Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

Outdoor Furnaces - Manufacturers WITH EPA-Certified Models => Central Boiler => Topic started by: Rutnik on November 04, 2013, 10:31:19 AM

Title: Soleniod Problems
Post by: Rutnik on November 04, 2013, 10:31:19 AM
2 years in a row....
I start burning for the year and like clock-work my E-Classic 2400 operates for about a week and then just starts blowing fuses.  Last year they replaced the firestar control unit. This year I tried doing some troubleshooting first.
1. I disconnected all the soleniods to see if it would power-up without blowing the fuse and it worked.
2. I then started connecting soleniods one at a time to see if one was bad and sure enough the bottom right popped the fuse.
3. I had a spare soleniod (bought one "just in case") and replace what I thought was a bad soleniod.
4. As soon as I powered it up..... blown fuse again.

Does anyone have any thoughts?  Is there another relay or something?  Tonight I am going to put the spare soleniod in another spot to see if maybe my spare is also bad, other than that I guess I have to call the dealer which is something I would rather not do.  Forgot to mention this is only my 3rd season with it and the last 2 haven't started out too well......
   
Title: Re: Soleniod Problems
Post by: slimjim on November 04, 2013, 12:04:09 PM
Where are you at, one of the most honest and reputable dealers for CB is about 1 hour from my home, he is a direct competitor of mine but I like him. His name is Rick Young  AKA farmer for hire.
Title: Re: Soleniod Problems
Post by: Rutnik on November 04, 2013, 02:03:14 PM
Northern NJ
Title: Re: Soleniod Problems
Post by: slimjim on November 04, 2013, 04:19:29 PM
I'm sure he would take a call, would you like his #
Title: Re: Soleniod Problems
Post by: the trailmaster on November 05, 2013, 04:04:26 AM
  You may want to have your control panel checked, as you could be sending the wrong voltage to your solenoids.  Had the same problem and Central Boiler replaced my panel, a simple fix. 
Title: Re: Soleniod Problems
Post by: Rutnik on November 05, 2013, 07:38:24 AM
I switched the soleniods around last night and they all seemed to work.  When I put one of the good ones on the bottom right it started humming pretty loud.  I think it may be the firestar control panel like trailmaster said.  They replaced it last year when the problem happened, but 2 control panels in 2 years???? 
Title: Re: Soleniod Problems
Post by: sam-tip on November 07, 2013, 07:59:09 AM
I had to replace my controller twice and a few solenoids.  The control kept taking out the high secondary solenoid.  To get by I just unhooked the solenoid.  It would burn ok with out it.  Burns better with it.
 
Title: Re: Soleniod Problems
Post by: Rutnik on November 07, 2013, 08:55:39 AM
Just got off the phone with the dealer.  He said controller is BAD :bash:.  Last night I went down and had the power on the controller "off" BUT it was still pulling power to the high secondary soleniod (Sam-tip sounds like the same thing).  With the power off the soleniod was reading 95-110 and pulling the cap for the tube up and just humming and chattering.  I turned the power on and it stayed running but as soon as I opened the furnace door and it would call for the fan to kick on and the fuse would blow and I was done.  The dealer said the controller is bad and CB is now providing controllers with a "surge protector" built into them.  I asked why and he said they found out with "spikes" in power supply that is cooks the controllers.  Another great start to the season.  Thanks for everyones help and I am sure I will be visiting this site again!
Title: Re: Soleniod Problems
Post by: chillyhiker on November 08, 2013, 07:49:15 AM
a prime example to keep things simple....these are wood burners not nuclear reactors. aquastat and soleniod is all i have in mine.
Title: Re: Soleniod Problems
Post by: Chas on November 08, 2013, 08:01:04 AM
Amen Chilly!
Title: Re: Soleniod Problems
Post by: sam-tip on November 11, 2013, 10:00:47 AM
Just got off the phone with the dealer.  He said controller is BAD :bash:.  Last night I went down and had the power on the controller "off" BUT it was still pulling power to the high secondary soleniod (Sam-tip sounds like the same thing).  With the power off the soleniod was reading 95-110 and pulling the cap for the tube up and just humming and chattering.  I turned the power on and it stayed running but as soon as I opened the furnace door and it would call for the fan to kick on and the fuse would blow and I was done.  The dealer said the controller is bad and CB is now providing controllers with a "surge protector" built into them.  I asked why and he said they found out with "spikes" in power supply that is cooks the controllers.  Another great start to the season.  Thanks for everyones help and I am sure I will be visiting this site again!


Sounds just like what happened to me.   I was also getting 120 volt DC to the solenoid when off.  BAD!
Title: Re: Soleniod Problems
Post by: gsilus on December 15, 2013, 05:40:04 PM
A trick I did in a pinch to open the solenoid/metal disk, without power(disconnected the power to solenoid), was to take a pencil and put it between the 2" tube and the round metal disk.  This allowed air flow to continue, keeping the furnace running, until I got a new set of solenoids that had gone bad and kept blowing fuses.  Now I have like 10 fuses on hand, cuz when u start blowing fuses, u sure want to have some spares around.  Hope I explained this well enough….