Lamont in NC
Member
I posted on my problems with my Ready Heaters a couple weeks ago and I thought I'd post my findings after finally getting them fixed.
I learned 2 things.
#1 If the compressor is 1/2 psi off from specifications it might just cause it to trip off--picky SOBs. I never imagined 1/2 psi would be a problem.
#2 A crack in that plastic cover over the end of the compressor so small you can't see it can cause enough pressure loss that you can not adjust output high enough to overcome it. I mean I had real trouble seeing the cracks even after I knew they were there!
Some tips:
* Get a good low pressure gauge to test the pressure--I got mine on ebay for $14 from a US seller (probably still make in China). Arrived in like 3 days. It is a glycerin filled dial that goes up to 15 psi and was sold specifically for working on these heaters.
* It was hard to run to them to test as they'd keep cutting off so I finally pulled the fuel line from the nozzle and wired the motor to an appliance cord so I could run the motor w/o having it constantly cuting off and without it spraying fuel. I then applied some soapy water over the plastic end cap and the cork gasket which was when I found it was cracked. I tried to compensate by adjusting the pressure up but couldn't even get 2psi out of the pump with my finger over the nozzle. I removed the cap and struggled to find the crack the air was coming out of. Likewise I'd suspect any leak in the hose or fittings from the pump to the nozzle would be equally bad but mine were good.
New end caps fixed both heaters. The newer 60,000btu unit had the psi specs on the data plate (3.4psi) but for the older 30,000btu unit I had to look online, finally finding a manual that said was 3.0psi. However, in practice it took 3.4 before it would continue to run just like the newer one's specs. Go figure.
This said over the course of trying to get these running I also purchased a $12 photocell which turned out not to fix anything. I disassembled and cleaned the nozzles of both machines and the fuel filter of the 60,000btu unit I recently acquired as well as it's tank as it had some weird stuff in the tank. The tank on the 30,000btu unit I'd been using for a year or so seems perfectly clean and it's made in such a way that checking the fuel filter is a PITA so I just let it be. I've been hedging my bets each time I though I knew what I needed to get to fix them too. I ordered one photo cell and tried it on both machines--like I said didn't fix either. Then when it came to the plastic end cap since both machines used the same design I only got one new one and have tested that it fixes both machines.
So now to order the second needed end cap and a set of air filters the newer on desperately needs. I'm sure this all was done for much less than a repair shop would have charged me.
Maybe my experiences will help someone else.
I learned 2 things.
#1 If the compressor is 1/2 psi off from specifications it might just cause it to trip off--picky SOBs. I never imagined 1/2 psi would be a problem.
#2 A crack in that plastic cover over the end of the compressor so small you can't see it can cause enough pressure loss that you can not adjust output high enough to overcome it. I mean I had real trouble seeing the cracks even after I knew they were there!
Some tips:
* Get a good low pressure gauge to test the pressure--I got mine on ebay for $14 from a US seller (probably still make in China). Arrived in like 3 days. It is a glycerin filled dial that goes up to 15 psi and was sold specifically for working on these heaters.
* It was hard to run to them to test as they'd keep cutting off so I finally pulled the fuel line from the nozzle and wired the motor to an appliance cord so I could run the motor w/o having it constantly cuting off and without it spraying fuel. I then applied some soapy water over the plastic end cap and the cork gasket which was when I found it was cracked. I tried to compensate by adjusting the pressure up but couldn't even get 2psi out of the pump with my finger over the nozzle. I removed the cap and struggled to find the crack the air was coming out of. Likewise I'd suspect any leak in the hose or fittings from the pump to the nozzle would be equally bad but mine were good.
New end caps fixed both heaters. The newer 60,000btu unit had the psi specs on the data plate (3.4psi) but for the older 30,000btu unit I had to look online, finally finding a manual that said was 3.0psi. However, in practice it took 3.4 before it would continue to run just like the newer one's specs. Go figure.
This said over the course of trying to get these running I also purchased a $12 photocell which turned out not to fix anything. I disassembled and cleaned the nozzles of both machines and the fuel filter of the 60,000btu unit I recently acquired as well as it's tank as it had some weird stuff in the tank. The tank on the 30,000btu unit I'd been using for a year or so seems perfectly clean and it's made in such a way that checking the fuel filter is a PITA so I just let it be. I've been hedging my bets each time I though I knew what I needed to get to fix them too. I ordered one photo cell and tried it on both machines--like I said didn't fix either. Then when it came to the plastic end cap since both machines used the same design I only got one new one and have tested that it fixes both machines.
So now to order the second needed end cap and a set of air filters the newer on desperately needs. I'm sure this all was done for much less than a repair shop would have charged me.
Maybe my experiences will help someone else.