[Public-List] propane heater fix

Thu Jul 9 18:17:36 PDT 2020

Hello, Hugh & weathervane,

Many thanks for your replies about the heater repair. I appreciate your
thoughts, which were very similar to my own as I proceeded with my repair.

You make good points and I'll take them under advisement. I wish that
finding proper replacement parts wasn't such an effort (I've spent a couple
hours at it so far with no luck). After hearing from you, I'm motivated to
search a bit longer.

I see someone else using the heater as the biggest risk. I'm certain that
won't happen as long as I own the boat. And, as cautious as I am, I know
I'll always turn off the propane at the tank right after each use. For
those reasons, Meanwhile, I count it as a reasonable risk for now. (And
winter is a ways off.)

Thanks again,

Best Regards,

Randy Katz #249
Simple Gifts
Bellingham/Seattle

__________________________

Message: 3
Date: Thu, 9 Jul 2020 18:01:19 +0000
From: Hugh McCormack <hugh_alberg at hotmail.com>
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
        <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Subject: Re: [Public-List]  Repaired my cozy cabin propane
        heater?pretty much
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Greetings Randy,

As a former fire-fighter who has witnessed the results of a propane heater
"MacGyver" in a crowded campground I am concerned when I read of someone
who bypasses safety features on such appliances.  I wonder if the best
solution would be to find a similar sized (flow volume and physical size)
control valve from another more modern appliance and have that placed in
your heater using approved pressure gas adaptor fittings if required?  The
problem I see is that you can never guarantee that someone else could use
it without your knowledge and, regardless of who uses it, it will still
flow propane if the flame blows out.  If you ever had the misfortune of a
fire and the investigation revealed your modification I feel that, at the
very least, your insurance would be void and, worst case, you could face
some form of legal troubles.
I do understand your reason for doing what you did and I also understand
why the fellow I had to deal with modified his heater.  Luckily his fire
only destroyed his tent and his family wasn't in it at the time.  He,
personally, was lucky that when he lit the heater he got out before the big
"whooomph" but he still sustained 2nd degree burns to his face, hands and a
thigh.

Regards,

Hugh
#39

________________________________
From: Public-List <public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org> on behalf of
Randy Katz via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Sent: July 8, 2020 7:49 PM
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Cc: Randy Katz <randy.katz50 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Public-List] Repaired my cozy cabin propane heater?pretty much

Hello, all,

 I bought a used cozy cabin propane heater for the boat about 15 years ago.
(See link below with a picture.) It recently stopped working correctly. The
pilot light would come on after the control knob was depressed, but as soon
as I released the knob the pilot light would go out immediately instead of
remaining on. The heater was thus inoperable.

A common repair for this problem is to buy a new thermocouple. However ,
The original manufacturer no longer sell parts, most parts anyway, for this
heater, and there?s nothing available that looked to be an equivalent part.
It may be possible to find something similar online, but it?s unclear that
it would be compatible. The choice seem to be chucking  this $400 heater or
getting creative to bypass the usual operating system.

I was saved by watching a crazy guy on YouTube who figured out a way to
eliminate the need for the thermal couple. His heater was a different type,
an outdoor standing propane heater, but the same basics applied.

 It?s possible to take the control valve apart and remove part of the
thermocouple unit.  In fact, that bypasses a safety feature of the heater,
which is if the flame goes out, the propane flow ceases. However, given
that we seldom use the heater, and that I never leave it running when I?m
gone, and that I shut off the propane at the tank before sleeping, this is
a beautiful solution for me.

The thing works absolutely great without the thermocouple. When you depress
the control knob the pilot light will be ignited immediately, and the
heater works as usual.

This may be of interest to someone with a similar heater and problem. Just
be sure to turn off the gas at the source when not using, and don?t allow
anyone else to use it who doesn?t know about its quirk.

Regards,
Randy katz
 #249
Bellingham/Seattle

https://www.suremarineservice.com/Heat/Propane-Fireplaces/10000.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3ZX4BRDmARIsAFYh7ZIfSPLqRVdekn3rghKYg7Qhfdw-3Lf7PFGNRZrVj3oiIJvA43CPGsQaAnvpEALw_wcB
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Message: 4
Date: Thu, 09 Jul 2020 21:39:52 +0300
From: weatherhelm at hotmail.com
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
        <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Repaired my cozy cabin propane
        heater?pretty much
Message-ID:
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MW3PR18MB3628A9BCD8774EEC22A47830BB640 at MW3PR18MB3628.namprd18.prod.outlook.com
>

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Hugh:
????? Thanks so much for bringing your expertise and personal experience to
this subject.? I am sure that I am not the only reader who felt this
modification was very dangerous but said nothing because..... "? I am no
expert ".
On the subject of propane and for everyone's info :
last year I was concerned about the age (unknown)of the rubber hose
bringing propane to my galley, so I mixed up a spritzer bottle of soapy
water, opened the tank valve and sprayed the entire length and all
fittings.
No bubbles.
I sleep better now.? (-:
--
Cheers ,?? Rod Thursday, 09 July 2020, 02:01p.m. -04:00 from Hugh McCormack
via Public-List  public-list at lists.alberg30.org :