LPG gas heater question

[Frankie23]

I want to check something with the knowledgable MyBB members:

I have a LPG gas heater, runs on a 9kg cylinder, has been running like a charm since I bought it earlier this year, had +- 3 cylinder changes already.

I had the last empty Afrox cylinder exchanged for a full one this past week but didn't use the heater after that.

Wanting to use it last night, I started it up but for some reason the pilot flame appeared to be burning very weak compared to what it has been doing previously.

Also, having all 3 panels lit, it takes quite a long time for the heater to get up to full speed (compared to what it was doing in the past).

I have swopped out the regulator for a newish one I had on my gas braai, no change.

The full Afrox cylinder I received seems like a new bottle; usually the refilled bottles are dusty, scratches on the bottle here and there, and in general just appear 'used'. The cylinder I have now has none of that, looking almost brand new.

I have the heater running now, appears to be going ok, but I still can't help but think something's not quite right.

Could there be a problem with the cylinder, and is it safe to use?

PS. Something slightly off topic; Is the pilot flame supposed to be burning the whole time while the heater is running?

 

[semblance]

PS. Something slightly off topic; Is the pilot flame supposed to be burring the whole time while the heater is running?

I have a Delonghi gas heater and the pilot flame burns continuously. If you cut off the flame, the gas no longer burns.

 

[bwana]

My Alva was running a bit slow last week so on the advice of the hardware store owner I took the front guard off and gave the three panels a good scrub with a hard brush, vacuumed off the dust, and now it's back up to full strength.

And yes - the pilot light stays lit on mine.

 

[Frankie23]

Thanks for the info guys.

My Alva's also slow atm and I couldn't help but think the cylinder's the cause. It seems better now (replaced the regulator, shook the bottle and flipped it upside down a few times and did a leak test just to check if I'm losing gas).

I'll give the panels a scrub as well and see if it makes a difference. Any reason for having to scrub the panels? Buildup of some sort?

 

[Malkie]

We use an LPG heater throughout winter and strangely enough last winter I found the same when attaching a new bottle of gas. I also worried that my heater had packed up but unconvinced I screwed on another new bottle of gas and it worked normally. I took the suspect bottle back to the shop and they replaced it without question or argument. Me thinks they probably had a few come backs with faulty refills so did not comment on my problem. I was quite surprised at the time to find out that there can actually be something wrong with refills some time.

 

[MickZA]

I've experienced this in the past and found that after a few hours of use the problem disappears.

I've always assumed it's due to the cylinder being overfilled?

 

[chrisc]

You have some damp in the gas in the bottle. Swop it for another

 

[Frankie23]

Another question; Once your heater is running, how far do you open the gas supply?

Do you really use less gas by closing up the gas supply to just before the heater dies, thus making the gas in the cylinder last longer?

 

[Arthur]

No, let the regulator manage that. Open the gas tap.

 

[themank]

Another question; Once your heater is running, how far do you open the gas supply?

Do you really use less gas by closing up the gas supply to just before the heater dies, thus making the gas in the cylinder last longer?

Open it at least 1.5 turns, let the regulator do its job.

 

[Cumulus]

I have read all the replies above. I have a De L heater 3 panels and 9kg cylinder. The last 3 cylinders that I used all had the same result.

Fit new cylinder. Open gas bottle. Start heater, only pilot is lit. After a while I managed to get all panels lit. Previous experience has shown me that that this is the 'new' normal with my heater. I suspect that there might be a fault in the regulator.

Please give advice or suggestions. Thanks

 

[soulie]

I have read all the replies above. I have a De L heater 3 panels and 9kg cylinder. The last 3 cylinders that I used all had the same result.

Fit new cylinder. Open gas bottle. Start heater, only pilot is lit. After a while I managed to get all panels lit. Previous experience has shown me that that this is the 'new' normal with my heater. I suspect that there might be a fault in the regulator.

Please give advice or suggestions. Thanks

Poke an eyeball into the bull nose fitting inlet ,there is a filter in there ,or blow the panels out with compressed air ,otherwise replace the regulator with a cadac one ,not expensive

 

[Cumulus]

Poke an eyeball into the bull nose fitting inlet ,there is a filter in there ,or blow the panels out with compressed air ,otherwise replace the regulator with a cadac one ,not expensive

Many thanks. I will try the suggestions.

 

[bwana]

I have read all the replies above. I have a De L heater 3 panels and 9kg cylinder. The last 3 cylinders that I used all had the same result.

Fit new cylinder. Open gas bottle. Start heater, only pilot is lit. After a while I managed to get all panels lit. Previous experience has shown me that that this is the 'new' normal with my heater. I suspect that there might be a fault in the regulator.

Please give advice or suggestions. Thanks

Every year I remove the grid and brush the panels with a stiff brush and give them a good clean.

 

[Cumulus]

Thanks to all. Tried to replace regulator, unable to remove it due to the fact that the gas pipe would not budge. Fitted new hose clamp on gas pipe.
Brushed panels with brush and removed the detritus. Problem solved.

 

[Paul Kemp]

Thanks to all. Tried to replace regulator, unable to remove it due to the fact that the gas pipe would not budge. Fitted new hose clamp on gas pipe.
Brushed panels with brush and removed the detritus. Problem solved.

If you ever need to replace the regulator, cut the hose directly behind the connector.
The barbs on the connector make it really difficult to remove without damage so you’ll end up cutting the end off anyway.

 

[Cumulus]

If you ever need to replace the regulator, cut the hose directly behind the connector.
The barbs on the connector make it really difficult to remove without damage so you’ll end up cutting the end off anyway.

Thank you. Gas braai is next. Works fine, but regulator looks bad as does the hose. I took the regulator back and got a refund.