buddy? I'm looking at a 5000W electric heater vs the Big Buddy for a 2 car garage. The Big Buddy is cheaper (even with additional accessories needed to use 20lb tank) and is portable, but I'm worried about condensation, fumes, and it not heating the 400sqft very well.

 

[dsimatt]

Its not designed to heat complete areas just a small space around it, i know you don't see cold temps like here but you could run it 8 hours and would barely raise the temp of your garage.