Converting Propane Burner to Diesel Burner

[John T.]

Originally Posted by Vince Wood

Hey John,

Did you ever get your machine working right? If so, what was wrong with it? I'm starting to have problems with mine again. The burner isn't lighting off like it should.

Russ Johnson gave me a great price on a brand new machine. Hopefully within the next 6 weeks I'll be ordering a new machine from him then I'm selling the Silver Eagle.

It's got 180 Hours on the Vanguard HP engine, the General TS2021 pump has less that 50 hours on it. I'll sell it including the 50 gallon propane tank to the 1st person that PM's me. $1,200 takes it (but not until I get my new machine 1st).

Vince
Industry, Ca
562-331-0301

No we have been to busy for me to get this Flatbed to a propane place for a look see. So far both Burners work intermittently. A real pain in the rump.

[Vince Wood]

Well don't feel too bad John, this morning mine was lighting off again at all. I had to hold the gun open and light the burner off with a match about 4 times this morning. Just have to make sure you do it quick and with the long barbeque matches. Burned the hairs off my right hand again this morning though doing it.

It's going to the repair shop this week. I'll take it over to a guy here in So Cal that does good work. The problem is finding someone locally that works on the propane powered machines though.

Vince Wood
562-331-0301
Industry, Ca

[Hummerbk]

Try replacing the thermal couple (milivolt generator) that the pilot light heats up. If it is going bad the pilot light will not stay lit or it will not allow the gas valve to operate. It is cheap and quick to replace it , about $20.

If the pilot light is staying lit try jumpering around the flow switch and on/off switch using a piece of wire. Make sure the pilot light is lit and quickly bypass the switches by touching a wire between the two terminals on the gas valve that the switches are wired to.

Be careful if the gas valve is under the burners. Hold the wire there for about two seconds, the burner should light. If it lights then your flow swith or on/off switch is bad.

If it dosen't light replace the thermal couple. If it still dosen't light after replacing the thermalcouple then you have a bad gas valve.

Dave

[Vince Wood]

Well the problem with my machine turned out to be bad electrodes. I paid $25 for 4 of them here. The machine lights off every time now. As soon as I got it fixed I had a guy drive by asking me how much for the rig? Stupid me told him it wasn't for sale....I should've told him $7,000 and take it lol.

Vince Wood
Industry, Ca
562-331-0301

[MMI Enterprises]

They utilize pilot light?..never woulda thunk it being so in this day and age of auto this or that. Shouldn't they have an autoignitor like natural gas home heating units?

I would think process for deducing issue should be something like David describes. I mean bypassing things in the loop always finds problem no matter the technology.
I'd tend to look to the switch technology (flow,pressure, vac, thermo) first before thinking electrodes or parts of the propane system being at fault or lesser than a deisel. Personally I would prefure the clean burning nature of the propane unit but perhaps the valving and efficiency they seem to be offering in their current state isn't worth it. Before switching to deisel perhaps some focus on what Rod said about the heat is worht considering. He did mention 'propane in itself does not burn as hot' and that leads me to think that the forced air/ratio can make all the difference on how well these units can produce. After all look at the btu rating of them things. Is it a lie or should those things get hot? If their not keeping up to spec I would think it has to be electronic switch/thermostatic issues or freezing issues of the valving. Propane at high pressure goes liquid and freezes stuff up. I know internal combustion machines that utilizes diaphragm regulation via vacuum are susceptable to tank overfill. Diapragm can freeze or crack and yer done for. Perhaps some part on these burner type machines are just as prone..Seems a high flow of propane through a fuel plumb system would also cause freezing of things.

[alvisishere]

Originally Posted by Vince Wood

Well the problem with my machine turned out to be bad electrodes. I paid $25 for 4 of them here. The machine lights off every time now. As soon as I got it fixed I had a guy drive by asking me how much for the rig? Stupid me told him it wasn't for sale....I should've told him $7,000 and take it lol.

Vince Wood
Industry, Ca
562-331-0301

glad you got it fixed

[John T.]

My Burners should be fixed by today. There was some continuity issues with also the two Black Control Modules boxes needing to be replaced. Don't know the tab yet to have this fix but as long as its fixed and no more headaches then I'll be happy. Oh yea I was told to WD-40 the electrical connections once in awhile because the outside weather loves to beat on these connections even though there hidden under some stainless steel.

[Vince Wood]

John,

If I remember correctly the control boxes are around $140 to $160 each. I replaced mine already twice though. I'm just waiting for the thermostat or the gas solenoid to go out on mine. It's the only 2 things that I haven't replaced on it.

Have you had any problems with your machines Al?

Vince Wood
Industry, Ca
562-331-0301

[MMI Enterprises]

So stay away from fickle SE MFG propane units is the message then eh?

[John T.]

Originally Posted by MMI Enterprises

So stay away from fickle SE MFG propane units is the message then eh?

I can't say that. Propane burners have alot less parts to them compared to a Diesel burner. Propane also burns much cleaner then diesel and the propane itself cost cheaper then diesel. The downfalls with Propane burners is that not as many Powerwashing people work on them compared to diesel burners. propane is also more of a pain to purchase on any given night compared to diesel. So there are pro's and cons to Propane Burners.

One of the most respected men in this business David Olsen Pressurewashing Cleaning Specialists - Tidy Powerwash Service, Inc. www.tps-inc.com Pressure Washing Project Pictures uses Propane Burners and swears by them. He was a major influence on me to go the propane route a few years ago

[MMI Enterprises]

Thanx John, just checking..wouldn't want to go away with wrong impression. I like things that run on propane. Although I been using it in my floor machines for decades my latest puts out ike 0 emissions.
If I had choice everything would run on hydrogen or natural gas. Until then I would not mind my truck and wash engine being equipped to run propane.

[Vince Wood]

John,

You are right about finding people to work on the propane fired units. Even here in So Cal it's hard to find someone.

Especially here though with people so concerned about clean air and stuff, it has made a difference in selling jobs at times. I have a guy that I have been using to fill my tank since day one. He will get up at 3 Am to go down to his station if I run completely out.

It is nice though when you have 50 gallons of propane and not have to worry about refueling it every single day. I'm paying $3.25 a gallon for propane here. It keeps going up. Started out at $2.25 a gallon over 3 years ago when I 1st bought the rig.

The only fear I have though is being involved in a rear end collision. When I bought the new trailer and transferred the unit over last year I set the propane tank back further on the trailer.

Vince Wood
Industry, Ca
562-331-0301

[MMI Enterprises]

Never considered tanks being at rear of a rig before. Surely they must be more prone to explosion. I regularly have a 5 gal sitting in a machine 2 feet from back door. Wonder what that would do to a driver that hits me...ouch!

[John T.]

The Propane tank itself is on the side of my truck. I don't know if your even aloud to have it on the rear of the truck do to most accidents are Front to Rear.

[MMI Enterprises]

geez, I foresee myself visiting a Ca vehicle code site in the near future.