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Safgard Low Water Cutoff - 550, what's the problemm?
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micky
Dec 16, 2012, 12:34:51 PM12/16/12
to
A friend takes care of a building including a commerical steam boiler.
He usually only goes there once a week to make sure the heat is
working for the weekend.. The boiler has a low-water cutoff, which
seems clearly to be cutting off and stopping the heatf even though
tthere is water. The cutoff is at least 30 years old, and it hasn't
been cleaned for at least 3 years but maybe 30.
It's a Safgard Low Water Cutoff - 550, made by Hydrolevel.
The place is short of money and he wants to repair it himself. He
knows what he's doing but hasn't worked on this exact thing before.
1) I'm wondering how hard it will be to get the probe out, if perhaps
it's never been removed in 30 years, or even 10. Any chance he'll
need a tap or something to get pieces of metal out of the threads?
OTOH, 2) I'm wondering if all it needs is cleaning the probe. The
instructions, which I found online said to do that every year. Ha!.
No chance that's happened. (This is Baltimore, where the water is
from reservoirs after flltering throug the soil. It's not real hard or
real soft.)
3) I'm going to send him back there to look at the installation tee
again to make sure it's long enough for the full size probe. Do you
think there is any chance that 30 or more years ago there was no model
550SV (which has a short probe) , but since then the probe has gotten
longer, and he has to get a 550SV even though
Anything else we should check before ordering a new cutoff?
Thanks.
A picture of one.
http://www.pexsupply.com/Hydrolevel-Safgard-550-Electronic-Low-Water-Cutoff-with-Manu
If you really want to you can dl the installation, and short operation
and troubleshooting instructions,
http://s3.pexsupply.com/product_files/Safgard-550-install.pdf But I
think if you know the answers here, you probably know all this.
He usually only goes there once a week to make sure the heat is
working for the weekend.. The boiler has a low-water cutoff, which
seems clearly to be cutting off and stopping the heatf even though
tthere is water. The cutoff is at least 30 years old, and it hasn't
been cleaned for at least 3 years but maybe 30.
It's a Safgard Low Water Cutoff - 550, made by Hydrolevel.
The place is short of money and he wants to repair it himself. He
knows what he's doing but hasn't worked on this exact thing before.
1) I'm wondering how hard it will be to get the probe out, if perhaps
it's never been removed in 30 years, or even 10. Any chance he'll
need a tap or something to get pieces of metal out of the threads?
OTOH, 2) I'm wondering if all it needs is cleaning the probe. The
instructions, which I found online said to do that every year. Ha!.
No chance that's happened. (This is Baltimore, where the water is
from reservoirs after flltering throug the soil. It's not real hard or
real soft.)
3) I'm going to send him back there to look at the installation tee
again to make sure it's long enough for the full size probe. Do you
think there is any chance that 30 or more years ago there was no model
550SV (which has a short probe) , but since then the probe has gotten
longer, and he has to get a 550SV even though
Anything else we should check before ordering a new cutoff?
Thanks.
A picture of one.
http://www.pexsupply.com/Hydrolevel-Safgard-550-Electronic-Low-Water-Cutoff-with-Manu
If you really want to you can dl the installation, and short operation
and troubleshooting instructions,
http://s3.pexsupply.com/product_files/Safgard-550-install.pdf But I
think if you know the answers here, you probably know all this.
Smitty Two
Dec 16, 2012, 1:23:13 PM12/16/12
to
In article <ngvrc853va8ld0quf...@4ax.com>,
I'm not so sure that your friend knows what he's doing. This seems to be
something that is dead simple to troubleshoot. It should be very easy to
test the wiring, control box, etc. independently in order to condemn or
eliminate the probe as the source of the problem.
something that is dead simple to troubleshoot. It should be very easy to
test the wiring, control box, etc. independently in order to condemn or
eliminate the probe as the source of the problem.
micky
Dec 16, 2012, 1:42:18 PM12/16/12
to
On Sun, 16 Dec 2012 10:23:13 -0800, Smitty Two <notpub...@cox.net>
wrote:
You probably know this, but for others, the probe goes into the water
and if there is water, the control box will find electrical continuity
between the probe, the water, and the metal pipe. Oh, yeah, you're
right. Darn, *I* should have thought of that already. We just need
to short the probe connections and see if the red light goes out and
the boiler comes on.
