Minor Heating Emergency

Mr H · Nov 13, 2013

We have an ancient (c. 1954??) Am. Standard furnace, that as of today isn't furning. Always been super reliable.

Good pilot, but there is no gas flowing to the burners.

Thought it might be a bad electrical connection, but all terminals seem solid.

I am not messing with it beyond that.

Not in a position right now to look at a complete replacement if I can avoid it, so I'm hoping it's just a regulator or electronics, something simple.

We're good with electric space heaters for now, but is there anyone here who can make some time to come check it out?

I'm shutting everything off at this point, even though I'm confident there won't be a gas venting issue.

TIA!!

PJDiesel · Nov 13, 2013

Thermocouple. Cheap to replace and can cause the problem you are having.

What kind of thermostat, old school round one?

Mr H · Nov 13, 2013

I had that thought as well, but like I said... I'm not mucking with it.

Much handier with a hammer and saw than with not blowing myself up.

PJDiesel · Nov 13, 2013

Could I talk you into temporarily connecting together the red and white wires that connect to the thermostat and see if that fires it up?

Whats the worst that can happen?

:sick1:

Mr H · Nov 13, 2013

Nah... Already shut'er down.

While I love having gas, sometimes it can really be a bother.

out of context, here we go

Gbh · Nov 13, 2013

mr h said:
Good pilot,

PJDiesel said:
Thermocouple

Probably not the thermocouple if you have a good pilot. Have you been using he system recently? Could the gas valve be in the "pilot" position instead of the "on" position.

If you have a round style (mercury switch) thermostat on the wall, pull the cover off and move the thermostat to coldest. Slowly turn the dial to warmer and watch the mecury roll to the contacts. There should be a small spark in the mercury when th contact is made. That will tell you that there is power to the thermostat, that the wiring should be ok and it should be calling for heat.

Edit; I see you shut it off. Never mind

Mr H · Nov 13, 2013

Gbh said:
Probably not the thermocouple if you have a good pilot. Have you been using he system recently? Could the gas valve be in the "pilot" position instead of the "on" position.

If you have a round style (mercury switch) thermostat on the wall, pull the cover off and move the thermostat to coldest. Slowly turn the dial to warmer and watch the mecury roll to the contacts. There should be a small spark in the mercury when th contact is made. That will tell you that there is power to the thermostat, that the wiring should be ok and it should be calling for heat.

Edit; I see you shut it off. Never mind

None of the above.

Been running like a champ since bringing it back on line a few weeks ago.

Thermostat is a timer/schedule type that says it is signalling the system on, but nothing.

Mr H · Nov 14, 2013

Morning BUMP to 'keep it local' before I start calling around...

Mr H · Nov 15, 2013

Ended up calling a home services company.

We'll see.....

Mr H · Nov 16, 2013

Looks like a transformer meltdown... and there may not be any parts for it.

Joyousness......

Scratch · Nov 16, 2013

Wow, 1954? I'd say it's given it's money's worth.

Realizing the repair company's interest in selling you a new one (along with a service plan), have you checked online for used or NOS parts?

http://www.northamericahvac.com/parts/American-Standard-Furnace-Parts.html

rseymorejr · Nov 16, 2013

mr h said:
Looks like a transformer meltdown... and there may not be any parts for it.

Joyousness......

A transformer should be a commonly available universal part :shrug:

engineerbrian · Nov 16, 2013

rseymorejr said:
A transformer should be a commonly available universal part

Agreed. Mr H, can you post the specs on the transformer or a pic of it?

Mark75H · Nov 16, 2013

There were some funky Baso (later Penn-Baso) brand control/safety units back in the 50's (& earlier) that had integrated transformers (and stupid voltages used with their re-light glow coils (even more trivia, Carrier used the same glow coils on 24 volts with dropping resistor wire that a lot of guys did not realize was special wire)).

At the very most you would have to upgrade to a new Johnson or Honeywell safety with spark re-light & flame rectification flame proof and a new transformer. There are even pre-packaged kits for upgrade jobs like this.

Don't let them sell you a new furnace because THEY don't know how to install these parts.

Mr H · Nov 16, 2013

These are things I needed to hear 3 days ago!!

LOL!

We're good. The repair would have cost well north of 10% of a new complete unit, and we were already scheduled to replace it this coming summer.

I was just hoping it was as simple as a bad wire or relay, or something. The transformer appears to have taken other things with it, so even getting a replacement may not be enough, so we're good with this.

It was just a matter of when, not if, it would need to be replaced.

Mark75H · Nov 16, 2013

The efficiency improvement between 1954 and 2014 will soon pay you back, you haven't lost any ground in the long run.

Mr H · Nov 16, 2013

Yes. That's why it's no big deal.

I was just hoping for a band-aid, rather than a transplant at this particular time.

Now... about my beer fridge........

hogrider · Nov 16, 2013

Stay away from B&B and frederick air

both are super rip-offs

don't get me started...

Mr H · Nov 17, 2013

Went with folks who have been good to us on other occasions.

Thanks to all... will be completed Wed. Thankfully we caught a weather break!!

fabsroman · Nov 25, 2013

mr h said:
These are things I needed to hear 3 days ago!!

LOL!

We're good. The repair would have cost well north of 10% of a new complete unit, and we were already scheduled to replace it this coming summer.

I was just hoping it was as simple as a bad wire or relay, or something. The transformer appears to have taken other things with it, so even getting a replacement may not be enough, so we're good with this.

It was just a matter of when, not if, it would need to be replaced.

The day after you put a new furnace in, it isn't a matter of if you are going to replace it, only when.

We had this disaster ourselves after buying this house. Furnace sucked and the AC was shot. It was a pretty expensive first two years here.

I agree with the fact that the efficiency gains will pay for the new furnace in no time. I think you will end up being surprised at your new utility bills. I know I was after we put in a new AC unit this past summer. Had been using window/portable AC units and the difference was night and day. Not only was the house way cooler, but the utility bill was about 50% of what I was used to seeing during the summer.

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