jmasters@pcocd2.intel.com (Justin Masters ~) (10/31/89)
I have a Central Heating problem. I have no instructions that came with it (moved in 7 months ago). The problem is, I can't get the heat to come on in the morning. We set the thermostat, with one switch on AUTO, the other switch to HEAT. The things that I have observed: 1. The heat does come one much later in the day (sometimes 12 hours later). 2. When I run preliminary tests, I get the following results: a. Shorting two contacts in thermostat housing (as if the heater is to turn on) does produce a loud click in the Heater. That is supposed to be correct. b. I checked the fuses in the box next to the Heater (on the roof) both in the morning and afternoon (just to check for cracked/expanding/contracting fuse). They appear to be good. c. At the leads coming into the pilot ignitor assembly, I am getting 25v AC. According to the assembly box, this is correct. d. The igniting output (this is where it gets weird) is different from one check to another. The afternoon check (I woke up late last saturday) showed a loud sounding spark, which didn't seem to make it to the pilot light. I removed the connector, reshaped it, and put it back (I presume some gap at the connector caused the sparking that I heard). The pilot seemed to light after that. This morning (geez, ice on the slanted roof), I got up there, and couldn't get any sparking until I started to pull the output connector off the ignitor assembly. I also adjusted the air-gap between the ignition wire and ground near the pilot light. There didn't seem to be much of an arcing spark after I adjusted the gap anyway. I think that the assembly is bad (possibly frozen mechanical contacts inside?), but would like to be sure, since money is tight. My reason for this is two-fold. 1. The heater comes on in the afternoon, and 2. After beating on the ignitor assembly this morning, it came on, and on subsequent relights of the pilot, it continued to work properly (assuming that the air in the vicinity was warm enough to keep the contacts from refreezing). If this is the problem, does anybody know if there exists a fully electronic ignition assembly rather than a mechanical switching output? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Is my car the only one in America where | Justin "Ice Cream Monster" Masters someone breaks in and turns up my radio | every time I park? - Steven Wright | jmasters@fmdgr1.intel.com
davidc@vlsisj.VLSI.COM (David Chapman) (11/01/89)
In article <1156@mipos3.intel.com> jmasters@fmdgr1.intel.com (Justin Masters ~) writes: >I have a Central Heating problem. I have no instructions that came with it >(moved in 7 months ago). > >1. The heat does come one much later in the day (sometimes 12 hours later). >2. When I run preliminary tests, I get the following results: > [info deleted] > >I think that the assembly is bad (possibly frozen mechanical contacts >inside?), but would like to be sure, since money is tight. For safety's sake, you should pay to have the furnace inspected. Improperly running furnaces can emit carbon monoxide. I realize that yours is just an ignition problem (or so it seems) but it's best not to take chances. Your diagnosis seems reasonable, but I'm no expert. -- David Chapman {known world}!decwrl!vlsisj!fndry!davidc vlsisj!fndry!davidc@decwrl.dec.com
bobw@NCoast.ORG (Bob Weinberg) (11/11/89)
{someone complaining about being cold ... no heat}
My company is a major manufacturer of controls for the HVAC market.
I didn't see the posting on this subject, but can possibly help you
with your problem. The first thing I must warn you about, is that
you should *NEVER* try to repair any component of the gas ignition
or temperature limiting system of a furnace.
The standards to which the controls must be designed and
tested are very stringent to protect consumers, and if you mess
with the equipment, you are taking a big risk.
We design and manufacturer combustion air flow proving switches for
the high effeciency gas heating furnaces, and also microprocessor
control systems which interconnect to all the valves and sensors in
the furnace.
If the originator of the posting would contact me, I'll try to help.
Meantime, call a licensed heating cooling contractor.
--
Robert L. Weinberg ...decvax!cwjcc!ncoast!bobw
Tridelta Industries, Inc. ...decvax!cwjcc!ncoast!tdi2!bobw
V.P. Technology