Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

Outdoor Furnaces - Manufacturers with NON EPA-Certified Models Only => RidgeWood Stoves, defunct, support only => Topic started by: jamesbodeis on September 29, 2014, 07:48:18 PM

Title: Solenoid
Post by: jamesbodeis on September 29, 2014, 07:48:18 PM: Anyone else's solenoid fairly loud? I dont know how loud they are supposed to be but I have noticed mine humming pretty good a few times now.
Title: Re: Solenoid
Post by: Chicken farmer on September 29, 2014, 07:59:28 PM: If you were able to measure the frequency of the "hum", it would be 60Hz (60 cycles a second) matching the 60 Hz in the electrical grid. It is possibly due to a damaged/worn shaded pole in the solenoid. The shaded pole is supposed to suppress the "gap" in magnetism of the coil as the AC sine wave passes through 0 VAC either on the ramp up from the negative or down from the positive side. What you are hearing is common to AC solenoids. I've seen those things last for years chattering like crazy in an industrial setting, but I've seen them burn out pretty quick after they start to chatter. The solenoids are a Grainger part and are not too expensive. I was given a spare when I picked up my stove and plan to always have a spare on the shelf. Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Solenoid
Post by: Jwood on September 29, 2014, 08:42:56 PM: It's normal to hear a humming.
Title: Re: Solenoid
Post by: Chas on September 30, 2014, 09:53:57 AM: At times mine will hum enough that it causes a vibration. If I tap the little "roof" over the solenoid and damper door it will stop the vibration and quiet right down.
Title: Re: Solenoid
Post by: fireboss on September 30, 2014, 10:29:23 AM: Put a few drops of oil on it will take take the humming noise away
Title: Re: Solenoid
Post by: slimjim on September 30, 2014, 11:11:38 AM: Tighten the cotter pin, the loose pin allows the vibration to amplify!
Title: Re: Solenoid
Post by: jamesbodeis on September 30, 2014, 01:15:55 PM: Cool I didnt think it was anything major. Thanks for the replies.
Title: Re: Solenoid
Post by: 6pacmac on September 30, 2014, 05:36:58 PM: Also check the mounting nuts and bolts for tightness. They like to work loose :) I lost one that way and all the rest were loose.
Title: Re: Solenoid
Post by: RSI on September 30, 2014, 10:06:51 PM: Also make sure it is fully seated when energized and is moving freely when off. If it is not able to go in all the way it will have a short life.
Title: Re: Solenoid
Post by: automan77 on October 01, 2014, 02:31:33 AM: I spray some lube on mine every couple weeks and it doesn't make any noise.
Title: Re: Solenoid
Post by: mlappin on October 06, 2014, 09:18:41 PM: Like the others said, the hum is normal. I've had brand new definite purpose contacters and motor starters hum right out of the box, also have a antique one that's been around forever and it's hummed since dirt was new. And yah, they hum at 60 hertz or 60 times a second.
Title: Re: Solenoid
Post by: ffbare on October 14, 2014, 08:02:30 PM: I just replaced my solenoid tonight, I hope this one lasts longer. I have been running for only about a week.