Posts Tagged ‘Kerosene Forced Air Heaters’

Tech Tip: Kerosene Forced Air (KFA) Portable Heaters Not Firing

Posted on: December 28th, 2016 by Mi-T-M | 29 Comments

For the Mi-T-M Pressure Washer Certified Technician.

If your Kerosene Portable Heater is not firing, there could be a couple reasons causing this issue.

Possible Cause #1

If you are trying to light your KFA Portable Heater and you notice little or no air pressure registering on the pressure gauge, there may be an issue with one of the following components:

1. Air filter

2. Air hose

3. Air pump rotor

Solution:

– Check to make sure the air pump filters are clean.

– Check for a hole(s) in the air hose that connects the air pump to the burner nozzle. If you do not find any holes, remove and inspect the air pump rotor for cracks and damage.

– Replace the air hose or air pump rotor based on the root of the cause. When replacing the air pump rotor, you must set the proper gap at the top of the carbon rotor. To do this have the rotor in place and the outer steel ring loose, then place the .004 inch gauge between the top of the rotor and the bottom of the outer ring. Tighten the bolts in the steel ring.

– Next, rotate the air pump rotor clockwise and recheck the .004 inch air gap every 1⁄4 turn from the same top location.

– Reset the outer ring if any locations are less than .004 inch.

Possible Cause #2

If the proper air pressure is registering on the pressure gauge (see heater decal for proper pressure) and the heater sprays fuel, but you still cannot light up your KFA Heater, there may be an issue with one of the following components:

1. Control board

2. Igniter (which is mounted underneath the fan pictured below)

Solution:

Disconnect the igniter wires from the control board and check for voltage on the control board. The voltage will need to be checked within 1 – 3 seconds of turning the heater on/off switch to the on position. The voltmeter should read 120 volts AC. If there is no voltage, you will need to replace the control board. If voltage is present on the control board, that means that your igniter is more than likely the issue and you will need to replace it.

Tech Tip: Portable Kerosene Heaters

Posted on: November 24th, 2016 by Mi-T-M | 9 Comments

For the Mi-T-M Pressure Washer Certified Technician.

Heater Season Again

The most common heaters you will see in the field are the Portable Kerosene Heaters (or Kerosene Forced Air, KFA). To best help you tackle issues with these heaters, new or used; here are some initial questions our Tech Team will ask you.

1)What is your air pressure?

There is a small carbon vain pump on the back of the fan motor that creates air (typically under 10 PSI) that pumps through the burner head creating a venture to lift the fuel and spray (atomize). So if there’s poor or no air pressure, then there’s poor or no fuel atomization.

Fan motor and air pump assembly

2) What is the condition of the fuel?

Good and proper fuel is vital. Old or poor fuel can clog up filters, nozzles and not light correctly.

3) Is there a good spark?

At start up, our KFA Heaters will have spark for 20 seconds. The spark is only for initial lighting; the flame stays lit based on proper air and fuel balance.

4) Is the heater lighting?

If the heater is lighting and how the heater is shutting down are very important indicators. For example, the most common heater problems is when the heater will start, light, run for a few seconds or minutes and then shut down and smoke. Any smoking is a sign of incorrect fuel/air mixture and in most cases is caused by poor fuel atomization at the nozzle. After double checking the air pressure, we would recommend new fuel, a new fuel filter, and cleaning or replacing the fuel nozzle.

Ignitor

For more information on equipment service or repair, visit our service locator here.