Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2021 13:33:30 -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: <CY4PR0801MB373148F0E4D609EF6A25905DA0889@CY4PR0801MB3731.namprd08.prod.outlook.com>
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Dennis, how would I get to the bearings? I've disassembled the heater and
removed the fan motor. Do I need to disassemble the motor?
Some photos here: https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0QJ0DiRHJtI2mL
See the photo showing the end of the shaft, I wonder if that piece
surrounding the shaft is scored so that it can be removed with some special
tool to get to the bearings?
-Mark
On Sat, Oct 30, 2021 at 9:33 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> It has been some time since I had one of these apart for repair. Gas jet
> clogging is another common problem. In general DC fuses are sized and
> coordinated to protect the wiring, not appliances themselves. Maybe
> carefully lube the bearings avoiding oil on the brushes-commutator and up
> the fuse size and give the fans a push to get them turning. A synthetic
> type light oil once the bearings spin again will work some magic.
> Disappointing is that repair services and parts are not readily available
> considering the cost and how little these units are typically used.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Mark
> McCulley
> Sent: Saturday, October 30, 2021 10:53 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Propex 1600 blowing fuses
>
> 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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