Carver 3600STC Gas Heater

[yozza]

Hi guys dont know if you can help me. In our caravan we have got a Carver 3600STC Gas heater with the fanmaster blown air. Now to the problem.

While we where away a couple of weeks ago had cause to use the gas heater. Admittedly it took quite a while to get it to fire to light. Then when it lite it worked fine. On the second day it lite ok.

Now on the last night of our break I tried to light it but it refused to lite at all. I even took the front cover off as could'nt really see the spark on the ignition. Only way I could get to see any kind of spark was if I looked very closely in the ispection window. I must admit when we returned home I tried it again and it did eventually lite and worked fine, but in the viewing window it looked like something was lying across the burner as it was glowing red when the gas fire had lit.

I must admit have not used the heater for a while,

I dont know what could be the cause of this. And im thinking this is going to cost me alot of money, what with getting it serviced and possibly replacement parts.

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi, sometines gas appliances can take time to ignite if the gas has been off or disconnected
also sometimes if it has not used for a while "not recommended"
the something lying across the burner is probably the thermocouple this glows hot as it is situated across the pilot light and keeps the main burner lit if the pilot light goes out the thermocouple cools own (less than 2seconds) and the main burner goes out.
it may be nothing but if it has not been serviced for some time I would recommend getting it looked at by a proffesional in fact I suggest this be done before using it again. there are mobile service engineers out there that will not charge a arm and a leg to do it,
it may be ok but could have a fault or a blocked flue, for the few quid it costs to be safe it's not worth risking it, "CO kills"

 

[earlyriser]

hi yozza
have alook here http://www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk/
mobile engineers are usually cheaper than dealers

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Yozza,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry if I cover some of the points already made, but first and foremost, just because a gas heater has not been used does not mean you can skimp on servicing. Its true that most part wont have moved out of adjustment, but some of the heaters inner parts are very attractive to insect life, and having worked in the trade for many years I can assure you that spiders webs or other insect nests can disturb the gas and air flows and make the appliance difficult to ignite, or wont burn cleanly.

The internal cleaning of gas appliances should be left to competent fitters who have both the experience and equipment to check the appliance out.

Colin mentions 'CO or Carbon Monoxide' The gas is produced when gas and air don't burn properly. It is a very poisonous gas, but with the Carver and most all other touring caravan heaters the danger of the gas is reduced to a very very small level, because the heaters are what is called 'Room sealed' which ensures the flue products are ducted outside by the flue pipe.

However you do have other appliances such as the cooker and gas oven, which vent into the living space. The fridge is designed to be room sealed, but controversially many caravan manufacturers do not make a complete room seal around the fridge, so there could be a small danger from that. For those reasons a CO alarm inside a caravan is definitely a good idea.

 

[yozza]

I am arranging to get the gas heater looked at, but it can not be done untill begining of September, as that is the earliest the gas engineer is available. Also we are going on holiday in 2 weeks. The caravans cooker and fridge work perfectly. Anyway the fridge will be run on electric while away

 

[yozza]

Hi guys got an update for you over the gas fire. Finally got round to having it looked at and all that it required was a good service. They also did a gas pressure test, which came back ok. Im well pleaseed with the result.
Here is the company I used and their prices are very reasonable http://www.caravanservicecheshire.co.uk/