I recently purchased a 1990 Beneteau that came with an Optimus stove/oven. It's in great shape and hardly looks used, but I can't get the thing to work and don't have a manual for it. It looks like it has one of those spark starters, but I can't get it to spark. I can get gas comign out the burner (I hear the hissing and smell gas), but holding a match to it won't get it to light but will blow out the match. It says "Only use LPG" on the side of it and states some combination of butane and propane. The tank in the back says "Propane" so I'm wondering if propane will not work in it?? If I do have to use LPG is that easy to find (I've only seen propane sold around here). Thanks!!
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same thing
LPG is a combination of propane and butane. Propane is USUALLY the same combination unless you get it from a reformulator so there is no reason why either should not burn - most mom-and-pop suppliers use the terms interchangeably. Sounds like a blocked air mixer causing too rich a mix to ignite but that's a pure guess - caution is in order unless you know what you are doing... Don
LPG is a combination of propane and butane. Propane is USUALLY the same combination unless you get it from a reformulator so there is no reason why either should not burn - most mom-and-pop suppliers use the terms interchangeably. Sounds like a blocked air mixer causing too rich a mix to ignite but that's a pure guess - caution is in order unless you know what you are doing... Don
Wont light but gas is coming out .....
For most stoves that have been shut down for a long time, all the flammable gas in the delivery lines, etc. has simply been replaced with air .... all the way back to the shut off solenoid or tank closure valve. This air has to be purged from the lines and is 'gas' that wont burn. The longer the delivery lines (including safety/control valves, etc.) the greater amount of 'air purging' has to be done. Im ***NOT*** telling you to do this because of 'personal liability issues' but what "I" do is to open the tank valves and solenoid, turn on a burner and 'with my NOSE' very close to (and nothing burning around me or elsewhere on the boat) wait until I can perceive the 'rotten' smell of the 'signal' smell chemicals (mercaptans) coming out the burner with my NOSE. Then shut all down, wait for the boat to 'air-out' and THEN turn on the burner and attempt to light it. Onced the delivery system is filled with flammable gas then thereafter (until long term shutdown) the system should start/ignite within a few seconds after you open a control valve - just a few 'seconds' to purge any air thats in the lines, etc.
For most stoves that have been shut down for a long time, all the flammable gas in the delivery lines, etc. has simply been replaced with air .... all the way back to the shut off solenoid or tank closure valve. This air has to be purged from the lines and is 'gas' that wont burn. The longer the delivery lines (including safety/control valves, etc.) the greater amount of 'air purging' has to be done. Im ***NOT*** telling you to do this because of 'personal liability issues' but what "I" do is to open the tank valves and solenoid, turn on a burner and 'with my NOSE' very close to (and nothing burning around me or elsewhere on the boat) wait until I can perceive the 'rotten' smell of the 'signal' smell chemicals (mercaptans) coming out the burner with my NOSE. Then shut all down, wait for the boat to 'air-out' and THEN turn on the burner and attempt to light it. Onced the delivery system is filled with flammable gas then thereafter (until long term shutdown) the system should start/ignite within a few seconds after you open a control valve - just a few 'seconds' to purge any air thats in the lines, etc.
Rich H
The same thing happens to me every spring at recommisioning. Just have to be patient until the fresh gas gets to the burner. It also gives you an idea how much gas is stroed between the regulator and the burner with mine it may take five minutes before I get a fire.
The same thing happens to me every spring at recommisioning. Just have to be patient until the fresh gas gets to the burner. It also gives you an idea how much gas is stroed between the regulator and the burner with mine it may take five minutes before I get a fire.
Withregard to the spark igniters
There was one built into the used Force Ten stove that I bought and I thought that it would be proper to repair it. Long story short the salt had gotten to it and it needed a new spark module. About 100 USD in 1995. If I had known I would have bought a supply of butane lighters. Before you give up entirely look for a battery holder. Probably AA size.
There was one built into the used Force Ten stove that I bought and I thought that it would be proper to repair it. Long story short the salt had gotten to it and it needed a new spark module. About 100 USD in 1995. If I had known I would have bought a supply of butane lighters. Before you give up entirely look for a battery holder. Probably AA size.
Spark igniter may just be damp
Run each burner and the oven for a little while and check it again later. Could also be something physical like dirt or spider webs or physical damage to the distribution wires. Battery replacement is good too if it uses one.
Run each burner and the oven for a little while and check it again later. Could also be something physical like dirt or spider webs or physical damage to the distribution wires. Battery replacement is good too if it uses one.
If it uses a battery
you can tell. When you activate the spark (or try) does the button just push in slightly and stop? (battery) Or does it go over-center and make a loud bang? (piezoelectric, most bar-b-ques)
you can tell. When you activate the spark (or try) does the button just push in slightly and stop? (battery) Or does it go over-center and make a loud bang? (piezoelectric, most bar-b-ques)
Same Thing - a friend
He took it to a gas stove repair guy. Turned out there was nothing wrong with it. Just didn't know the correct procedure to light it. The guy was happy to show him how to properly start it. Best for you to do the same thing. Don't fool around with gas. The repair guy knows he'll have a customer in the future.
He took it to a gas stove repair guy. Turned out there was nothing wrong with it. Just didn't know the correct procedure to light it. The guy was happy to show him how to properly start it. Best for you to do the same thing. Don't fool around with gas. The repair guy knows he'll have a customer in the future.
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