Stove from Ambassador - how does it work?

[Deleted]

this is the stove in my early 70's (unconfirmed) viscount ambassador. can anyone tell me what goes in this space at the front? looks like a globe or battery as there is a metal coil at one end and metal to connect at the other end too. I can't figure it out???
thanks sparky.

[kiwijim]

G'day Sparky,

Welcome to the Forum,

That space on the front of your stove is the holder for "D or C" size batteries,

these are used to ignite your gas burners,

Fit the batteries with the coil at the bottom of the battery ( negative end of battery)

Next, after turning on the gas at the bottle, push in the gas knob for the burner,
wait a couple of seconds then ( holding in the knob) turn the control knob to the on position.

Doing this will cause the batteries to send currant to a glow-plug type igniter at the burner, causing it to glow red and (hopefully )ignite the gas

The one problem with this type of battery holder, is that they are prone to corrosion at the contact points for the batteries,

If you check these spring contacts and find them in good condition, there is no reason why the igniter shouldn't operate.

good luck, kiwijim

[Deleted]

thanks jim, that sounds pretty luxurious to have self igniting burners. think I'll have to try it.

[Deleted]

Gday Sparky
I have a one of these stove I removed from my Ambassador that you can have for spares....griller ,tray,ring etc
Cheers Bazz

[Deleted]

Hi Sparky,

When you put the new batteries in, smear a little Vaselene on the top and bottom of the batteries and the spring and base contacts on the stove. It will help prevent any corosion and improve the spark from the batteries.

Vaselene also works on any quirky electrical contacts, both high and low voltage.

Cheers, techron

[Deleted]

Bazz
thanks for the offer of your old stove for spares. thats a great idea but this one is in pretty good condition. and I dont think I'll be up your way any time soon. so dont hold onto it on my account.
thanks anyway. sparky

[Deleted]

Gday sparky
No worries I put it on a shelve in the shed .....along with the other bits and bobs and safe for later
I need a bigger shed HaHa
Cheers Bazz

[Deleted]

Hey Sparky, I'm just new here on this site(I came via a link from the sister site - Vintage Vans.) How did you go with the stove igniters ? the batterys to be used are "d" size. The stove I got for my mid 60's Valiant, is out of a 70's Viscount i guess, and almost exactly the same as yours. I had a little trouble to get the igniters to work, but then no prob's.

[Carl]

How cool is that!!! I'm still reading through old posts to educate myself on these old vans when I cam across this stove lighting post. I didn't even realise my stove had a battery hole for self igniters. I put in two D cells, pushed and held the knob on the front and turned the knob - instant flame. I love old technology that still works 45 years latter....

Cheers, Carl

[awbeattie381]

Funny I should come across this thread...I had a proper look at my stove over the weekend (as I was painting around it) and noticed that little space for batteries. I had assumed I needed matches/BBQ lighter as the previous owner had left one next to the stove. The contact points seem in pretty good condition so in theory the ignition should work! Fingers crossed!

[leeron]

The little glow plugs may not get flame ignition straight away if they haven't been used for a long time as cooking or grilling grime and dust builds up on the filament if not used. (turn the gas of and actuate the glow plugs a dozen times to burn the plug clean first)
The filaments are screwed in with a small ceramic bit on the back that can work loose over time, this needs to be done up firmly but gentle enough to make a good contact electrically.

Leon