I was still wondering if a milliohmeter would successfully measure the
resistance of the probe/water/pipe connection, instead of just
shorting it. I tend to think more about testing than bypassing.
It's an occasional but ongoing problem,
He on the other hand is 75 and does a lot of voluteer work like this,
for charities and in-laws and friends (He just spent 2 days in NY
cleaning out basements for Sandy damaged homes, including two bus
trips back and forth. He said he was sore afterwards. He's never said
that before. ) And he is just starting to slow down, and he just
called and said he's tempted to just pay the heating company to
repair it.
I figure they'll charge 300 for the 175 dollar unit and 100 or more
to put it in, so 400 or even 500, what might be fixable in less than
an hour just by cleaing the probe. If it is the probe and IF I CAN
GET THE PROBE OUT, I can do all this myself. If it's the control
unit, that will be a 15 minute job. And I need to do more volunteer
work.
wrote:
and if there is water, the control box will find electrical continuity
between the probe, the water, and the metal pipe. Oh, yeah, you're
right. Darn, *I* should have thought of that already. We just need
to short the probe connections and see if the red light goes out and
the boiler comes on.
I was still wondering if a milliohmeter would successfully measure the
resistance of the probe/water/pipe connection, instead of just
shorting it. I tend to think more about testing than bypassing.
It's an occasional but ongoing problem,
He on the other hand is 75 and does a lot of voluteer work like this,
for charities and in-laws and friends (He just spent 2 days in NY
cleaning out basements for Sandy damaged homes, including two bus
trips back and forth. He said he was sore afterwards. He's never said
that before. ) And he is just starting to slow down, and he just
called and said he's tempted to just pay the heating company to
repair it.
I figure they'll charge 300 for the 175 dollar unit and 100 or more
to put it in, so 400 or even 500, what might be fixable in less than
an hour just by cleaing the probe. If it is the probe and IF I CAN
GET THE PROBE OUT, I can do all this myself. If it's the control
unit, that will be a 15 minute job. And I need to do more volunteer
work.
Smitty Two
Dec 16, 2012, 1:57:43 PM12/16/12
to
In article <uf5sc8lbgo1r58neo...@4ax.com>,
probably interpreted as a short.
I'd not suspect a non-moving part before peeking inside that control
box. If there's a mechanical relay in there, he probably just has
dirty/corroded contacts.
micky <NONONO...@bigfoot.com> wrote:
>
> I was still wondering if a milliohmeter would successfully measure the
> resistance of the probe/water/pipe connection, instead of just
> shorting it. I tend to think more about testing than bypassing.
> It's an occasional but ongoing problem,
>
>
I don't think you need a milli-ohmmeter. Anything less than 5 ohms is
>
> I was still wondering if a milliohmeter would successfully measure the
> resistance of the probe/water/pipe connection, instead of just
> shorting it. I tend to think more about testing than bypassing.
> It's an occasional but ongoing problem,
>
>
probably interpreted as a short.
I'd not suspect a non-moving part before peeking inside that control
box. If there's a mechanical relay in there, he probably just has
dirty/corroded contacts.
hr(bob) hofmann@att.net
Dec 16, 2012, 2:08:18 PM12/16/12
to
On Dec 16, 12:57 pm, Smitty Two <notpublici...@cox.net> wrote:
> In article <uf5sc8lbgo1r58neo65a75438v76scr...@4ax.com>,
My guess is that it is in the sensor circuitry. If the probe was
crudded up due to water deposits, it would be more likely to show
there was water present when there was no water, not to show there is
no water when there is water. I would be inclined to just order a
new system for the $175.00, assuming that it is mechanically
compatible. I would also have the new unit in hand before I took the
old unit out, so that if something on the old unit fails while
removing it I have something to put in to fill the hole. You
certainly could bypass the old unit to make sure that that is what is
actually shutting the boiler down.
