Kaboom......

[Deleted]

Hello All,

This is the Newbie question to end all Newbie questions - and frankly a bit embarrassing - but I'd rather write about it here than on an insurance claim form.

Bought a Sievert starter kit (2941 burner) at Ally Pally and about six weeks ago I got round to attaching it to a 6kg propane cylinder.



For about a minute the flame starts at 'B' then moves to 'A'.

Sometimes a yellow - non air - flame comes directly from the nozzle at 'C' at which point I turn it off pretty smartly.

The regulator valve was set to '3'.

I was in an empty garage and the only thing of note was that the outside temp. was not much above 0c.

I've been to the Sievert and Reeves websites but no info there as to the correct position of the flame in relation to the burner.

All comments welcome.

Thanks,

Gareth.

[kwil]

I guess that your propane cylinder was not much above 0C then, which will mean you have little or no pressure available, hence the propensity for the flame to be nearer the jet as you found. Drawing off gas from the cylinder requires the liquid to evaporate, this chills the cylinder further, try placing your hand on the valve when it is all working properly even on a warm day, yes its cool.

[jasonb]

I thought propane would start to gas at -42deg C and its Butane that wont gas at just below zero. But low temps will affect pressure, I assume you had some form of ventilation in the garage as you would not be writing this if you burned off all the oxygen in the air

The flame should be at A, page 11 of this pdf shows they type of flame you should get

www.sievert.se/upload/File/Sievert_UK_plumbing_2009_mini.pdf

Jason

[baggo]

Hi Gareth,

Definitely sounds like a lack of gas pressure but I doubt if the low temperature is the problem. Propane cylinders frost over anyway when you're giving it some welly so they run pretty cold.

Just a thought - does the regulator incorporate a hose failure device? If so, you have to reset them every time you turn on the gas valve on the bottle otherwise the regulator won't pass any gas. On mine you have to push the regulator body in towards the connection on the bottle to reset it.

If the regulator hasn't a hose failure device, try the handle without the burner screwed on (out in the open of course) and see if plenty of gas comes out then. It's possible you've got a blockage or a faulty regulator.

John

[Deleted]

Thanks Gentlemen, very useful.

All info gratefully received and digested.

I got to the start of the Sievert pdf but didn't scroll down

I think a trip to my local playing fields is in order so I can try out John's idea.

Note to self: Leave fags and matches in the car! ;D

Thanks again,

Gareth.

[Deleted]

Sorry Paul, my reply crossed yours.

That's interesting. Mine's a full cylinder but maybe worth one more go as the temp is now +12ish rather than 0.

Cheers,

Gareth.

[pauldenney]

Gareth

Its highly unlikely that your cylinder will go kaboom as in order for gas to burn it needs oxygen and there will be no oxygen in the cylinder. I believe also that the regulator valve will prevent blow back in any case. Now the weather has warmed up cold cylinders should not be a problem, if it ever is again sit the cylinder in a bucket of warm water.

Paul

[Deleted]

Hi Paul et al,

Did a test burn, standing on the lawn, today with no problems so my previous issue must have been temperature related.

Paul: really like your signature picture 'tho I agreed more with your previous text!

Here's a picture of my 'clerk of works' who, having signed off some of my soldering efforts, is now having a rest....

Cheers,

Gareth.

[3405jimmy]

I noticed that strap line had changed hope it wasn’t pressure from the PC brigade!

If I don’t come back as high stepping 4-8-4 in the early 50’s I want to be a cat. They just seem to be unable to sleep without looking like they had spent too much time in the 60’s smoking cool.

Jim