Sunday, December 11, 2022

Big Buddy Challenge

 Above picture taken by Deb Kankowski

This morning I got up around 8:30 and started my breakfast with coffee as usual but had my first Ritz crackers, with peanut butter and cheese.  Remembered to get some cheese.

They are calling for a change in the weather tomorrow starting with wind today.  I have a Big Buddy heater and it won't stay lit.  I have been reading and watching U-Tube videos on the subject, so today is the day I will try to fix it.

Took me hours to get it taken apart.  I had to completely disassemble it to get to the thermocouple where the problem lies.  I was hoping to quickly fix it and do something else for the rest of the day.  Turned out to be an all day job.

Finally, got it all apart.

Thermocouple is the gold part at the top with all the aluminum propane lines going into and out of.

And I mean all apart.  I was thinking I had done what needed to be done and was trying to put it back together again and wasn't having much luck.  Luckily, Deb came by on her walk and I enlisted her into giving me a hand.  Easier to take apart than put back together.

I was doing this on the carpet outside and my body was killing me.  With Deb's extra hands, we got the basic parts together and ready to test.  Deb had such faith in my work, she stayed far away from the White Lion when I hooked the propane and tried to light it.

NOTHING!  It didn't work at all.  No propane coming in at all.  At least I got propane before.  By this time, wind and clouds were coming in from the northwest and it was getting cool without the sun.

I didn't eat much for breakfast and no lunch, so we called it quits for the day.  I'll find a better video to help me tomorrow, I hope.

Came inside and made two chicken sandwiches and ate a drumstick.  With chips and dip, it was filling and made me feel better.  Then it was time for Yellowstone.  This episode revolved around a cattle drive and was nice to watch.  Good to have a respite from all the havoc that usually occurs.

Have had a few sprinkles going on as I write my post and I can clearly hear the wind blowing around the Lion.  I'm watching the Sunday night football game as I do my post.  Time to publish this and have a little dessert while I watch the end of the game.  Not going to have the best weather for most of this week.  Luckily, I have two working propane heaters, so won't be left in the cold.  Hopefully, by this time tomorrow, I'll have three working propane heaters.

Thanks for stopping by.

12 comments:

  1. That Big Buddy turned out to be an all day job and still remained stubborn. Hopefully, you can figure it out tomorrow. You're watching a good game! Chargers are ahead, but it could still go either way. Sounds like you're in for some overcast days. Good ones to stay in and relax.

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    1. The BB fix didn't go as planned, but tomorrow is another day. Haven't given up yet. Cloudy days will be around most of the week. LAC finally beat Miami at the end of the game.

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  2. Some times the lines get plugged up with an oily substance from the propane. you can get some 90% or above rubbing alcohol and pour it down thru the gas line where the pilot light is and let it sit so it gets rid of all the oily stuff in the line. I use it on mine at least once or twice a year. the Oily substance will come off any hoses you use instead of the small bottles.

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    1. It may be oiled up. I'll clean the lines before putting it back together. Just never know. The problem is common.

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  3. Reading and catching up. It sounds like you and Yuma are having a good time out their with friends nearby. To bad about the date place Tom always enjoyed stopping there for a date shake. Enjoyed the pictures.
    Hope you get the Biddy Heater working but I am with Deb stepping back a ways was a good idea...lol

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    1. Yes I was surprised it was closed. Changes are not always good. I'll fix the BB or die trying . :)

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  4. Nice header pic.
    We will try again to get it figured out and hopefully it works. If not you can always use the other two until we figure out the BB.
    The wind was down at 3:30 am when I woke up, hopefully it stays down.

    Deb

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    1. Loved the picture of the waning sun through the clouds. An thanks for your help on the BB.

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  5. Maybe check You Tube? You might find a video that shows the problem you are having.

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    1. You're right. Last night I found a good breakdown and rebuild video that shows where everything goes. Try it today.

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