> In article <uf5sc8lbgo1r58neo65a75438v76scr...@4ax.com>,
crudded up due to water deposits, it would be more likely to show
there was water present when there was no water, not to show there is
no water when there is water. I would be inclined to just order a
new system for the $175.00, assuming that it is mechanically
compatible. I would also have the new unit in hand before I took the
old unit out, so that if something on the old unit fails while
removing it I have something to put in to fill the hole. You
certainly could bypass the old unit to make sure that that is what is
actually shutting the boiler down.
Ed Pawlowski
Dec 16, 2012, 3:43:13 PM12/16/12
to
On Sun, 16 Dec 2012 12:34:51 -0500, micky <NONONO...@bigfoot.com>
wrote:
>A friend takes care of a building including a commerical steam boiler.
>He usually only goes there once a week to make sure the heat is
>working for the weekend.. The boiler has a low-water cutoff, which
>seems clearly to be cutting off and stopping the heatf even though
>tthere is water. The cutoff is at least 30 years old, and it hasn't
>been cleaned for at least 3 years but maybe 30.
>
Lack of maintenance may be the problem. Not the cut off as it seems
to be doing the job, the boiler itself.
Has it ever been cleaned on the water side? Has the sediment been
blown out on a regular basis?
You may be getting surging when the boiler is firing and that would
cause trips. Is there a sight glass? If so, what has he seen? If you
don't know what surging is, you probably don't know how to correct it
and need to take to a pro.
Proper maintenance is critical on steam boilers. Sounds like the owner
is a cheap SOB and will let it blow up before he spends money to take
care of it.
wrote:
>A friend takes care of a building including a commerical steam boiler.
>He usually only goes there once a week to make sure the heat is
>working for the weekend.. The boiler has a low-water cutoff, which
>seems clearly to be cutting off and stopping the heatf even though
>tthere is water. The cutoff is at least 30 years old, and it hasn't
>been cleaned for at least 3 years but maybe 30.
>
to be doing the job, the boiler itself.
Has it ever been cleaned on the water side? Has the sediment been
blown out on a regular basis?
You may be getting surging when the boiler is firing and that would
cause trips. Is there a sight glass? If so, what has he seen? If you
don't know what surging is, you probably don't know how to correct it
and need to take to a pro.
Proper maintenance is critical on steam boilers. Sounds like the owner
is a cheap SOB and will let it blow up before he spends money to take
care of it.
micky
Dec 16, 2012, 5:58:41 PM12/16/12
to
probaboly be able to tell you in a few days what t he answers are to
all of your questions, including Ed's.
Thanks all.
Ed Pawlowski
Dec 16, 2012, 7:09:34 PM12/16/12
to
On Sun, 16 Dec 2012 15:43:13 -0500, Ed Pawlowski <e...@snet.net> wrote:
>
>Proper maintenance is critical on steam boilers. Sounds like the owner
>is a cheap SOB and will let it blow up before he spends money to take
>care of it.
Thinking about this a little more, since it is a commercial boiler
>
>Proper maintenance is critical on steam boilers. Sounds like the owner
>is a cheap SOB and will let it blow up before he spends money to take
>care of it.
there may be even more to this. Is the boiler used only for heat?
Most likely it is very low pressure. Residential steam boilers
operate at less than 1 psi. Commercial, however can be 10 psi to 15
psi. After 15 psi you are in industrial high pressure territory.
Where I work we operate 3 seam boilers. One is a 10 psi heating
boiler. The other two are 110 psi process boilers. Sure, they are
bigger and higher pressure, but similar rules apply because of the
potential danger. Any time a boiler is operated, a licensed operator
must be present. I have six of us to cover all shifts, vacations etc.
