My Garage/Shop Heater Install

[dragoneggs]

On our contract equipment the techs just swap boards like it's nothing... but without the service contract some of those non-returnable boards cost up to and over a $1000.

With self install are you able to send in the parts you deem problematic for replacement/inspection?

Good question... never imagined I would be dicking around with this. Seems the manufacturers expect you to deal with professional installers and the professional installers have a racket not wanting to service any unit that wasn't installed by them or they want to know why you aren't contacting the original installer.

I called Reznor today and was directed to some service based on my zip code I entered. Never could reach a human. I decided not to leave a message because I got another urge to troubleshoot myself.

 

[ultrarunner]

Being far from Olympia my tenants were having problems with the JenAir cooktop.

I looked up JenAir service and found McKinny appliance and gave them a call.

They said they only service if the product was bought from them... I said yes it was and the former owner gave me a folder of receipts cooktop, double oven, compactor, dishwasher, disposal, insta-hot... they said OK... we will have someone out this afternoon with JenAir modules.

It was strange having to qualify myself before they would accept my money... but since then I stopped in and they couldn't have been nicer... said oh... your the guy from California out Boston Harbor way...

 

[grsthegreat]

Well, call me foolish , but I won’t work on a unit a homeowner installed for many reasons. Over the years I’ve seen too many installs done that meet no requirements and if I touch the item without fixing all problems, I could be held responsible for any injury that item causes down the line. I just don’t want to take on the liability.

I was just looking at a unit that was so poorly installed I was actually scared. The electrical wires wernt even in conduit and the gas line was a 10 foot rubber hose with hose clamps. I told them I refused to work on it and left. They wernt interested in getting it fixed right, only wanted a new starter installed.

I’m just too old for this

 

[ultrarunner]

Not the same as you but I was asked to help with a clothes dryer problem that was not drying clothes.

I went to see the lady and she had paid someone to install her new clothes dryer... she was getting to old to use the clothes line.

Horror was what I found.

The guy she hired cobbled together the gas line with hose bib and rubber garden hose... wish I had a camera... he teed off the half inch water heater flex line and ran the vent pipe into the wall cavity...

I capped it off because I wasn't going to get in the middle of it but could not simply walk away seeing what I had seen.

Gave her a name of a semi retired licensed plumber who was very generous in getting it done the right way.

 

[dragoneggs]

Well, call me foolish , but I won’t work on a unit a homeowner installed for many reasons. Over the years I’ve seen too many installs done that meet no requirements and if I touch the item without fixing all problems, I could be held responsible for any injury that item causes down the line. I just don’t want to take on the liability.

I was just looking at a unit that was so poorly installed I was actually scared. The electrical wires wernt even in conduit and the gas line was a 10 foot rubber hose with hose clamps. I told them I refused to work on it and left. They wernt interested in getting it fixed right, only wanted a new starter installed.

I’m just too old for this

I totally understand! And wouldn't fault anyone that shows up and doesn't want to touch it. The problem I have is I can't seem to even talk to someone about it. I am putting myself out here on this thread and I will take the ridicule and support just the same. I wouldn't have tackled this project if I didn't feel I had clue about what I am doing. I am a degreed mechanical engineer so I have a little clue at least.

My frustration is that it should not cost $7000+ for a heater install that costs $2000 including the hardware/plumbing to install. A day job for a professional. Doing the math... that is a hellofa salary even if you work 3 days a week... $750K a year. And I probably paid more than their wholesale pricing they get. If this job was 50/50 parts/labor I might have signed up but when a contractor tries to gouge you with 100% markup on materials... I call BS.

 

[grsthegreat]

My shop heater only ran about The same as the heater cost. I had to dig a 200 foot long trench to extend propane line to shop though and that wasn’t cheap. I wouldn’t pay someone 7 grand either. Where the problem lies now is getting warranty repair service. When someone does a warranty repair they generally work from a cost sheet from the manufacturer. So even if they spend 2 hours tracking down the problem, the Mfg pays for 1 hour travel time, a set diagnostic and a set parts cost. So if tech doesn’t have part on hand, the return trip is on them. That’s why my truck is packed with $1,000’s of dollars worth of replacement parts....and sometimes even I don’t have the part needed.

This is a reason a lot of shops don’t want to do warranty repair work, and those that do charge a lot for non warranty work to offset losses.

Every year I have to decide if I want to keep doing it myself, and this year I nearly didn’t sign up for the required refresher courses to keep my factory service certification. I’m still not sure I want to keep doing it. This year will probably be my last

 

[dragoneggs]

I am not even expecting a warranty repair even though the unit is new. Happy to have someone help troubleshoot and tell me what needs to be done. I'm not helpless and it's frustrating when one can't find a 'professional' that will work 'with' you. I guess I am a different breed expecting folks work together for a common positive outcome and are compensated appropriately.

I get it if I were a helpless little old lady and couldn't do anything for myself. Just think there should be some middle ground. Happy to sign a waiver. We are getting silly with litigation, not taking personal responsibility, etc. Sorry for the rant. Not where I want this thread to go. I worry long term though that DIY will become a 'dirty' word. The next generation is nearly helpless... their kids... god help them.

 

[ovrszd]

I understand your frustration in regards to getting some "help". I wonder if they are booked solid installing new or replacement equipment and servicing the ones they have installed? Not interested in a diagnostic problem that will result in wasting half a day to be told "thanks for the diag, what do I owe ya?"

I agree with you that the problem is the flame sensor. Computer never gets the signal that the flame is lit. Protects itself by shutting off gas supply. As it should.

 

[dragoneggs]

Well today was a GREAT day! All fixed. Turned out it was simply be a loose ground wire. Once that was corrected, it fired like a champ! Thanks to everyone who chipped in and hung with me. I made a mountain out of a mole hill but it wasn't easy to find. Problem was in an upstream outlet box. Ran it most of the day and it cycled beautifully... I am once again a happy camper!

The best part although I burned some time... I learned a whole lot about gas heaters and how they work!

 

[Big Barn]

Yay! Congratulations.