Hello, can anyone help please?
We bought or first caravn this weekend and we are struggling to get the gas to work.
We have changed over the bottle from Butane to Propane, but still nothing.
There is gas in the bottle but nothing coming through to the caravan (a 2004 Swift Charisma 540). The couple we bought the van from had the stove working on Propane last weekend -after first trying it on Butane, which failed (we assume due to low temps). We have checked the gas levers inside the caravan and they are open and have also flicked the switch to change from electric to gas for the heater. I have read about problems with residue damaging the regulator, but as we are newbies we could just be missing out a simple stage. Thank you everyone.
Do you have a bulkhead regulator or a regulator on the gas bottle top, What size bottle are you using, if clip bottle connector, have you got levers on 'on' position if screw on, have you turned bottle valve on?
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when you turn the gas on at the bottle you may have to leave it for 15 mins for the gas to get threw the pipes to the cooker as i had to when i took my van out first try this and see how you get on hope this helps
Hi Tentz, thanks for your reply. It's a bulkhead reg- the bottles are 6kg Propane and 7kg Butane. My husband has turned on the gas valve on the bottle (and says there is gas there)and has also checked the levers are in the on position in the van.
Hi Sugolly, thank you for your advice. The previous owner says the caravan has been out of use since last June. The Swift handbook says there may be air in the pipe and to purge it (but no advice in the manual on how to actaully do that!)We'll give your suggestion a go and I'll let you know how we get on. Thanks
use a lighter, hold it by the gas outlet on the cooker (rather than using the sparker) with the gas turned on (you may need to hold the knob down if it has flame detection)
you should see the flame waver a bit in the draught from the burner, evenually it will light. if mines not been used the cooker (furthest appliance) takes a good minute or two to light, the fridge takes even longer with its little jet.
one other thing to check is in the locers, there may be agas manifold with individual isolators on for each applance, or there could be isolators in cupboards near the appliance, check these are fully open.
Bulkhead regulators have been known to go faulty(I take it you have turned regulator on?) Disconnect pipe from regulator on caravan side, turn on gas & see if any gas comes from regulator.
Hi everyone, just an quick update- visited the caravan today and the gas came through straight away- very strange. Maybe the problem was just air in the system. Fingers crossed it behaves now. Thanks to all for your advice.
Hi, yes thanks, it's a good point, but we were aware of the catch at the back of the hob when we were having trouble, so I guess it will remain a mystery!