By law, we must check the boiler and mark a log at least every 2
hours.
I bring this up to drive home one point. Proper maintenance is
critical. Steam boilers, even low pressure can become a danger if the
low water cut off does not work. Don't do anything stupid, don't
by-pass it. Don't try to save 50 bucks if you need help.
micky
Dec 16, 2012, 7:58:02 PM12/16/12
to
On Sun, 16 Dec 2012 19:09:34 -0500, Ed Pawlowski <e...@snet.net> wrote:
>On Sun, 16 Dec 2012 15:43:13 -0500, Ed Pawlowski <e...@snet.net> wrote:
>
>>
>>Proper maintenance is critical on steam boilers. Sounds like the owner
>>is a cheap SOB and will let it blow up before he spends money to take
>>care of it.
>
>Thinking about this a little more, since it is a commercial boiler
>there may be even more to this. Is the boiler used only for heat?
I think it makes hot water too, for sinks and maybe a dishwasher..
>On Sun, 16 Dec 2012 15:43:13 -0500, Ed Pawlowski <e...@snet.net> wrote:
>
>>
>>Proper maintenance is critical on steam boilers. Sounds like the owner
>>is a cheap SOB and will let it blow up before he spends money to take
>>care of it.
>
>Thinking about this a little more, since it is a commercial boiler
>there may be even more to this. Is the boiler used only for heat?
There are no showers or bathtubs and afaik no clothes washing
machines.
>Most likely it is very low pressure. Residential steam boilers
>operate at less than 1 psi. Commercial, however can be 10 psi to 15
>psi. After 15 psi you are in industrial high pressure territory.
>
>Where I work we operate 3 seam boilers. One is a 10 psi heating
>boiler. The other two are 110 psi process boilers. Sure, they are
>bigger and higher pressure, but similar rules apply because of the
>potential danger. Any time a boiler is operated, a licensed operator
>must be present. I have six of us to cover all shifts, vacations etc.
>By law, we must check the boiler and mark a log at least every 2
>hours.
tall and based on my observation and estimation between 60 and 80 feet
wide and 100 to120 feet deep. It's 75 or 85 years old, but the
boiler is not that old, maybe 30 years.
>
>I bring this up to drive home one point. Proper maintenance is
>critical. Steam boilers, even low pressure can become a danger if the
>low water cut off does not work. Don't do anything stupid, don't
>by-pass it. Don't try to save 50 bucks if you need help.
Okay, I definitely won't. If I have mentioned bypassing the probe,
>I bring this up to drive home one point. Proper maintenance is
>critical. Steam boilers, even low pressure can become a danger if the
>low water cut off does not work. Don't do anything stupid, don't
>by-pass it. Don't try to save 50 bucks if you need help.
that was only for a minute while the reset button was pressed, which
would make the boiler start, but then right away I'd remove the bypass
and if the probe was bad, the boiler would stop again. Then he would
either get a new probe or call a heating company.
If pressing reset for a minute or a little more didn't make it start
at all, there would be no reason to blame the probe, so we'd replace
the control unit with an identical one. If that didnt' fix it, we'd
replace the probe too, which comes with the unit, and if that didn't
work, we'd call the heating company.
The water in not below the law water limit he tells me, and I will
check for myself too. He said he'd let me know and we'd both go.
micky
Dec 16, 2012, 7:58:33 PM12/16/12
to
On Sun, 16 Dec 2012 19:09:34 -0500, Ed Pawlowski <e...@snet.net> wrote:
>I bring this up to drive home one point. Proper maintenance is
>critical. Steam boilers, even low pressure can become a danger if the
>low water cut off does not work. Don't do anything stupid, don't
>by-pass it. Don't try to save 50 bucks if you need help.
And thanks for your concern.
>I bring this up to drive home one point. Proper maintenance is
>critical. Steam boilers, even low pressure can become a danger if the
>low water cut off does not work. Don't do anything stupid, don't
>by-pass it. Don't try to save 50 bucks if you need help.
