[C320-list] Seward 2 Burner Stove Not Lighting

[Bev Wright]

Thanks for the technical explanation. I may have used the wrong terms. I think the guy told me in layman's terms that the propane settles to the bottom of the tank as it is used up and when not used such as over the winter and left on the boat in the cold, so I got the impression that was like a "vapor lock." Again, a layman's term. But what do I know?? I can picture that something fills that void above the propane when it gets used up, doesn't it? I don't know the definition of "more frequently" but we use the system twice a month, so maybe that doesn't qualify. I may also very well need a new tank, mine may be 24 years old. I was trying to provide a possible explanation about why the stove wouldn't light since it's happened to me and air in the tank was the issue. I only do this at the beginning of the season to be sure I have a full tank and I don't have a problem after that.

Bev Wright
s/v Whoosh #15

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of sholdr at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2017 9:34 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Seward 2 Burner Stove Not Lighting


I believe that the concept that "air" collects in the tank is mistaken -- The vapor pressure of the propane in the tank to the solenoid valve is certainly greater than the tendency for air to enter the system -- thus a closed system not allowing air in to that point. Air does not enter the tank as it empties.
However the hoses/fittings from the solenoid to the burners is not under constant pressure from the tank once the solenoid closes the valve -- that is the purpose of the solenoid - many potential even minute potential leak points exist after the solenoid so that, over time, the propane does leak down to atmospheric pressure, and at that time osmosis will tend to equilibrate so that air replaces to some extent the propane -- the more leaky your piping the more this occurs.  The more frequently you use the system the less you notice this --- If it happens every time you daily use the system you have a very leaky system...If  you never notice this you have a very tight system.
We have propane tanks for patio heaters, several gas grills as well as the boats -- we never have to have the "air" released on refilling ....

Just my 2c
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com>
To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Mon, Jun 5, 2017 10:00 pm
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Seward 2 Burner Stove Not Lighting

I do vent it at the stove …carefully…I don’t recall it ever taking more than a minute to vent the air and I have never let the propane run long enough to flare up when it finally lights. I have always wondered why I had to do this….now I know.

Thanks,
Chris Burti
Farmville, NC

From: Bev Wright
Sent: Monday, June 5, 2017 10:53 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Seward 2 Burner Stove Not Lighting

Just to be clear, I don't vent the air inside the boat via the burners if that's what Chris is referring to, although maybe that's possible. When the problem first surfaced, I thought I was out of propane but the tank was heavy so I was confused.  The hardware guy tried to fill it but it only took .2 gal, so something was wrong. Then the guy who knew better told us that the tank had to be bled first because propane is heavier than air and it collects at the bottom and prevents the propane from getting to the burner. So now I take the tank to the hardware store at the beginning of every season. I'm amazed at the amount of air that is bled out. Even the hardware guy is surprised because it's such a small tank. He watches and listens and smells to make sure that he is not venting propane. Then it takes less than a gal to fill it but it's propane all the way to the top of the tank. Mind you, I cruise at least 10-15 times a season, so the stove is used a lot.  If you don't use the stove a lot, the problem could be even more noticeable. 

Bev Wright
s/v Whoosh
Edgewater, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Chris Burti
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2017 10:38 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Seward 2 Burner Stove Not Lighting

My experience is similar except it only takes a minute or two to vent the air… I can tell the difference in the sound when the air changes to propane, but usually spark the igniter before then…

Thanks,
Chris Burti
Farmville, NC

From: Bev Wright
Sent: Monday, June 5, 2017 10:33 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Seward 2 Burner Stove Not Lighting

My propane settles at the bottom of the tank after long periods of non-use such as after the winter and the tank collects air at the top. As a result, the stove will not light until the tank has been "bled" of this air and refilled, which takes very little to refill it at that point. I take the tank to the local hardware store and it takes maybe 15 mins or more to release the air that collects at the top, especially after a winter of sitting in the locker. They do it for me because they use a special nozzle to release the air.

Bev Wright
s/v Whoosh
Edgewater, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Dave Hupe
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2017 10:09 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Seward 2 Burner Stove Not Lighting

Yes Rick.....I turned to the "light" position and held in (tried both burners for quite some time) while trying to light with sparker and a lighter. However, no indication of propane flowing.  I'll try not turning the knob as far, but I think I was within the correct dial range when pushing in/holding the buttons to light the burners.  Thanks!

Dave Hupe, '94 (hull 332), Holland, MI