The new 50k Big Maxx heaters reliability

[Scerb]

I picked up a new 50k Mr Heater Big Maxx propane heater from Nothern Tool. Right out of the box it had a bad control board and would reboot every time it tried to ignite.

Tech support sent me a new control board, which now works sometimes, but if its below 35* it does the same exact thing. I have to heat up the shop with a torpedo heater to get the Big Maxx heater to work.

Also, the blower fan sounds like it is about to seize up or explode or both it squeels and rattles so loud. This also needs to be replaced.

I will say Mr Heater's phone support has been really good so far, but I am really tempted to just return this to Northern Tool and get a different brand. Has anyone else been having lots of issues with these, or is this just a lemon?

 

[rponfick]

I would think just a lemon. I've had their Big Maxx 80k unit installed for about 3 months now and it works perfectly.

Good luck. Ralph

 

[dave67fd]

Send it back. You just got unlucky. Tons of guys here have them and gets good reviews. Mine has been perfect for about 6 months. For the qty. they sell there's always a small percentage of defects as with any consumer product.

 

[24ModelTFord]

I've had my 50k for about a month. Zero issues. Sounds like you got a lemon. Get them to replace it.

 

[Deltarat]

I have a 75k Mr Heater and had to get the 2nd board to get it it to run right but, it has run 4 years now without a hitch.

 

[Chetter]

I've had the 45000 btu propane unit for 3 years now and my board was bad after initial running back then and they sent me a new one and no problem since. Does a great job of keeping my 24x32 garage warm all winter. I agree that there will always be a couple of lemons no matter what the brand in my opinion.

 

[Deltarat]

Their customer service was great. They acknowledged that they had a problem with the boards and sent out a new one right away and sent the next one quickly as well, with no questions asked.

 

[Rigpig]

I found a 50K unit at a local tool store with the propane kit which is what i need, but wondering if the boards are a common issue and if i should opt out for a Reznor or something??
What was the exhaust pipping kit worth out of curiosity?
Sorry to hijack your thread!
Cheers!

 

[Scerb]

Installed my third control board today, still no worky. New fan motor makes it so I don't need ear muffs anymore while testing, so thats nice. I'm thinking its not a control board issue. I know its not my building's wiring - I ran an extension chord from a different circuit and same thing. I'm hoping they will send me every electronic component in the next shipment so I can replace one at a time till it works.

As for the venting, I never found anyplace that sold a horizontal vent kit compliant with the new code for horizontal gas vent (using AL29-4C vent pipe). I bought Novavent pipe from http://www.houseneeds.com/. They have excellent service themselves, $10 shipping and they are in VT and I am in NH so I got it next day. Think it was ~$200 for all the pipe I needed.

http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/580659_816652564726_1092393381_n.jpg

 

[Rigpig]

Thanks Scerb, good luck with the fix and keep us posted.

 

[Scerb]

I have to give major props to Mr. Heater's customer service. They have been over-nighting me parts free of charge. Unfortunately none of them have fixed the issue, so they are sending me a whole new unit and making sure it will get here for the weekend (unless weather says otherwise). They are also reimbursing me what it would cost to pay someone to replace the unit and paying return shipping. That is excellent customer service.

I just wish I had a working heater. Hope the next one will work.

 

[Toolman_Johnny]

I just posted a new thread yesterday about my 50k Mr. Heater cracked fan blade after only two months of operation. They're all out of blades, so I've no idea how long it'll be before they ship me a replacement. I haven't had near the trouble you have, so I guess I should consider myself lucky. The quality of these units certainly seems to be lacking.

 

[PapaD]

I have been seriously considering one of these units, but the more I read about stuff like this I'm having second thoughts.

 

[dave67fd]

I just posted a new thread yesterday about my 50k Mr. Heater cracked fan blade after only two months of operation. They're all out of blades, so I've no idea how long it'll be before they ship me a replacement. I haven't had near the trouble you have, so I guess I should consider myself lucky. The quality of these units certainly seems to be lacking.

I have heard ten times the amount of positive reviews vs negative. With the high volume number of heaters sold they have a pretty good track record.

You also have to factor in things like the companies that do the material handling as well as transportation and inexperienced DIY installations.

Their also not the cadillac of heaters but reasonably good quality for the price.

 

[Scerb]

They said they sell about 10,000 units a year. And granted this is the first year for this new model, my unit is the first and only they (the ENG dept) have heard of having this symptom.

 

[Scerb]

Got the replacement heater installed. It works great

 

[Chetter]

I have been seriously considering one of these units, but the more I read about stuff like this I'm having second thoughts.

Don't be, they sell a lot of these heaters and as far as I'm concerned they are tops for their keeping the customer happy and getting your heater up and running even if it means a replacement which was done for Scerb.