Mr Heater Big Buddy Mod

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So I decided to mod my TT so I could run my Big Buddy heater off the onboard propane. I've read a few threads on boondocking and these heaters make a lot of sense since they don't need electricity to run. If you wanted to run the built in fan you could do like I did and run it off a small 150w inverter. These little heaters pour out the heat and with three settings you can sip propane or have a flame thrower. I've taken some pictures and forgive the single pictures per post. I have no idea how to make it take them all at once ��

First I pulled out the stove to access an incoming line

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After pulling out stove I added a 3/8 female to female swivel connection so I could attach a 3/8 x 3/8 x 3/8 flare tee. This let me reconnect incoming line to stove and Big Buddy 12' quick connect line to incoming propane.

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I then had to decide where to run my new quick connect hose. I chose to run it down behind stove and run it out the face of lower cabinet. There is a lot of dead space below the stove that would let me stow the hose when not in use kind of like our shore power cords.

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I then cut a small opening in the face of cabinet as low as possible with the plan to add a nice access panel soon. When it's all done I hope to have it look as factory as possible.

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Did a test run, and made sure there were no leaks. Hose stows away nice and neat with no difficulty. Now I'm off to the hardware store to find my access cover. It's enough hose to reach the table and keep the line on the floor under the rug so no one trips.

[NVGun40]

I like the idea of your mods.
We use our Buddy heater a lot. They definitely put out the heat. I built a small stand and bought the adapters to refill the small green bottles off a 20lb or larger propane cylinder as well we have the straight to tank adapter. Since we always have at least one extra propane tank....

[campaholix]

Have you found it easy (and safe) to refill the small propane bottles? I've seen a lot of info about doing that lately but have been hesitant to try it. Can't figure out how one would refill the small bottle without overfilling since there isn't a 'relief' valve. Thanks for your feedback...

[pconroy]

make sure your CO detector is working properly!

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It is, plus this is certified as an indoor heater with auto low oxygen shut off. I'd never run it without a window cracked as well just for extra safety.


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[NVGun40]

Originally Posted by Dnbgould

Have you found it easy (and safe) to refill the small propane bottles? I've seen a lot of info about doing that lately but have been hesitant to try it. Can't figure out how one would refill the small bottle without overfilling since there isn't a 'relief' valve. Thanks for your feedback...

There are a several youtube videos about this. I think I had watched most of them and then I acquired the adapters and tried it out.
I have found refilling the small bottles safe and economical. They do have a pressure relief valve. Part of the refilling process is to have a set of curved nose forceps to pull up on the relief valve to bleed off the air/excess gas pressure until vapor starts coming out. It works out quite well.

[norty1]

I have never had much luck refilling them. I had several that leaked out of the refill valve. I quit because I did not want them stored in my compartments after smelling propane leaking from a couple.

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by norty1

I have never had much luck refilling them. I had several that leaked out of the refill valve. I quit because I did not want them stored in my compartments after smelling propane leaking from a couple.

+1...That's why I went ahead and did the mod to the weber Q grill to hook up directly to the outside propane line.