I've got my Victory boat heater going - with its Hipolito No1 minus the regulated burner - just a new silent burner. On first trial I got what we used to call a 'blow-back' like when Bunsen burners had the air hole open too far. Any ideas as to why it might happen with a silent burner? The other thing is that the flame dies after a pretty short time - I assume because there is leak somewhere. Any ideas to test where it could be or how I can test for it?
Hi, the phenomenon you describe is called under-burn and can soon melt and destroy an outer cap unless the stove is quickly extinguished. First, make sure the inner and outer burner caps are clean with no adherent rust or carbon flakes on their surface. If residues are on these surfaces they can glow once hot and cause early ignition of the air/fuel mixture. You should also check that the caps are properly seated on the burner so that no flame can slip under an edge. The way to avoid underburn is to never allow ignition of the flammable mixture under the outer cap. 1. Pre-heat the burner with absolutely no pressure in the tank. 2. Allow the pre-heat flame to totally extinguish. 3. Quickly close the air release, and pump the tank 10-15 pump strokes. 4. You should get clouds of white paraffin vapour/air mixture exit the many holes in the outer cap. 5. Only now should you light this mixture with a match or flame applied above the outer cap. 6. After 2-3 minutes of successful burn you can increase pressure gradually until full power is achieved. 7. If, on lighting, the burner immediately reverts to underburn, release tank pressure and start the whole process again. 8. If you get underburn on the second attempt.....Give up stoves and take up stamp collecting. The most likely cause of the flame dying off is, as you suggest, pressure loss. The most likely point is the washer in the filler cap. With fuel removed from the tank, pressurise the stove using the pump, then search for leaks by painting soap solution around all seals and joints. Where you get bubbles is the leak point(s). Best Regards, Kerophile.
The heater is the exciting part, of course (though hopefully that underburn can be remedied so that it soon becomes a wee bit less exciting), but do do we get to see the rest of the boat? Alex
As Kerophile helpfully suggested, there is a leak in the rubber washer in the filler cap. Do I invest in a tap washer or is it a 'special'?? As soon as the heater is running I will be happy to post a full gallery of the good ship 'Blott'. However in the meantime you can see her in all her glory in 'Boats of the Broads' or by Googling 'boat Blott'. As you can imagine, she is a real conversation stopper - especially amongst 'proper yachties'.....
Hi, Invest is a proper fuel-resistant cap washer, and one spare: https://fettlebox.co.uk/filler-cap-for-no-1-5-etc-pack-of-2.html Best Regards, Kerophile.
It is a 9.9hp Mercury with a reduction box and four bladed fine-pitched propeller. Just like the old foot clutch Harley it will go up a brick wall in gear! A chum said he saw one on Venice lagoon travelling with two 150 hp on the back. I would guess that would be 'interesting'. We are now trying to extend the boating season with the aid of heater - the Victory to the rescue!
