My Garage/Shop Heater Install

[BukitCase]

Table 21, page 30 of the parts manual - #48 drill for propane. That's .0760", a 5/64 is .0781 ( the next size up of ANY drill type including inch, metric, letter or number) - The area of correct orifice is .0045365 sq. in, if a 5/64 is used (not recommended by me) the area of the orifice goes to .00480 sq. in, so area of a 5/64 hole would be a little over 5% more flow (assuming same pressure)

I should've suggested that, while you had the IGNITOR (NOT a flame rod, that's the flame SENSOR.) out, to ground it to chassis and hook its wire up while you can actually SEE if it sparks - a good healthy spark would be mostly blue-white, with some orange - too MUCH orange, either a bad connection OR a dying spark transformer could be the cause.

Trust me, I KNOW all this crap is a PITA (nearly 35 yrs experience, remember) but you can't azz-u-me ANYTHING except what you actually SEE things do. Anything else and you're just gonna be walkin' funny til you get those bullet holes out of your feet...

Hopefully you got it going - if so, UN-read the above ... Steve

Oh, also do NOT assume that a drill bit, just because it SAYS it's a #48, is EXACTLY the diameter the charts SAY it is - hopefully you have a digital caliper to check. Most times if you measure the shank it will NOT read the same as a careful measurement across the FLUTES; flutes are usually a couple thou larger than shank...

 

[dragoneggs]

Retraced my conversion kit install. Verified I installed the correct spring and cap and the proper size dia. orifice. Cleaned the orifice and reinstalled. Nope!

For 'fun' I installed the orifice for the smaller 30kBTU unit that also came with the NatGas to LP kit. I got noticeably less flame (not as bright a blue glow. Nope. All back to where it is suppose to be.

Can't find my alligator clips but now I want to see if I can read any voltage on the flame sensor rod. Not too keen on hand holding some probes but that might be my next step... mañana. Time for an after dinner sip of some fine tequila just arrived. Glad to see that liquor stores are still considered essential, and they are happy to ship to my door!

Time to kick back and spend some quality time...



Just looked over to the better half and see that she is already in la la land. I guess it is more TBN and Reznor googling!

 

[dragoneggs]

Just read your post... after my last one. Yeah it is #48. I thought about 'reaming' it with a 5/64in drill but trying not to do something that is not reversible. Don't know how easy it is to get a replacement in short order. Especially when I think the flame sensor is the problem. Would love to put in a little larger orifice and try. Online now hunting. If I could get Amazon Prime to get me one on Monday, I am all over it.

 

[BukitCase]

Mark, I agree 110% NOT to try and hand hold for that measurement; I was checking a flame rod in a NOT so dry environment once, just a quicky - did NOT notice that my test leads were ready for retirement. The constant flexing right where the wire enters the probe had finally manage to crack the insulation on the wire.

Next thing I remember is laying on my back in a small puddle, with the foreman asking if I was OK...

If you wanna go at this thing more "real time", I can PM you my phone # - unlimited minutes, so no biggie.

That way I can talk you thru things as you describe what you're doing/seeing, etc - Up to you; about the only thing I DIDN'T like about my job was the a-holes who thought they were in charge; the rest was about 98% FUN ... Steve

 

[BukitCase]

Gonna grab some grub, will check back in a bit...

 

[dragoneggs]

Mark, I agree 110% NOT to try and hand hold for that measurement; I was checking a flame rod in a NOT so dry environment once, just a quicky - did NOT notice that my test leads were ready for retirement. The constant flexing right where the wire enters the probe had finally manage to crack the insulation on the wire.

Next thing I remember is laying on my back in a small puddle, with the foreman asking if I was OK...

If you wanna go at this thing more "real time", I can PM you my phone # - unlimited minutes, so no biggie.

That way I can talk you thru things as you describe what you're doing/seeing, etc - Up to you; about the only thing I DIDN'T like about my job was the a-holes who thought they were in charge; the rest was about 98% FUN ... Steve

Steve, I just might take you up on it in the morning. Whining to my wife is not getting me anywhere.

But just had a great idea... I'm going to take the 1.6mm orifice that came in the kit meant for the smaller 30kBtu model and drill that to 5/64in. Brilliant. At least I will know that a little more flow isn't the issue and continues to point to the sensor and board. Going back out!

 

[BukitCase]

Sounds like a plan; if the 5/64 doesn't work, a fresh start's probably a good idea...

 

[dragoneggs]

Sounds like a plan; if the 5/64 doesn't work, a fresh start's probably a good idea...

Well it didn't work... there's plenty of flame... couldn't perceive a difference between the #48 and the 5/64in. The 'old' 1.6mm before modification was definitely not as bright. Got to be the sensor or the board. PM me and I might reach out tomorrow. If nothing more than to vent... Thx!

 

[ultrarunner]

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?

 

[BukitCase]

PM sent...