Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all

I've got a Propex heater fitted but the previous owner didn't use it in 8 years. I'd like to get it serviced before doing anything else, can anyone recommend somewhere to get this done in the south Essex area? Or recommend somewhere that does full habitation checks otherwise?

Many thanks

Wes

I think that Propex themselves offer a service/refurb service. I believe they are in the Portsmouth area.

They are pretty much a sealed unit and unless there's something wrong with it I wouldn't really waste money getting it serviced. I'd fire it up & see what happens. Also, eight years with it not being used is not a problem.

When we got our van 3yrs ago the Propex hadn't been used for 5yrs,fully charged the leisure battery and it fired up,been using it since,l would advise on fitting a carbon monoxide detector though

Just as a footnote Captain, we're up to Mull in May!!!!!
Mustn't wish our time away but role on.

Thanks for your replies. I reckon I'll crack on and fire it up then and keep the CO alarm nearby! Got no instructions so I'll be heading off to the wiki again first

lodgey62 wrote:l would advise on fitting a carbon monoxide detector though

Going to fit it on the outside of the van? Surely they are a sealed unit.

Oldiebut goodie wrote:

lodgey62 wrote:l would advise on fitting a carbon monoxide detector though

Going to fit it on the outside of the van? Surely they are a sealed unit.

What????

I cannot see why you are advising fitting a CO detector because there is a Propex fitted. There isn't a naked flame inside the vehicle it is sealed same as Webastos and Eberspächers.

Well don't l feel a tit OBG , totally understand now, itll work like a balanced flue fire, still use my Carbon monoxide detector though

lodgey62 wrote:Just as a footnote Captain, we're up to Mull in May!!!!!
Mustn't wish our time away but role on.

Fantastic, have a great time & I hope the weather is a good as we had last May. I presume you'll be at Fidden campsite? Let me know if you want any pointers.

Oldiebut goodie wrote:I cannot see why you are advising fitting a CO detector because there is a Propex fitted. There isn't a naked flame inside the vehicle it is sealed same as Webastos and Eberspächers.

Learnt something new there, cheers! So plenty of good reasons for having a CO alarm (gas cooker, in case of bonfire in the van etc) but having a Propex not one of them as it won't detect anything from it?

Are there any hidden dangers to be aware of once its fired up and working or is a case of it'll either work and be safe or it won't work cos its broken?

Thanks again

I think it's pretty well fail safe - anything wrong, and it just won't fire up, and the gas will shut off.
That's often the problem - something out of kilter, and you've got no heater!

Two tips I would offer, particularly at this time of year: Keep your leisure battery well charged - the Propex turns off below a certain voltage. Use Propane gas, not Butane or Camping Gaz. Propane will still be a gas at low ambient temperatures, but the others don't evaporate - so again, no Propex Heater.

Oh, and of course you have to go through 2 or 3 start up routines if the gas has been disconnected, or if the heater hasn't been used for a while. That's to flush air out of the feed pipes.

Finally, heres a rundown on a Propex, common faults, general maintenance, including how to test one: https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ca ... ior_Propex" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Make sure power supply cable feed is man enough or it will shut down.

Anything beyond this, get it serviced by Propex in Southampton. They come back more or less brand new. Excellent service down there.

I just bought a van, previous owner had it 10 years and said he never used the propex, it fired up after about three tries, as said just because the gas pipe is empty.

seems to work fine.

I would however check the exhaust pipe under the van, this was was rotted through.

Cheers guys, I'm gonna give it a go at the weekend. Let you know how it goes