I would REALLY appreciate some advice.... the burner won't stay lit to heat water on my US RV. (It's an LPG system, which is full, and the fridge works fine, as does the gas hob) It has an externally mounted vented housing, and looks a bit like a blow-torch firing into a hollow tube, with slotted airflow adjustment, and has a couple of electrodes for ignition. These spark repeatedly during start-up and everything seems fine for about 10-15 seconds, and then the flame sort of blows out & the warning light goes on. Even if I wait 15mins or so or try again immediately. The mixture seems fine as it's a nice rich blue when it's burning. I've taken it all apart, cleaned it, the gas nozzle, and all electrical connections & put it back together again, and tried adjusting the air mixture- seems to be best right in the middle, with no yellowy carbon type flame - just pure blue, but it still does the same thing exactly! I'm at my wit's end! A local caravan gas system service agent was stumped - being inexperienced with this sort of system. We live pretty remotely in the Scottish Borders so he's the only local guy to contact and doesn't seem interested anyway.
Whole house here runs on LPG, had a similar problem that stumped every engineer that looked at it. In the end the ignitor was replaced and that did the trick. Seems that it was a case of a small particle of dirt in the wrong place but since the unit is sealed it cant be cleaned. (Sealed because of the high pressures used in propane use as opposed to town gas).
PLEASE remember that is not advisable to attempt any repair of this sort on your own. Even a normal gas fitter has to have a Corgi certificate and also anotherm in the repair and fitting of LPG systems. I am pretty certain that you might even be breaking the law apart from the dangers.
Thanks very much for your help Brian, very useful, will look into this. However, I'm just going to have to break the law as the one guy that is Corgi registered round here didn't have a clue and was very disinterested in helping me (we live in a very remote location). This is why I'm seeking advice via this forum, as I have no choice but to tackle it myself. So much for Corgi Certificates!!! Any further help to stop me blowing myself up & fixing the situation then, will be gratefully received!
We had a problem with our domestic central heating boiler, CORGI man spent a whole day on it, then called in his 2 mates, who found a leaf stuck in the air intake, causing the safety cut-out to operate.
Don't suppose this will be any help, but you never can tell. Good luck.
It sounds as though the safety device is cutting in when it shouldn't. Had a similar problem on my fridge last year. The mechanic thought it needed a new one but when he took it off it just needed re-setting to stop it cutting in when it shouldn't.
Haven't a clue how you sort it, sorry.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
Well... I've ordered a double sensor/ignitor from ABP, so fingers crossed that that'll do the trick. I've also since found out it's an 'Atwood' model. But I would still appreciate advice if anyone can think of anything.
Quote: Originally posted by Chevrolet on 23/04/2005
However, I'm just going to have to break the law as the one guy that is Corgi registered round here didn't have a clue.
I cant advise on the gaswork, but whilst it may not be advisable to do DIY gaswork, its not illegal.
You need to be Corgi registerd to do gas work for other people but not your own.
Thats the position for domestic premises, do what rules there are apply to Motorhomes anyway ?
I would suggest perhaps a faulty flame-failure device, but I would imagine that's part of the item you've ordered so hopefully you'll have it working very soon.
Best of luck
Phil
------------- Our motorhome loves Rock'n'Roll... it rolls all day and rocks all night ;0)
YIPEEEEEEE! That's it sorted, so it was the ignition/sensor unit after all. After I'd taken it out, I noticed the sensor itself was broken inside somewhere, so that must have caused the problem.
Thanks very much for everyone that helped.
hello, Chevrolet i am new to this site and have stumbled across the picture of your RV, we too have one very similar to yours, but as yet havent taken it anywhere due to extensively......renovating her. can you help us our generator is saying low battery we are so green does that mean we have to remove it to charge it or do we need a new battery, i beleive it is an Onan. any advice on american rvs would be helpful thanks lorraine
Hi There!
Ours says 'VOLTS' on the dash indicator, but after testing it, the generator is actually OVER producing, and seems to keep everything fine. Been down to 'Ile de Re' & 'La Rochelle' - really lovely places - in SW France. I reckon, just enjoy the lovely V8 & hope for the best, we had a GREAT time and learned alot about our beast & are about to do the same this year but down the other side of France. Be great to see yours - see if you can post a pic? We live in the Scottish Borders & went from Dover last time, but have booked from Rosyth in Fife this year, as I prefer driving on the 'correct' side of the road over there. We used about £25ish just on the M25 ring road!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Pls HELP! Burner wont stay lit...
YIPEEEEEEE! That's it sorted, so it was the ignition/sensor unit after all. After I'd taken it out, I noticed the sensor itself was broken inside somewhere, so that must have caused the problem.
