Wallas stove question

trpsurf · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:11 pm Post subject: Wallas stove question

I have used the search feature a bunch of times on this one, but can not seem to get a clear answer.

After a recent repower, I have now made a couple trips over to Catalina Island. Each trip we are gaining more experience and having more fun.

Our Wallas Stove (runs on kerosene) works and runs well nearly all of the time... More on that in a minute. I have a couple questions.

1. Do I have to have the engine running when I start the unit? I have recently installed a Perko battery switch. The previous owner said that I need to have the motor running while using the Wallas. The only challenge is that it means that I have the outboard running through breakfast and dinner. Is this necessary for the unit to run directly.

2. During one of the mornings the unit started for a few minutes, began to warm up, then shut off. The light started blinking for quite a while and never heated up after that. I shut it off and waited until dinner and it fired up without a problem. Any idea why this would happen? I had fuel in the container.

Thank you for your time. I am sure at these questions may have been asked in the past, so I appreciate the support and feedback.

Tim
C-Pelican

Captains Cat · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:20 pm Post subject:

Tim, you do not HAVE to have the engine running unless your battery(s) are down in voltage. The stove likes to see full voltage so if you have any questions about it, start the engine first, then the stove. ALWAYS start the stove with the temp knob fully clockwise (hottest setting). Once it starts, you can shut the engine down. When you shut it off, always turn it to high before you push the stop switch.

What model Wallas do you have?

Send me an email with the button below and I'll send you a .pdf copy of the 85DU manual if you don't have one. Your email button is missing. I may have the 95 one too somewhere if that's what you have.

Charlie

Don and Brenda · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:21 pm Post subject:

You do not have to start your engine to start up the Wallas, the unit does take a fairly charged battery to start. So if you have been anchored all night and the battery is running a bit low on voltage, then a good idea to crank the motor, fire up the Wallas then you can shut off the motor. It is a bit sensitive on start-up to voltage drops. I have never had an issue with mine fires up and works great everytime. There is a trouble shooting manual on the site here that can walk you through the codes. You can also call or email Scan Marine, the distributor.

NORO LIM · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:36 pm Post subject:

The stoves are very voltage sensitive during their startup - which may be overly cautious.. I always have the outboard or the generator going when I start the stove. Once the stove has ignited and the pumping has slowed down (a couple of minutes) I will shut the engine or generator off. If you have a battery monitor measuring the stove's current draw on the battery, you will see a significant drop in amps once the stove gets going. Unless you think the battery is weak or has been significantly discharged, or you've got a lot of other stuff drawing on it at the same time as the stove, I don't think you will find it necessary to keep the engines going while you cook and eat.

The symptoms you describe sound to me like low voltage. The stoves really don't like that.

As to the failure in the morning and success in the evening event, I don't have a guess. I assume you weren't running the engine either time. Had you run the engine and recharged the battery during the day? Did you have more "stuff" on - lights, electronics, or whatever - in the morning than you did in the evening? Was it significantly colder in the morning?

Another tip you may have picked up on already, is to make sure you run the stove on High when you start it and for a few minutes before you shut it off.

I'm sure others with more expertise (as well as those who will just tell you "That's life with a Wallas) will chime in. Personally, I'm very happy with mine, and it really has never failed me in 6 years plus.

thataway · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 6:22 pm Post subject:

We have owned three Wallas stoves--and NEVER started the engine to start the stove. We do careful battery management and keep our batteries well charged. It is certainly over kill to run the engine while using the Wallas stove!

Scan marine says that a battery voltage is necessary to start the stove. Remember that these stoves use a glow plug to ignite the fuel, and that takes a fair amount of current. Thus the high voltage (12.6 is a resting full charge voltage for a lead acid battery).

Scan then goes no to say that once the stove has started, that the battery voltage can drop to as low as 12 volts. ( I do not recommend this low a voltage, because it will damage your battery).

If your stove began to warm and then went into default mode, I suspect that you had some air in the line, or did not start the stove on "HI"--we always started and shut down the stove on "Hi". If the stove goes into default--the stop it for at least 10 minutes. Try a restart. As I recollect after 3 tries, and it does not re-start, then you have to pull the fuse (near the battery--label it) before you get 3 more tries. If it does not start, then check voltage, fuel (bubbles i the line--and pulsating of the fuel pump).

trpsurf · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 11:24 am Post subject:

Thank you all of the quick responses. I will make sure to monitor the battery voltage and give it a try without the engine running. The notes about resetting the unit by pulling the fuse are especially good to know, since I likely would not have figured that one out.

Bob- I especially appreciate your insight, since one of Wallas stoves that you have owned happens to be in my "new to me" boat.

