Scott_DeWaun
Member
Appliance: Suburban furnace model NT-16SE.
Problem: During a normal re-lighting event based on the thermostat setting, a pop sound was heard coming from the grille at the front of the furnace and subsequently there was no longer any warm air coming from the appliance.
Troubleshooting: The cooktop burners and the propane options on the water heater and 'fridge are functional and operate on demand. Standard furnace troubleshooting did not show any obvious issues. Vent area was checked for obstructions, none observed. Valve shutoff switch was in the 'operation' position as required. Checked the electrode wire connection for corrosion to try to verify a good current path to the electrode proper. Finally got curious about the electrode itself and removed the two mounting screws and removed the electode assembly. The electrode loop was no longer a continuous loop having apparently burned itself thru on the re-lighting event and caused the pop sound. The gap at the broken point was just wide enough that the spark generator would not function. The loop material is flexible enough to move with finger pressure so I closed the gap to the extent that it was continuous again. Placed the assembly back in position, reconnected the tip wire, set the thermostat to call for heat and within 5 seconds the generator created the spark to ignite the flame in the combustion chamber.
Observation: Sighting thru the view glass the two ends of the broken electrode loop could be seen glowing intensly and would (I believe) not last thru too many more lighting events so electrode assembly replacement seems the proper action. Reviewing the User's Information Manual for the furnace the ele Thctrode assembly and the electrode gasket are displayed on the Replacement Parts List. These items do not appear to be readily available from Suburban directly. I have located an approved local service center but have not contacted them yet to inquire about the replacement parts.
Questions: Do electronic spark generator electrodes wear out on high enough frequency that it would become an on hand spare part to carry around in the tool box? Is this type of intended repair procedure simple enough for the owner to perform and still maintain the furnace integrity for safety concerns? Has anyone else experienced this type of malfuction? (A random search on the forum with 'electrode' in the search field did not yield any information related to my issue.)
Any and all assistance is appreciated.
Thank you,
Scott
Problem: During a normal re-lighting event based on the thermostat setting, a pop sound was heard coming from the grille at the front of the furnace and subsequently there was no longer any warm air coming from the appliance.
Troubleshooting: The cooktop burners and the propane options on the water heater and 'fridge are functional and operate on demand. Standard furnace troubleshooting did not show any obvious issues. Vent area was checked for obstructions, none observed. Valve shutoff switch was in the 'operation' position as required. Checked the electrode wire connection for corrosion to try to verify a good current path to the electrode proper. Finally got curious about the electrode itself and removed the two mounting screws and removed the electode assembly. The electrode loop was no longer a continuous loop having apparently burned itself thru on the re-lighting event and caused the pop sound. The gap at the broken point was just wide enough that the spark generator would not function. The loop material is flexible enough to move with finger pressure so I closed the gap to the extent that it was continuous again. Placed the assembly back in position, reconnected the tip wire, set the thermostat to call for heat and within 5 seconds the generator created the spark to ignite the flame in the combustion chamber.
Observation: Sighting thru the view glass the two ends of the broken electrode loop could be seen glowing intensly and would (I believe) not last thru too many more lighting events so electrode assembly replacement seems the proper action. Reviewing the User's Information Manual for the furnace the ele Thctrode assembly and the electrode gasket are displayed on the Replacement Parts List. These items do not appear to be readily available from Suburban directly. I have located an approved local service center but have not contacted them yet to inquire about the replacement parts.
Questions: Do electronic spark generator electrodes wear out on high enough frequency that it would become an on hand spare part to carry around in the tool box? Is this type of intended repair procedure simple enough for the owner to perform and still maintain the furnace integrity for safety concerns? Has anyone else experienced this type of malfuction? (A random search on the forum with 'electrode' in the search field did not yield any information related to my issue.)
Any and all assistance is appreciated.
Thank you,
Scott