Ed Pawlowski
Dec 16, 2012, 10:34:19 PM12/16/12
to
On Sun, 16 Dec 2012 19:58:02 -0500, micky <NONONO...@bigfoot.com>
wrote:
>
>Okay, I definitely won't. If I have mentioned bypassing the probe,
>that was only for a minute while the reset button was pressed, which
>would make the boiler start, but then right away I'd remove the bypass
>and if the probe was bad, the boiler would stop again. Then he would
>either get a new probe or call a heating company.
>
>If pressing reset for a minute or a little more didn't make it start
>at all, there would be no reason to blame the probe, so we'd replace
>the control unit with an identical one. If that didnt' fix it, we'd
>replace the probe too, which comes with the unit, and if that didn't
>work, we'd call the heating company.
>
>The water in not below the law water limit he tells me, and I will
>check for myself too. He said he'd let me know and we'd both go.
>
You can bypass it for a minute or two. Nothing is going to happen
that fast. The problem is when you walk away and the water goes low
and the cut-off does not work that you have a problem.
When this cuts out, it is right away when you reset it? Or does it
run for some time and you find it hours later that it tripped for an
unknown reason?
If you can see the water is at proper level and it will not function,
it is probably a bad probe or main unit If it is happening after the
boiler runs for a while, it may well be the water inside is rocking
and rolling and causing a void as the waster drops for a few seconds.
You'd have to sit and watch what is happening to see that, usually
under high fire and getting near maximum pressure.
If the water is surging, you want to drain down a lot of the water and
replace it with fresh water. There can be a lot of dissolved solids
in the water over time. You usually use a meter to determine what it
is.
wrote:
>
>Okay, I definitely won't. If I have mentioned bypassing the probe,
>that was only for a minute while the reset button was pressed, which
>would make the boiler start, but then right away I'd remove the bypass
>and if the probe was bad, the boiler would stop again. Then he would
>either get a new probe or call a heating company.
>
>If pressing reset for a minute or a little more didn't make it start
>at all, there would be no reason to blame the probe, so we'd replace
>the control unit with an identical one. If that didnt' fix it, we'd
>replace the probe too, which comes with the unit, and if that didn't
>work, we'd call the heating company.
>
>The water in not below the law water limit he tells me, and I will
>check for myself too. He said he'd let me know and we'd both go.
>
that fast. The problem is when you walk away and the water goes low
and the cut-off does not work that you have a problem.
When this cuts out, it is right away when you reset it? Or does it
run for some time and you find it hours later that it tripped for an
unknown reason?
If you can see the water is at proper level and it will not function,
it is probably a bad probe or main unit If it is happening after the
boiler runs for a while, it may well be the water inside is rocking
and rolling and causing a void as the waster drops for a few seconds.
You'd have to sit and watch what is happening to see that, usually
under high fire and getting near maximum pressure.
If the water is surging, you want to drain down a lot of the water and
replace it with fresh water. There can be a lot of dissolved solids
in the water over time. You usually use a meter to determine what it
is.
micky
Dec 17, 2012, 9:05:39 PM12/17/12
to
is a separate device there to add water automatically when the level
gets low.
>If the water is surging, you want to drain down a lot of the water and
>replace it with fresh water. There can be a lot of dissolved solids
>in the water over time. You usually use a meter to determine what it
>is.
all**, but I'm proud to say I figured that out bwhen he wasn't there
with voltmeter measurements. If anyone cares, I'll say what they
were.
Now it appears that the problem is that the pilot light had gone out.
We couldn't relight it. A chart on the boiler said this model
(Peerless 244.6.n.n) said that it hjad one pilot, 10 burners and the
pilot was automatic or electric (I forget which)
Pilot lighting instructions were attached firmly to the boiler, and
they are pretty much the same as below**. We followed the
instructions and when we pushed the red "button", my friend thought we
should hear sparking and the noise of gas coming out of the pilot.
(We had turned off the main gas supply and the pilot cock, waited,
then turned on the pilot cock again.)
