wider propane gas copper tube?

targis58 · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:13 pm Post subject: wider propane gas copper tube?

Hi all
Since I have my stove cabinet removed from my van for an interior update, I wanted to ask a question.

I read somewhere someone mentioned that you could make the stove flame stronger by putting a wider diameter copper tube that feeds from the regulator to the stove. I am not sure what the diameter is on the stock one but will it work?

thanks
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90 westy 2wd w/ TBD

MarkWard

danfromsyr · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:59 pm Post subject:

I'd be very interested in where you read(heard) that..

and from my years of experiance (and lack of understanding of fluid/gaseous dynamics) that I don't believe it will work to that effect.

the copper tube is certainly not restricting propane flow to the burners..that size tube is rated for a much bigger BTU flow than the 2 burners can ever dream of consuming.
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davideric9 · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 1:01 pm Post subject:

Agreed, the orifice in my 1987 stove is the size of a pin hole, I didn't even see it at first. This can be cleaned once in a while and if you have any yellow in your flame you have a problem, the flame should be blue.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

targis58 · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 1:58 pm Post subject:

I posted about the size of flame on my westy before and it s fine. Its just that it take too long to boil a pot of water on the stove compare to a small portable coleman stove or butane stove that I have. I wish I could do something about this stove so the flame is stronger than now...

danfromsyr: "I'd be very interested in where you read(heard) that.."
I went back and tried to search the blog that I read before, I could not find it. But if my memory serves correctly, It was an European westy owner or at least a RV owner.
I ran into his blog while searching for some solution to my stove...
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90 westy 2wd w/ TBD

climberjohn · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:06 pm Post subject:

Here is a related post:

(I searched on "propane stove output")

Westy stove output - any adjustments?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=456487

One suggestion on this thread: drill out the orifices with a 1/32" drill bit.

I have NOT done this, just passing on the link.

-CJ
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

targis58 · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:19 pm Post subject:

crazyvwvanman · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:15 pm Post subject:

Did you personally measure the propane pressure?

The regulators die and from what I have seen the pressure often drops.

Mark

targis58 · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:25 pm Post subject:

Dave.Arthur · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:32 pm Post subject:

Have you cleaned out the air intake tube for the burners? The hole next to the gas valve at the front of the stove. If this is obstructed, mine was full of dust, it will have an effect on the gas flame and amount of heat generated.

crazyvwvanman · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:39 pm Post subject:

So you haven't measured the pressure then?

The 2 stove burners are small enough that they don't even come close to pushing the limits of what the stock delivery pipe can carry. Unless someone kinks the pipe while replacing the regulator of course, as often happens. New regs are longer than the originals so people often bend the pipes to fit and kink the pipe in the process.

Common sense tells us that if the gas was being limited somehow you could see it by lighting just one burner, on full blast. Wait 2 minutes while it burns, then light the other burner on full blast. Did the flame on the first burner diminish when the second burner was lit and burning for a moment? If you think it even might have, wait a couple minutes for both to burn and then turn one off. Does the flame on the other burner increase? If so, there is less gas being provided than is needed and you should investigate. First make sure the tank valve is fully open.

Mark

targis58 · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:46 pm Post subject:

SCM · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:51 pm Post subject:

That's exactly how mine looks when it's on "high".

A problem I have is that if I turn it down very much it goes completely out. It just doesn't seem to have a great range of adjustment - is that normal too?
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

targis58 · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject:

pjrae · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:59 pm Post subject:

Your flame size looks pretty normal.
Maybe do a search for the propex heater threads that have the DIY manometer details?
Its possible that if you increased your regulator pressure (using a pressure gauge) it would affect the flame size.
Works for the heaters, maybe it'd help your stove?
_________________
a.lake - 87 Syncro 2.5L -

targis58 · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:16 pm Post subject:

presslab · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:19 pm Post subject:

gl98115 · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:33 pm Post subject:

It's like saying that your wbx will run faster if you increase the size of your fuel lines. Sounds good, but not true.

crazyvwvanman is spot on.
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'87 faux-Syncro Westy w/ 2.3l GoWesty WBX


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