Propex problem

[Donald360]

I have fitted an older Propex - model X1P into the van. The problem is that it fires up fine and starts producing heat, but switches off after about 15 seconds. The lock-out light comes on along with the stand-by light. Switching it off and on again an it starts up fine again, heat, but after 15 seconds...

I have trawled through the previous posts to try and find possible answers. I have double checked the wiring - it is a three wire type (red, orange and black). I swapped over to a fully charged battery - no difference, I measured 12.5 volts whilst running, but it still cuts out.

I am now wondering if it something to do with the type of gas. The van has an autogas conversion and the cooker, fridge and now propex heater all are supplied from the vehicle lpg system via a Butane regulator (28mbar). I know that lpg for vehicles is a mixture of Propane and Butane (somewhat variable) so is it possible that this is the cause of the shut down?

I would be interested to hear if anyone else uses a Propex heater (successfully) with their vehicle lpg system.

Other thoughts are a sticky/faulty solenoid inside the unit - but I would expect it not to ignite at all then. If anyone has other ideas, I'd be very happy to hear them. At this rate I'll have the heater working just in time for the summer!

Cheers,
Donald.

[mrhutch]

check the voltage whilst running.. if it drops near 12v the unit will cut out

[ermie571]

Hi Donald,

first things first....I am no expert here....but we have just fitted a propex too, (ok a friend has fitted it...) and it is doing sommat similar to yours.

Firstly, does it do the same thing if the van is running? Intially that made a difference to mine, so charged battery a bit more. Then we got heat!! Woohoo. then we didn't. Gruntfuttocks.

What mark found was that if he covered over half the air intake for combustions at the rear, it ran continuously. allowing all the air in meant it cut out. So, not enough gas getting in. he took the cover off the unit, and extracted the gas jet, which was clogged with sommat. That improved things slightly. but still cutting out when cold. When it has warmed up for some reason it runs better. I have a new regulator to try next. If that doesn't work, mark says he will take the jet out again, and make sure it hasn't clogged up again.

Hope this has in someway been a little bit useful

Em
x

[gti mad man]

why not ring propex and ask them very very friendlyt and helpful

[Donald360]

Thought I'd send an update on my Propex problem. Turned out that the heater I bought (ebay) was duff and no matter what i tried, it would cut out. I even got very helpful advice from Propex, but still no use.

I decided to bite the bullet and sent it down to Propex and they very quickly have upgraded all the internals. I think the only original parts now are the motor and the outer casing. Cost me £215, but at least this time it'll work. I just need to get some advice now on wiring the 4-wire loom (Red, Orange, Purple , Black) to a common room thermostat that is in place.

I complained to the bloke that I originally bought it from saying that he mis-sold it as he described it as working, when in fact it was only good for spare parts - and not many of those! At first he strongly refused to refund me anything (I'd paid £170 for it) but after escalating the dispute through Ebay/Paypal he eventually paid back £80 which was about half. I feel that we have both lost out on this as i have had to spend far more than I really wanted to.

I'm now looking forward to our next trip up north (Western Isles) in April to try out our 'cosy' van.

Thanks again for advice given.
Donald.

[kevtherev]

Well thanks for giving us a conclusion to this ..many disapear ito the ether.

seems it cost you more money than expected...but you now have the means to camp all year round!

Kev

[gti mad man]

Yup same as i did got my x1 upgraded