Propex Heater Thermostat

[DaveyP2004]

Hi Chaps,
My Autosleeper seems to have a propex heater fitted but at the moment it doesnt work so I am just trying to get it sorted.

I think the first problem may? be the switch on the thermostat (see photo below). When I push the switch down on either the left (heater) or right (fan) it doesnt lock in position and nothing happens ie: no LED's. So my first question is should that switch click down and stay in the on position (or does it just require that it is pressed once and then it goes back to the middle postion without locking in postion?) I am guessing the switch is faulty ?



Next question is when I turn the thermostat temp control from one end all the way round to the other I dont hear a click - does that mean it is knackered ?



From reading other threads on here I assume the wiring is as follows:

Top is power input from battery
Second power output to heater
Third and Fourth Common Earth for input & output

I have 12 volts on top cable so does this mean that if I put a link between top and second position the heater should come on ? At least that way I could test if heater works ?

And I guess my last question would be that assuming the thermostat is faulty does anyone have one they want to sell?
Many thanks for any help you can give me.
Cheers,
Dave

[kevtherev]

If you do not get a satisfactory answer here try calling Heatsource, they are very helpful

023 8052 8555

or e-mail
info@propexheatsource.co.uk

[1664]

Hi Dave, I have the same 'stat in my van. Yes, the switch is supposed to stay in position rather than return to the centre once released. My 'stat rotary control gives a clear and audible 'click' when turned - what position it does it depends on the temperature of course. I'd check the switch is mechanically 'seated' properly and the 'stat may have an adjustment 'pot' next to it to adjust the temperature settings range (possibly the blue object between the switch and the rotary knob on the RHS of the pcb in your second picture - use a very small flat screwdriver to adjust). Not sure of the wiring off the top of my head but there are a couple of Propex manual downloads in the 'Club Stuff' section which have some details of 'stats and wiring. Can't see the connections being wrong unless someone has mucked about with it previously.......

http://www.club80-90.co.uk/pages/downlo ... ompact.pdf

http://www.club80-90.co.uk/pages/downlo ... ex1800.pdf

[Oldiebut goodie]

Sounds like the switch has either been knocked hard or has been overloaded and the plastic has melted inside.
Brown is usually earth - easily checked with multimeter. (only needed in there for the leds) Third and fourth connections will not be earths! If you connect top to second all you will get is a shower of sparks!
Try shorting the top connection to the bottom or one from bottom - one will be ventilation fan and the other the heater. If the heater or fan is fubarred you may also get a shower of sparks which would explain the switch problem - it has overheated and melted inside.

Are the connections not marked on the inside of the lid or back of the unit? They usually are.

[DaveyP2004]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the useful advice so far.

I will have a look next week as busy at weekend.

Switch doesnt show any signs of overheating (or smell) so will check if the back of unit shows connections (as they are not on lid).

Hopefully heater is ok.

Will post back on here once I have checked,

Many thanks,
Dave

[Gandalf]

New ones avail here:-

http://www.propexleisure.co.uk/prodtype ... hCriteria=

[DaveyP2004]

Managed to have a look today.
There is no connection drawing on the back of thermostat. So I used a cable with an inline fuse to short across the connections.

If I short from the top connector (12 volt) to the bottom connector nothing happens (although I do see a very small spark as I put the connection on so looks like some current is being drawn).

If I short from top to the 3rd connection down then I can here a clicking noise. I left it on for about 30 seconds but couldnt feel any heat (or air ) coming out of outlet.

The cable I was using did not get warm when it was connected in either position so I dont think there is excess current being drawn.

Tried to get in compartment where heater is but couldnt get the shelf out of cupboard so will have to carry on tomorrow when I have more time.


Any ideas what might be going on so far ?

Cheers,
Dave

[kevtherev]

The motor could be seized?
try a vacuum cleaner pipe and get the fan blades moving if it is

[DaveyP2004]

Hi Chaps,
Ok managed to have a better look today and just in case anyone refers to this thread in the future I can confirm the following:

On my propex thermostat as pictured above.
top connection (red cable) - 12 Volt Live
next connection (brown cable) - short between here and top switches on heater and fan
next connection (white cable)- short between here and top switches on fan only
bottom connection (green and black cables) - earth

Suspect leisure battery was low last time I tried to test as it is all working ok today so my problem is just that the thermostat switch is buggered.

Will post in wanted section but if anyone has a Propex thermostat similar to the one above to sell please let me know.

If not then I will have to get a new one in which case does anyone know what type of propex heater this is as manual just says propex 1600 (1992 Autosleeper T4)?




Cheers,
Dave

[lloydy]

http://www.propexleisure.co.uk/thermostat/p-45.html
i fitted this to mine

[DaveyP2004]

Hi Lloydy,
Thanks for that.
Have just confirmed with Propex via email and my heater is a Compact 1600 and the thermostat you sent the link for is the correct one.
Not to sure about this bit in the description "These are the latest thermostats available and a small amount of rewiring maybe required." as I really hope I can just change it quickly.

Will wait a couple of days and see if a second hand one turns up (as I have posted in the "wanted" section on a few forums) before I order a new one.

Cheers,
Dave

[lloydy]

Mine was a compact 1600, re wiring not needed. You just need know what wire does what, and from earlier in the thread it looks like you do
Really easy to do

[elmo makaroy]

i have the exact same propex heater (well i will have once its been delivered) i am planning on buying a thermostat for it as it didnt come with one, but i have been told that for now i can just wire it straight to a leisure battery and wire in a basic switch to turn it on and off when i want, so i gues it will just be on (full power) or off,

is this correct?

also may be a really stupid question but wot kind of gas does a propex heater run off??

[lloydy]

i have the exact same propex heater (well i will have once its been delivered) i am planning on buying a thermostat for it as it didnt come with one, but i have been told that for now i can just wire it straight to a leisure battery and wire in a basic switch to turn it on and off when i want, so i gues it will just be on (full power) or off,

is this correct?

also may be a really stupid question but wot kind of gas does a propex heater run off??

Runs on lpg, why wire a basic switch when you can put in a £10 room stat and have temperature control?

[kevtherev]

I already told elmo about the stat...