I held the red button down for about 40 seconds and nothing happened.
No flame, no sparking noise or gas noise.
Should there be noises???
Should I have held the button longer????
Or perhaps the pilot switch has broken???
**This is the pilot switch, a Johnson Baso Pilot Switch L62GB-3
And this should be the manual for it:
http://www.baso.com/lib/subdomain/baso/content/images/dd9fc22662ef6cb6f4de50076502af8e/l62gb%20safety%20shutoff%20instructions.pdf
That's what Firfefox Downloads says the link was but it won't download
it again so this is the google search I used:
https://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&tbo=d&site=&source=hp&q=baso+pilot+switch+l62gb-3&oq=baso+pilot+switch+l62&gs_l=hp.1.0.0j0i8l2.6939.22662.0.28717.16.14.2.0.0.0.180.1839.0j14.14.0.les%3Bepsugrerhigh..0.0...1.1.FUd2-Ss3-Og
And at least for me, it was the first hit, which said.
"[PDF] L62GB BASO® Safety Shutoff Device
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
Aug 18, 2008 – 3. Remove the L62GB cover by loosening the screw on the
front of the device. IMPORTANT: ... unit may distort and cause the
safety switch to fail. 4. ... Pilot Gas. Inlet. Basotrol. Valve.
Figure 1: Typical L62GB Installation ..."
FWIW, hHere's one for sale, new ,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Johnson-Controls-L62GB-3-Baso-Pilot-Switch-Manual-Reset-SPST-100-Shutoff-/251181604468#vi-content
**My friend thought it was that because he said the red light used to
be on all the time, but I convinced him that couldn't be, and then he
started to doubt his memory. Maybe it was just on when there was no
heat and off after he pushed the reset button, he said.
Also there was a glass water tube and the water level was higher than
the cutoff level.
micky
Dec 17, 2012, 10:30:49 PM12/17/12
to
On Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:05:39 -0500, micky <NONONO...@bigfoot.com>
wrote:
>I held the red button down for about 40 seconds and nothing happened.
>No flame, no sparking noise or gas noise.
>
>Should there be noises???
>
>Should I have held the button longer????
>
>Or perhaps the pilot switch has broken???
Or are we supposed TO USE A MATCH???
**This is the pilot switch, a Johnson Baso Pilot Switch L62GB-3
And this should be the manual for it:
>http://www.baso.com/lib/subdomain/baso/content/images/dd9fc22662ef6cb6f4de50076502af8e/l62gb%20safety%20shutoff%20instructions.pdf
If not, the google search address is below.
I searched on baso pilot switch L62gb-3 .
Looking at this pdf file, it has on page 3 Setup Instructions that
pretty much match what was on the boiler itself. I don't understand
Step 4.
"Checkout
Make sure all components are functioning properly by
performing the following test:
1. Test all joints and connections for leaks with a
soap solution.
2. Set the thermostat to the lowest setting.
3. Close the main manual shutoff valve (A valve) and
the pilot valve (B valve [see Figure 1]) and wait at
least 5 minutes for unburned gas to escape from
the appliance.
4. Reopen the B pilot valve, push down the red lever and
light the pilot burner. Continue to hold down the
red lever for approximately 30 seconds.
====> I don't understand step 4. "Push down the red lever and light
the pilot burner" Does that mean with a match???? I thought I read
that it lit electrically, but I don't see how. There is 1) a small
gas pipe coming into the pilot switch and 2) another small pipe going
out, to where the pilot flame will be.
There are 3) two wires which are connected inside to a switch that
IIUC opens when the thermocouple cools off (when the pilot light is
off) so that the Electrical; Valve** in the pretty big gas pipe going
to the burners closes, for safety. (and maybe also a valve in the
switich turns off the gas to the pilot light for savety???)
And there is a thermocouple lead, that goes to where the pilot flame
is, and senses wheher the flame is lit, based on how hot it is.
But where is the "sparker" that is needed to light the pilot flame????
