Propane troubles

[dennisp]

Got a 2003 Hunter 306 with a propane problem. Solenoid seems to work. Switch at DC panel turns on and solenoid slowly gets hot to the touch...switch by the galley seems to work. Trying to turn the stove (for the past two months) on gets me only a weak flame (one or both burners) and that eventually extinguishes in 5-7 minutes. Waiting 30 minutes and trying again with both switches on and bottle valve remaining open gets no flame. Turning every thing off, gets a repeat (weak flame for a few minutes only) only if I wait a half hour or so to retry. (Propane bottle is full...pressure indicates OK on gauge. After this problem for a month or so - I've just docked and eaten at marinas and restaurants or used my BBQ grill (portable 1# bottles) for steaks and coffee when need in the AM. I just rechecked the bottle at a propane service station to ensure it was full - it was.) I suspect the solenoid for no other reason than I suspect they are more likely to go bad (after 3-4 years of occasional use) than the pressure regulator. Any ideas? Any experience with this problem? Any troubleshooting? Do lines get clogged? Thanks for any assistance...find only incidental problems on the forums. Thank if anyone can point me to thorough analysis.

 

[seadaddler]

First try

First try shutting everything off and than disconnect the propane tank and rehook up the propane tank and turn on again and try it again.
I recently for some reason had a problem like what you had on my 2007 -36 Hunter,
I had shut the propane value off and turned it back on and the guage kind of said empty and I lifted the tank it it did not feel empty so disconnected and reconnected again and it worked just fine,some thing flucky with the dame thing.
Nick

 

[Rob McClain]

Fixed a similar problem...

My flame started out ok, but then after about 10 minutes slowly dwindled down and finally went out. Then it would not restart for quite some time. I read through several archive messages of folks who had similar problems (search the term solenoid) and most seemed to be solved by replacing the solenoid. Since all the problems sounded like mine I bought a new solenoid and gave that a shot. By the way, they are not cheap. I'm pleased to say the new solenoid completely fixed the problem and now the stovetop and oven work just great. By the way, I also wrote the solenoid manufacturer and they recommended replacement too.

Rob

 

[dennisp]

Thanks, guys -

Seadaddler, thanks, but I tried that when I removed the tank to take it to the filing station (to ensure I was operating with full tank!). (Also see my reply about your whisker pole and preventer.) Thank, Rob and Benny. I will try and replace the solenoid. I think they are about $75, right?

Question 1: Anyone know a good source? Not obvious on the web...do I need to go to an RV dealer? (!) (One thing that irked me about the boat from purchase (used) from Norton's was that the shop pooh-poohed my issue that the fitting of the solenoid/regulator/gauge/propane line assembly in the propane locker of my Hunter 306 was in the way of installing another propane tank. The assembly stuck out and imposed on the indentation where another (spare) propane tank could fit. They said it would take a total redo of the propane line to the stove to reposition the assembly.) If I have to remove and replace the solenoid, I assume I can probably fix this minor fault. Question 2: Anyone else have this problem? Looks like lazy Hunter manufacturing to me (unless one of the previous owners mucked it up).

 

[Dennis W.]

Bad solenoid

Had simillar issue on my '99 H310. My pressure guage is downstream from solenoid. Guage showed no pressure when flame died out, solenoid way too hot. Turn it off for 30 minutes and when turned back on the pressure was back. Very definitive proof that the problem is the solenoid. I bought my replacement at West Marine.

 

[dennisp]

Well, it's now fixed...

...so this is closure on this thread - well, as far as I'm concerned. I started this with a poor to no flame at my stove that totally went out in 4-5 minutes...decided - both from posts in reply and troubleshooting - that the solenoid was probably t.u. I just swallowed hard and bought a replacement today (1/4 in threads) at WM and it's working just fine now. Clicks now - you can actually hear it - when it gets 12v and the flame is just fine! Thanks all.