We are planning a 4 day trip to Catalina next Thursday-Sunday. We are praying for good weather!

Thanks,
Tim

hardee · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 12:25 pm Post subject:

I like my Wallas. (I hope it heard me say that Rolling Eyes

One of the points that hasn't been brought up so far is that, (to my understanding) the Wallas does not like much current fluctuation. It has worked for us to Always start the Wallas after everything else is on, So in order, Engines on, electronics on, VHF's on, then Wallas started on High. It's OK to shut the engines and everything else down, I think, with the Wallas still running, but again turn it on hiogh before shutting it off. I would not start the engines with the Wallas running. I don't think it would like the surge. We have run the Wallas on just the batteries alone many times, no problem, but being careful about what else gets turned on while it is running. I have often turned the VHF on and off while it was on with no problem, but that is about all the extra electrical load I have added.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

thataway · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 2:10 pm Post subject:

Tim,
My apology for not picking up on the boat name. Congratulations on the purchase of C Pelican. There is some history about that name, and it involves Catalina. (PM if you are interested). Jeff told me that you had bought the boat--and I hope that you have as much fun with it as we did!

Harvey makes a good point. But after the stove is started, it should function well with momentary drops in voltage. I have started the engine with the stove running. (I suspect that Harvey meant voltage rather than current). The major draw of current is when the glow plug is on--and it is starting the "fire" in the drip pot. After the stove heats up, the major draw is regulation of the fuel pump-- a very simple pulse pump. A short drop of voltage should not cause a problem---if prolonged, they yes, it would.

bridma · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:22 pm Post subject: Wallas stove question

Wallas not firing up. Last used in Nov. Batteries are in good shape and juiced up, yet when I try the Wallas, I get the flashing yellow light. The manual says this indicates low battery power! What should be my next move?

Martin.

thataway · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:38 pm Post subject:

Measure the voltage at the point the power comes to the Wallas. There may be some corrosion either in ground or positive part of the circuit (remember the fuse is in the aft area near the batteries, and can be subject to salt spray in some boats.

Also think that the fuel may have lost prime--see if the pump is working, by allowing a small air bubble to get into the line (raise the pick up, for an instant, to get the small bubble, and follow it as it goes up the line.

bridma · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:07 pm Post subject: Wallas stove question

Wallas now working like a champ. It had 'locked' me out, and me being unfamiliar with the Wallas, it took me a little time to wrap my head around what the manual instructions were telling me.

Thanks to all those who offered advice.

Martin.

mdoug · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 3:42 pm Post subject: Wallas Stove

We always have the engine running before starting the stove on our 2005 22 cruiser. So far, so good!

macmac · Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 4:39 pm Post subject: Notes on Wallas

Some (hopefully) helpful comments on using your Wallas and posting here:

1. If you post asking for advice, please be sure to include your model number. Not all things are common to all Wallas products!

2. ALL Wallas products can benefit from being started with the engine running or the battery charger on.

a. All Wallas devices use a glow plug or wire. All of these glow devices draw high amperage (8 to 10 amps) during the start cycle, normally the first 5 to 8 minutes after you hit the start button or switch.

b. Once they are done starting, the amps draw will fall below 1 amp for most Wallas products, so high power draw is over until the next time you start the device.

c. Starting your Wallas with the battery only means the available current will be indicated in part by the battery voltage before starting. What you can't see is how much voltage drop will occur due to the wire/connection run between the battery and the Wallas.

d. Having your engine running or the charger on means these devices should easily overcome any deficiencies in the battery, wires or connections and assure the glow will be strong and bright. A dull glow start will usually work, but that will mean a slow start, potentially adding a bit of soot to the combustion chamber on each dull glow start.

3. Think of starting your Wallas with the engine on as a good way to keep your Wallas happy. It is not a necessity, but it is good for it. Once running, the system should take care of itself, including kicking itself off if your batteries fall to 11.6 or lower. There is no reason to run your engine after the Wallas has started fully.

Finally, be sure to check your wire runs and connections. Based on connecting directly to your battery, a 13' run of #11 multi-strand wire is fine, if connections are tight and clean. Longer runs will require larger wire. Remember to check all your connections for corrosion and tightness. Measure the whole power highway from the battery(s) to the Wallas and consider the wire sizing.

Thanks for using Wallas!

Doug at Scan Marine
1-888-606-6665

rob bauerle · Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 5:42 pm Post subject:

Doug, what is the turn around time when we bring our stoves in for service

mdoug · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 6:42 am Post subject: Wallas Stove

Doug, we have always started our engine before starting the stove, and so far we have had absolutely no problems. The Wallas stove came with our 2006 C-Dory here on Lake Winnipesaukee, and it keeps us warm in early spring and late autumn.