Kerosene heaters and fuel.

[bonz_d]

Anyone experienced with these things? I've got a Kero-Sun 23000btu heater that I'm have problems with. It will light but then burns down quickly like it's not getting fuel. Wick is only 1 year old and wasn't used that much and the tank is full. I've gone thru the directions for cleaning the wick with some improvement. Not following the directions last spring I left the fuel in it. So does kerosene go bad? Manual states it does.

 

[gm280]

bonz_d, this is really interesting. I recently researched this very topic because I use a kerosene heater in my shop. And I haven't had a need for it last year. So I have five gallons of K1-keroscene that is now two years old. So I researched to see how long it can last. And to my amazement, a lot long then I would have ever thought. Even folks that let kerosene in their heaters were able to use it without issue. I can't say why yours isn't working. But maybe pour it out and use some fresh to rule out any type contamination. Some folks in my search were using kerosene that was 5, 10 and even one using 20 year old kerosene without any problems. So I have no idea what could be your problem. But I would try some new kerosene first. JMHO!

 

[bonz_d]

Thanks gm, I had to question the fuel shelf live also after ready the manual. Now I'll have to investigate further. When I 1st light it I get a nice high flame but after a few minutes it starts to go down and at times I can watch that the flame go low enough that it almost goes out and I can see the flame chasing it's self around the wick. Now from what I understand as the heater warms up the flame should grow higher which then the wick would need to be adjusted lower which this is not doing.

Will pick up some fresh stuff and give it a try. 1st I'm going to have to find a 2 gal. container to dump the old stuff into.

 

[rbh]

Does this heater have the safety feature when you hit it hard or it gets knock over it goes out automatically?

It could be gummed up with a paraffin wax type goo.

 

[thumpar]

My grandpa would buy K1 in a 55 gallon drum and only had a small heater so it lasted forever. He never had a problem with it going bad. You can try fresh stuff and see if that helps. If not I would replace the wick.

 

[bonz_d]

Just came in from the garage and yup it my need a new wick. Took it all a part and the wick was dry and hard. was able to get it working but still don't think it's right as it's not putting out very much heat and the wick is still almost all the way extended.

 

[rbh]

I learned long ago all you want is that little Blue Flame- any yellow is just soot being formed.

 

[alldodge]

My guess is the problem is with your heater design and not the K1

 

[gm280]

My guess is the problem is with your heater design and not the K1

Yes AllDodge, I think I even read in my Heater's instructions to adjust the flame for the blue burn. Anything else is a waste and not burning properly. :thumb: