follow up to my heater/cooker issue

[Ya Hey Der]

Something weird is going on.

Equipment: New 11 lb tank, purged and filled. New Mr. Heater heater/cooker. Used Paulin heater cooker. New Paulin heater/cooker.

Hooked up the 11 lb tank to the Mr. Heater heater/cooker, result: green flames and flames that shot out the back of the tiny hole and hose caught on fire. Right after, hooked up the used Paulin heater/cooker, no problems, ran great and also used this one on two outings without any flare ups or fires (total of 8 hours). Figured that the problem was with the Mr. Heater heater/cooker. This was returned.

Bought a new Paulin heater/cooker (the used one was goin fishin's). Hooked it up and ran fine for 5 mins. Then noticed inconsistent propane coming out. Heating element would flair up and then die down. Did this for 20 minutes and then completely died. Thought the tank was empty. Took it to the place I got it originally filled and a different guy tells me it is still 1/2 full. He comments that the first guy must not have purged it completely. He then empties it and fills it up again. I get home and hook up the Paulin. Try to start it and nothing happens. I could hear a little bit of propane but that's it. Thinking it might be the tank, I tried starting it with 2 different 1 lb tanks. Nothing still. Is my Paulin broken? Did air or something get into the Paulin due to the improper first fill on the tank? Does anyone know what happened and is it something I can fix?

Thanks!

YHD

[Phred52]

YaHeyDer, With that many "failing" heaters, I'd be very suspect of the tank and/or OPD valve. I would try the heaters on a friends tank for an extended period (just to be sure) and then go from there. I have several different tank sizes/styles and I'm constantly switching stuff around with no problems. I'd be real suspicious of the valve. Is this a "Trade a tank" or do you own it? Could you have the tank emptied again and exchange it where it was bought? I wish ya luck, Keep us informed. Phred

[JohnMickish]

Could it be in the hose? Try using Dan's hose with your tank and heater. At least you could eliminate one more item.

[Surface Tension]

I think the orifice on your heater is plugged. In between the sunflower and valve block theres a tube with a hole around 3/8th dia. Look inside that hole, thats where the orifice is. Unscrew the tube to get at the orifice and use a thin wire like a bread twister to clean it out.

After your done with that your going to have to determine why it plugged up. I'd suspect theres some type of debris in the hose. Blow compressed air through the hose.

Also propane under pressure will leech out oils in the hose so when you shut down the heater turn the gas valve off at the tank and let the heater burn that propane off before you shut the propane off at the heater.

[Ya Hey Der]

Thanks for the tips!

When I got home, I took the tank and hose and connected it to a portable propane grill that I have. Grill started up right away, no flare ups. Then I hooked it up to my buddy heater and that started up also.

So, now, I am thinking it is the heater/cooker. I took a can of compressed air and shot air down the tube under the valve lock and then up towards the valve lock. Hooked up the hose and now it worked. However, after a little bit, it started flaring up and I started to notice inconsistent gas pressure again. Then when I went to shut it off from the knob on the heater, a burst of flame shot out of the 3/8" holes. Hmmm. So I took the can of air and shot more air down the tube and tried it again. The heater started again but after a while more green flames came up, to top it off flames shot out again when I turned it off from the knob on the heater. Am I just that unlucky with heaters? I want to try out the cleaning method that 'surface tension' described with the tiny wire but I don't want to void the warranty if this isn't the problem. I just don't get it, it's a new heater/cooker and I haven't had any issues with the used Paulin heater/cooker that was hooked up to the tank before (I ran it for around 8 hours with no problems). Ah, I might just try the tiny wire trick anyway. Thanks again for your help!!!

Good luck on the ice!!!

YHD

[JohnMickish]

Ya hey der, I think you must be bad luck. My heater started doing the same thing yours was last night, but I fixed it. The thermocouple tube was running real close to the heater so I bent that out of the way and also right by where the flame shoots out the back there is a knurled knob. Make darn sure that is tight, mine was loose and I think it was letting air in or something.

I burned a one pounder tonight and had no problems at all.

Let me know if that works for you.