Propane Problems

[Vasco]

Turn it on and sniff to see if propane's coming through to the burner. If no propane then it's usually the solenoid. If there is propane coming through and it wont stay lit then it's probably the thermocouple.

[sailorboy1]

are you giving the line enough time to purge?

[mikefossl]

We had a similar problem when the solenoid failed to open especially in cold weather and/or when the propane level was low. Sometimes turning the switch on and off quickly would sort things out. Sometimes leaving it on for a while (warming up the works) would work. Eventually I took it apart and sprayed mclube into the valve and since then it has been almost 100%.

[botanybay]

I have had similar problems for years with my Force 10 stove which I bought new. Unfortunately I discovered the problem after heading out on a long overseas passage.

Interestingly, same problem showed up when I re-installed the stove on a new to me boat.

Symptoms:
If the propane solenoid is left on and pressure applied the stove will start immediately on the first try (even after a few days -- oops...)

If the propane solenoid is turned off after use and then turned back on:
If the stove burner has been run in the last 24 hours it runs perfectly
If the stove burner has been run in the last 48 hours it will light up within a couple of seconds, perhaps with a bit of sputtering
If the stove has not been run for several days then it may take almost a minute to get the burner to light. Sometimes in this case the propane sensor will go off although only if more than 45 seconds or so.

However, some new information. If trying different burners it always sputters and is difficult to start after having been off for a week or more.

On the other hand, if I try to start the oven first, it never results in the propane sensor going off AND while it may take as much as 30 seconds to light, when it does it is an immediate clean start.

I suspect that air is getting into the system through the oven burner when the propane is off and then some of this air mixes with the propane when the system is turned on.

Odd behavior in any event.

[bstreep]

I don't think I've seen this anywhere in this thread:

Check your lines for debris. Our line to our grill had some "stuff" in it - when I cleaned it out, our grill went from feeble to "red hot" on high.