Gas Heaters ...

My Boardmans 9 kg gas heater is 20 years old and still going strong.
 
MickZA said:
:D

It's a knack you soon pick up, I hold the gas selector down in the 1 position for a slow three count and then hit the igniter button. If (not when :) ) it lights I continue holding the selector down for a ten count and release.
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Well that's the thing, the manual says wait 10 to 15 seconds holding the gas down, but when you press ignition you then get a nice curl of flame coming right over the top of the heater (quite exciting). There are all sorts of weird things that happen, including the bottom of the panel catching flame and burning while you hold the gas down but the pilot light dying (which means that when you release the gas then the whole thing dies again). I think a steady blue pilot light is one of the most magical sights in the world, and I'll clearly be chasing it all winter :D
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Well that's the thing, the manual says wait 10 to 15 seconds holding the gas down, but when you press ignition you then get a nice curl of flame coming right over the top of the heater (quite exciting). There are all sorts of weird things that happen, including the bottom of the panel catching flame and burning while you hold the gas down but the pilot light dying (which means that when you release the gas then the whole thing dies again). I think a steady blue pilot light is one of the most magical sights in the world, and I'll clearly be chasing it all winter :D
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Can confirm tricky ignition at times, especially with a full bottle, sometimes you have to waft the flame to the gas. Other times repeated or aborted ignitions. I'm used to it but it's a bit dodge. Once it's going it's fine. Just watch out for cat tails and the hot shield in front.
 
Keep the pilot pressed in a few seconds on the first click. Then click it again. Remember there is no gas in the pipe so it needs to cycle through first. I press it, it clicks and no flame, keep it pressed in for about 3 or 4 seconds, release and press again. Again keeping it in once it took light just to give it a second or so to settle then release the button.
 
biometrics said:
Can confirm tricky ignition at times, especially with a full bottle, sometimes you have to waft the flame to the gas. Other times repeated or aborted ignitions. I'm used to it but it's a bit dodge. Once it's going it's fine. Just watch out for cat tails and the hot shield in front.
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Thank goodness it's not just me, this was a seriously frustrating day. It's also good to see that you're still here with us and not dead in a ball of flames, which is a thought which is still keeping me looking at the heater every few minutes :) Say, here's a noob question: is it normal that the gas cylinder is actually so close to the glowing red heater element? It does look like it's behind a heat shield and the back of the heater isn't hot, but... it does seem dodgy to have a gas cylinder so close to a source of intense heat. Could it fail?

Pitbull said:
Keep the pilot pressed in a few seconds on the first click. Then click it again. Remember there is no gas in the pipe so it needs to cycle through first. I press it, it clicks and no flame, keep it pressed in for about 3 or 4 seconds, release and press again. Again keeping it in once it took light just to give it a second or so to settle then release the button.
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Thanks, sounds like a good technique. Will try that next time!

Noob question #2: how much ventilation should one have with a gas heater on full-blast? The manuals all say that they need to be used in a well-ventilated area to avoid the build-up of carbon monoxide, but how the heck does one get that right? Leaving the windows open to let in cold evening air is very counter-productive. Is it ok to have the windows closed but the heater in the centre of a big room (combined lounge/kitchen)?
 
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Frikkenator said:
One tip with these panel heaters, switching on all 3 panels will empty a 9kg bottle in a couple of nights, try to use it only to heat up the room quickly then switch to 1 or two panels to maintain the heat.
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Don"t forget NOT to open the bottle fully. 1/8th is more than enough. Any wider and you wasting gas.
 
dunkyd said:
Don"t forget NOT to open the bottle fully. 1/8th is more than enough. Any wider and you wasting gas.
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No you're not wasting gas. The regulator does just what its name implies.
 
MickZA said:
:D

It's a knack you soon pick up, I hold the gas selector down in the 1 position for a slow three count and then hit the igniter button. If (not when :) ) it lights I continue holding the selector down for a ten count and release.
Click to expand...
If the pilot light won't stay on then bend the sensor rod closer to the flame.
 
dunkyd said:
Don"t forget NOT to open the bottle fully. 1/8th is more than enough. Any wider and you wasting gas.
Click to expand...

I've got no clue what 1/8th is, because the instruction books all warn about not going up to the maximum (apparently the cylinders can stick open at max o.o). They guide to only open the cylinder one and a half turns, no more, so that's what I do.
 
Sorry to revive a dead topic but I have a Cadac gas heater since 3 weeks.

How long are you 9 kg gas canisters lasting ?

I've finished mine in 3 weeks and find is strange...
 
There's a formula to work it out. You need to know your gas heater's flow rate.

My gas heater has been going for a month already, but we only put it on for an hour at a time once every couple days when it's properly cold. If you leave yours running for multiple hours a day, I reckon that could explain it.
 
My 9kg varied.
Like a week, but to be fair I'm from Durban so I was rocking it 8+ hours on 3 panels...
 
Problem I have with Gas is that is as effective as the are, once it's off the whole room is cold
 
We put ours on 3 panels for +/- 10 mins, then switch to 1 only. Keeps room warm. A 9kg will last about a month.
 
Don't open valve fully....1/8 of a turn till you hear a slight woof is perfect.
 
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