I have a 1983 h34 and recently our stove seems to pulsate after it has been lit. Is it possible that some small particles that have migrated into the tank have worked there way into the jets and caused this problem. Or by me utilizing the pink kerosene instead of the clear white have caused this. The stove did have a complete overhaul prior to our purchase and worked great for a few months then we experianced the problems I just mentioned. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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kerosene stove blues
Do we need a kerosene stove support group or are there too few of us left? Is your stove a Kenyon 550K? Did you pump the stove tank up enough (or too much)? Maybe you might try some very clear kerosene. You might also try the Force10 web site (www.force10.com) as they still sell burner parts and have some info on their web site. In Canada HMP also sells and services Kenyon stoves (http://www.hollandmarine.com/).
Do we need a kerosene stove support group or are there too few of us left? Is your stove a Kenyon 550K? Did you pump the stove tank up enough (or too much)? Maybe you might try some very clear kerosene. You might also try the Force10 web site (www.force10.com) as they still sell burner parts and have some info on their web site. In Canada HMP also sells and services Kenyon stoves (http://www.hollandmarine.com/).
Leaning towards the fuel.
We do have the Kenyon 550K and we have tried various psi, as low as 5 psi and as high as 30 psi and various in between. At the higher psi it tends to work for awhile and then it starts pulsating once again. It has been rebuilt, we spoke with the previous owner who had the similiar problem, so I think it maybe the fuel, I think I will try the different kerosene after bleeding out the pink stuff. Thanks for you help.
We do have the Kenyon 550K and we have tried various psi, as low as 5 psi and as high as 30 psi and various in between. At the higher psi it tends to work for awhile and then it starts pulsating once again. It has been rebuilt, we spoke with the previous owner who had the similiar problem, so I think it maybe the fuel, I think I will try the different kerosene after bleeding out the pink stuff. Thanks for you help.
Kerosene stove support group
I think a kerosene stove support group is a great idea- I really like the safety, price and availability of kerosene. The only problem I struggle with is the whole lighting process- I have tried several ways of getting just the right amont of alcohol in the preheat ring so as to not have too big a flame but to preheat enough to prevent flame up. Have tried a battery filler ( bulb and tube thing to suck up liquid) and am back to a small funnel. What methods have others tried? I am never sure whether I am in the greatest danger from the stove burning the front of me when I am lighting it or from my wife who is hovering close behind with the fire extinguisher in her hand and her finger thru the pin!!
I think a kerosene stove support group is a great idea- I really like the safety, price and availability of kerosene. The only problem I struggle with is the whole lighting process- I have tried several ways of getting just the right amont of alcohol in the preheat ring so as to not have too big a flame but to preheat enough to prevent flame up. Have tried a battery filler ( bulb and tube thing to suck up liquid) and am back to a small funnel. What methods have others tried? I am never sure whether I am in the greatest danger from the stove burning the front of me when I am lighting it or from my wife who is hovering close behind with the fire extinguisher in her hand and her finger thru the pin!!
Richard, alcohol or kerosene? You interchange the
two. It's one or the other isn't it? All though I've never had either. But thanks for the entertaining post. Us propane folks are bored with our stoves when we cook.
two. It's one or the other isn't it? All though I've never had either. But thanks for the entertaining post. Us propane folks are bored with our stoves when we cook.
Alcohol to prime then pressurized kerosene
Its kerosene- but you prime (preheat) the burner with alcohol. Seems to be a couple of tricks- aside from dodging my fire extinguisher wielding wife- one is to get just enough alcohol in the preheat "ring" to not have to big a fire but enough to preheat to a sufficient temp so that when the kerosene is turned on it doesn't flare up ( bigger and more scary as it is more orange- and causes more agitation in my wife.) The second trick seems to be to make sure both burners are lit at the same time if you need both on. The thought of pouring alcohol into the second burner while the first one is lit scares ME- if my wife understood what was going on she would be REALLY agitated. She only feels safe when I light the thing in the presence of a good friend who is a retired deputy fire chief
Its kerosene- but you prime (preheat) the burner with alcohol. Seems to be a couple of tricks- aside from dodging my fire extinguisher wielding wife- one is to get just enough alcohol in the preheat "ring" to not have to big a fire but enough to preheat to a sufficient temp so that when the kerosene is turned on it doesn't flare up ( bigger and more scary as it is more orange- and causes more agitation in my wife.) The second trick seems to be to make sure both burners are lit at the same time if you need both on. The thought of pouring alcohol into the second burner while the first one is lit scares ME- if my wife understood what was going on she would be REALLY agitated. She only feels safe when I light the thing in the presence of a good friend who is a retired deputy fire chief
Fill the cup
For kerosene burner folks, you fill the cup just below the top with alcohol. Light the cup and only turn on the kerosene after the cup has burned completely. Otherwise it will appear that you are signalling Sailing Bull for a rendeveouz with enough black smoke you can see it across the entire marina. Thats not my problem, it still pulsates, spews, spits and so on, therefore I will try the different fuel.
For kerosene burner folks, you fill the cup just below the top with alcohol. Light the cup and only turn on the kerosene after the cup has burned completely. Otherwise it will appear that you are signalling Sailing Bull for a rendeveouz with enough black smoke you can see it across the entire marina. Thats not my problem, it still pulsates, spews, spits and so on, therefore I will try the different fuel.
Richard-filling the cup
Richard, I have a large syringe with clear plastic tubing that I use to fill the alcohol cup. It works real well as I can fill the syringe directly from the can of alcohol and inject it directly to the cup. I've learned from trial and error to fill the cup at least 3/4 full. It will flame up pretty high, but I avoid the big black cloud.
Richard, I have a large syringe with clear plastic tubing that I use to fill the alcohol cup. It works real well as I can fill the syringe directly from the can of alcohol and inject it directly to the cup. I've learned from trial and error to fill the cup at least 3/4 full. It will flame up pretty high, but I avoid the big black cloud.
Preheating Kerosene Stove
On my 1983 37C I got tired of all the preheating problems and used a propane torch. Much quicker and a lot more efficient.
On my 1983 37C I got tired of all the preheating problems and used a propane torch. Much quicker and a lot more efficient.
Propane torch to preheat
How long do you typically preheat with a propane torch? Do you use the tip that gives a wide flame ( as opposed to the more pointed tip one might use for plumbing solder jobs? Thanks- this could go a long way to promoting harmony at mealtime onboard!!
How long do you typically preheat with a propane torch? Do you use the tip that gives a wide flame ( as opposed to the more pointed tip one might use for plumbing solder jobs? Thanks- this could go a long way to promoting harmony at mealtime onboard!!
Kerosene Stoves
Richard: I used the pointed flame. No exact time but you can tell if it's ready for ignation by turning on the fuel and test lighting it with the propane torch. Sid
Richard: I used the pointed flame. No exact time but you can tell if it's ready for ignation by turning on the fuel and test lighting it with the propane torch. Sid
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