Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2021 09:29:21 -0700
Reply-To: Mark McCulley <markmcculley@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark McCulley <markmcculley@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Propex 1600 blowing fuses
In-Reply-To: <CACvdLxMOLf=-B4EdpS_c1KJsuq7Bsq4kecgmpA61CtFNjNj52A@mail.gmail.com>
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Gosh, I don't know exactly how old it is. It was part of the first batch or
two that were sold in North America. I know it's at least 20 years old
though and has been 100% reliable until now.
I have a message in to Propex in the UK but have not heard back from them.
I will also reach out to Van Cafe as they are a US dealer now.
-Mark
On Sat, Oct 30, 2021 at 8:54 AM David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Mark, how old is your heater? This gives me pause in thinking about
> installing one in my own camper. A "stuck" fan is not an uncommon problem
> with various appliances, but usually is readily remedied. No help from
> Propex? So far as holes in the camper, seems you could reinstall the
> heater, though dead for now, and at least not have the holes. mcneely
>
> On Sat, Oct 30, 2021 at 7:53 AM Mark McCulley <markmcculley@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I did some more diagnosis, looks like the fan motor is the problem. First
>> I
>> removed the propane leak detector from the circuit, this did not make any
>> difference, fuse still blew. It wasn't possible to remove the cover from
>> the heater with it still installed so I pulled the heater from the van.
>> Removing the heater cover was a minor challenge as parts of it were sealed
>> to the chassis with silicone RTV. Once removed I was able to access the
>> two
>> squirrel cage fans and could just barely move them. I don't know if the
>> shaft rusted or what happened but it barely moves. I applied some
>> penetrating oil at both ends and let it sit for a while but that made no
>> difference. I may or may not attempt a fix by removing the motor and
>> disassembling it. Anyone have a broken model 1600 with a good motor? Very
>> unlikely I know. :)
>>
>> Does anyone know if the newer HS2000 model has the same size and spacing
>> of
>> the exhaust and combustion air inlet/outlet tubes? It would be nice if it
>> were a drop in replacement for the Compact 1600.
>>
>> I don't know what bothers me more...not having a heater for camping this
>> winter or having two open holes through the floor of my van.
>>
>> -Mark
>>
>> On Fri, Oct 29, 2021 at 7:29 AM Mark McCulley <markmcculley@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > My trusty Propex 1600 heater blew a fuse yesterday when I tried to start
>> > it for the first time this year. The 5A fuse blows as soon as the unit
>> > turns on, both in Heat mode and in Fan Only mode. This makes me suspect
>> the
>> > fan motor is the culprit. I have an inquiry in to Propex but I'd really
>> > like to fix it myself if possible. Anyone ever experienced a similar
>> issue
>> > with the 1600?
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> > Mark
>> >
>>
>
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