How can the sparker work when the AC electric power has been turned
off?
Or are we supposed to have or make some 12 inch extension to hold a
match in there??
**See Figure 1,, Page 2.
5. Open the A valve. The main burner ignites from
the pilot burner when the thermostat calls for heat.
6. Disconnect the thermocouple from the L62GB.
The main valve should close immediately. If it
does not close, check for wiring errors. Reconnect
the thermocouple to the L62GB when it is
operating correctly.
-- end quote --
>That's what Firfefox Downloads says the link was but it won't download
>it again so this is the google search I used:
>https://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&tbo=d&site=&source=hp&q=baso+pilot+switch+L62gb-3&oq=baso+pilot+switch+L62&gs_l=hp.1.0.0j0i8l2.6939.22662.0.28717.16.14.2.0.0.0.180.1839.0j14.14.0.les%3Bepsugrerhigh..0.0...1.1.FUd2-Ss3-Og
wrote:
>I held the red button down for about 40 seconds and nothing happened.
>No flame, no sparking noise or gas noise.
>
>Should there be noises???
>
>Should I have held the button longer????
>
>Or perhaps the pilot switch has broken???
**This is the pilot switch, a Johnson Baso Pilot Switch L62GB-3
And this should be the manual for it:
>http://www.baso.com/lib/subdomain/baso/content/images/dd9fc22662ef6cb6f4de50076502af8e/l62gb%20safety%20shutoff%20instructions.pdf
I searched on baso pilot switch L62gb-3 .
Looking at this pdf file, it has on page 3 Setup Instructions that
pretty much match what was on the boiler itself. I don't understand
Step 4.
"Checkout
Make sure all components are functioning properly by
performing the following test:
1. Test all joints and connections for leaks with a
soap solution.
2. Set the thermostat to the lowest setting.
3. Close the main manual shutoff valve (A valve) and
the pilot valve (B valve [see Figure 1]) and wait at
least 5 minutes for unburned gas to escape from
the appliance.
4. Reopen the B pilot valve, push down the red lever and
light the pilot burner. Continue to hold down the
red lever for approximately 30 seconds.
====> I don't understand step 4. "Push down the red lever and light
the pilot burner" Does that mean with a match???? I thought I read
that it lit electrically, but I don't see how. There is 1) a small
gas pipe coming into the pilot switch and 2) another small pipe going
out, to where the pilot flame will be.
There are 3) two wires which are connected inside to a switch that
IIUC opens when the thermocouple cools off (when the pilot light is
off) so that the Electrical; Valve** in the pretty big gas pipe going
to the burners closes, for safety. (and maybe also a valve in the
switich turns off the gas to the pilot light for savety???)
And there is a thermocouple lead, that goes to where the pilot flame
is, and senses wheher the flame is lit, based on how hot it is.
But where is the "sparker" that is needed to light the pilot flame????
How can the sparker work when the AC electric power has been turned
off?
Or are we supposed to have or make some 12 inch extension to hold a
match in there??
**See Figure 1,, Page 2.
5. Open the A valve. The main burner ignites from
the pilot burner when the thermostat calls for heat.
6. Disconnect the thermocouple from the L62GB.
The main valve should close immediately. If it
does not close, check for wiring errors. Reconnect
the thermocouple to the L62GB when it is
operating correctly.
-- end quote --
>That's what Firfefox Downloads says the link was but it won't download
>it again so this is the google search I used:
hr(bob) hofmann@att.net
Dec 17, 2012, 10:56:26 PM12/17/12
to
On Dec 17, 9:30 pm, micky <NONONOmis...@bigfoot.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:05:39 -0500, micky <NONONOmis...@bigfoot.com>
> >https://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&tbo=d&site=&source=hp&q=b...
>
> - Show quoted text -
Haven't you ever lit a gas water heater. You push the button and
light the pilot with a match on the end of a stick, and continue to
hold the button down for 10 - 40 seconds while the heat from the pilot
heats up the thermocouple enuf to open the mail gas valve.
