troble with propane stove

Bill Murray · Jun 5, 2010

You need to replace the solenoid :--)

Ross · Jun 5, 2010

If you can bypass the solenoid and supply gas straight to the stove it will eliminate the solenoid as a problem or identify it as the problem. Observe all proper safety precautions. and turn the tank off before you disconnect anything and when you leave the boat.

kloudie1 · Jun 5, 2010

Definitely agree that it sounds like a bad solenoid coil.. turn-to-turn shorts in the coil most likely.. I don't know what you have, but on some brands, the coils can be replaced without having to change the whole valve..

zeehag · Jun 5, 2010

ross--that is a good way to make sure it really is the solenoid that is in need of attention---but i would keep my solenoid on a permanent basis and replace the dang thing everytime it breaks than have to suffer the consequences--lol--and i wont cook with anything but propane on my boat.....solenoid is the very last safety device between propane and booom...so i keep...lol.....goood to know can be rebuilt.....

Ross · Jun 5, 2010

Zeehag, only bypass as a trouble shooting method replace as needed. I have a simple half turn hand valve in the cabin for shutting off the gas. Besides all of my burners are thermocouple protected.

zeehag · Jun 5, 2010

Ross said:
Zeehag, only bypass as a trouble shooting method replace as needed. I have a simple half turn hand valve in the cabin for shutting off the gas. Besides all of my burners are thermocouple protected.

i knew you would have a nice complexly simple response....i like your dealie better. sounds less electric

Ross · Jun 5, 2010

I tried to make my boat such that a complete electrical failure wouldn't keep me from continuing my trip. A dead battery and a solenoid gas valve and you can't cook.

sduguay · Jun 28, 2010

propane stove problem

Hey James,
I have the exact same problem on my boat. Did you solve it? I'm not convinced it's a solenoid problem since the solenoid is an on/off switch and the flame dies out slowly (over 2 or 3 minutes in my case).
Steve

James Boss said:
I have a Hunter 326 with a propane stove/oven. The system has a regulator and solenoid. When I turn on any burner it lights right away, but then after 5 min it begins to die out. It then will not relight, and has no gas. After a few hours it will light again, but then goes out. I have noticed that the solenoid gets very warm, almost to warm to touch. My propane tank is full, and I have no leak detection safety system. Can any one help?

Ross · Jun 28, 2010

Re: propane stove problem

When I turn off the valve on the tank and then light a burner it goes out inless than one minute. Try lighting the burner with the solenoid switch off. but the tank valve open. Your solenoid valve may be electrically bad and also may not be closing completely. I would remove the solenoid valve and couple the gas line directly and try it that way. If then the stove functions propely install a new solenoid valve. If not then substitute the regulator. If the problem is only on one burner then suspect that burner. If the problem is the same for all burners then it must be in the supply lines. You are absolutely certain that you have fuel in the tank?

RichH · Jun 28, 2010

If you are talking about the CONTROL ON THE STOVE.... and not the solenoid ON THE TANK.......
Check for 'glaze' on the 'safety thermocouple' that is RIGHT NEXT to or OVER the PILOT LIGHT. Carefully with sandpaper remove any glaze (or dripped food debris) from the thermocouple.
This thermocouple controls the safety solenoid valve and when t'couple is properly hot allows the solenoid to STAY OPEN. Any 'glaze' that forms will insulate the thermocouple ... and if it isnt sending the proper 'signal' to the solenoid, will CLOSE the safety valve.
This is common with **RobertShaw** control gas systems.