Propex Heater

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937carrera
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Re: Propex Heater

Post by 937carrera »

So, if you have 12v at the connector now, does the ventilation fan spin or not.

If not, remove the cover and see if you can spin it by hand, as OBG suggested
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

t3convert
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Re: Propex Heater

Post by t3convert »

to 937carrera and Oldie but Goodie
I've tried taking the lid off the heater box (it's obviously been repaired before because the paper seal has been breached) and I've loosened the 2 bolts on each side but it won't budge. So I loosened the bolt on the face of the lid (control panel facing upwards) and still no joy. Do I unscrew all the bolts round the lid on the bottom and the equivalent bolt on the underside facing aswell in order to open the box or will all kinds of crucial stuff fall out if I do so?

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937carrera
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Re: Propex Heater

Post by 937carrera »

I don't know, or more precisely cannot remember exactly.

Best recollection is that screws around the top edge allow the top cover to be removed. If you are struggling, check you have not missed any screws.

These things are very simple, so if you remove a screw you should not have it will be easy enough to replace
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

t3convert
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Re: Propex Heater

Post by t3convert »

to 937carrera and Oldie but Goodie,
I couldn't get the casing apart for love nor money but I took the control panel out and this revealed a perfectly clean and free-to-move fan. It looks as if it's hardly been used. It says on the box that it was tested back in April '91
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937carrera
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Re: Propex Heater

Post by 937carrera »

Can you give Propex a call and ask them to send you an installation manual - they are really helpful ?

The ones I have all have the fan running before the burner starts - which makes it difficult to diagnose what's wrong from my personal experience. OBG may just know from his. The manual will probably have a diagnostic flowchart, even if it doesn't look like one.

I would simply remove all the screws and get into it somehow. They are fairly basic construction, a little gentle leverage may be needed to release 29 years of exposure to the air.

I might be with my vans tomorrow and I will see if my oldest one is the same model as yours

Now you have 12v at the connector block, (and I assume good continuity to earth) are any of the diagnostic lights illuminated on that external panel ?
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

t3convert
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Re: Propex Heater

Post by t3convert »

to 937 carrera and Oldie But Goodie.
Now I know that the fan moves freely how can I simply test it to see if it works before wiring it up to the van ?

t3convert
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Re: Propex Heater

Post by t3convert »

Hi 937 carrera.
Just spotted your reply. Will give propex a ring

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937carrera
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Re: Propex Heater

Post by 937carrera »

You would feed voltage direct to the fan motor, but from what I can see, you don't have access to that yet, which is why I suggested further disassembly, that was the next step :)
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

t3convert
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Re: Propex Heater

Post by t3convert »

to 937carrera
Have re-attached up the heater box, switched on the gas and turned on the thermostat.
Interesting things started happening.
When I switched the thermostat to 7 nothing happened at first but then I accidentally touched the other bulb and a green light came on aswell as the red light. It was a bit loose. Then I switched back to 1 and the light went out. When I switched on to 7 again I heard a distinct click at the thermostat followed by another click coming from the heater box itself. However, neither of the lights on the dashboard/ control panel lit up nor did the fan spin. What do you think I should check next? Am going out tonight so will have to have another look tomorrow.

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937carrera
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Re: Propex Heater

Post by 937carrera »

i'll go first.

The touching with finger and lighting up tells me you have a poor connection to the board, solder point on the board, or less likely a broken wire in the loom

Moving to 1 means and then a click as you move up to 7 is simply the thermostat working normally. 1 is colder that todays ambient, 7 is still hotter than ambient so the heater will try to fire up.

The click from the heater is probably a relay in there engaging........ maybe the gas valve opening. I don't know, but having the instructions may help
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

t3convert
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Re: Propex Heater

Post by t3convert »

To 937carrera
I contacted Propex and a nice guy in the tech dept(Martin) told me that the wiring was wrong and that the battery +ve terminal on the thermostat should have a separate wire to the orange going into the heater. I wired it up accordingly but the result is the same i.e. 2 clicks but nothing else. Looks like a trip to Ringwood is in the offing.

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937carrera
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Re: Propex Heater

Post by 937carrera »

If you can tease a manual out of Propex for your 1600W model (non purge) and post it up there's a better chance you can avoid that trip.

I have just left my vans and forgot to take a look at the one in my CU, I'll be going back later so will try and have a gander then

... unless OBG has some further insight in the meantime

and read this while you are waiting https://vandogtraveller.com/propex-comp ... iting-fix/ :)
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

t3convert
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Location: Brighton E.Sussex

Re: Propex Heater

Post by t3convert »

to 937 carrera,
Having read the conclusion of the article you just sent me from vandogtraveller I'm more of a mind to have it serviced by Propex instead of tackling it myself. I realize it will cost money but I think I will be messing around with it all summer rather than actually going places in the van. That doesn't mean I regret working on the wiring. It's all been valuable experience and I'm very grateful for all your help. I've written to Propex and they may suggest some other checks I can make before taking the unit in . Either way I'll keep you posted.

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937carrera
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Re: Propex Heater

Post by 937carrera »

I looked in my CU van this evening. It has the later HS2000 model, so good for me, but no help for you.
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

t3convert
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Joined: 03 Nov 2017, 18:53
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Location: Brighton E.Sussex

Re: Propex Heater

Post by t3convert »

Thanks so much. Propex guy says they'll be happy to check over my heater provided I bring in the stat aswell. I'm working out when I can fit in a time to go. All the best.

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