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[wmbeau]

I'm in my 3rd year with a PM 250 after the learning curve no big issues till today while having record lows. My Johnson control is set for 185 and is reading 170 +/- while the fill cap is blowing steam, the safety secondary kicked it off. Anyone else have trouble with this controller or could the problem be something else? Thanks Wilson

[willieG]

I'm in my 3rd year with a PM 250 after the learning curve no big issues till today while having record lows. My Johnson control is set for 185 and is reading 170 +/- while the fill cap is blowing steam, the safety secondary kicked it off. Anyone else have trouble with this controller or could the problem be something else? Thanks Wilson

controler is bad?...water level is below the controler?

[wmbeau]

The indicator is showing it's full of water. I'm thinking controller or thermocouple. Has anyone else had trouble with the Johnston control?

[slimjim]

It's a pretty reliable control and available anywhere, not that Iv'e never seen them go bad but It's few and far between

[willieG]

i have seen a dry well probe  so covered in lime and gunk from the water that it was giving false readings. if you have this dry well perhaps  pull it and make sure it is clean? is a good place to start anyway..then you will know it is not that

[ITO]

 Someone had a similar question recently regarding their controller and RSI suggested using a cup of hot water to put the probe in and test that the controller reacts to the different temp, I thought that was a good simple idea to test it.

[wmbeau]

May have figured it out: Because it's been really cold (don't laugh northern friends) I circulated more hot water in the shop. I think the "extra" cold (return water; shop 70-80 deg. house 150deg) dropped the temp at the thermocouple but let the water at the top of the stove overheat and steam. Any thoughts?  While I have your attention, it seems like the stove has smoked a lot more this year, could that be a worn nozzle?

[racingcowman]

Very interesting I have about the same scenario in my setup.
I figured the shop which is plumbed on the left side dumps all the cold water on the controller, and the house return which has little heat loss is on the right side(there side father away from the controller).
I just started ignoring it, I might switch the sides some day.
One thought though what is your stack temp, mine is around 400 most of the time. Not sure if that is to high but it works well

[slimjim]

WOW guys that's one heck of a temp drop on a run, can you get more flow to bring up return temps, as you can imagine those kind of temps are not good for the boiler.

[randy_1]

I have had on two different instances had my controller reading 212 and flashing but the actual water temp was at 180 and it was not allowing the fan to come on, I just wriggled the probe and it came back to reading accurately after a few seconds.. I have thought about buying a new one to keep on the shelf just in case but haven't had time to get to the supply store yet. 

[slimjim]

Randy are you saying the actual probe itself or the TT connections on the A-419

[randy_1]

the actual probe with the capilary tube

[slimjim]

OK, I'm going to be in Bangor tommorow and have a new probe just for you, any chance you could meet me somewhere or can I leave it with Lyndon

[randy_1]

Do you mind leaving it with Lyndon? I have drivers in his area all the time, I can get it from him i have his #

[slimjim]

I numbed it randy, I'm sorry, really busy today, no excuse but. I'll call Lyndon tommorow and see if he'll stop by bell to get you one.