First time out but cut short....

Kerry9

Kerry9

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Sep 16, 2018
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56,232
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Rimor Sailer 645 2.7 TC fixed rear bed on Mercedes chassis and engine.
We took our newly-bought pre-owned 02 plate Rimor Sailer 645 out for the first time this weekend but we are back home because it was wet, cold and stormy ( at the C and C Club site at Minehead) - because we couldn't get the gas fire to ignite. Gas feed to the cooker and hob worked, as did the fridge on gas ( couldn't get it to cool on EHU feed). Water pump and boiler also worked. To stay warm we lit the oven and left the door down for an hour. Wind was so strong we couldn't have done without the stabilizers!

So its back to Alan Kerr Motorhomes to get the gas feed to the gas fire sorted.

On the digital display screen there was one selection that displayed the message 'parallel on' or ' parallel off' - what does that mean please?
 
Did you remove the cover from outside if it has one? In fact thats for the boiler.
 
Yes.
 
The fire in my 02 Kontiki has an AA battery to produce the spark and has caught me out a couple of times. Always carry a couple of spares now.
 
Did the fire actually light? Is it a gas fire? Have you tried changing the little battery at the fire?

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Kerry9 said:
To stay warm we lit the oven and left the door down for an hour.
Click to expand...

Should never use a gas oven with the door open or the gas hob for heating

If the oven can't vent it will give off CO - it can't vent properly with the door open
 
Yes, we changed the battery in the 'clicker' - it was clicking away - but no gas. So, no, the fire did not light at all - and no hissing of gas feeding.
 
Has it been turned at the isolator knob?
 
Have you got a carbon monoxide alarm?
 
Yes, all red switches under the sink were in the lateral position with the arrows at nine oclock and three o clock. And yes, we have a CO alarm.

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Have you tried it again now that you are home and the wind has subsided? On our auto trail we needed a flue extension as the wind kept blowing the fire out. Worth a try?
 
If it doesn't light on the spark lift the front cover off because maybe the previous owner's been lighting it with bits of paper and the pilot burner is full of ash so won't light . that was the problem with mine.
 
As you were on EHU why didn't you pop out and spend a tenner on a cheap fan heater.

As for a bit of wind we love it on a cliff top on the west coast of Portugal a few nights ago gale blowing, van really rocking. Love it always sleep well when it's like that.
 
I'm parked on the shore at Arbroath just now waves are crashing winds blowing and the vans rocking. ....brilliant

Had to turn the heater off as too cosy lol


I wouldn't use the oven or hob for heating too dangerous.
Can't help with hookup stuff as I never use it but gas problems can be caused by the wind

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@Kerry9.

Hi there. :)

I'm really sorry that you have had a crappy first outing with your MH, and are now seeking the advice of others re your heating system. :(
So far, you appear to have evaded a safety issue, and not responded to the best advice yet, as quoted below. That advice alone, could save your life. :eek:

Barclaybasher said:
Should never use a gas oven with the door open or the gas hob for heating

If the oven can't vent it will give off CO - it can't vent properly with the door open
Click to expand...

Northernraider said:
I wouldn't use the oven or hob for heating too dangerous.
Click to expand...

The contributors mean well, and their advice is absolutely spot on.

Stay safe. (y)

Jock. :)
 
@JockandRita

PLease be assured that we certainly have taken on board the sober advice re CO poisoning - apologies to all - please accept my thanks for your posts and advice.
 
I dont want to point out the bloody obvious but you did push down and hold the knob in fully on the fire? otherwise could be a gummed up or blocked gas jet
 
We did the light- up drills by the book. Let's see what our local motorhome folk find out.
 
I take your gas is propane as this time of year you will not get enough pressure or flow rate from butane if the temperature drops much below 10° C.
 
I thought about that possibility too Lenny, but kerry9 did say that everything else worked on gas, including the boiler. :(

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
My Carver heater in the 1991 Eriba had a 'spark generator' powered by 2 AA batteries.

The condition of the 'generator', batteries and leads meant no spark and therefore the fire would not light.

I fitted an 'old fashioned' piezo unit - lights first time every time

Could you see the spark?
 
Last edited:
2 common issues on the gas fires are igniter battery but you should have a view hole to see if you have a Spark.
Next is air lock, many times after being stood the fire will be the hardest to get going, ours just needs enough gas to bleed through.. just your luck you will get to dealer and it fires up after a few clicks ;).

Glad to see you took and responded to advise about CO2 and not to use the oven or hob as a source of heat. (y)
Better trip next time, don't let it put you off.
 
Might sound silly but did you depress the knob as most fires and fridges need some lighting operations to overcome the flame failure device .

Even if items don't light as they need purging to get the air out before gas you should hear a slight hiss . The fact the oven worked for an hour sounds like the gas was working from the bottle be it butane .

As said hobs and oven create poisoning gases .

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Kerry9 said:
Yes, all red switches under the sink were in the lateral position with the arrows at nine oclock and three o clock. And yes, we have a CO alarm.
Click to expand...
Hopefully it’s sorted by now.

As a thought, I have all the red gas isolation valves under the cooker, however there is another one on the other side of the van, just for the fire, could you have the same?
 
Northernraider said:
I'm parked on the shore at Arbroath just now waves are crashing winds blowing and the vans rocking. ....brilliant

Had to turn the heater off as too cosy lol


I wouldn't use the oven or hob for heating too dangerous.
Can't help with hookup stuff as I never use it but gas problems can be caused by the wind
Click to expand...
There was a time when you didn’t need the wind to get the van rocking :)
 
Kerry9 said:
We took our newly-bought pre-owned 02 plate Rimor Sailer 645 out for the first time this weekend but we are back home because it was wet, cold and stormy ( at the C and C Club site at Minehead) - because we couldn't get the gas fire to ignite. Gas feed to the cooker and hob worked, as did the fridge on gas ( couldn't get it to cool on EHU feed). Water pump and boiler also worked. To stay warm we lit the oven and left the door down for an hour. Wind was so strong we couldn't have done without the stabilizers!

So its back to Alan Kerr Motorhomes to get the gas feed to the gas fire sorted.

On the digital display screen there was one selection that displayed the message 'parallel on' or ' parallel off' - what does that mean please?
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear you had to cut short your first trip.

Would be interested to know the outcome, once you'd been back to the dealer?
 
Lenny HB said:
As you were on EHU why didn't you pop out and spend a tenner on a cheap fan heater.

As for a bit of wind we love it on a cliff top on the west coast of Portugal a few nights ago gale blowing, van really rocking. Love it always sleep well when it's like that.
Click to expand...

Was the wind inside or outside.

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