We bought a new Cadac a couple of weeks ago (our last one was stolen) and after DH connected it and got it working, I went out a short while later to warm it up ready to use. On lighting the flame seemed to flare back briefly towards the front, which didn't seem right, so I stood and watched it for a few seconds. Then flames started licking around the control knob, so I quickly turned the knob to the off position. However, the flames still continued to burn and I immediately switched the gas bottle off and the flames went out. DH reconnected it all and switched it back on and this time it seemed okay, but then I left it for a few minutes to go back in the house, and when I came out the Cadac was on fire and dripping melted plastic. The place we bought it from have been great and quickly sent a replacement.
So tonight we tried again! Only this time DH connected a Gaslow gauge after the regulator (which shows how much gas is left in the bottle). He lit the Cadac and let it burn for a few minutes and it did so without a problem, but he's convinced something isn't right with it. With the gas bottle turned on but the Cadac switched off, he can hear and smell gas coming through the Cadac. Also, the gauge shows a full bottle of gas (which it is) when the gas it turned on. Switch both the gas bottle and the Cadac off and the gauge should still show a full bottle (as the pressure is contained within the pipe) however, after a few seconds the pressure drops and the gauge changes.
Sorry, this is long winded post, but this can't be normal for a Cadac can it? And can we be that unlucky as to have two faulty ones? DH is going to contact Cadac, but I just wondered if anyone has any experience of this? We have had a Cadac before and never had any reason to doubt it then.
Is the connector to the Cadac done up tightly and the hose connected on at the Cadac end tighly? Sounds like there is a leak somewhere that end. Try soapy water test for leaks when its all connected up (but not lit obviously) and see if you can see any bubbles.
Have had no problems with ours so far (about a year)
Yes, both ends of the hose are tight and connected with clips. We've had a Cadac before (2 of them) and never had a problem. It's odd that there seems to be something amiss with two within two weeks!
I have since found a thread on another caravan forum of problems whereby plastic has melted/caught fire, and this was Cadac's response:
In our experience this is usually caused when the valve tailpiece hasn't been tightened enough and gas has escaped, built up and then caught fire.
Anyway, we're going to contact Cadac ourselves and see what they say.
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Topic: Cadac problem