> On Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:05:39 -0500, micky <NONONOmis...@bigfoot.com>
> wrote:
>
> >I held the red button down for about 40 seconds and nothing happened.
> >No flame, no sparking noise or gas noise.
>
> >Should there be noises???
>
> >Should I have held the button longer????
>
> >Or perhaps the pilot switch has broken???
>
> Or are we supposed TO USE A MATCH???
>
> **This is the pilot switch, a Johnson Baso Pilot Switch L62GB-3
>
> And this should be the manual for it:>http://www.baso.com/lib/subdomain/baso/content/images/dd9fc22662ef6cb...
>
> >I held the red button down for about 40 seconds and nothing happened.
> >No flame, no sparking noise or gas noise.
>
> >Should there be noises???
>
> >Should I have held the button longer????
>
> >Or perhaps the pilot switch has broken???
>
> Or are we supposed TO USE A MATCH???
>
> **This is the pilot switch, a Johnson Baso Pilot Switch L62GB-3
>
> >And at least for me, it was the first hit, which said.
> >"[PDF] L62GB BASO® Safety Shutoff Device
> >File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
> >Aug 18, 2008 – 3. Remove the L62GB cover by loosening the screw on the
> >front of the device. IMPORTANT: ... unit may distort and cause the
> >safety switch to fail. 4. ... Pilot Gas. Inlet. Basotrol. Valve.
> >Figure 1: Typical L62GB Installation ..."
>
> >FWIW, hHere's one for sale, new ,
> >http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Johnson-Controls-L62GB-3-Baso-Pilot-Switc...- Hide quoted text -
> >"[PDF] L62GB BASO® Safety Shutoff Device
> >File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
> >Aug 18, 2008 – 3. Remove the L62GB cover by loosening the screw on the
> >front of the device. IMPORTANT: ... unit may distort and cause the
> >safety switch to fail. 4. ... Pilot Gas. Inlet. Basotrol. Valve.
> >Figure 1: Typical L62GB Installation ..."
>
> >FWIW, hHere's one for sale, new ,
>
> - Show quoted text -
Haven't you ever lit a gas water heater. You push the button and
light the pilot with a match on the end of a stick, and continue to
hold the button down for 10 - 40 seconds while the heat from the pilot
heats up the thermocouple enuf to open the mail gas valve.
micky
Dec 17, 2012, 11:43:15 PM12/17/12
to
On Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:56:26 -0800 (PST), "hr(bob) hof...@att.net"
<hrho...@att.net> wrote:
>
>
>Haven't you ever lit a gas water heater.
Not for more than 20 years. And that was only once at an ex-gf's
<hrho...@att.net> wrote:
>
>
>Haven't you ever lit a gas water heater.
house.
> You push the button and
>light the pilot with a match on the end of a stick, and continue to
>hold the button down for 10 - 40 seconds while the heat from the pilot
>heats up the thermocouple enuf to open the mail gas valve.
automatically, I forget which. My friend doesn't remember ever
lighting it in the last 10 or more years that he's been in charge of
it. I would have expected to see a stick there too, but no such
luck.
Thanks a lot.
micky
Dec 18, 2012, 4:58:04 PM12/18/12
to
pilot switch either! After sending my friend what you all wrote here,
and the instructions for the pilot switch, he called me this morning
very apologetic for wasting my time and criticizing himself.
And it turned out they even had fireplace matches upstairs, to light
the boiler with I'm sure. And all he had to do was light the pilot.
On the phone, the local boiler repair or steamfitting company said
maybe the themocouple is failing and that's why the pilot went out in
the first place. ??
He'd probably never lit the pilot before, or if he had, he forgot how.
Nonetheless, I hope i'm in as good shape as he is 10 years from now.
He says he owes me big, but I enjoy his company and I learned quite a
bit about boilers, so I'm happy. But I still owe you guys. If any
of you have a brownie modem, I'll send you brownies. Or if you have
a liquor modem, I'll send you a drink.
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