Burner problems - Power Wash Network "The Power Wash Contractors Forum"

oneness · #1 (**permalink**) 08-07-03

Having problems with my burner. I bought the machine used a few months ago, and have not yet needed hot water. I noticed a problem some time back when I would fire the burner...I would get hot water for a minute or two and then the burner would cut off. My first thought was that the battery was being drawn too far down to run the blower possibly due to a problem with the charging system. Tonight I checked the battery, and it is fine. The system is charging just fine...Battery is holding 12.6 volts when not running, 13.6 or so when running. The problem is somewhere in the burner system.

The burner light works fine most of the time when the blower is running. However, this is what it is doing. I fired up the machine and threw the switch for the burner. Just a touch of sooty smoke from the stack for a moment, and then just hot exhaust...for about 5 seconds. Then the burner shuts off. The blower runs for another 10 or 15 seconds and then shuts off.

If I turn the key to on on the machine, but don't start it, and then throw the blower switch, the blower will run for maybe 20 or 30 seconds, then shut off. It will then come on and go off intermittently for another minute or so, then not come on at all. If I turn the key off and leave it for a minute or so, then turn it back on and throw the burner switch, the blower will do the exact same thing, on for 20 seconds or so and then intermittently a few times. Checked voltage at the battery throughout this process and it held at over 12 volts.

The previous owner has done some wiring modification, as shown in the picture. Not sure what this wiring does...someone here may have an idea. The two wires you see in the picture bolted to the studs read 12.x volts when the burner isn't on....but when the blower is running it reads .08 volts or so. I did disconnect this and cleaned the contacts. Checked the wired in fuse also.

Any suggestions? I opened up the junction box, as shown in the 2nd picture, and I have no idea where to even start in checking for problems here.

oneness · #2 (**permalink**) 08-07-03

Mark · #3 (**permalink**) 08-07-03

Here is a good starting point.

Check out this wiring diagram for 12 volt burner machines.

Compliments of HotWaterWizard..Thanks John!

Larry L. · #4 (**permalink**) 08-08-03

Look for a little box that two wire hook to,should be close to the burner switch behind the panel,sometimes this will cause your problem.At the time I cann't think what it is called.......

oneness · #5 (**permalink**) 08-08-03

Bigboy:

Is this what you're talking about (the small thing the two wires are connected to)? This junction box is behind the panel, and is full of wires as seen in my previous post.

Does anyone know what this thing is? The only writing on it is 20A, I assume meaning 20 amps.

Mark · #6 (**permalink**) 08-08-03

It is either a breaker or a relay, I suspect it is a 20 amp breaker.

Larry L. · #7 (**permalink**) 08-08-03

yeah,it has caused me problems before like yours,take it off and take it to a auto parts store to get one like it.

oneness · #8 (**permalink**) 08-08-03

Someone on another board told me how to trouble shoot it....wait until the burner cuts off and then short the connection with a screwdriver...if the burner starts back up, that's the problem. I'll check it in the AM and let y'all know!

thanks guys!

Larry L. · #9 (**permalink**) 08-08-03

Sometimes that will work and sometimes it want,if thats the problem,you can hear it click when the burner shuts off and after a few minutes it will click again to fire the burner as you have stated.

hadishon · #10 (**permalink**) 08-08-03

Just a little warning, shorting (by-passing) the breaker may tell you if the breaker is tripping, BUT you have to think, why is the breaker tripping? It could be because of a faulty breaker OR there could be problem between the breaker and wherever the lead goes to.

If you short (by-pass) across the breaker and if there is a short somewhere on the hot lead, it could make more problems. If the breaker is tripping because of a short (could be many things, a cut wire, bare wire touching ground etc...) in your line, when you short (by-pass) the breaker, the lead may become very hot and it may burn the wire forcing you to replace all the wiring.