Propex positioning advice please

[jamesandtheopenroad]

I've just checked that the Proper heater that I bought from the Fleabay works - it does - so I've come to the decision of where to put it.

The only real space that is available (that doesn't mean lots of hacking at units) is at the bottom of the cupboard where the gas canister lives.

Now the Propex itself gets pretty hot while it does it's thing so is it safe to put there?

I thought could make a shelf for the canister so it's not directly on top of the heater - would that be sufficient?

Or do I need a drastic rethink?

Thanks!

[BOXY]

The Propex should have a thermal cut-out switch inside the case that will turn it off at around 60-65'C.

I've just fitted my "new" one under the van where the original one was fitted. This time I'll try to weather-proof it against the road salt etc that killed the first one.

[Titus A Duxass]

I put mine in the middle under the RnR bed, exactly where the rear heater sat.
I boxed it in with some ply and laminate leaving about 20 mm clearance between the Propex and box.

No problems with (over)heating for the last 3 years.

[jamesandtheopenroad]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I probably wasn't clear but what I meant was is it a safe place under the gas canister or is it a potential explosion?

It would be the easiest place to put it so is my preferred choice.

[BOXY]

I'm not sure I'd like to have a gas canister sat above the heater. If you had a leak from the regulator or the hose the LPG would sink because it's heavier than air. That gas would then be sucked into the heater when you switched it on. To use the lyrics of the Fresh Prince...... tick, tick, tick...BOOM!

[1664]

Wouldn't bother me putting it there. Granted the unit gets a bit hot but a shelf with a decent air gap between the two should be sufficient. (remember that the shelf needs to have a hole for any gas escape to drop through). Propex should keep the gas nice and warm too in the cold weather

E D I T: BOXY: if in the unlikely event of a gas escape, the gas wouldn't be sucked into the Propex burner as it's separate from the internal air intake system . The burner gets it's air from outside the van. As an aside, I had a tiny gas leak a few years ago - trust me, it stinks to high heaven; you'd know about it...

[ghost123uk]

Now the Propex itself gets pretty hot while it does it's thing so is it safe to put there?

How hot does it get ?

The casings of mine (just serviced by Propex) get barely warm to the touch.
Even the exhaust stub does not get too warm to comfortably keep fingers in contact with.

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Mine will be fitted this week and I was wondering about how much clearance to allow around the exhaust stub, but after testing it on the bench, the lack of "hottness" makes me think just a slight "clearance" around the stub will be fine. p.s. = I have a plywood floor under the front of the (LeisureDrive) bed and I reckon it will be fine without having to chop the wood away under the Propex.

Just my thoughts on the subject...

[weldore]

Get some of that sticky aluminium tape and put that around and through the holes to protect the flooring a bit.
My propex exhaust exits directly out of the floor and the unit never gets hot.if you have any of the flexi exhaust showing in the van your asking for trouble imho

[1664]

My Propex sits on lino on a plywood floor with no heat related problem. Intake and exhaust straight through floor. The unit got a bit hot/warm when I had it surrounded by junk & wellies etc and it was running for most the night. It can't get too hot else it will shut down; just one of a shed load of safety features. A small airgap to allow some air to circulate about the casing should be enough to prevent any heat build up.

You could always phone Propex and ask their technical department

[BOXY]

if in the unlikely event of a gas escape, the gas wouldn't be sucked into the Propex burner as it's separate from the internal air intake system . The burner gets it's air from outside the van.

Good point. The way mine is mounted, both the intakes are already outside.

[Plasticman]

Im thinking of moving mine outside as the noise keeps me awake, but will need to insulate the heat outlet pipe and also configure the inlet to draw warm air from inside the van, oh and mine has been encased in heavy insulation for about 5 years and never had a problem overheating and cutting out
mm

[1664]

I doubt mounting it outside will reduce the noise by an appreciable amount as it's fixed to the floor and that will 'conduct' (for want of a better word) the noise inside.

I imagine mounting it outside would reduce its efficiency a fair whack though unless it was insulated up to the teeth, and even then drawing the air to be heated in from the freezing outside would reduce efficiency rather than recycling the previously heated warmer air from inside the van through the heater again.

Just my tuppence......

E D I T: Sorry, just noticed metalmicky has already mentioned getting the inlet air from inside the van

[Plasticman]

indeed.
mounted in and insulated box,decoupled from the van body and air as you say..
mm

[Titus A Duxass]

I wouldn't mount one outside (underneath), they don't look like they were designed for external mounting.

I paid approx 300 quid for mine new I want to keep it in working order for as long as possible.

[Plasticman]

why??? build the box correcvtly and it will be as watertight and as good as the inside of your van.
mm