Making SMEV gas burners work

Submitted: Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 19:26
ThreadID: 88686 Views:5124 Replies:4 FollowUps:0
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Like many campers, our Ultimate came with a SMEV two burner gas cooker. Basically a good unit but with two glitches that affect (cant say why) just the large burner.

A. The auto spark igniter doesnt ignite the large burner. :(

B. After a short time the safety cutout cuts off the gas even though there is a healthy flame. :(

Through trial and error I have found that somehow the burning gas fouls the igniter and the safety cutout sensor so they dont work properly. I can make the burner work reliably only if I give the igniter and the safety cutout a quick polish each morning with a strip of 400 grit wet and dry emery paper.

If anyone ( even SMEV) know a better way to achieve reliable working, post it here!
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Reply By: NikNoff - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 10:32

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 10:32
Sounds like a faulty thermocouple, i have just replaced all 4 on our Swift Hotplates.

AnswerID: 463569

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Saturday, Aug 27, 2011 at 13:46

Saturday, Aug 27, 2011 at 13:46
Yep - its a Smev trait alright - our 4 burner in the van has had one particular ring that has played up since the time the warranty just ran out (of course). That safety pin always works better with a polish, BUT lately, the burner has been working really well. The only thing I did was take the burner apart a few weeks back, check for faults (none seen), put it back and presto - been good. The snag is, the other 3 rings have safety pins that are just as dirty.....I've never cleaned them and they've never failed. So, the evidence points to a dodgy thermocouple as mentioned above - they must be calibrated very fine - just a whisker off spec in manufacture would explain it.
AnswerID: 463640

Reply By: TTD1 - Saturday, Aug 27, 2011 at 20:54

Saturday, Aug 27, 2011 at 20:54
Hi Mel D

Gas has a very narrow flammability range (between 2 and 9%) so the spark must hit the gas stream, eg the hole of the jet, the same with the flame failure device or thermocouple. It has to be in the flame as it creates a connection or an electric current to keep the gas valve open.
They are very temperamental so check the flame touches the thermocouple and the spark ignighter is arcing on a gas jet hole.
Regards
TTD
AnswerID: 463658

Reply By: petesgq - Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 15:09

Monday, Sep 05, 2011 at 15:09
Hi Mel. I have the 549 ultimate with the two burner stainless with the grill, maybe you could revert to the older one?
AnswerID: 464267

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