Cookers & stoves

Tim - Moonriver

After 4 seasons of the Wallis cooker breaking down,many hours in the yard, returning the stove to the distributers, numerous e-mails to Kuranda UK and Sweden - who basicaly did not want to know - we have given up and fitted a Origo 200A spirit stove which counter sinks into the work top.

Richard Jenner has fitted a Origo 3000 spirit stove if any one would like the spares they are there, you may contact us for information

See letter to Richard below

15.5.8

Tim Cadbury

Wallas heaters.Mine is the first fitted and even comes with a wood finish top.The engineer at the boat show suggested regular use at maximum heat which I have always done.This clears any carbon deposits and condensation. I also right from the begining have inserted a tight fitting bung on the exhaust outlet.So far I have always remembered to remove the bung before use!!!This has prevented any rain or sea water ingress.The run of my exhaust is probably more simplle than most because I have a refrigerator in place of the more usual hot water system.

20.8.07

Steve - Louisa

I had to have my Wallas diesel stove serviced recently and found to my
horror that the exhaust pipe had been resting on the corner of the
main water tank. The heat from the exhaust pipe had caused it to melt
the plastic of the water tank and sink into it. The lagging of the
exhaust pipe became permanently imbedded in the tank and had to be cut
off the pipe in order to release the stove!
I suggest you check the exhaust pipe from your Wallas stove to ensure
that it does not touch the water tank or the drain pipe from the
galley basin.
Incidentally, the service engineer told me these stoves should be
serviced every year although mine had not been touched since the boat
was launched seven years ago (shame on me). I used Bare Marine from
Shamrock Quay and found them very good (www.baremarine.com).
 

Steve - Louisa sail no.8 continues

The problem arises in testing and/or replacing some specialised parts.
The most critical part seems to be the high temperature thermostat
which is called a T4. There were also two other parts that were
replaced on my stove, a ceramic mat and a fuel needle. Wallas supply
various kits for replacing key parts. It appears that the stove is
constantly being modified and that you have to know the vintage and
model number of your stove in order to order the right parts. The Bare
Marine engineer kept muttering things such as "Oh this is an old model
and that connector is now square, I can't use the spare in my tool bag
etc etc" I am quite sure he was genuine and not trying to pull the
wool over my eyes!
The story of my stove is not good. I have had three parts replaced
and it still doesn't work. They are now going to try replacing one of
the control boards to see if that helps. The stoves are mechanically
simple but electronically complex. I get the impression that once
they start going wrong they are difficult to repair.
My conclusion is that the stoves should be left well alone unless they
are heavily used or they actually go wrong. 
20.8.07

Steve - Louisa sail no.8 continues The stove has broken down several times and now conclude that the main circuit board is faulty. if they change this they will have to change the glowplug control boFurther report on the Wallas stove. Bare Marine have worked on the stovard. We have decided that enough is enough and have ordered a new stove. The old one worked for seven years without a problem.Let's hope this one works for rather longer before it gives trouble. 
I still think these are wonderful stoves but they are expensive. 
£1200 for the stove plus blower lid. (Naturally the old blower lid
will not fit onto the current model stove!)
20.8.07

Jeremy Church

On the two occasions we have had trouble with it we have found that the exhaust was blocked by condensation at the bottom of the u bend in the transom locker, easy to sort out. I have been in touch with our nearest agents, Kuranda UK Ltd. in the Peak District who are sending a step by step service manual.

20.8.07

Richard

If I just switch mine on, nothing happens. This has been the case from new. So with the power on at the circuit breaker, I turn the thermostat fully down and up and down and up again then switch the Wallas power button on.....it invariably lights-up when I do this. Maybe this will work for you too?

20.8.07

Letter to Richard - Roundel from Tim - Moonriver

I hav’nt got back to you on the Origo stove because it’s an horrific tale at least we think it is? and its still on going.

I fitted the stove and we lite it for our first meal - the top of the stove became very hot and eventualy started to melt the control nobs so I could not put the flame out so I dowsed with water. I put it down to the fact I did not insert the resevours properly therefore my fault and ordered another one - I fitted this new one it worked well; then when we were on our summer cruise we had flames coming out the side of the burner which again created a problem of turning the burner off so I dowsed with water and decided not to use that burner and continue with one burner. Later in the same week the whole thing caught fire but I had taken the precaution of having to hand a bucket of water. Of course during the weeks I kept an eye on the stove - remember unlike your stove it is let into the surface of the work top and is open at the front therefore open to the elements.

The problem was not my fault I discovered when the boat moves the resevours can easily come out of there holders and because it is open a draft can set up a furnace type fire.

I am refusuing to pay for the second stove and asking for a credit for the first stove under the sale of goods act ie fitness for purpose I have also suggested the company with draws the stove otherwise there is going to be a fatal accident

Sorry so long winded but will keep you informed of development

1.5.09

Conclusion

Fitted Gas working fine for the 2009 season

Anyone requiring information for conversion contact me Tim - Moonriver

1.9.09