Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2021 13:40:27 -0700
Reply-To: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Propex 1600 blowing fuses
In-Reply-To: <CAKbau51ksLt3xJP+nsw=NYLdDPOWvoeAf09wPQ79MeUaLSxMXA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Well, if 20 years old, and the fans were great until now, I doubt I'd have
a problem in my lifetime 😏. But yeah, the things are costly, and one
would want to get all he could out of one. Good luck.
On Sat, Oct 30, 2021 at 9:29 AM Mark McCulley <markmcculley@gmail.com>
wrote:
> 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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