Dornback 45K garage heater won't work ???

Moldy Oldy · Mar 1, 2010

Howdy Folks,
I just purchased a ceiling hung NG 45K BTU Dornback garage heater in January 2010. It has worked fine for a month then started to flame out and not start. I installed a factory replacement ignitor and the unit ran for about 1 hour. No problems noted during starting and it ran fine and produced ample heat. I turned it off using the thermostate and let it sit for about ten minutes. I restarted using thermostate but unit would not stay running. It went thru its normal three start cycle then shut down. Again the ignitor lit up and fired the gas, the gas burn would last for about 5 seconds, but after 5 seconds the burners would flame out and not remain lit. I heard a click which I think is the gas valve closing then the burner flame extinguished. I also tried to start the unit again this AM and it did the same three cylcle start then shut down. Burners lit but would not remain lit. The main electronic control box was bench tested and passed with flying colors at the factory. Now the troubleshooting really starts...I was informed by the factory rep this AM to try reversing the polarity, the power in black and white wire and let us know what happens. Any info and assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Russ

waltmcq · Mar 3, 2010

How's it workin for you? I bought one but haven't hooked it up yet.

Mickey O · Mar 3, 2010

Reversing the polarity usually will just affect the ignition but since it's igniting that probably isn't the problem. But to be sure use a meter and correctly verify that the polarity is correct. Assuming you have a ground or a conduit that is a ground go between each conductor and ground, the hot will have voltage between it and ground, the neutral won't, check the voltage while your there to make sure it's correct.

I'd bet that's all fine, does the fan come on? If it doesn't the burner may be shutting down on overheat, I would check each sensor with a meter or by jumping them out and see if that eliminates the problem (I would also jump out the thermostat so that the heater is calling for heat during testing). Also test the fan independently if it's not coming on and doesn't come on when jumping the sensors. If you have the schematic go through it and eliminate any possible failures, after that I would guess the board or gas valve (probably not the gas valve, but you never know), tell them to send you a new one.

I'd bet on a sensor.

Mickey O · Mar 3, 2010

waltmcq said:
How's it workin for you? I bought one but haven't hooked it up yet.

Sounds like it's working great. :headscrat

Moldy Oldy · Mar 3, 2010

The factory sent me another flame sensor ignitor..but no go heater still shuts down..next move is another control box and sensor..Both intake and exhaust fans run like they are supposed to..we are dead in the water until replacement parts arrive. Enjoy your week...

Moldy Oldy · Mar 3, 2010

waltmcq..where did you buy your unit from??

Kevin54 · Mar 4, 2010

Re: Dornback 45K garage heater wont work

Svetamymnavet said:
Really ******* the f out of me. Ive reinstalled and no matter what I do, the game will not un-pause. I tried remapping the key and everything, it simply will not let me get passed the "press pause/break to start" pop up.

Any ideas?

Tried lots of missions, no matter what, its stuck

Throw the SOB on the floor and kick the **** out of it !!!!

RbrtAWhyt · Mar 4, 2010

waltmcq said:
How's it workin for you? I bought one but haven't hooked it up yet.

Apparently it aint.

waltmcq · Mar 6, 2010

I bought mine off of ebay. but can't remember who from exactly. hope it works is been a while since I got it

Moldy Oldy · Mar 8, 2010

Replaced control unit and ignitor and unit is working as advertised..

N9BYY · Mar 4, 2011

I have the same heater and having problems also. Where did you buy your parts? Thanks in advance.. Dan

teegee103 · Mar 5, 2012

Same issue here. New Dornback 45,000 btu from ebay, has only worked for one week. Now the flame starts up but then goes out after about a minute. I jumped out each sensor one at a time. All sensors are OK, the controller is shutting off the 24 vac to the gas valve. The issue probably is the flame sensor in the controller.

woody2136 · Sep 5, 2013

How are the Dornback heaters doing these days? Price makes them attractive, but the bad reviews on USA stuff is discouraging...

terryo1965 · Sep 6, 2013

I have been running a 45k propane unit in my 30 x 40 barn for 2 years with no issues. In fact, I came in one day after a really bad storm blew the cap off my exhaust vent and water was running out of the bottom of the vent pipe and the heater itself. I let it dry out and it fired right up.

woody2136 · Sep 9, 2013

terryo1965 said:
I have been running a 45k propane unit in my 30 x 40 barn for 2 years with no issues. In fact, I came in one day after a really bad storm blew the cap off my exhaust vent and water was running out of the bottom of the vent pipe and the heater itself. I let it dry out and it fired right up.

Where did you get it? From the reviews I've seen it seems most of the troubles come from the ones on ebay. I wonder if they are factory seconds sold w/o the true warranty.

terryo1965 · Sep 9, 2013

I got mine off Ebay but it was through Dornback, not a reseller. I called Dornback first because I had a few questions and the guy answered my questions and told me to just buy it off their Ebay site, saying it would be easier for both of us. I though it was kind of weird but I didn't have any problems.

Dornback 45K garage heater won't work ???

Moldy Oldy

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