We have a Carver SB 1800 heater which is gas only. It has obviously not been sued for some time. Anyway connected up the propane gas bottle and got the hob going okay no problem so obviously gas going into the system. System does not have a bulkhead regulator just the regualtor on the gas bottle.
Followed the instructions to the letter, turning the knob full over, depressing the ignitor dozens of times but nothing. Mnaula for caravan states that to check it you need to view it through the "inspection window" but I cannot see any inspection windown on this heater except a long slot at the bottom in the front. I cannot see if the ignitor is sparking or not. Can any one tell me where this "inspection window" is located. Should you be able to see the spark?
If no spark, is there perhaps a reason why not, i.e. requires a battery like the Truma S3002? As we are going away on Wednesday any help will be appreciated. Thanks.
I have just been out to the caravan to have a look. Yes the 'inspection window' should be behind the slot at the bottom of the heater.
If the gas is getting through, keep trying, but you will need to leave a couple of mins gap between each attempt in order for excess gas to clear (a bit like flooding a car when trying to start)
There is a fault finding chart at the back of the instructions. If not spark check HT lead.
If it hasn't been used for a while it could possibly need servicing.
Quote: Originally posted by nanashirley on 27/11/2010
Hi Surfer,
I have just been out to the caravan to have a look. Yes the 'inspection window' should be behind the slot at the bottom of the heater.
If the gas is getting through, keep trying, but you will need to leave a couple of mins gap between each attempt in order for excess gas to clear (a bit like flooding a car when trying to start)
There is a fault finding chart at the back of the instructions. If not spark check HT lead.
If it hasn't been used for a while it could possibly need servicing.
Thanks. Can you please confirm that the inspection window is at the bottom in the long slow and towards the right hand side. Sort of looks like a small metal box with a fuse holder thingy with a plastic cover. Can't see anything like a spark there but the window looks to be dirty. Will give it a good rub to try and make it more visible. We were thinking of taking off the front cover to see better but not sure how to do thsi.
Yes thats the one, it would be a lot easier to see by taking the front cover off, have never done it,so don't know how easy it is. Think you will have to remove the two knobs on the top, and then there are a couple of scews, should then unclip off.
Hi Ian, I seem to remember this from a couple of weeks ago? don't know if I replied? so I'm sorry if I did't
First then, this is a manual piezo so one spark per press and no batteries
The viewing window is a sod to line up with the slot in the front cover, so for this you should remove the cover.
To do this, pull off the control knob and loosen the nut underneath, also loosen the dome head nut on the other end off the top. Now the top can be lifted up a bit at the front so the front can pull forward a little and then up off some location pegs at the bottom.
Clean the mica window by all means, but, gently with a paint brush, don't 'rub it' whatever you do, or you will put a hole in it!!
Now you can check for a spark, still not easy to see where to look, but keep looking at various angles until you see a spark.
Nothing much to go wrong with the SB, the piezo does wear out though, signs of this are one spark every half dozen or so presses, or no spark at all, If this proves the problem, I have new ones in stock.
The main problem from a safety angle is corrosion of the steel gas feed pipes, you need to grovel under the van to check these pipes where they come through. They will generally be rusty, but like brake pipes, use a sharp knife to scrape a clean unbroken line through the rust, pay particular attention to the inside of the tight elbow bend of the thinner pipe. If the line is broken by deep pitting, then the pipes must be replaced.
Again, I have those in stock.
Yes he charges and he's no bloody right to, I gave him permission to put MY info on his website as long as it was free.
Next thing I know he's moaning to ebay about people selling his pictures, pictures of my techniques and advice!!
So I contacted ebay about my intellectual rights and they chucked him off!
SeeRed, not half I see Red, every time his website and Carver is mentioned
There is one other thing to check . Look behind the heater at the pipes , is there a shut off tap ? my van has one , if so , the lever has to be in line with the pipe to let gas through to the heater .
I removed the front cowling and closed the curtains so it is definitely sparking, but still not lighting. I looked for a shut off tap but cannot see one. Looks like I will have to get it in for a service. In the meantime looks like the fan heater is going to be used. Thanks.
If we are on EHU we only ever use the convector heater, and this seems to be adequate. We were away when it went down to minus6, and we were really cosy.
Hope you get it sorted as it is always useful to have an alternative in case the sites electric gets overloaded, as can happen when it is cold.
Hope you have a good time.
Sorry Gary I was not 'recommending' the b**ger that has pinched your material. It was all I could find at the time. I did try looking for stuff from you as I know you can be trusted.
Dropped off the Radar?! well this year has seen my attitude change more than a bit towards working all hours, especially emails! still very much about though.
Which makes me wonder why you have not rang? you have/did have my number and your always welcome?
A bit comical that after 2yrs of having troubles, I fixed your heater last new year and now here we are with similar problems!
Teach you to change vans!
If you can get this one out and whip it over to me? then I'll fix it while you wait, don't want any excuses about not turning up this New Year?!
did ring but no answer but did not leave a message as I had sent an email. We are trying out the caravan this week for the first time on Wednesday and Thursday so will probably spend a bit more time trying all suggestions in the warmth with fan heater on.
If the weather is not too bad I will see if I can look at the pipes for corrosion as you suggested. The caravan may have a high ground clearance, but physically I have a slight problem with crawling under vans esepcially in the cold.
BTW although there is gas in the bottle it is a bit on the low side so we will change the bottle first before further attempts. Hob works okay though.
That's one of the ways I save time, I now try to do more work per day than sit answering phones!, so trick is to ring the mobile several times because I will answer!
As for the gas, it will of course have to be Propane at this time of year, so if you open the bottle valve and plenty of gas comes out? then that is not going to be anything to do with it.
I often read this but if a bottle is empty it's empty and nothing comes out, anything else is fine, hoping a fresh bottle is going to somehow help is forlorn to say the least!
May have to postpone our New Year trip as not too comfortable with the thought of being out there with no back up heating.
BTW these bits that corrode how much are they appoximately and how much would it cost to do the job. Just an estimate is fine because if it does not cost too much maybe I will consider getting it down locally as you are a bit far away for us to pop around.
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Topic: Carver SB1800 igniting issue
Didn't bother with seeered as know the story.
