Shop Heater won't run

[Mark_in_NH]

OK - Thanks to all who have replied and offered their suggestions. I finally found a number and called ProCom technical support (1-877-886-5989).

What I found kinda shocked me: This unit REQUIRES a 100 lb or larger Propane Tank!. The pressure from the BarBQue size tank is TOO LOW..

I purchased this from Northern Tool - and before I purchased it, I read all the reviews in detail - and several talked about how good the ProCom was, and how they used it with their barbcue tank and it was simple and reliable, etc.

WRONG!! ProCom tech support says it needs the high pressure feed, with a 2-stage regulator. ARGH. So my $199 heater will now cost an additional $130+ for the tank (empty), plus $60+ for the regulator!!.. NO WAY.

I've seen these issues before at various supplier's web sites - where they quote someone's evaluation/rating on the product - but the ratings get grouped together for a whole range of products - and don't necessarily apply to the specific model you're looking at. I think this is the case here. ProCom makes lots of different propane heater models, and I assume Northern Tool groups the ratings comments together for all of them.. Northern Tool's website doesn't mention anything about the 100Lb tank or external regulator requirement for this particular model.

Anyway - it's misleading. I'm going to try to return this heater for credit. And the 2 regulators, and the fan, and the plastic feet (believe it or not - the plastic screw-on feet cost $20!!).

Thanks for all your help. It was all a big waste of time and $$.
Call me disgruntled/unhappy with Northern Tool!! (or maybe stronger words?)

I went to the Northern Tool website the other day and looked at what I believe is the heater you described and the heaters specifications clearly stated that the heater required a 100 lb tank or larger. ProCom Radiant Vent-Free Liquid Propane Heater 25,000 BTU, Model# ML250TPA | Heaters | Northern Tool + Equipment

Additional Specs Heater features safety pilot with complete automatic shutdown capability
Heater is free standing (with optional base Item #173958, sold separately) or can be mounted on wall
Optional blower, Item# 173957, sold separately
Product to be used in accordance with state and local ordinances, regulations and codes
Use 100lb. or larger tank?)

It was also the reason I asked "what size tank you were using" Sombody else also posted that the heater required a 100 lb tank.
If this is the same heater model you purchased then it appears that Northern Tool is not at fault.

 

[kennyd]

OK - Thanks to all who have replied and offered their suggestions. I finally found a number and called ProCom technical support (1-877-886-5989).

What I found kinda shocked me: This unit REQUIRES a 100 lb or larger Propane Tank!. The pressure from the BarBQue size tank is TOO LOW..

I purchased this from Northern Tool - and before I purchased it, I read all the reviews in detail - and several talked about how good the ProCom was, and how they used it with their barbcue tank and it was simple and reliable, etc.

WRONG!! ProCom tech support says it needs the high pressure feed, with a 2-stage regulator. ARGH. So my $199 heater will now cost an additional $130+ for the tank (empty), plus $60+ for the regulator!!.. NO WAY.

I've seen these issues before at various supplier's web sites - where they quote someone's evaluation/rating on the product - but the ratings get grouped together for a whole range of products - and don't necessarily apply to the specific model you're looking at. I think this is the case here. ProCom makes lots of different propane heater models, and I assume Northern Tool groups the ratings comments together for all of them.. Northern Tool's website doesn't mention anything about the 100Lb tank or external regulator requirement for this particular model.

Anyway - it's misleading. I'm going to try to return this heater for credit. And the 2 regulators, and the fan, and the plastic feet (believe it or not - the plastic screw-on feet cost $20!!).

Thanks for all your help. It was all a big waste of time and $$.
Call me disgruntled/unhappy with Northern Tool!! (or maybe stronger words?)

I guess I wasted my time replying to you before...

 

[dave1949]

Jeez, lighten up. I looked at the web page, briefly, and missed the 100lb tank requirement. The replies were good but communication didn't happen. It won't be the last time.

In any case, with all the extra costs to implement above and beyond the heater itself, it's a lot to pay for 25K btu. No?
Dave.

 

[bushy92]

i work with lp and enless its very cold out a 20# cylinder should work just fine on a 25000 btu heater.

 

[Steve C]

Thanks to all who have offered their suggestions.

A few questions were asked:

What kind of heater? It's a Procom ML250TPA, 25,000 BTU Propane Ventless.
What kind of Propane Tank? It's the standard 20/25 lb one typically used for Barbecues.

I've tried 2 different regulators - both NEW. Neither works.
I've tried 3 different propane tanks - 1 completely full, other 2 partially full
I've tried both with and without the regulators. With the regulator, I get no gas flow at all to the pilot - and it won't light with either the piezeoelectric starter - or with an external lighter. Without the regulator, the gas flow thru the pilot is too strong - constantly blows the flame out.

Matt JR suggested that it might be a thermocouple problem, with the thermocouple not getting preheated enough. This heater has no external power source, so there's no way for the thermocouple to preheat- it gets NO heat until the pilot is lit - and it won't light.

DanD78 suggested the propane should be at "11 inches of water column pressure or 6.3 ounces". How do I measure that? Dan sounds like he's experienced with heating/plumbing - but I'm not.

And lastly, Yes, the heater is designed specifically for propane.

Thanks - and keep the suggestions coming. I'm about ready to throw in the towel and return this darn thing for a refund to Northern Tool Co. They've been absolutely NO help in solving this problem other than "read the manual", which I've done over and over...

I have a similar heater that I purchased from Lowes a couple years ago.

It is also a 30,000 btu propane ventless heater.

You need to get an RV regulator, something that is designed to feed a RV water heater and rv furnace at the same time. It will flow the required amount of fuel without shutting itself down like many of the smaller BBQ regulaters will. They are not expensive. I feed mine with a 100 lLB tank, but I have used a 30#tank also. I have about 5 foot of iron pipe pipe between the regulator and the heater valve.

When I change the cylinder it takes a very long time to bleed the air through the pilot orifice to get it to light. I am talking about 10 to 15 continuous minutes of holding the valve in the pilot position and pushing the spark ignighter.

The first time I did it I thought it was defective, but I later learned that it is just the way it works. Now I don't even try to push the spark ignighter until I have been holding the button in pilot for at least 5 minutes. Then I just push it about 4 times a minute until it lights. At least that is just the way mine works. I thought for sure it was broken the first time. I bet I spent an hour trying to get it to light. Now I get it done in about 15 minutes, but it sure seems to take a long time when you are waiting for heat.

Just keep at it I am pretty sure you will win the battle, just out last it.