Gas Lights burn black

[dirtking]

Anyone know why my mantels would be turning black on my gas lights.

I had one gas light and no problems. So I installed anouther one - now both mantels turn black around the top and sometimes put off a smell that hurs the eyes.

Any ideas what happened?

[eyebjim]

I would think you either have a leak letting air into the line before the light or the line can not supply enough gas for both lights. It is more likey that there is a leak in the line. Do you smell propane when not using the lights?

[Surface Tension]

Its a sign of incomplete combustion and I wouldn't use them till you figure out why.

Improper mixture of gas and air is the likely reason.

I'll assume your using them in your ice house. Make sure you using a model made for propane and not LP.

I'd go back to the install instructions to see if you missed something. Improper line type or size would be a guess.

Obstruction from the install of the second light.

It should all be covered in the instructions along with cleaning.

[liveaqua]

This is scary.

Open the door and get a CO detector before you wake up dead. You don't have enough ventalation "not enough O2"

Barry

[dirtking]

I have a CO2 detector and it has never gone off. It is a 3/8" gas line that supplies the 2 lights, a 3-burner stove and oven. I have read the gas light only burn 1 lb of propane over the course of 11 hours - so I don't think there is a supply problem.

There is however a small leak in the Tee I installed. If you hold a lighter to it, it will just pop a little but wont stay lit. Also I have never been able to smell the propane so I didn't worry too much about it. Maybe air is getting in the line???

The part that gets me is that I had one it worked fine and now I have two and neither work. I guess I will try to get that leak taken care of this weekend and hope that works.

[deadeye]

Yikes, i wouldnt check with a lighter man! I would get the soapy water out for checking leaks. It works really good and doesnt have the unpleasant side affect of blowing up.

I would get a new part, and intall it. The mixture is off because of the leak. Probably not enough pressure getting to the lamp.

[eyebjim]

I work with gasses and if you have one type of pure gas (propane) in the line and you have a leak Air will get into the line even if it is under pressure. Its the partial pressure law. The lack of O2/N2 (air) inside the line creates a pressure forcing the air into the line countering the pressure inside the line. I know it sounds strange but it happens. Then you have air propane mix in the line that makes the lamp burn poorly at the incorrect mixture. Fix the leak and the problem should go away.

Oh! and I agree do not check for leaks with a flame especially given what I said above. There is air and propane in the line and it could cause the line to explode. Bad deal. Use soapy water or a product called snoop. Apply to all connections all the way around them. If it leaks it will bubble. Make sure it is not cold enough to freeze the soapy water.

[dirtking]

Thanks all - will report next week

[Tom7227]

Thanks all - will report next week

That's a maybe?

[dirtking]

I'll repoert next week as I am going to fix the gas leak this weekend.

Its only a maybe if I blow myself up - and I might have to use the soap and water method.

[deadeye]

Yeah getting blown up isnt really too much fun. Its exciting but painfull.

[Dead-C-Force]

Dude, please check the back of your carbon monoxide detector, if it is older than 4-5 years throw it away. Also, understand that the test button really only tests the battery, not the units ability to sniff and report.

Here is a link to a story, a kid dies in a cabin in Northern Minnesota, vented propane furnace, had the window cracked, and the carbon monoxide detector failed. Just dont want you to take the long nap my friend..

http://www.leadertelegram.com/printstory2.asp?id=BEJSK9G77A1

[dirtking]

good advice Dead - I try and get a new detector every year - I have a new one this year and still have the old one as well for backup.

[liveaqua]

Try this. While the gas light are lit light a candle. watch the flame if it sputters or seems lower than normal you have a ventaltion problem. Your lighter will work for this too.

I have seem this before and it isn't pretty. Life is to short to make it shorter.

Barry

[dirtking]

Judging from the draft blowing in the door (we were on LOTW and the door was ices up at the bottom and not closing fully) I am guessing we had plenty of air in the place but I will throw a candle in and give that a try if the lights are acting up after I fix the pin hole leak.