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Princess Alcohol Stove, HELP

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dock
1st Mate

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USA
25 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/15/2003 : 11:07:55

I have a 1990 Catalina 25. I also am a victim of the Seaward/Princess alcohol stove and yes it leaks around the bottom of the burners. I know the typical answer is to convert it to propane, replace it with an Origo or bury it at sea.

Does anyone have an owners manual, parts list and most important where to get replacement parts?

Jim Dockery
jdockery@qwest.net

"ParaDocks"

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RichardG
Admiral

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990 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2003 : 11:15:02

Jim:

Bravo! Long live the curtain burner!

Here's the company website -- http://www.seawardproducts.com/

I can't seem to locate my owners/parts manual, but I'll keep looking.

Edited by - RichardG on 05/15/2003 11:26:53

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dock
1st Mate

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Response Posted - 05/15/2003 : 13:26:37

Thank you Richard. I assume I'll need new parts. I had a Catalina dealer service manager look at it. He simply said it srays alcohol out from under a burner when you turn it up. Don't try and use it.
I was hoping since it was a 1990 that I wouldn't have this problem.
If anyone knows anything to try I would I would sure appreciate the imput.

"ParaDocks"

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Chip Hunt
Navigator

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120 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 09:29:04

my advice to you would be to rid yourself of that troublesome stove and get the 2 burner origo. i did, and have been a happier man ever since.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 10:02:15

We took ours out, bought a stern grill and put in a microwave. (only use it at the dock, but it still works)

dw

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

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RL
1st Mate

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USA
76 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 12:31:57

My PR replaced the curtain burner with a microwave. Our dock this year does not have power. I'd like to replace the stove and have been looking for a unit that I can rebuild to put in Free Spirit. If anyone has one that I can have to attempt a rebuild please email me with your price. Thanks RL

Free Spirit

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2003 : 03:49:40

Dock,
I am often referred to as a purist and a die-hard. We use a charcoal grill on OJ, always have and always will. We also spent a lot of time and money trying to get our Princess alcohol stove running correctly. We shipped it back and forth to California three times before it performed at a borderline acceptable level.
Then we had dinner on a Catlina 25 which had the propane conversion - the next day our alcohol stove components were at the curb. Haven't looked back once . . . good luck with whatever fuel you chose.

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folido
Deckhand

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Canada
11 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2003 : 08:25:39

My alcool stove caused me lots of problems. So I experimented with it at home. I even got a second one frome Dave B. I eventually called a chemist and he told me to try a mixture of Methyl hydrate and Ethanol in a proportion of 60/40. I did that and the stove works very well. I used it for four months in the Exumas this last winter and it never gave up on me , I mean us (my wife did most of the cooking , even bread in the pressure cooker). To start it, I poor a small amount of alcool from a plastic bottle at the bottom of the burner, give about 10 pumps , lite the fluid and when it has almost all burned out, I turn on the burner and voila. Most important, I put the pot over the burner so that in DOES NOT burn my curtains. Now I am the proud owner of 2 alcool stoves.

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Dave
Deckhand

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16 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2003 : 09:11:53

The precedure of burning a small amount of fuel before turning on the burner has worked for me so far. See the ratty curtains are still there. I think the unit needs to warm up.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3db37b3127cce88637bebe00b0000001610" border=0>

Dave Sturn
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3db37b3127cce88634d60e09b0000001010" border=0>
Montana Spirit
1980 C25 SR/SK

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2003 : 11:12:08

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>try a mixture of Methyl hydrate and Ethanol in a proportion of 60/40 <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

In "ethanol", I assume you mean regular stove alcohol sold at marine stores?

Where do you get Methyl hydrate? Is there a common name it's known as?

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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RichardG
Admiral

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990 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2003 : 11:19:26

The curtain burner runs much better if you fill the tank to no more than about 2/3 full -- this allows room in the tank for the alcohol vapor to be properly pressurized when you pump it up. Then, proper priming is the key to successful operation.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2003 : 18:57:34

I do not now use my curtainburner, which is sitting in the garage. However, have used both alcohol and kerosene in the past extensively. Two tips: (1) I do believe it is easier to prime from a small bottle into the primer cup, than to do so by weeping it in with the knob. We found it much easier, and had a small plastic bottle that was originally supplied with Primus stoves in Europe, and was given to us by some kind sailor, (2) There used to br a felt-like circular clip, made--I believe--of asbestos, that one could saturate with alcohol and place in the priming cup. This held just the right amount to fully heat the vaporizer element. Using both or either of these, we never had flareups again iof proper pressure was pumped in. I must say that although we cooked successfully on the damned things for years, I would never go back, either Origo or propane or butane is my choice, good luck, ron srsk #2343 Orion SW FL

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2003 : 23:05:48

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
If you can't wait five minutes for a stove to warm up, you should buy a stinkpot so you can turn the key and go! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

 Woooe, now that's waaay over the line <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> !

If I cooked a lot, I'd probably convert to propane.

 Finally, a sensible answer <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle> !

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

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Dave B
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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2003 : 23:33:40

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
My alcool stove caused me lots of problems. So I experimented with it at home. I even got a second one frome Dave B. ... Now I am the proud owner of 2 alcool stoves.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Glad it worked out for you, Jean... We're happy as clams with our Origo--click, it's on. Safe and reliable. No pumps, seals, leaks, flare-ups, explosive fuel, or storage problems.

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2003 : 01:45:03

My apologies, OJ. I wouldn't want to offend an Admiral.

Poof! It's gone.

Brooke

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wupdike
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2003 : 12:46:34

Jim, I have the manual and will gladly send you a copy. Send your mailing address to me at wupdike@hotmail.com and I'll get one out to you. I have been using the stove successfully for 3 years, although, I take it home each year and clean it up. There is a cleaning wire for the orifices, I think it is .018" wire. I find it necessary to poke out the orifices about once a month while in use.

The last time I tried to get parts from our local Sewared dealer, I was told they are not available anymore. I don't know if that is true, but have not had any success.

The Origo pressureless 2-burner is an option, and those who have used it like it. For my money, I'd rather propane because it is hotter than alcohol. As for the ethanol, I'm no chemist, but my guess is that it is un-denatured alcohol. Stove fuel, like other alcohols sold over the counter are "de-natured," a rude process that renders it unsuitable for drinking purposes. Perhaps the additive is a source of combustion products that serve to clog the Princess more so than pure ethanol.

GrayCruiser

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