Galley stove cooktop broken, will this hack work?

[The Norwegian]

I bought a new boat where the gas cooktop doesn't work. It's related to the gas safety valve, it's a mercury sensor and very old with no direct replacement parts, so I thought I'd leave it alone.
What I want to do is buy a couple of these things , screw or zip tie them to my stove and somehow connect them to my propane line. The existing connector is made for bottles, I don't know so much about propane lines and fittings, does anyone have an opinion on how I should go about connecting it to my existing system? Thinking of making a T-connection in the flexible line to the original stove which then goes parallell to each of the two new burners. Does that make sense?
Also, since I no longer have the safety valve, should I get a propane alarm by the floor? Thanks!

 

[PaulRainbow]

A quicker way to achieve what you'll end up with is to purchase yourself a couple of these :

https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?img...LLNAhXlI8AKHX_FCDgQMwg2KAMwAw&iact=mrc&uact=8

 

[William_H]

Presumably you are intending to use a camping type cooker. No not a good idea far better to fix the existing cooker. Surely there must be a replacement valve to get the required safety. Perhaps your best/safest bet is to call in a licenced gas fitter.
or ip it all ou8t and fit a spirit stove (origo) olewill

 

[Topcat47]

If you don't know much about gas systems, I'd get a man in to do it for you. a Nicholson 55 owned by JSASTC ( the adventure sailing arm of the UK Forces ) blew up in Poole one morning and these boats are professionally maintained and serviced.

About twenty years ago, small boats were being sold with camping gas ranges, where small propane cylinders were screwed into fixings under the hobs and the weight was supposed to help stabilise the gimballed cooker. these were very flimsy and I'd do away with one if that's the sort of thing you're talking about.

My boat has a cooker that's around 50 years old. When the oven stopped working I thought it was a flame failure device, but a local Calor Gas fitter stripped and cleaned the gas lines which fixed the problem. It is worth exploring this avenue first.

Finally, you didn't include a picture of "these things" in your post. If you're talking about a Campingaz Bistro Camping Stove or something similar, don't try to connect to your existing gas system. I have one and they're fine for use OUTSIDE to boil a kettle or heat up a tin of spaghetti, but I don't think they're designed for full fixed gas system pressures and I'd be very wary of using them below on a boat. As for using zip ties with them, be aware they aren't insulated and get very hot.

 

[VicS]

I bought a new boat where the gas cooktop doesn't work. It's related to the gas safety valve, it's a mercury sensor and very old with no direct replacement parts, so I thought I'd leave it alone.
What I want to do is buy a couple of these things , screw or zip tie them to my stove and somehow connect them to my propane line. The existing connector is made for bottles, I don't know so much about propane lines and fittings, does anyone have an opinion on how I should go about connecting it to my existing system? Thinking of making a T-connection in the flexible line to the original stove which then goes parallell to each of the two new burners. Does that make sense?
Also, since I no longer have the safety valve, should I get a propane alarm by the floor? Thanks!

No. Don't do it.

Don't mess about with lash ups on gas installations.

If the existing stove cannot be repaired replace it.

 

[nigelmercier]

If the existing stove cannot be repaired replace it.

+1 or see Paul's solution

 

[rogerthebodger]

I bought a new boat where the gas cooktop doesn't work. It's related to the gas safety valve, it's a mercury sensor and very old with no direct replacement parts, so I thought I'd leave it alone.
What I want to do is buy a couple of these things , screw or zip tie them to my stove and somehow connect them to my propane line. The existing connector is made for bottles, I don't know so much about propane lines and fittings, does anyone have an opinion on how I should go about connecting it to my existing system? Thinking of making a T-connection in the flexible line to the original stove which then goes parallell to each of the two new burners. Does that make sense?
Also, since I no longer have the safety valve, should I get a propane alarm by the floor? Thanks!

I think you a talking about a gas flame failure safety device.

Get a gas fitter to replace it with one of these shown here

https://www.google.co.za/search?q=g...BUsQsAQIQA#tbm=isch&q=gas+flame+failure+valve

Do not do it your self unless you realy know what you are doing.

 

[The Norwegian]

Thanks for your replies. Realise I didn't manage to attach the link to the burner in my post, but it was a generic chinese eBay one.
The problem with the existing stove is that it won't stay lit, the valve doesn't stick open like it's supposed to. The mercury flame sensor seems hard to get a hold of, it's gone out of production and I've been unable to source eBay spares. It's called Pacific 4500, made by Leisure Products (Bolton) Ltd. If someone would know a place that sells these kind of MFS or the entire safety valve (the stainless steel piece between the two copper or brass sections, let me know.
There are pretty much no-one that work on gas stoves professionally in Norway, since it's very uncommon to find in someone's home. A replacement would cost me about $600

 

[The Norwegian]

Pictures;
http://imgur.com/a/9CCf8

 

[prv]

For all those wondering what "these things" are - the OP did link to it in his post, but YBW's new stylesheet doesn't highlight links in any meaningful way so it looks like lots of people missed it.

