I looked at a few more videos, this one shows complete disassembly and cleaning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrcalSYbsy4 Further reading in the comments below the video revealed an issue if you are using rubber hose from a larger tank as opposed to the green 1lb. cylinders. Turns out the propane leaches some oil out of the rubber hose, which adds debris and partially clogs the metal tubes inside the heater, reducing gas flow. Another video explained WHY it's important to have a nice sharp strong pilot; the pilot flame needs to get the Oxygen Sensor (to the left of the pilot and the piezo spark igniter) to the proper temperature, otherwise the system shuts down. Part of the safety system. That's why you have to hold down the knob for 30 seconds; holding down the knob overrides the Oxygen Sensor until it heats up; the colder it is, the longer it takes to heat up the sensor. I used my Mr Heater Portable Buddy out in the Barstow desert on the way back from Buses by the Bridge; worked great....and I want it to keep working great....so it seems some maintenance is required from time to time to make it so. Rich San Diego From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2017 8:46 AM Subject: Re: Friday: (waited for Wi-Fi) Buddy heater Have you tried cleaning the pilot tube; shows how on this Mr Heater video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_jT7sXZgKQ Rich San Diego
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2017 7:27 AM Subject: Friday: (waited for Wi-Fi) Buddy heater About a month ago I posted about the Mr.Heater Buddy I have along on my winter escape trip. Well, it started out pretty good...nice to have heat and a good fit in my rig...but now it is not functioning very well. I've been using it for an hour or two most days, and it's reliability has deteriorated, despite my efforts to keep it working properly. From what I see on fhe Net, I'm not alone having problems... We are using a second one, in a camp trailer, same model, same age (~3 months old) filled with propane from the same sources, and that one seems OK, so far. I think the quality is not good, like many things we are getting in recent times.... I can probably "fix" it...But should I have to? anyway...The Mr Heaters I've bought have a 50% reliability record now, in just 3 months of fairly light use..
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