Atwood stove issues February 18, 2017, 01:51:18 pm I have noticed that when using the high output burner on my stove. If I turn another burner on it cuts the output of the high output burner by a lot. Like maybe down to the #4 setting. Any ideas of what the problem could be?
Re: Atwood stove issues Reply #1 – February 18, 2017, 02:38:42 pm Quote from: Duro - February 18, 2017, 01:51:18 pm "... If I turn another burner on it cuts the output of the high output burner by a lot..."I ran into a similar issue last year. I even went so far as to contact Vince at LD. I finally figured it out a day later. I had "taught" my daughter how to turn the propane tank on and fire up the fridge. NOT! I taught her how to turn the propane tank OFF. While I had backed the tank valve off a bit to prevent locking up the valve stem I had actually cracked the tank open slightly. Just enough to fire up the appliances but as I used more appliances or burners I was running lower on usable fuel. I finally figured it out and opened the propane tank all the way open (mostly) and this solved my problem. I later called Vince to explain my error.So if nothing else, check to make sure your tank is opened and not closed.Good luck and more power to you.Kent 1 Likes
Re: Atwood stove issues Reply #2 – February 18, 2017, 02:58:37 pm Thanks Kent I will check it out. Boy I hope it's that simple lol.
Re: Atwood stove issues Reply #3 – February 18, 2017, 03:35:32 pm "I had backed the tank valve off a bit to prevent locking up the valve stem..."---The valve on the propane tank has two functional positions; fully closed or fully open. The valve should be fully open when operating appliances. Open the valve gently, not forcefully, but open it all the way. If the valve stem "locks up" unless it's backed off a quarter turn or so, you might want to have the valve handle and nut (and the whole system) checked out by a propane supplier. Joan 3 Likes
Re: Atwood stove issues Reply #4 – February 18, 2017, 03:59:28 pm Joan,Prior to the date in question (mine) there was a post on LWALD where a fellow LDer had trouble closing the tank valve prior to fueling up.As I recall it had to do with forcing the valve completely open and later it would not budge making it necessary to take the LD to a Propane Service Center to free the valve.Being the cautious soul that I am, I began opening the valve completely then backing it off slightly (perhaps a 1/16 inch certainly not much more) to avoid such a predicament myself. That being said I certainly do not wrench the valve either open or closed.After learning my lesson with my daughter, I continued the practice as mentioned with full functionality of all my LD appliances regardless of how many I operate at one time. Just playing it safe.Kent 1 Likes
Re: Atwood stove issues Reply #5 – February 18, 2017, 04:36:41 pm This reminds me of gas cylinders for diving. If you crack the valve on, the pressure gauge will read pressure, but each time you take a breath, the pressure will drop and then rise. Best open gas cylinders all the way and then close 1/2 turn. If someone can't remember "lefty-loosey, righty-tighty", when it is open, it can be turned either direction. When it is off, it can only turn one way to open. 2 Likes
Re: Atwood stove issues Reply #6 – February 19, 2017, 06:25:25 pm BlueOx, my thought exactly. Per what Joan said, the propane tank valve has a needle and a seat, both of a softer metal such as brass or bronze, I believe. Cranking them too hard either way can damage the needle valve or seat, or both. Once damaged, even if it is working, it should be replaced. My practice, from day one, has been that I close my valve when filling with propane, I tell the attendant I have done so, and ask him not to crank down on it. After the fill, I tell the attendant I will open it. When I open it, I open it all the way, but stop as soon as I feel resistance. With my scuba tanks, the recommendation was to open to resistance, then close the valve 1/4 turn to 1/2 turn, so that a valve check to assure that the valve was open would allow easy movement, rather than have someone "leaning" on it to open an open valve. As I am the one handling my propane valve, I don't close it 1/4 to 1/2 turn because of concerns about possible leaks. But I do treat it gently so I never have to struggle with it.Ken F in NM 2 Likes
Re: Atwood stove issues Reply #7 – February 19, 2017, 07:06:07 pm Ditto. That's how we did it when turning on oxy-acetylene tanks.
Re: Atwood stove issues Reply #8 – February 19, 2017, 08:43:14 pm Well the downpours finally stopped enough to go check out the tank valve. Sure enough Kent was right it was barely turned on. And I mean just a slight crack open. I didn't try lighting anything as the rv is parked on a pretty good slope. But I am sure that this was the problem. Boy do I feel dumb LOL. 1 Likes
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