Heater continuously shuts off

[ab0mination]

My father has this kerosene heater that randomly shuts off and he wants to fix or replace.

I thought he'd ruled out water in the kerosene, but have just learned that he hasn't—no reason to believe there is water, but the can hasn't been completely emptied before being refilled since moving in a few years ago.

I believe what happens is it runs for X hours, then the red circuit will trip before it's reached the temp set on the thermostat.

Any ideas?

 

[Jackfre]

Well, it is a Miller unit. When was it last serviced? Clean the cad cell for starters. If this hasn't had a pro look into it for some time maybe it is time to look for a replacement. If he chooses to stay with Kero the Toyotomi would be best. If gas, a Rinnai.

 

[ab0mination]

They moved in…summer 2018 I believe. Hasn't been serviced in that time, and who knows prior history.

I'll look into what the cad cell is and how to clean, thanks for the tip.

Figuring out if this setup is viable was the first step, but he may replace regardless—propane is right outside the window so would be trivial to run, and he has solar panels so electric might be a decent option.

Currently he only runs it 5-10 days a year, if that—though unsure if it were more reliable if he'd be compelled to run it more often. Reading around here the last day or two, seems like there's tradeoffs with every fuel source and they can seemingly be alleviated or worsened depending on whether you run it continuously it'd seem?

 

[Caddybill]

2 years or more without service and no service history? I am more surprised it runs any length of time. Have it serviced.

 

[James-W]

If it were me, I would check into the age of the heater. It appears to be quite old judging by the pictures. If it is really old, I would get a new one rather than spend money on it. If possible, I would go with a natural gas heater.

 

[Rusty Fords]

AHHH Oil furnaces smells like money for a tech that knows what he or she is doing.
Should have a pro look at it I always recommended a tune up every year but since it doesn't get used much could go about every 3-4 years.

Just in case you want to learn a little bit.

Are you sure you are getting a flame?
If so how long does it run after the flame lights?

If it shuts down around 30-45 sec the flame rectification circuit is not recognizing a flame.

If it runs longer and starts to heat up the building before dropping out might have a pour flame or something wrong with fuel/delivery (not water if its running without shuddering).

Fuel pump pressure 100 PSI after pump shuts down should hold greater then 80 PSI.

Ignition transformer 8,000-10,000 Volts ( don't touch hurts like hell all day long yes I have learned it the hard way) I normally do a quick check Pump gauge on start unit pull transformer back use a screw driver put shank on one spring and move towards the other spring should pull a spark crossed at least 1/2 way. "Use a good plastic handled screw driver and not one with metal sticking through the handle". remember hurts like hell!!!

Cad cell clean

If all that checks out need a new nozzle and fuel filter. Normal tune up stuff. find someone that knows what they doing about 45 min plus drive time. parts depending on mark up 30 bucks.

 

[yeldogt]

You should have some one look at it ... How big is the tank?

They do need occasional service -- cleaning. There are many things that can go wrong.

 

[ab0mination]

Are you sure you are getting a flame?
If so how long does it run after the flame lights?

If it shuts down around 30-45 sec the flame rectification circuit is not recognizing a flame.

If it runs longer and starts to heat up the building before dropping out might have a pour flame or something wrong with fuel/delivery (not water if its running without shuddering).

At the risk of sounding like a total *****, I think I must? Because it'll run for hours sometimes. It's never shutting off in a few minutes.

If it runs longer and starts to heat up the building before dropping out might have a pour flame or something wrong with fuel/delivery (not water if its running without shuddering).

Fuel pump pressure 100 PSI after pump shuts down should hold greater then 80 PSI.

I don't know if this'll be surprising, but here's the fuel situation:

Ignition transformer 8,000-10,000 Volts ( don't touch hurts like hell all day long yes I have learned it the hard way) I normally do a quick check Pump gauge on start unit pull transformer back use a screw driver put shank on one spring and move towards the other spring should pull a spark crossed at least 1/2 way. "Use a good plastic handled screw driver and not one with metal sticking through the handle". remember hurts like hell!!!

Cad cell clean

If all that checks out need a new nozzle and fuel filter. Normal tune up stuff. find someone that knows what they doing about 45 min plus drive time. parts depending on mark up 30 bucks.

Will pass that info along, thanks.

 

[ab0mination]

You should have some one look at it ... How big is the tank?

They do need occasional service -- cleaning. There are many things that can go wrong.

Assuming you mean fuel tank? Just posted a photo, ha.

 

[Rusty Fords]

Be better to have the fuel outside or away from the heat source for fire reasons but I have set things like this up for a temp heating the home with the furnace in a garage to get a customer through the night tell I could repair the fuel lines or replace a tank.

So you have a one line supply which is good for short line system. This type of system will not self bleed.
When you push the rest it normally fires right back up?

If it does a new Nozzle and if it doesn't have a in line fuel filter maybe the pump strainer cleaned. Should be all you need. Different areas and different mark up I normally sold nozzles for $15.00... Most techs didn't but I always checked smoke ( with smoke tube) after due to nozzles are built to a spec within 10% and I always wanted to make sure customers were good for at least another year. Where people get into trouble with oil furnaces is they don't pay attention to the small details.