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I have an abbey Lancaster and it has a thermostat controled gas heater in it, i slept in it over the weekend to see how cozy it was and it was great. Anyway, my question is, what happens if the gas runs out and im not there to change the bottle? would it cause damage to the ignighter continuly trying to light up etc? i have only run it on mains power so far, would it drain a 12 volt  very fast? This is the first van i've had with a heater.

Quote: Originally posted by Ang/Ken on 11/01/2005

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You should never leave the gas fire on when your not in or around the van.  Also personally i wouldnt advise leaving it on whilst asleep.  If the gas runs out the demand chases the supply (i.e. into the empty bottle) and it can explode.

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I have got to say a few words about this, as I... totally disagree

Gas fires for many years back into the early 70's at least, are 'room sealed'  and cannot present a hazard to those in that room provided that is...they are properly maintained.

Many people don't use gas fires over night and I have never quite understood the logic to this given the above...except for the fact they work just like electric heating and dry the air, which is not the best environment to sleep in..however the ventilation is such that this would be a minor problem.

 Leaving it on while out, is the same as while asleep so the same applies...why not

The last bit about chasing supply is as far as caravans are concerned.. to all intents and purposes ...impossible. The only time I have know this to happen is with Acetylene gas and 'flash back' arresters have been fitted to these bottles for many years. Yes they are also fitted to LPG and Oxygen but why? I have never got close to a flash back using LPG in many varied and sometimes stupid conditions.

So if it goes out...it goes out and you get cold ..however dependent on the type of ignition you have it could burn out the igniter. If the flame does go out perhaps blown out and the auto ignition fails to re-light it,  then the gas valve of ALL heaters will shut within a minute...much less in most cases. If this particular fire is the Carver 'Caravelle' then it will shut down, (lock out), within 5 to 10 seconds and also stop sparking

Quote: Originally posted by jackrussells62 on 11/01/2005

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The heater is a Carver 'Caravelle'  and  seems to be working as it should do.

Obviously, i wouldent intentionaly let the gas run out

i remember my old bosses caravan had a coal fire that he used to leave burning all night, i bet they dont make them like that now

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I guessed it was...that's why I mentioned it, the Caravelle is a cracking fire and might have been developed but for the fact caravan fitters didn't seem to be able to get their heads around them...still can't??.  It should quite happily switch itself on and off  and will 'lock out' usually in  5 to 8 seconds if anything is amiss.

As i said don't worry about gas running out...that's the only time I would ever change a bottle...with Butane, (blue),  though you often have a little bit left that won't come out? thats because it's water!!

  Oh.. and  yes they do still make these coal fires...very popular in Narrow boats.  I think the very small ones are often called 'Squirrel Stoves'... a genuine period one costs a fortune now!!

We have the Truma in our van and I am not impressed with it.  Initially when you fire it up on electric it reaches the temperature quickly and then clicks off as the thermostat kicks in.  The problem is that the temperature drops but the fire does no kick in again and you end up freezing cold and having to star the gas fire.  I have had a remote sensort fitted but this does not help much.  Any one else with a similar problem?

 Quote "Anyone else with a similar problem"

Might go down as the biggest understatement of all time??... although the remote sensor should cure the great majority of problems with this heater,  there seems to be another...yours.

I am currently investigating this exact problem of 'not switching back on' and your feedback would be most welcome as all I have to go on is relayed though a dealer.

As I understand it your heater with the remote fitted will work OK above 7 on the dial but not below this and once it switches off it will not come back on again unless 7 or above is set on the dial...is this correct?.

Fitting the remote cures the problem of control switch position and hence the original position of the temperature sensor which is within the switch. The problem here is the temperature at the back of the switch effects the temperature more than the temperature it is supposed to measure in the living area. The temperature in the wardrobe perhaps reaches the temperature set and the fire switches off, the wardrobe then and everything in it including the fire itself  has to cool down before the thing will switch back on again!!. Once the remote is fitted in a more sensible position this problem should disappear...and for the most part it does. Problem you have has I think nothing to do with this, although fitting the remote may improve matters somewhat...Anything more you can tell me??