Page 1 of 1

MSR Reactor Burner Issue (metal foam)

PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 4:58 pm
by Rinat Shagisultanov
We had a problem recently with the Reactor burner specifically with the metal foam that dispurses the flame. The stove was transported with the burner inside the pot w/o the canister or any other item that filled the void in the pot. It looks like when the stove was transported by mules due to the vibration the metal foam in the burner was partlially destroyed and the middle piece fell into the burner. This drove the stove unusable. I did not have time to dissassemble the burner and see if the foam can be fixed.
Neither MSR or other online resources reports similar problem. Have you encountered such problems or it was the issue with this instance where the metal foam was not securely connected inside the burner.

Re: MSR Reactor Burner Issue (metal foam)

PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 5:16 pm
by ExcitableBoy
I have always received excellent customer service from MSR. I would call them up and exlpain the problem. They will likely have you send your stove in which they will repair or replace.

Re: MSR Reactor Burner Issue (metal foam)

PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 5:30 pm
by etai101
yhea!!!

Re: MSR Reactor Burner Issue (metal foam)

PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 5:49 pm
by John Duffield
I don't have any input on your stove, but I do have experience with Mule Bounce Destruction and I think it's under reported in the Aco threads. Your shit is on the back of a mule bouncing around for hours. For some reason, a Yak ride doesn't quite have the same punitive damages.

I often carry a Tupperware container full of small odd and ends, medical stuff, batteries, little spares.

Somehow the batteries and some of the medications reacted to combustion. Smoldered for hours. Turning metal pieces into black carbonized crumbs. Plastic was burned, scorched and disfigured. Even my Swiss Army knife carries a scar. Thankfully, it happened coming down.

So your gear should be especially packed and configured for a mule ride at Penitentes. Leading to a larger issue. The number of times you need to repack, once to minimize airport security concerns, once to get ready for a mule ride beating, and in the high camps.

Re: MSR Reactor Burner Issue (metal foam)

PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:50 pm
by Damien Gildea
John Duffield wrote:Somehow the batteries and some of the medications reacted to combustion.


Wow, that's one of the weirder ones I've heard! Do you think the metal pieces accidentally arranged themselves to form a circuit between battery ends and other material touched this? Were the medications in tinfoil?

Mule Bounce Destruction is indeed a problem, they go pretty fast up those valleys. But Baltoro Porter Destruction is also impressive - it seems to be the way in which they slam it down at day's end and rests along the way, treating your gear like a giant mattress. Travelling in 35+C heat doesn't help either.

Re: MSR Reactor Burner Issue (metal foam)

PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:39 pm
by John Duffield
Yes, I did have some stuff in Aluminium foil. Naturally I go for more plastic now. Keep batteries segregated.