He's planning to strap two of these burners to the top of his existing stove, and then somehow splice their supply tails onto the end of the existing supply to the cooker:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/112008575263?clk_rvr_id=1048513677855&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

I have to agree that it doesn't sound like a very good idea -

• No flame-failure devices on those burners
• Someone who "doesn't know so much about propane lines and fittings" proposing to improvise the supply
• No gas alarm

Pete

 

[Giblets]

Basically as a retired gas engineer I hope I never have to moor anywhere near the OP's boat if he carries out the works he details.

 

[Sandyman]

For all those wondering what "these things" are - the OP did link to it in his post, but YBW's new stylesheet doesn't highlight links in any meaningful way so it looks like lots of people missed it.

He's planning to strap two of these burners to the top of his existing stove, and then somehow splice their supply tails onto the end of the existing supply to the cooker:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/112008575263?clk_rvr_id=1048513677855&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

I have to agree that it doesn't sound like a very good idea -

• No flame-failure devices on those burners
• Someone who "doesn't know so much about propane lines and fittings" proposing to improvise the supply
• No gas alarm

Pete

Being a registered gas engineer for over 30 years I have to say that is a crazy idea. Not worth all the hassle & possible dangers it may create. Bit the bullet & buy a new cooker.

 

[Tranona]

Thanks for your replies. Realise I didn't manage to attach the link to the burner in my post, but it was a generic chinese eBay one.
The problem with the existing stove is that it won't stay lit, the valve doesn't stick open like it's supposed to. The mercury flame sensor seems hard to get a hold of, it's gone out of production and I've been unable to source eBay spares. It's called Pacific 4500, made by Leisure Products (Bolton) Ltd. If someone would know a place that sells these kind of MFS or the entire safety valve (the stainless steel piece between the two copper or brass sections, let me know.
There are pretty much no-one that work on gas stoves professionally in Norway, since it's very uncommon to find in someone's home. A replacement would cost me about $600

That is a very common and popular stove so pretty sure a spare flame failure valve will be easy to find. www.socal.co.uk are the specialists in marine cookers. Speak to the boss Peter Spreadborough.

 

[VicS]

I bought a new boat where the gas cooktop doesn't work. ..............................
.................. The existing connector is made for bottles, I don't know so much about propane lines and fittings, does anyone have an opinion on how I should go about connecting it to my existing system? Thinking of making a T-connection............................... Does that make sense?
Thanks!

Looking at it more closely I think the burners you link to are high pressure burners. There does not appear to be a pressure regulator . The fitting for the bottles is merely an adaptor incorporating a needle valve to fit a particular type of gas cartridge. There is no other control valve.

Being high pressure , even if you disconnected the whole hose assembly and fitted control valves and new hoses they would not work off your existing a installation as that will be low pressure.


Leisure products may be able to supply the parts you need to repair your cooker: http://www.marinecooker.co.uk/spares.html

 

[The Norwegian]

Looking at it more closely I think the burners you link to are high pressure burners. There does not appear to be a pressure regulator . The fitting for the bottles is merely an adaptor incorporating a needle valve to fit a particular type of gas cartridge. There is no other control valve.

Being high pressure , even if you disconnected the whole hose assembly and fitted control valves and new hoses they would not work off your existing a installation as that will be low pressure.


Leisure products may be able to supply the parts you need to repair your cooker: http://www.marinecooker.co.uk/spares.html

I have contacted them, but they haven't responded to my email. But it didn't look bright, as the part I needed was listed as not available, since it hasn't been used in any products since before 1990.
Can there be a problem inside the valve as well (where the working fluid of the flame sensor pushes in)? I don't see common replacement parts for those anywhere.

Here's the email I sent,

Hi,

I have a Pacific 4500 pre-1990 model. I see that it uses the EW burners by the look of your spare parts size.
The valve no longer sticks open despite of the flame sensor becoming hot.
Has some of the working fluid escaped, or has it become internally corroded or some other defect? Or do you think the problem lies within the safety valve itself? It also has poor heat distribution due to corrosion of the rings.
Can the stove be rebuilt with any of the other more current burner types, if there are no spares available?

I would be thankful for any kind of information!

Regards,
Vegard

I see now that to get cheap burners would be impossible, as VicS pointed out, there is a difference between a high and low pressure system. Also, the safety aspects were dodgy at best. I didn't want to point out that myself, as i thought more than enough people would comment on it, as they did.

I have written more posts in this thread, but they were all awaiting moderator approval for some reason, perhaps they will show up in a while..