I'm hoping someone can help. I have a Taylors kerosene cabin heater on my boat. My problem is that it is blowing itself out....and I'm getting cold! It is a very well reconditioned one. I installed it recently using new copper fuel lines and a new filter. The fuel tank was cleaned out thoroughly with detergent and well rinsed and dried (left open all through an Australian summer). It worked fine for a while after I installed it but then started blowing itself out as if it was running out of fuel. I took it apart, cleaned everything. The main jet wasn't blocked, the balancing jet was. My problem was solved for two nights. Then the flame started going out again. Six or more times I have taken it apart. The main jet has always been clear, the pricking needle is good. Apart from the first time, the balancing jet has been completely clear. The tank pressure has been as it should. The tank has been full, half full, nearly empty and makes no difference. My filter, as I said, is new. I have flushed lots of kerosene through the line in case there are copper filings from the installation (or anything else in the line). I only use the best kerosene (recommended by lamp people here). When I pull it all apart, it seems to work well once. The next time I light it, the flame is fine until the cap gets red hot then it starts to blow out. It has been suggested my burner is clogged with carbon. All the internal parts I can see look very clean. I can blow easily through it when it's apart. I am doubtful its blocked. HELP!!! I really don't know what to try next. Everything looks like it should work. I could go to the expense of buying a new burner but it's hardly been used (since reconditioned). Anyone got any clever ideas before I spend lots of money? Thanks.
Hey, Baja, Yep, sounds that way, to me, too. Hey, Bee, and welcome to CCS!! Sorry you're having heater problems, but what Baja describes does sound like underburn is your problem. If it is, you would be wise to not use the burners until you solve that, otherwise, you can actually MELT down the metal inner and outer burner caps!! YIKES!! Please do a search here at CCS on "underburn", and see how to cure that nasty curse. Don't worry, as it CAN be cured, and you will soon be back in business again. It's probably going to take new inner and outer burner caps, if memory serves, but I've not had that problem, and so cannot recall for sure. Don't give up hope, and go for it. Let us know how you make out. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc P.S. Find a good used Tilley R1 bowl-fire radiator, and use that until you get the Taylor up and running. It will keep off the chill on your boat, and you can move it around where ever you go on board. Always good to have a back-up, and one can never have too many pressure appliances, "just in case"!! 8) 8)
It does sound like underburn, I have no idea what your heater looks like or any experience with it but one thing comes to mind. Therefor my reply may be nonsense. Does it look like the 3rd one in this link? If so I have no idea what is under that casing http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?topic=961.0 A burner blowing its self out (not talking about under burn here) would see the flames moving further away from the burner until they blow out. If that happens too I would check two things. 1) Where the original fuel lines copper? If not you may be getting too much heat, increasing pressure. 2)Did you install brass mesh filters in the fuel line, these would help regulate fuel flow. Or in the case of under burn, does this stove have 2 burners? If so try mixing and matching parts. Here is a link to a repair place in Melbourne, http://melbourne.citysearch.com.au/E/V/MELBO/0054/61/63/1.html
Thanks Guys, there I was thinking I had come to the end of the line and there is another path! It does look like underburn and I have ordered new caps. Hopefully they will work. I'm still looking at what underburn is so will find out more about that. It really helps that you said I WILL solve it Doc. I was starting to despair. Theyellowdog - Yes, that's my heater. When it works it is fantastic. Under the casing is a burner (at the bottom). Above that is a wide metal tube (as wide as the casing) with thick metal mesh inside. The mesh heats up and I'm warm (in theory). It's very simple. Yeah, fuel lines are new and copper. I have a paper fuel filter in the line. There is a balancing jet under the burner that regulates fuel. No, one burner not two.
Hi Just read it - got a Taylors heater myself onboard (needed for British summers, never mind winters) One thing that they are very sensitive to and can cause all sorts of problems with the burning is the chimney length - needs to be about 1m *minimum* to draw properly as well as chimney top not positioned anywhere where it gets a downdraught - try making a bit of copper pipe (of simerlar diameter) up into a 'H' top or just try lengthening the chimney. Yep the regulator jet is notorious for blocking, usually on the coldest night possible when you and crew are tired ! In-line filter is the way to go. Fair winds and may you have heat soon !
