Buck531 Posted January 30, 2010 Report Share Posted January 30, 2010 My mother inlaw has a torpedo heater from my father in-law (passed away last year). It doesn't work. I have no idea what's wrong with it. I do know it's run on kerosene though. Last time I think I tried to start it it started blowing black shit out the side. I really don't know how much or if I should even worry about fixing it. I can probably bring it to you if you wanted to take a look at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted January 30, 2010 Report Share Posted January 30, 2010 I believe I have seen Austin say his step dads place fixes them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye1647545503 Posted January 30, 2010 Report Share Posted January 30, 2010 I fixed a few I can look at it if you want to drop it off but it may take a week or to do to lack of free time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifford Automotive Posted January 30, 2010 Report Share Posted January 30, 2010 Check the filter and intake housing for cracks. If its cracked just pitch it. If not. Guy buy a new filter and igniter for it and your rocking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z06G Posted January 31, 2010 Report Share Posted January 31, 2010 Check the filter and intake housing for cracks. If its cracked just pitch it. If not. Guy buy a new filter and igniter for it and your rocking. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck531 Posted February 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 back up. . I picked it up today. Plugged it in and it ran for a few seconds and shut off. It did puff out some smoke (like it wanted to start). I took the cover off and cleaned the spark plug and it's getting a good amount of spark. I'll go look at it again at the intake housing. Other than that, does anyone wanna take a crack at fixing it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRocket1647545505 Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 Flame sensor/photocell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck531 Posted February 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 Flame sensor/photocell Any idea on how much to fix/replace? Can you do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRocket1647545505 Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 Any idea on how much to fix/replace? Can you do it? Just so I can clarify, the whole heater fires up just fine; blows as it should, but then shuts off after a few seconds w/ a big cloud of smoke? If so, it's definitely the photocell. As for the price of the part, I can't remember exactly. I'm wanting to say $20ish. It's nothing fancy. Just a 2-wire deal. It's purpose is to 'read' the flame to make sure; 1. it's on, and 2. it's the right temperature. If it's dirty or faulty, it thinks the flame is gone or fucked up, and shuts off the heater. The cloud of smoke you see is all the unburnt fuel being forced in as the motor shuts down. You really can fix it yourself. It's like 8 screws, unplug 2 wires, replace sensor, then reassemble. It's about a 5 minute job, if that. Here's a link to the basic guts of a multi-fuel heater. You can see in the parts breakdowns where the photocell is. This probably isn't your exact model, so the part number listed won't work, but they're all basically the same. http://www.desatech.com/manuals/Construction%20Heaters/113282-01.pdf Here's what I'd do if I were you: 1. Take it apart, and clean the photocell. Just wipe off the 'eye' with a soft cloth. See if that will fix it. (You don't even have to spend the time putting the lid back on. Clean it, put it back in place, and see if it fires up. 2. If that doesn't work; replace it. P.S. - I don't work for my stepfather's company anymore, but if you get me a make/model, I'll get you a part #/price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck531 Posted February 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 Well, when I plug it in, I can see the sparks off the plug, then it may or may not shoot some flame, then it craps out. Reset switch pops out. The filter looks pretty new as well. It's Reddy Heater. 50k BTU's. R50 is the model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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