Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Propane coverted furnace
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OhioSteve
11-09-07, 02:45 PM
I have a basic idea of how furnaces work, but would like some input on this problem.
I turn the t-stat up, so the furnace comes on. The electronic igniton starts it's click, click, click routine, but can't get the pilot to light, let alone the burners. The propane tank was just refilled last week. The gas valve has the "has been converted to propane" sticker on it, so I'm assuming that it has the correct valve. I'm wondering if the valve itself isn't bad? It has three male spayde terminals on it. I'm assuming when low voltage is applied to the terminals, the diaphragm is supposed to open up to allow gas through. Any thoughts or ideas? Thanks
I turn the t-stat up, so the furnace comes on. The electronic igniton starts it's click, click, click routine, but can't get the pilot to light, let alone the burners. The propane tank was just refilled last week. The gas valve has the "has been converted to propane" sticker on it, so I'm assuming that it has the correct valve. I'm wondering if the valve itself isn't bad? It has three male spayde terminals on it. I'm assuming when low voltage is applied to the terminals, the diaphragm is supposed to open up to allow gas through. Any thoughts or ideas? Thanks
ecman51`
11-09-07, 05:38 PM
Is this one of the newer high efficiency furnaces with the draft inducer motor? What is the brand and age? Can you explain the sequencing (what you see and hear) when you turn up the thermostat?
Have you tried to purge the gas line to make sure gas, rather than air, is up at the gas valve? When you refilled the tank, did you do so because it ran out? If yes, it will need some purging then, to expedite things.
Why are you cuurious about this "converted to propane" thing. Haven't you ever had this furnace running before?
Have you tried to purge the gas line to make sure gas, rather than air, is up at the gas valve? When you refilled the tank, did you do so because it ran out? If yes, it will need some purging then, to expedite things.
Why are you cuurious about this "converted to propane" thing. Haven't you ever had this furnace running before?
OhioSteve
11-10-07, 02:06 PM
Actually it is my girlfriends furnace, so it's all "new" to me. How long does it take to purge? It's probably a 20 foot run from tank to the furnace. I'm pretty sure the tank was empty, probably for 10 months. (She uses a wood burner primarily). It is an older Armstrong furnace, probably 1980's. Inducer motor comes on with stat, as well as electronic igniton, just no pilot/burners.
Think I will try to purge some more, Thanks.
Think I will try to purge some more, Thanks.
ecman51`
11-10-07, 05:30 PM
Let us know if it ends up firing up or not, eventually. With these newer units you can't just sit there and depress the pilot button any more, to let the air out and then sniff for gas. You are only going to get wisps of gas each attempt as unit will shut down gas valve each time it does not sense gas soon enough, unfortunately. Furnace people may use tricks, but I'm not going to go there at this time. Just keep trying, for now.