Can you attach Big Buddy heater to ourside grill line?

[ulvik]

Fixing to take a long trip up the east coast to Maine. I bought a Mr. Heater Big Buddy heater at Walmart on sale for $60 and don't want to use the small bottles. I was wondering If I could attach a line to the outside BBQ that has a quick disconnect and then run a line inside the camper to hook it up to the big buddy heater? If so I believe it is a low pressure line because there is a regulator at the front of the camper attached to the propane tanks. Has anyone done this and if so where did you find the hose and the quick connect fittings to do this? Thanks ahead of time!

[Tom_M1]

mgirardo wrote:
I would think it would be easier to get a separate tank for the heater. It will burn through Propane if used overnight, so you'll be pulling the tank off the tongue on a regular basis.

The Big Buddy heater will use less propane than the furnace. Plus it uses no electricity.

I have the smaller Buddy heater that I removed the regulator from and plumbed it into the low pressure line that feeds my cooktop.

The Big Buddy has two connections. One is for disposable cylinders or for a hose that connects directly to high pressure from a tank. The other is a quick disconnect for connecting to low pressure.

As stated previously, the Buddy heaters have an oxygen sensor that will shut down the heater if O2 levels get too low. They also have a sensor that will shut down the heater if it is tipped over.

[mrgreetis]

I put a tee into the line for the installed heater inside the trailer and got a Mr Buddy hose with quick connect. I attached a short nipple to the tee, then a shutoff valve, then attached the threaded end of the hose. The other end has the quick connect that fits the mating piece on the Big Buddy. I have had no problems running the Big Buddy on high.
Mr Buddy uses their own proprietary quick connects so you may have to get one of their disconnects. I got my stuff on Amazon, but I know Cabelas and most sporting goods stores carry their stuff.
Hope this helps.

[mgirardo]

I would think it would be easier to get a separate tank for the heater. It will burn through Propane if used overnight, so you'll be pulling the tank off the tongue on a regular basis.

You can buy the proper propane hose to go from the tank to the heater from Walmart, Amazon, etc.

-Michael

[beemerphile1]

If you truly have a Big Buddy and not the Buddy heater, it is designed for attachment directly to either a low pressure or high pressure line. The Buddy is only designed to attach to high pressure.

All the lines and filters needed are available straight from Mr. Heater.

[Strabo]

Sure, no problems.

[ulvik]

Contacted Mr. Heater and a plumber friend of mine and was informed that the Mr.Heater or any propane burner of any kind that runs propane through a regulator is considered a low pressure system. That is what the regulator does is regulate the gas pressure so now I know how to hook it up just need to find out the fittings which will be a task it appears. Guess I will take the heater and my gas line for the outdoor grill with me tomorrow to Lowes and Home Depot and see what we can come up with. Also going to install a oxygen monitor that I bought at the local hardware store.

[GordonThree]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

I won't use an unvented combustion heater. My daughter is a CO survivor.

x2, scary stuff.

they also produce a huge amount of moisture

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I won't use an unvented combustion heater. My daughter is a CO survivor.

[Bill_Satellite]

The Big Buddy "assumes" you are using the bottle which is high pressure. Your line will be low pressure. It's not that you can't use it but you won't ever be able to get the unit to go to High as the pressure will be too low. I have tried similar applications with my gas grill and the results were less than spectacular.

[ulvik]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
You need a high pressure line to your Big Buddy. This line can be added to your coach. Using a low pressure line may keep the Big Buddy running (or not) but you will not be able to get the full output available.
Don't use it while sleeping or it may be a very long deep sleep!

I thought anything after the regulator was considered a low pressure line because the regulator regulated the propane pressure. The big buddy comes with a built in regulator as well as a quick connect and I wanted to use the quick connect and the campers regulator.
Also big buddy have a low oxygen shut off so if the oxygen levels get to low they automatically turn off plus you have to leave a window cracked for fresh air as well to aid in condensation. I know of several people sleeping with them on I did not know it was unsafe to do so.

[Bill_Satellite]

You need a high pressure line to your Big Buddy. This line can be added to your coach. Using a low pressure line may keep the Big Buddy running (or not) but you will not be able to get the full output available.
Don't use it while sleeping or it may be a very long deep sleep!