Boiler Motor Shuts Off

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maverick784
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Post by maverick784 » Mon. Aug. 31, 2015 10:05 pm

Hello everyone,

Over the last few days my EFM stoker has been going out.... At first I though it was my motor because the re-set was tripped. I re-set it and it did not run, so I tried wiring it direct and it ran.... I hooked it back up and it ran again, only to go back out again the next morning, this time I noticed the holdfire timer was on the run position, so I'm thinking the timer is going bad or stuck. My timer is a Honeywell S400A, which I hear is no longer made.... Is there anyway to test this? If it is bad what should I replace it with? Or could it still be the motor or something else?

Thanks in advanced for any help,

 
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blrman07
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Post by blrman07 » Tue. Sep. 01, 2015 5:39 am

Can we assume that prior to the problem starting you changed no parts, made no adjustments, and did absolutely nothing to the unit other than feed it coal and take away ashes?

 
maverick784
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Post by maverick784 » Tue. Sep. 01, 2015 8:07 am

Yes, that is correct.... The fire is burning fine when it is running. Also, the one time when it did shut off, I felt the motor and it was super hot, like it had been running for a long time.

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Tue. Sep. 01, 2015 8:20 am

My experience with these timers is do not try and fix it. It will bite you, get a new one.

http://www.rexxindustrialparts.com/honeywell-s400 ... 01014.html

 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Tue. Sep. 01, 2015 12:59 pm



 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Tue. Sep. 01, 2015 1:15 pm

That is a nice one. I installed one on dads EFM a few years ago. Intermatic C8835 and C8865 are nice (and simple) also. Some guys use LOGO timers and solid state units that require some extra skills to setup.

Sounds like that blower motor is due for replacement.

 
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blrman07
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Post by blrman07 » Tue. Sep. 01, 2015 4:55 pm

If it was too hot to keep your hand on it and it is tripping, chances are excellent it's toast. Time to replace that puppy.

 
franco b
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Post by franco b » Tue. Sep. 01, 2015 5:06 pm

Motors have a starting coil that draws high amps and then switches to a running coil once rpm is up. The reset guards against over heating and if set it usually means the internal rpm switch in the motor is not making contact. The motor continues to draw high amps and overheats.

Try ebay for a new motor switch, or you could take motor apart to inspect switch contacts and smooth and clean them. New is better though.

 
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StokerDon
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Post by StokerDon » Tue. Sep. 01, 2015 7:27 pm

Welcome Mav,

It sounds like it is time to replace the motor and the timer. Your old S400B might keep going if you keep playing with it. Your motor may keep going if you take it apart and clean/replace the switch and replace the starter cap. It all depends on if you can afford the new parts OR have the time and skill to fix the old ones.

I can vouch for the Tork Timer http://www.amazon.com/Industries-EJWT-Percentage- ... tage+timer
It's a whole lot less money than the Honeywell, it is more flexible and easy to adjust, you just turn the knobs.

-Don

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Tue. Sep. 01, 2015 7:50 pm

StokerDon wrote:Your old S400B might keep going if you keep playing with it.
That's what I thought, until it died while firing the boiler. Best bet is to replace it.


 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Tue. Sep. 01, 2015 7:52 pm


 
maverick784
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Post by maverick784 » Wed. Sep. 02, 2015 9:25 am

Wanted to thank everyone who responded to my post and for all the information.

 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Wed. Sep. 02, 2015 9:51 am

Do come back and report the outcome.

Every story needs some kind of ending. :)

 
maverick784
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Post by maverick784 » Sat. Sep. 05, 2015 9:18 am

Finally ruled out that it is the timer, so I picked up a new motor, see new post "Replacing Blower Motor".

Thanks Again for everyone's help,

Jim

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