Post by nickp178 on May 1, 2015 11:47:17 GMT -8
So I finally got around to checking out the Norcold fridge in our Swiss Colony, found that it works great on electricity, so I moved on to propane.
After reinstalling the fridge after cleaning/painting/modifying (see my thread in appliances) I tried the propane. Pilot light went up ok, and burner kicked in after only about 30 seconds of holding the thermocouple button. While watching the burner run, I noticed the smell of unburned propane. I sprayed all of the joints on the controls and found the combination gas valve/electric switch bubbling slightly arond the valve.
I shut the gas tanks off and disassembled the shut off for the fridge. I found that the valve is a tapered cone style that uses a spring to keep it seated, but has no mechanical seals, IE: o-rings. A little more research taught me that these valves use a special graphite based grease to create the seal, mine being dried and mostly pushed out the ends of the cones.
I found plenty of suppliers online, but being impatient wanted to find it locally. I had checked every plumbing/heating, refrigeration and appliance supplyhouse in town and most of the guys looked at me like I had two heads. I had even called two different friends who are plumbing/heating contractors and struck out. Finally deciced to stop by the local gas utility service headquarters, and finally made some progress. After explaining the situation, and hoping to get just a little dollop of grease, one of the guys grabbed a tube of it off the shelf and handed it to me, no charge. Same stuff I had seen online in my searching, BASO brand "Gas Valve Grease", it appears that the current formulation is Moly based as opposed to graphite.
Cleaned and re-greased the valve, works beautifully, no leaks.
Cheers,
Nick
After reinstalling the fridge after cleaning/painting/modifying (see my thread in appliances) I tried the propane. Pilot light went up ok, and burner kicked in after only about 30 seconds of holding the thermocouple button. While watching the burner run, I noticed the smell of unburned propane. I sprayed all of the joints on the controls and found the combination gas valve/electric switch bubbling slightly arond the valve.
I shut the gas tanks off and disassembled the shut off for the fridge. I found that the valve is a tapered cone style that uses a spring to keep it seated, but has no mechanical seals, IE: o-rings. A little more research taught me that these valves use a special graphite based grease to create the seal, mine being dried and mostly pushed out the ends of the cones.
I found plenty of suppliers online, but being impatient wanted to find it locally. I had checked every plumbing/heating, refrigeration and appliance supplyhouse in town and most of the guys looked at me like I had two heads. I had even called two different friends who are plumbing/heating contractors and struck out. Finally deciced to stop by the local gas utility service headquarters, and finally made some progress. After explaining the situation, and hoping to get just a little dollop of grease, one of the guys grabbed a tube of it off the shelf and handed it to me, no charge. Same stuff I had seen online in my searching, BASO brand "Gas Valve Grease", it appears that the current formulation is Moly based as opposed to graphite.
Cleaned and re-greased the valve, works beautifully, no leaks.
Cheers,
Nick
