roadtripper
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Post by roadtripper on Jan 21, 2018 19:44:50 GMT -8
My 60 era heater is Safe-T-Vent by Basmor/Little made in northern CA way back. Very basic.. Vents outside. No electric, no fan, no thermostat, just on or off. Got all the propane back together and fired up the heater. You just turn knob to pilot, push in, light pilot, wait awhile till pilot stays lit, and turn to on. In a few minutes the trailer is warm and you turn it off. But I can't get it to work every time. At first it wouldn't go at all. I unhooked and blew out lines again with air. The one nearest the heater sounded like it hesitated and then blew out a bug or something, not sure really. After many tries got the pilot to light and finally the burner. It ran a couple minutes then died. A few more tries and it lit again till I turned it off 20 minutes later. This morning I got it to go again with out too much trouble. This evening was like the first time, ran a few then quit, and I can't get the pilot to stay after I let go of the knob no matter how long I hold it. Sometimes it even quits while the knob is pushed. I've adjusted the pilot flow screw all which ways and it seem like it should be at it's best where it is now, but still no go. I'll order a new regulator (mine looks original) but the 3 burner stove and oven run with a perfect looking blue flame and the new NorCold refer works great too. So, can I take this little box apart and clean/fix anything? Is it replaceable? I really want to use this heater.The little tube by the pilot...is that what you call the thermo coupler? Can that be a problem? There just aren't that many moving parts to this thing and other than what's in the silver box, the rest is rock solid. Thanks, mike. Heater control on Flickr
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2018 20:38:42 GMT -8
Probably a bad thermocouple, the safety device that tells the gas valve when to open or remain closed.
When hot, the thermocouple allows the gas valve to stay open and operate the burner. When the thermocouple is cold, the gas valve closes. That is why you have to manually press and hold in the pilot knob to allow gas to flow and get it lit. You then have to hold it in for a bit of time to heat up the thermocouple and the gas valve then takes over and remains open.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2018 20:42:47 GMT -8
And yes, that is the little copper tube by the pilot...
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Post by vikx on Jan 21, 2018 21:52:16 GMT -8
A new thermocouple would help but I think you've got more than one problem:
1. the burner chamber/pilot and orifice need to be cleaned. Air blowing works well, or carb cleaner. Do NOT stick a wire in the orifice. 2. The valve itself may have problems. Gaskets dried out, crud, etc. They usually aren't repairable but if you've done carburetors and other fine work, maybe. 3. Cleaning the actual gas line might help, but I doubt there's anything wrong there. The regulator is working if the stove works and I'm guessing the line is OK.
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roadtripper
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Post by roadtripper on Jan 25, 2018 19:16:20 GMT -8
I took the valve unit out along with the thermocouple and the pilot with attached tube. Next I blew out the iron furnace burner with air. I took the valve stuff down to show one of the mechanics at the local rv and at his bench we tested the thermo with a flame and air at the valve. Seemed ok so we gently flushed out the valve box with air and recycled the thermo a few times. Brought it home and hooked back up and last night fired it up 3 times ok. A little tough to get the pilot first time but once gas is in lines it worked pretty good. Tonight after work I went out and lit again and it took right off. So far so good. Be worth it to get a new thermo anyway? The knob seems a little too stiff but afraid to put any oil there. Maybe with use will get better. The guy at the shop said he could probably rebuild the valve box or might have another used one around that we could make work if this one doesn't keep working so good news there. Also fired up the lantern over the dining table for the first time tonight. Very nice! So all gas is good to go. Still think I'll get a new 2 stage / 2 tank regulator to be a little up to date on that. Got my new water tank (20 gal. from VTS) delivered today so its on to plumbing this weekend.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2018 19:23:04 GMT -8
Success - glad to hear! Sounds like the thermocouple is fine, so why replace something not broken? Depends on how much $ to replace I guess. Might be good preventive maintenance and then keep the old one for a backup. Regardless, it sounds like you are much more knowledgeable now on what to look for the next time a problem arises.
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Post by vikx on Jan 25, 2018 22:03:51 GMT -8
For the knob, get some liquid silicone lubricant. I like the kind in a drip bottle better than spray, but either will work. It's benign and won't hurt the valve. Dribble or spray and work the valve. Hope this helps.
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