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I purchased a portable buddy last weekend and after pushing the igniter down about 10 times on my first light up, it stopping "clicking" to make a spark...just made a squeaking sound. Figured it was faulty so exchanged it. Second heater this weekend fired up no problem but got a little hot in the hut so I shut it down. When I went to fire it up again, it took a few clicks and then did the same thing as the first one! Am I that unlucky or am I missing something? I'm not hard on my equipment. Many Google searches have turned up empty. Anyone else experience this? Any thoughts?
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I'm with you. I didn't know there was a battery in those heaters. I'm the type who reads the instructions first! You know - if all else fails, read the instructions!
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that is weird thing,,,has to be the igniniting spark system not knowing the insides, but when you changed the part, do you think there is more to change or was it all like one unit
i am thinking something else is causing the sparker to fail on a bbq there is really not much to it
getting an actual spark has nothing to do with fuel, there are two things in play, fuel and igniting it with a spark
bad luck? bad replacement part? return part to where you bought it see what they say, get another one free
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just had a issue with mine not holding the pilot. Can you light it with a lighter? If so there is propane getting through. If not you're thermocouple may be shot. If yes, get a can of compressed air, the stuff to clean computer parts/keyboards and stick the straw into the hole where the propane comes out and give it a couple sprays. It should light right up. Good luck.
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There is a battery for the igniter that came with the unit when you purchased it, if it's the 8000-12000 BTU unit or bigger. That could be your issue. I have the 8-12000K unit and very pleased with it. Can't have it running full time in my 5x6' hut or I get too hot.
As mentioned it could be the propane cylinder also.
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This is the portable buddy (4000-9000 BTU) and it has a piezo igniter so no battery. I tore it apart last night and the igniter and the control valve appear to be together. When it works correctly, it sounds like there is a spring inside that snaps/releases to create the spark (like a typical BBQ starter). Right now, I can push the knob down but there is no click to make a spark. These were both brand new out of the box units; I didn't replace any parts. I guess I just picked two lemons. Cabela's is going to flag me for fraud for all of the heater returns I'm making!
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If its like the big buddy, you need to push down and turn. Not too sure if the smaller ones you just push down or not. But mine i need to push down, then flick the knob over a few times to get the pilot to light. Not too sure if the smaller ones are the same?
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First one faulty....
Second one: Probably low o2 in the hut. When I don't vent the hut enough, the heater shuts off, and won't light. Usually you will hear a click when it shuts down.
Put heater outside hut for 2-3 minutes and then retry starting.
First time it happened to me, I had no clue what happened, and I put a beating on it until I figured it out!
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QUOTE (fosty47 @ Mar 03, 2015 - 09:14 am)
This is the portable buddy (4000-9000 BTU) and it has a piezo igniter so no battery. I tore it apart last night and the igniter and the control valve appear to be together. When it works correctly, it sounds like there is a spring inside that snaps/releases to create the spark (like a typical BBQ starter). Right now, I can push the knob down but there is no click to make a spark. These were both brand new out of the box units; I didn't replace any parts. I guess I just picked two lemons. Cabela's is going to flag me for fraud for all of the heater returns I'm making!
I'm suspecting a bad series of igniters, I bought a bunch of lighters like that, 2 clicks and they all broke. I know it's another something to misplace, get a long stem BBQ lighter.
Group: Members
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Member No.: 8901
Joined: February 08, 2015
I'm thinking they are just faulty. I'm going to call Mr. Heater tomorrow to see what they have to say. As far as I can tell, this control valve/piezo igniter combo is new this year. Likely will result in another return but I'm going to pick up the hunting buddy with the electric igniter. Will keep you posted..thanks gents!
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