So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pic

[renegade_cowboy]

Not the propane but the coils.. seems like the pressure was to much and pretty much blew a hole in the side of the heater. I have a spare heater to use buut just curious what would cause this?

 

[Nate The Great]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up?

Pressure and maybe a faulty thermostat? I blew a few coils with too much pressure, but then again, the little giant heaters i have are over 20 yrs old... J/K

 

[Dolly Llama]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up?

possibly froze at one time , but not enough to burst and caused a weak spot

or simply too much PSI for that particular coil's rating


..L.T.A.

 

[rhino1]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up?

Too much pressure and a faulty relief valve could be one reason. Letting the coil heat up with no water could be another.

 

[renegade_cowboy]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up?

I was there when it happen. The tech came out to grab something and while out there it blew out the side. The heater never had freeze issue, 5 years old and the pressure was set at 400 psi

 

[renegade_cowboy]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up?

 

[bob vawter]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

what would cause this?

Simply cuz they CAN.........
Brent we been thru this before.....ain't we?

 

[renegade_cowboy]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

You guys think this coil can be repaired? I was actually about ready to sell the unit to upgrade but just needed another week out of it. The other LG heater I have doesn't have a pressure relief valve.. but works.

 

[John Olson]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

Can it be repaired? Um NO...

 

[idreadnought]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

um yes that can be repaired. Take it to a radiator shop and have them silver solder it with some re enforcement. A friend had one with the same problem. His pump went bad so he turned up the regulator valve to see if that would fix the problem. It didn't so he bought a new pump. after installing the pump the pressure was still cranked up high so it blew out as soon as he turned on the machine. Radiator shop $80 later and the heater lasted at least two years till he sold it.

The cause is obviously too much pressure. This could be because something malfunctioned on the machine or the heat became to high which would cause steam pressure to build up.

 

[John Olson]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

Ok not like we do this for a living but sure go ahead and try to have it repaired. The copper has been comprimsed beyond any point that I would allow our shop to attempt to fix it.

 

[John Watson]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

I agree with John, the copper has been stretched, not great idea when playing wit high pressures, if it was low pressure under 120 psi it could be silver soldered or like I have done while thawing frozen pipes and find a split copper pipe, use a piece of electrical wire to make a temperary patch. (40 plus yrs later still in use)

 

[rhino1]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

It can be patched by a good radiator shop if it is in an accessible spot on the coil. It may not hold forever, but if they can reach it, it can be done.

 

[floorguy]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

John Olson" data-source="" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch">

Ok not like we do this for a living but sure go ahead and try to have it repaired. The copper has been comprimsed beyond any point that I would allow our shop to attempt to fix it.

holy shit i agree with John I've seen Jimmy naked I've seen Jimmy naked I've seen Jimmy naked I've seen Jimmy naked I've seen Jimmy naked I've seen Jimmy naked

 

[Jim Martin]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

if it was a straight piece then it could be cut back both directions and a coupling braised into place.....but because it is on a tight bend...I would not attempt it....

 

[Royal Man]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

It can be patched by a good radiator shop if it is in an accessible spot on the coil. It may not hold forever, but if they can reach it, it can be done.

Around here the radiator shops won't touch it. But the heating and air guys use silver solder.

Last one I had fixed at the community colledge as a class project. (free)

 

[GeneMiller]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

Could of just been a bad spot in the coil, it happens. Only a true master would be able to fix that spot

Gene

 

[renegade_cowboy]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

Yeah I am not going to attempt a repair, not worth the head ache when a new coil is only $700. I am just going to buy a new coil and probably sell the heater, I am buy a new HX machine anyways and getting away from propane. Good heat, but not into the secondary heat source anymore.

 

[bob vawter]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

welcome to the 21st century..........

 

[John Olson]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

Yeah I am not going to attempt a repair, not worth the head ache when a new coil is only $700. I am just going to buy a new coil and probably sell the heater, I am buy a new HX machine anyways and getting away from propane. Good heat, but not into the secondary heat source anymore.

You'll get 40-50 bucks for the coil when you scrap it

 

[rhino1]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

What heater do you have? I may have a coil.

 

[renegade_cowboy]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

What heater do you have? I may have a coil.

Its a 3ht heater, about 5 years old.

 

[Mike Draper]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

just slap some jb weld on it. Should work fine.

 

[renegade_cowboy]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

just slap some jb weld on it. Should work fine.

I will sell it to you if you want to have an extra coil, I am just going to buy one from Larry Cobbs store, seems they have the cheapest price for one.

 

[bob vawter]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

the best HXer i've found is the Butler......220 sustained degrees of free heat with a hi-flo wand..
oh ya....it won't blow up!

 

[Mike Draper]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

To bad u can't prove that old man. Nobody can. Well I guess 220 at the truck is not unreasonable. But you'll never get that sustained at the wand.

 

[Becker]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

Brent I'll give ya $50.00 for your broken heater.

 

[Becker]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

Oh, and you can sell the old coil for scrap 1st.

 

[renegade_cowboy]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

Brent I'll give ya $50.00 for your broken heater.

I am getting a new coil for it..

 

[bob vawter]

Re: So what would cause a propane heater to blow up? with pi

To bad u can't prove that old man. Nobody can. Well I guess 220 at the truck is not unreasonable. But you'll never get that sustained at the wand.

can't remember the name of the fellow that bought that machine...
but he DID come on here wit some pics of over 220 ATM.....