pepe63xnotuse Posted September 2, 2011 Posted September 2, 2011 I touched upon this in another thread... (..along with the usually derision,I know I run the risk of, "..if you need to ask..you shouldn't be doing it.." responses! *-) ) ..But what would be involved in the routine "maintenance" of a MH gas system(hob burners and fridge etc)? Is it just a case of blowing through and cleaning jets and of cleaning/hoovering any dust and fluff build up? It's just that since changing gas bottles,I've noticed a small amount of soot forming on the pan supprt arms on the hob.... I would expect a "thorough service" to include a pressure test of sorts..but as I've a Gaslow gauge fitted(..which doesn't show any pressure drop..),that side of things seems okay.. Thanks(..well..for any helpful comments,anyway. ;-) )
Dave225 Posted September 2, 2011 Posted September 2, 2011 The main issue is that in order to clean the burner on the fridge you need to remove it, which means disconnecting the gas fitting. You are not supposed to re-connect it unless you are a qualified gas engineer, and most of us have not done the appropriate training. For the hob the same scenario applies unless you can do all the cleaning from the top without removing the hob. Also be careful if you did decide to remove it as many are held in by plastic brackets which clamp against the worktop. Getting to them usually means getting underneath and sure as H..l there will be a fridge in the way. Now whether you agree, or not with the protocols now in place is immaterial. If your unit has a warranty any such work invalidates it. If not then unless you really know what you are doing, you could be putting your life, and your family's at risk. You will find that the gas connection has a seal on it to show if it has been tampered with. I accept that in days of old many of us connected and re-connected gas equipment willy nilly withrarely any problem, but as you know, nowadays 'Elf and Bleedin Safety' has taken over all aspects of our lives. The best answer is to get a qualified engineer to do the work, and just pay it.
colin Posted September 2, 2011 Posted September 2, 2011 Waranties and insurance conditions aside, I would like anyone to show me any laws that would prevent someone servicing their gas apliences, either in a motorhome, or, even in their home. Of cause if you don't know what your doing it's not the brightest thing to do.
Derek Uzzell Posted September 3, 2011 Posted September 3, 2011 pepe63 - 2011-09-02 11:34 AM I touched upon this in another thread... (..along with the usually derision,I know I run the risk of, "..if you need to ask..you shouldn't be doing it.." responses! *-) ) ..But what would be involved in the routine "maintenance" of a MH gas system(hob burners and fridge etc)? Is it just a case of blowing through and cleaning jets and of cleaning/hoovering any dust and fluff build up? It's just that since changing gas bottles,I've noticed a small amount of soot forming on the pan supprt arms on the hob.... I would expect a "thorough service" to include a pressure test of sorts..but as I've a Gaslow gauge fitted(..which doesn't show any pressure drop..),that side of things seems okay.. Thanks(..well..for any helpful comments,anyway. ;-) ) The best thing for you to do would be to purchase a copy of John Wickersham's book "The Motorcaravan Manual". This includes chapters om motorhome gas systems, fridges and servicing. There's also a 'standard service schedule' listing showing the tasks normally performed during a gas/gas appliance service. If you are getting soot forming on the hob pan-supports after changing gas-bottles, then, logically, it may be the gas itself that's the culprit. (I found with my Herald that using butane used to produce soot on the pan-supports, but changing to propane stopped this happening.) There also seems to be evidence that not all bottled-LPG is 100% 'pure'. Do the burners on your motorhome's hob burn cleanly (ie. with a steady blue flame), or is there a lot of orange colour in the flame? If the latter, then the gas-to-air ratio is incorrect. Because hobs are so simple and the gas-flow through the burners is high, they don't normally require much attention.
pepe63xnotuse Posted September 3, 2011 Author Posted September 3, 2011 Thanks everyone.. ;-) yep..a copy of that book is now on my "Things to get" list.... :-) Chris
Dave225 Posted September 5, 2011 Posted September 5, 2011 As far as working on your domestic gas system you need to know that the gas supply is controlled by the Company doing this, and they can refuse to connect you if they have any doubts whatsoever about your installation. Not having a certified work sheet is probably enough for them to say 'no'. Plus I doubt your insurance would pay if a subsequent check revealed you had been tampering with it. Your neighbours might also be a bit dischuffed if their house is destroyed as a result of your blowing up. You can do what you like to your caravan/motorhome system but if it then needs work by an approved workshop they can refuse to touch it until the system is repaired to their satisfaction. If you really wish to do this work yourself then get the appropriate training and then you are not only 'competent' but safe as well. John Wickersham writes some extremely good books and articles, but even he stresses strongly that all gas work should be checked, or completed by an approved engineer.
pepe63xnotuse Posted September 6, 2011 Author Posted September 6, 2011 Dave225 - 2011-09-05 8:40 PM ...If you really wish to do this work yourself then get the appropriate training and then you are not only 'competent' but safe as well. Well,I didn't (and still don't),envisage myself sitting on the driveway,surrounded by a rats nest of gas pipes and piles of stripped out gas fittings... (lol) (lol) ..I only intended to clean/hoover out any offending "fluff" and maybe clean/"blow through" the hob burner jets... ;-) (..I have no intention of removing the the likes of the fridge or stripping down the water heater etc..) ;-)
Dave225 Posted September 6, 2011 Posted September 6, 2011 Can I diplomatically point out that you raised fridges in your OP and to clean the gas burner on a fridge means removing it. I have never stripped down a hob but suspect that some of the bits are located under the burners and may need access from the underside to get to them. I also would not be surprised if some of this equipment is designed the 'modern' way, in other words replacement is the norm. Try the maker's web page to see if any spares are available. You can try cleaning the bits you can see with maybe a cotton bud soaked in IPA, but do allow it all to evaporate completely before lighting the thing. I did have one burner that decided to take an age to stay lit, but after a trip away it must have cleared itself because is back working normally again. I worked with pressures (0 - 20000 psi) and gases (inflammable and inert) of various types all my life, but I am not a Corgi or whatever engineer, and yes, in days long gone by I installed a fridge in my 70's caravan myself and needed to cut the gas line to insert a branch. It all worked perfectly, but I doubt I would do it again now adays. I also do accept that 'Elf and Safety' have taken over many aspects of our lives that may or may not need it, but we are 'boxed in' so much by legislation that we probably need a certificate to get out of bed. Any accident is always used as an excuse for more legislation, whether it is necessary or not.
pepe63xnotuse Posted September 6, 2011 Author Posted September 6, 2011 Dave..no,I'm not up for removing the fridge... (lol) ..on our van,when I remove the lower fridge vent,it reveals the burner assembly..you can actually see the flame(..along with an array of other techy trickery... :-D ) (..unless that flame behind the fridge *isn't* the actual "burner" ?) ..and clear access to the hob,is acheived by just removing the cutlery draw... Good idea about checking what spares are available first though.. :-) Thanks
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