Another Mr. Buddy Question

[Suanne]

Although I'd love to get a Olympian Wave 3, we already have a Mr. Buddy Heater&nbsp;... so, we are sticking with that for now.<br /><br />My question is if I can&nbsp;tap into the hose to the forced-air propane funace that runs from a 20lb tank mounted on the other side of our class c?&nbsp; When I take the cover off the forced-air funace, the hose into it is metal.&nbsp; So, could I put a splitter on it and run a hose from it to the Mr. Buddy.&nbsp; Is there a quick release fitting that would make connecting and disconnecting easier?&nbsp; Is this a&nbsp;do-it-yourself project for a novice, or should I seek a propane specialist?&nbsp; <br /><br />From reading other posts, I understand the green hose is best.&nbsp; And, the owner's manual indicates that I also need a filter.<br /><br />Note: The reason I want a Mr. Buddy too is because I didn't want to run the batteries down&nbsp;with the fan&nbsp;of the forced-air heater.&nbsp; We don't have a solar power system yet.<br /><br />Thanks, Suanne<br />Tweeking the RV to use less electricity

 

[wheelsoffreedom1776]

I would suggest taking your rv to a reputable rv service dealer. The copper line you see when you remove the furnace cover is more than likely carrying reduced pressure due to the in-line regulator between your frame mounted tank and the furnace. If you have the portable buddy heater with single catalyst grid, it has no provision for running from LP at reduced pressure as the small buddy heater has a built in regulator. If you have the big buddy heater that can hold a small bottle in each side and has two catalysts there is a unregulated quick coupling port on the left side of the heater that bypasses the built in regulator to allow running from a regulated source such as rv supply. I would consult a reputable service center experienced in furnace plumbing and installation and show them what you want to do and see what they can suggest for a safe point to tie in with "approved" connection methods. Depending on which model of buddy heater you have, a different approach may be needed.

 

[waddison]

Mr Buddy uses an internal pressure regulator and needs un-regulated propane. The internal lines to your refer are regulated. There is a "hack" to bypass the internal regulator but I would be really careful modifying any propane appliance.

 

[Suanne]

<p>OK then ... I'm convinced that this is not a do-it-yourself job for me.&nbsp; Thanks for the info.</p>

 

[wandering mike]

I was going through the same thought process you &nbsp;did. &nbsp;In September however I had an "extend a stay" type "T" put on the tank of my Class C. &nbsp;The one I got was <span style="color: #ff0000;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Camco-59113-Brass-Tee-port/dp/B000NHPM76/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_1_2"><span style="color: #ff0000;">something like this one</span></a></span><br /><img rel="lightbox" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41EwrgsqloL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" class="bbc_img" /><br />I had a guy at a propane store put it on for $20 bucks. &nbsp;It was one of those things where, after seeing it done, I said "I could have done that, but I am glad I paid the money" type things. There are some Youtube videos out there too that might help if you do decide to do it yourself. &nbsp;With this I can both run the Mr. Heater hose (the top port in the picture) and a hose to an external tank (the small port in the middle facing forward). &nbsp;The one I bought actually came with the hose that ran to the external tank. &nbsp;Like the one shown in<span style="color: #ff0000;"><a href="http://www.dyersonline.com/extend-a...oglebase&amp;gclid=CK3ClurQ9rMCFUjZQgodiGQABQ"><span style="color: #ff0000;"> this link</span></a></span><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">&nbsp;<span style="color: #000000;">(but I didn't get it there).</span><br /></span></span>

 

[karl]

I agree with Mike's solution

 

[owl]

&nbsp;&nbsp; Suanne, I have the medium size Buddy heater and run it of of its own separate&nbsp;5 gal tank. I do this because I don't want to run the battery down either. Is your tank one of those permantently mounted on your rig? Or is it removable?&nbsp;If it is not removable then having the Buddy on its own supply gives you back up heating options.

 

[wandering mike]

Owl, if you get the adapter pictured in my below, you can hook up the extra tank to the main tank in the same fashion as an Extend-a-Stay. &nbsp;That way if parked someplace for a while, you can use the "external" tank first for everything and then be assured you have enough if that runs out and the tanks are easier to exchange than get the fixed tank refilled in some place. &nbsp;But I usually just have the spare tank to use if the first one gets really low. &nbsp;I usually am not away from an area with propane stores that long though.<br /><br />I am not sure what you mean by not running the battery down. &nbsp;Does your Buddy have a fan that you connect to the battery?

 

[Suanne]

owl, Our RV has two 20 gal (5 lb) tanks.&nbsp; They are mounted in&nbsp;a storage area accessible from the outside.&nbsp; They are removeable.&nbsp; When one runs out, we just turn on the other.<br /><br />Mike, The fan that I spoke of is not for the Buddy heater; it's for the built-in forced-air heater.&nbsp;&nbsp; I want the Buddy heater so that we don't need to run off the battery for the fan&nbsp;on the forced-air heater.<br /><br />As for installing that "T," I have a couple of concerns.&nbsp; One concern is how I would run the extra hose from the tank with the "T" from the ouside compartment to the inside of the RV where the Buddy heater will be located.&nbsp; The second concern is if there's enough room in the compartment above the tanks for the "T" ... it's tight.<br /><br />Thanks much for all of the ideas.<br /><br />Suanne