delayed ignition

Waiting Falcon · #1 04/27/13, 01:03 PM

I have a radient non vented hearth-rite heater purchased new -still under warranty.

I have had problem with delayed ignition from the beginning - more or less in severity. The company has worked and worked on the heater with no success in fixing the problem .
Lately the problem has worsened, lighting all but the last plaque. There is a roaring/spitting noise then the plaque lights from the top and all is "well" again.
Needless to say I do not leave the stove on if I am leaving the house.

Can anyone tell me what is wrong with this stove and how to fix it or to the guys how to fix it??

Bearfootfarm · #2 04/27/13, 05:03 PM

It sounds like the gas pressure is too high

Waiting Falcon · #3 04/28/13, 09:01 PM

The pressure has been raised to 14 and it has been lowered to 11-same difference. They say the regulator is working but they have not changed it out. This is the second heater- the other one was blowing flames out 6 inches from the front of the heater grill.

Robotron · #4 04/28/13, 09:50 PM

Proper orfice for the gas being used. Different offices for ng or propane. Regulator still would questionable at this point.

Waiting Falcon · #5 04/29/13, 07:52 AM

Propane heater made for propane, I should hope it has a propane orfice.
Being that it was made in China , who knows...
But yes I think the pressure regulator is questionable, regardless of their testing. They have never swapped it with another to see if it is working- I do know they are having problems with others heaters of this brand .
They have quit making the American made Empire......

Gianni · #6 04/29/13, 09:28 AM

The burners should be designed so that the flame rolls from one panel to the next during ignition. It souonds as though they were not. If there is no crossover tube or flange to get plugged there is none to clean. I have no idea what your altitude is there but if you are over 2000 feet above sea level the appliance should be derated to make up for the difference in the air specific gravity. This is rarely done with LP and generally not done with altitudes from 2000'-4000' above sea level. It might be that the flame is not carrying across due to that. In the cases that it is the furthest burner from the pilot to light, which it seems that this is, it might be burner warping, a restricted orifice tube or a gas control valve that is coming on too slowly so that the furthest burner does not pressure up at the same time as the rest.
Are there other gas appliances? Does the pressure drop @ the heater when they are on? In essence is there a problem with the house pressure regulator?
I would ask them to replace the control valve, or the heater at their warranty decisions but they will hope it gets warm before the warranty runs out.
If there was no warranty remaning, an option might be to add a minipilot for that burner but I would not do that for a NV heater.

Waiting Falcon · #7 04/29/13, 04:57 PM

That is the one an only propane unit in the house. The tank was put in for that purpose, a new line was dug from the tank to the wall outside of the heater with the regulator put at the wall. I believe the lines is less than 30 ft long.

Lighting is inconsistent , although it is mainly with the far left. The pilot is in the middle of the 5 plaques.
One coupling was replaced as it was cracked.
Lines have been taken off and checked for obstructions.
Heater has been checked to see if it was level both ways, everything that could be taken off has been and checked- except the plaques and they have not been touched.
The pressure has been checked to see if there is any drop and there is none.

We are right at or a little less than 1000ft sea level.

I want them to replace the heater, I do not like depending on it.