Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Coleman Exponent Xpedtion Stove
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DrBobDg |
quote butthead: "quote DrBobDg: "and they still try to sell them for crazy prices... |
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DrBobDg |
quote butthead: "quote DrBobDg: "and they still try to sell them for crazy prices... screwed up reply somehow.... That is why I am looking at the refillable bottles they make now....probably have better seals etc as you have said. I do baby my stove...by leaving that adapter attached to the stove I hope to avoid failure of the seals.... storing refilled disposable bottles in hot trunks etc is asking for big trouble.... thanks dr bob |
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butthead |
quote DrBobDg: "and they still try to sell them for crazy prices... If you look at the listed stove the fuel supply hose is shot. Video on 2 burner DrBobDg, keep and eye on the Coleman adapter fit to the valve assembly. The rubber o-rings wear and the plastic collar becomes sloppy creating leaks. This and the fragile cast legs/potsupports added to the fact PowerMax fuel was discontinued is why these stoves were dropped by Coleman. I've done a bunch of conversions to iso-butane, but do not recommend it anymore. 2 single burner stoves are a much better option. butthead PS; At the cost of sounding like some whiny dink, I'll toss a few safety considerations on re-filling 1 pound propane canisters. It is illegal to transport a refilled 1 pounder, they lack an overfill protection devise used in 5 pound and up refillable tanks, and are built to one time use standards. I have seen a 1 pound refill blow up, and the explosion took the back of the car off and the carport along with it. Is it worth saving the few dollars to use and refill propane when your adapter will fit existing iso-butane canisters? bh |
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DrBobDg |
quote mr.barley: "I decided to bring 2 stoves on my last trip. My 2 burner Exponent and my dragonfly (back up). I brought the Exponent to try to burn out the remaining Powermax fuel that I had left, so I can convert it over into a canister stove." It would be nice if Coleman would make a another run of Powermax fuel for these stoves. They are so darn handy and work great... I think if they did better marketing they would have sold better. dr bob |
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mr.barley |
quote DrBobDg: "I learned my lesson about buying a stove that uses one type of canister that is convienently made only by the stove manufacturer. A business idea destined to fail.quote mr.barley: "I decided to bring 2 stoves on my last trip. My 2 burner Exponent and my dragonfly (back up). I brought the Exponent to try to burn out the remaining Powermax fuel that I had left, so I can convert it over into a canister stove." |
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DrBobDg |
quote mr.barley: "quote DrBobDg: "I learned my lesson about buying a stove that uses one type of canister that is convienently made only by the stove manufacturer. A business idea destined to fail."quote mr.barley: "I decided to bring 2 stoves on my last trip. My 2 burner Exponent and my dragonfly (back up). I brought the Exponent to try to burn out the remaining Powermax fuel that I had left, so I can convert it over into a canister stove." yep... I ended up buying two of them and still like the design. dr bob |
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DrBobDg |
Stove on Ebay dr bob |
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DrBobDg |
quote DrBobDg: "quote DrBobDg: " Important to put empties in freezer for a few hours first... the 20# tank should be upside down..... They actually make refillable 1# lp bottles now. Adapter Refillable bottles |
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Grandma L |
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saltdog |
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mr.barley |
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DrBobDg |
1# propane bottle goes through this adapter Adapter Then through the Coleman Powermax fuel Adapter if you are lucky enough to own one or can still get your hands on one. |
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DrBobDg |
quote DrBobDg: " Fuel Adapter If you have ever wondered about how to refill all those 1# LP cylinders.... |
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DrBobDg |
I have been able to refill my old bottles with butane but I don't think the stove worked that well and they emptied out fast. I am still looking for a way to add some propane to the bottles to see if that might work better but haven't come up with fittings to make it work. I have never had any disasters yet refilling 1# bottles from a 20# tank. Do it outside. I chill the bottles in the freezer for a few hours. The 20# is upside down on a step. I scree the empty into the fitting and turn on the valve.... I let it run until I cannot hear the sounds of the tank being filled...about a minute. Close the valve and unscrew the 1# cylinder. If I hear a bit of a leak I will use something like a wooden match stick to reseat it. If it still leaks I leave it out to empty on its out and discard it... or hook it up to a lantern or something. I don't leave these bottles in hot areas where disaster could happen. I have not been able to determine how much time it takes to use up a full 1# bottle...obviously the weight of the bottle is an issue but I would think you would get more btu out of propane compared to butane or propane/butane mix. These are great stoves and I don't want to give them up yet... dr bob |
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hexnymph |
We have been taking these stoves on our trips for years. When the powermax fuel went out of production we ended up converting a few of these stoves over to the standard fuel canisters. Without a doubt, no matter how well they burned at home, we have always had failures in the field.... Then we have 4 engineers hovering over the darn thing for hours trying to bring it back to life... to varying results. Mostly malfunctions at the burner head and we blame the fuel mix. Has your setup withstood the test of time? I have no problem packing the 1#LPG if it works. I have a cast aluminum griddle that has also been coming along for the ride that sets nicely on the double burner. I cant remember the brand off the top of my head, but they also seem to be discontinued. Coincidence? Hex |
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DrBobDg |
overthehill: " I have yet to convert mine. When I ordered it I also ordered 2 maint. kits.(still unused) When they discontinued PMax , I still had a case of the tall boys plus a few more so I did not jump on the propane adapter in time. Use it 6-12 days a year @ 3-5 cans per year. Canoe trips only. Been refilling empties with Primus grey cans for last 5-6 years with no problems yet. I mark them each time they are reloaded. Some are on third refill. Like reloading brass ammo....I hope for a couple fills . So far so good. When I have trouble I plan to do the Butthead modification. I love my Expedition.....especially with a group of 3 or 4." how have you been refilling them.?? I can refill with straight butane (which is safer) but doesn't seem to work as well as the propane/butane mix. dr bob |
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overthehill |
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overthehill |
I put the empty PMax cans in freezer for an hour or two. Let grey primus can outside on a hot day or near cover with hot tap water in a pot or coffee can for a few minutes. Screw adapter on primus can. Place COLD pmax can upright, insert needle fill holding primus can upside down on top and depress enough to hear flow. Usually it only fills halfwat, then I repeat. I just lightly shake and hand-weigh (compare) to an unused pmax for weight/fullness. I THINK the tall pmax cans were factory filled to 450g. I should get a good scale for tare weight, but so far so good on not overfilling. |
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DrBobDg |
overthehill: " Primus big grey can. Primus filling Adapter ? #733 870 used to fill lighter and lantern etc. May also be called butane filling adapter. old thread from 4-5 years ago . I think the thread was titled 'possible powermax solutions'. It will explain the process I used. I know the Primus fill needle adapter part number ends with 870. (870 Wingmaster shotgun.) Thanks... I have a digital scale... you DO NOT want to overfill them. I still have some tall cans and only use the stove for longer trips.... I will play with your system though. |