Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2007 04:56:54 -0600
Reply-To: Martin Jagersand <jag@CS.UALBERTA.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Martin Jagersand <jag@CS.UALBERTA.CA>
Subject: LPG Pressure, furnace and fridge observations, Was: Propex heater
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hi Jerry and others.
Regarding your question about furnace sound and gas pressure:
I have a similar size German Truma E1800 heater. Curiously my propane
setup came with a variable LPG regulator when I bought Popul, the '85
camper I have here in Europe.
I don't have a pressure gauge, but set the LPG regulator knob so that the
stove
flame is similar to the '82 westy with original regulator I have in Canada.
At this standard westy gas pressure setting the Truma furnace gas flame is
pretty quiet. If I turn up the gas pressure I also get a "growling sound" as
you
describe. The Truma is rated for 50mBar gas pressure. Is this what the
standard
Westy regulator provides?
Regarding your problem starting the heater, there are a few strages that the
control electronics will go through from start to heatig operation. Did you
notice if it attempted to open the gas valve? Fired the lighter/ignition
spark?
The times that the Truma didn't start I located the problem to the
electromagnetic
gas input valve. The electronics will activate this for a few seconds, and
try to
light the flame. If lighting doesn't succeed, or the flame sensor doesn't
heat up
quickly enough the gas will be again shut. On the Truma one can hear the
click from the
valve, then a series of somewhat different sounding clicks/sparks from the
ignition.
When the valve once wouldn't open, I fixed it by just taking the valve unit
off and
shaking it so the plungers inside would free up. (This was early in the
season, it
was cold and the van had been sitting during the winter)
Another note: Popul's fridge is pretty tricky to light. I noticed that it
lights and
works ok at the original Westy pressure, but will neither light, nor stay on
at a
LPG pressure noticeably higher or lower than that.
Also, the original regulator in my '82 is a 2-step regulator. The variable
regulator
someone put in the '85 is a 1 step (and may be for a different (higher?)
flow applications
-- few applications use as little propane as a fridge alone. More common is
perhaps
big space heaters, BBQ etc).
With the 1-step regulator I notice a decrease in the fridge flame (through
the little window in
the back of the fridge) when I light the stove. A hypothesis is that a good
2-step regulator
might do a better job keeping the pressure constant through varying flow
rates.
What do others think? (busdepot also sells a 2-step replacement, but most
ones in stores
are 1-step)
Also, can someone with a Dometic spec sheet please look up the rated gas
pressure
for the fridge? Preferably in mBar.
I'm going to try to buy a new regulator here and hope to get one that is
right for both
the fridge and furnace. (stove pressure being exactly right is probably a
bit less critical)
Cheers,
Martin
--
Martin Jagersand
University of Alberta
http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~jag/
*Date:* Fri, 27 Apr 2007 23:03:14 -0700
*Reply-To:* Gerald Masar <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
*Sender:* Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
*From:* Gerald Masar <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
<http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0704d&L=vanagon&D=0&P=54503>
*Subject:* Propex heater
*Content-Type:* text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I recently installed a Propex HS 2000 in my '90 Westy, and increased
the gas pressure
to the recommended 13"W.C. It is wired to the aux battery under the
driver's seat and
I also installed a connection to run it off of an external power pack
if necessary. I
have two propane tanks. I don't do cold very well :(.
So, a shakedown cruise was made last week, to the South Rim of The Grand Canyon.
Elevation just under 7,000', daytime temps in 50's and 60's, and
nighttime into the
20's and 30's, and one day of cold, miserable gale-force winds. Nice
to be able to
stay inside and stay warm. So far, so good.
On the 3rd morning, woke up to see the LED flashing code for low
battery. Switch to
the other battery and back in business.
On the fourth morning, woke up to see LED flashing code for no gas.
Okay, well the
stove still worked, but switched to the other tank anyway. Now, not
okay. Still says
no gas. Switched unit off and on several times, switched tanks, still no go.
On the way home, stopped for lunch and tried it again on #1 tank. Now
it works and is
still working.
QUESTIONS:
Has anyone else experienced intermittent operation under similar conditions?
I hope it isn't altitude related, because some of my favorite campgrounds are at
9,000' and 10,000'.
The instruction manual says that the red LED should dim after set temp
is reached,
indicating unit is in standby. Mine doesn't, does yours?
The noise of the burner, at least until the fan speeds up and masks it, I would
describe as kind of a growling noise, not a smooth sound. What does
yours sound like?
A phone call to PropexUSA so far has been inconclusive.
Oh yes, the trip otherwise was great. My campsite was invaded one
afternoon by about
20 elk. Had some good views of a couple of condors soaring close
overhead. You really
have to keep an eye out for them, but they are there.
One of the guys behind the window at the campground check-in drives a Vanagon.
The campground was never full and seldom even crowded.
Stay out of the clothing section of the market. Went in for a box of
cereal and came
out with some really nice Mountain Khakis pants. Don't ask $$.
Jerry, in Arizona (where else?), less than half a day from the rim. It
was 90º here at
home, but I still want reliable heat when I need it.
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