Oh no, another torpedo heater question

[se3388]

I have a Reddy Heater 110BTU and when I plug it in and turn the T stat up it'll come on and work fine until it gets up to temp (where the T stat is set) maybe 15 minutes or so and cycle off. After 10 minutes or so it will come back on and run maybe 10 or 15 seconds and shut off and give off a heavy kerosene smell then shut off. I can unplug it, cycle the Tstat and plug it back in and turn the Tstat back up and it will come on and run 10 to 15 seconds with the heavy odor. If I unplug it and go back the next day it will run the first time for 15 minutes or so and then short cycle like before. I replaced the square plastic housing and have a pressure gauge installed that says it is running at 5.2 lbs. Fuel lines have been replaced and are getting fuel. Fan works good.What say you experts?

Steve.........

 

[3rdgendslmech]

I use an 80K ran off diesel in my barn with half of the walls insulated with R19 and only a few foam sheets between the trusses under the roof. On warmer days (above 35°F ) it will cycle like that because it heats up pretty quick 10-15 minutes. When it kicks in it'll smell a little bit like a diesel truck for a few seconds then it's unnoticeable.
You could turn the thermostat higher up and that should make the cycle times longer. When it's colder out , like yesterday and it didn't get above 30 degrees it didn't shut off until I shut it down.

 

[RPH]

Sounds like it’s running rich once warmed up. It appears not to ignite. Check when this happens if it sprays or drip liquid fuel out the end. It’s not sensing flame and shuts down on the safety. The next day it’s all evaporated and will start until hot again.

 

[se3388]

3rdgendslmech

It does that no matter how high you set the Tstat.

RPH

What is the usual fix if that is the problem?

Steve........

 

[se3388]

RPH
I turn the t stat all the way up and it runs maybe 10 or 15 minutes and goes off, I have to unplug it for a minute to get it to try to start and then it will sputter/ flame flickers and then goes off/shuts down so you may be right about flooding. What is the fix for flooding? I put on a new housing, fuel lines, new fuel and psi is set.

Steve.........

 

[RPH]

Usually cleaning the orfice of built up carbon, same for igniter and flame sense. The nozzle tends to collect crud so it doesn’t spray properly. Just like a clogged fuel injectors.
Also make sure you don’t have water in the fuel, condensation collects on both sides of the tank. Small amount of water is tolerable but large amounts will cause flame out. I use a small amount of fuel cleaner in the tank. Also check your fuel containers for contamination.

 

[Spareparts]

Reddy Heater went out of business, but I think a google serch for it shouldget you to a site that offers parts and troubleshooting guide, most times it is the pressure setting. Setting the pressure takes a 15 psi gauge with some adapters. If the pressure is not right it does not atomize the fuel right and shuts down. I believe the sith is Reddy Heater.com but not sure.