Overhead heater prob

**RJD** · 10-06-2012, 05:26 PM

Hi guys, hope someone has an answer for my prob. I have a Dayton 200,000 btu overhead heater (3e232d ), and burners will not re-light, after room reaches thermostat temp. Pilot light is good, pilot valve clicks, burners go on, and then fan goes on. Everything works great, until garage reaches set thermostat setting, then burners turn off, fan keeps blowing (normal), but temp keeps going down, fan still running, but burners never turn back on, even though heat exchanger is cold, and temp in garage is way below thermostat setting. Fan will only shut off automatically, if i turn down thermostat all the way. If i turn thermostat back up ( pilot light still lit ), fan will come back on, but still no burners? If i try hours later, it will work again, but only up to the point where thermostat kicks off burners, and ''no burners" cycle starts again. Seems like something, other than thermostat, is remaining too hot to tell burners to re-ignite? Any help?

hj · 10-07-2012, 07:31 AM

Not without being there to do my own tests to see if the burner is NOT being activated, or if it is activated but not operating. In other words, should the burner be on but it is not, or is something NOT telling it to start. Once that is determined, then the circuits have to be tested to see where the problem is, and that is not something we can do over the Internet.

**jadnashua** · 10-07-2012, 08:24 AM

Does the thermostat have batteries in it? If it does, have you changed them?

**RJD** · 10-07-2012, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by hj

Not without being there to do my own tests to see if the burner is NOT being activated, or if it is activated but not operating. In other words, should the burner be on but it is not, or is something NOT telling it to start. Once that is determined, then the circuits have to be tested to see where the problem is, and that is not something we can do over the Internet.

Well hell HJ, come on up. What could it cost me, to fly you up from Ariz., too NY? A couple of bucks?.....lol Seriously, if i had an electrical schematic, i could probably do it my self. The only schematic on it, is the thermostat wiring, nothing else, and i've tried searching the net, including Dayton ( via email ), and all i could get was a user manual from them

Was hoping by posting my model #, someone could help me out with a schematic too. I know there's a limiter, or heat sensor inside the exchanger box, and on the top left hand corner, there's a switch,( not sure exactly what the function is, but it says "blocked vent shut-off switch", that has no continuity, until i push button, then it does). So i assume that's working? There is a black/white wire coming from that, to pilot gas valve, but there is also a RED wire coming out of box too, to the valve, but have know idea where that originates from. If you, or someone else, has any inside info, on how i could obtain an electrical schematic for this beast, it sure would be appreciated

PS: I do have a new gas pilot valve on the way, but if that's not the prob, then i'll be back to square one, when i change out pilot valve, and it's starting to get "nippily" cold up here in the "Great White North".......lmao

Thanks for your input HJ

**RJD** · 10-07-2012, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by jadnashua

Does the thermostat have batteries in it? If it does, have you changed them?

No Jad, it's a 24 volt set up!

hj · 10-07-2012, 03:06 PM

1; you test the valve to see if you have 24 volts to it. If so and the burner is not operating, then the valve is bad.
2. If it does not have 24 v. but should be operating, then you backtrack on the wiring until you DO have 24v.
3. Whatever is the next device downstream will usually be the failed item.

**jadnashua** · 10-07-2012, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by RJD

No Jad, it's a 24 volt set up!

Electronic thermostats, while switching 24vac, often run on internal batteries so the display and other functions can work. By no means all, but some, and if the batteries (if present) can produce similar results/problems... If the thermostat is a totally mechanical one, then that can't be part of the problem (well, it could, but probably isn't).

**RJD** · 10-08-2012, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by hj

1; you test the valve to see if you have 24 volts to it. If so and the burner is not operating, then the valve is bad.
2. If it does not have 24 v. but should be operating, then you backtrack on the wiring until you DO have 24v.
3. Whatever is the next device downstream will usually be the failed item.

1. I did/do have 24v to valve ( new 24v trans )
2. That's a prob, black/white wires from blocked vent spill sw, switch tested good, but 1 red wire coming from somewhere, and can't see where it's coming from, without using chain fall to lower unit, and tear apart on floor. What other item would be inside? Is it possible to see/test/replace that item, without lowering unit to floor..........it's only ME, and it's a BEAST

**RJD** · 10-08-2012, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by jadnashua

Electronic thermostats, while switching 24vac, often run on internal batteries so the display and other functions can work. By no means all, but some, and if the batteries (if present) can produce similar results/problems... If the thermostat is a totally mechanical one, then that can't be part of the problem (well, it could, but probably isn't).

This a simple thermostat, no bells/whistles, and positively, no batts. It does work initially, just not after it gets hot, shuts off, cools down, THEN burners won't kick back on, when garage temp decreases?

**jadnashua** · 10-08-2012, 11:01 AM

If it won't fire, short the two thermostat wires together and see if it starts. A DMM can fool you with a voltage indication sometimes. Probably something else, but easy to check.

**RJD** · 10-08-2012, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by jadnashua

If it won't fire, short the two thermostat wires together and see if it starts. A DMM can fool you with a voltage indication sometimes. Probably something else, but easy to check.

Well guys, i'm pretty sure it's the valve now. The guy i bought it used from, had the unit OUTSIDE, and male terminals on valve were corroded beyond saving. Tried Muriatic acid on them initially, but they are too far gone, to the point one of the sets broke off. When i put a jumper on the female, to broke male tab, and re-tried heater, it worked great through it's normal cycle. So it's a good thing i sent for a new valve

Will post back with results, when i replace valve. Thanks for all the input guys, your help was greatly appreciated