[Motorhomersimpson]

Please tell me the secret to lighting gas fires.

Having recently bought an 8-year-old kon-tiki the fire is difficult to light; it has been serviced prior to my buying it, so I assume it is me.
The fire is a Carver 3600 and although it rattles a fair bit when moving it is in very good condition.
I have always struggled with gas fires, when we were staying in static vans I could never seem to get the damn things to light easily.

I can keep a secret by the way :wink:

MHS

 

[peedee]

Are taking into acount the need to hold down the gas supply tap to allow the safety cut out to reach operating temperature.

Sequence...turn heater control to desired setting.....hold down......press ignitor keeping control tap held down....check pilot flame is alight..... continue to hold down control for 20 to 30 secs then release. Heater should burst into operation until thermostat controlling living space temperature cuts in.

If you are still having problems get the fire checked.

peedee

 

[Motorhomersimpson]

Thanks peedee for the info, I know this seemed a daft question but I wanted to confirm what I have been doing was correct, and your reply has reassured me it must be the igniter.
Once the fire has been used for a few minutes I can turn it on and off no problem, it is when I try to use the fire after it has been off for say a few days, the igniter is reluctant to work.
Just a thought, do you think judging from what I have said that it could be just lack of use causing me problems.
Having little experience with these fires I appreciate your help.

MHS

 

[89759]

Just a thought, the igniter on my fire (a carver3000s) is powered by a 9v battery, it goes flat from time to time and needs to be replaced. The rattles can be quietened to some degree by going around and tightning the self taping screws holding it together
HTH
Regards oldman

 

[Motorhomersimpson]

Hi oldman,
I think your onto something there, the fire does not require any power to be on, so it must be powered by battery as you say.
Checking the instruction book it does not show were it is though:?
I will check out the rattles as you suggested and see if I can locate the battery at the same time.
I will keep you posted, many thanks for everybody’s help.

MHS (Typical man: instructions!! who needs instructions)

 

[Anonymous]

gas fire's

hi,mine's a pain as well,the first time you light it ,ie first time this season,you have to hold it down for age's to purge any air in the system,after that it light's quite quickly,your right about the rattles though they drive you to distraction,
hope this help's,pete

 

[Motorhomersimpson]

Hi camperpete,
That is spooky; :!: I was just in the middle of writing an update when your post came up.
You have confirmed what I have found out, see below.
And yes the rattles are a real pain; I tend to turn up the radio (that has two effects; can not hear the rattles or the kids). :lol:



Further investigation has revealed that my fire has a Piezo igniter and as such does not require any power to it.
I have today spoken to the dealer I bought the motor home from, it appears to be a common fault with Kon-Tiki`s (how many times have we heard that from dealers).
It has something to do with the fact that the main gas pipe is connected to the cooker first, then branches off to the fire using a smaller bore pipe which basically means the gas has a long way to travel before it gets to the fire.
Armed with this knowledge I decided to ignore what the user instructions say and actually light the fire using the instructions for lighting the fire after installation, these are different in that, when I turn the control to the ignite setting and press down (causing the piezo igniter to operate) I have to hold it down for 10 seconds then turn off, wait for 3mins to let any gas disperse, then turn to ignite press down and the pilot lights and hey presto it did from cold (not used for 4 days).
Thanks for the help without which I probably would not have researched as much as I have.

Mhs

 

[89498]

Gas fire lighting nightmare

Hi. I have a carver 5400 but i guess the principle is the same.
1. Ensure electrics are on (Mains or 12V)
2. Depress and turn knob to "Lightning" sign and listen for "ticking" and leave there for aprox 10 seconds.
3. Depress and turn further anti-clockwise and hold in position. Green light on knob should illuminate and you should hear burner ignite.
4. Green light on knob should flash and then remain on. And "voila" you should have a gas fire running on gas.
5. Adjust temp slider as required and first position of fan (four blades) for blown hot air.

Just returned from Scotland over Xmas and new year (-12) and gas is defineately hotter than mains electric blown air.

 

[Motorhomersimpson]

Thanks hobbit,

I seem to have it sorted now, what gas are you using -12 degrees.

I warm my motor home up before leaving and have found if I switch my electric fan on low it is better than high, something to do with blowing the air around to much I think.

MHS