Kerosene Torpedo Heater

[Awilson]

I have a 180,000 Btu Kerosene Forced air heater. It will run good and hot cold which can be 20 minuets or an hour and the cone turns real dark and it starts blowing smoke. I removed and cleaned the air intake filter but didn't run it long enough to get it to smoke. It has an air pressure guage on the air pump and is supposed to be at 4.5 psi on low and 6.5 psi on high. It's only at 4 psi on low and 4.5psi on high. I turned the adjustment screw all the way in and couldn't get the pressure to change. Could it be a wore out pump or dirty air output filter? Just a guess the heater probably has less than 400 hours on it.

 

[DR. EVIL]

Sounds like it needs a tune-up. Just like an engine, it has a spark plug. I'd replace all the filters, really tough to clean them. I had the regulator on my Ready-Heater kerosene heater loosen up the screws that held it together and wouldn't hold enough air pressure. Replaced the gaskets and filters and it worked fine for another 10+ years. It started flaming out late last winter so I upgraded to a brand new 185,000 BTU DeWalt heater.

 

[kevinecwi]

On my Mr. Heater I had to replace all the fuel and air hoses, the original hoses cracked and leaked. I tend to burn diesel fuel in mine so I expect more frequent maintenance.

 

[Centerplate]

(quoted from post at 23:10:40 10/26/20) I have a 180,000 Btu Kerosene Forced air heater. It will run good and hot cold which can be 20 minuets or an hour and the cone turns real dark and it starts blowing smoke. I removed and cleaned the air intake filter but didn't run it long enough to get it to smoke. It has an air pressure guage on the air pump and is supposed to be at 4.5 psi on low and 6.5 psi on high. It's only at 4 psi on low and 4.5psi on high. I turned the adjustment screw all the way in and couldn't get the pressure to change. Could it be a wore out pump or dirty air output filter? Just a guess the heater probably has less than 400 hours on it.

Water in the fuel is the number one problem in these heaters. Also they are designed to run kerosene or number one fuel. Do not use number two diesel.

 

[rustyfarmall]

Start pricing the parts needed and you may find it better to just buy a new unit.

 

[MSD]

Is there a filter in the tank? The Knipco brands have them.

 

[Duner Wi]

You have low fuel pressure for one thing. I would look at air intake filter and then vanes in pump.
I usually just replace the vanes and rotor with a rotor kit from ebay. I see them for $15.00 and up.

 

[Awilson]

It's a Dura-Heat Brand, it has a screen on the fuel pickup tube, I took that out and cleaned it there were a few small pieces on the screen but nothing to restrict fuel flow. I think I will try an Intake filter, have a look at the veins in the pump and maybe new hoses, It is running on Kerosene.

 

[Duner Wi]

Please post back with the results. I have several of these things I try to keep working.
I have one now that builds correct pressure but won't siphon fuel.

 

[Awilson]

I also have a John Deere doing this same thing, these things sure don't last very long for the price.

 

[Stephen Newell]

I've had a couple of those and they have never been dependable. Then when the cost of kerosene went way up the last heater went to the dump.

 

[Awilson]

I pulled the back cover off the heater to the vane pump and the veins look good to me, Is there something that means they are bad besides being obviously wore out? I took them out and turned them around, figured id give it a new wear surface against the outside of the pump body, probably don't make much difference. The output filter was caked with dust from the vanes I blew that out for now until I get one and the pressure increased to 6psi on High with the adjustment screwed all the way in but I had 5 on Low I don't know why they wouldn't be balanced. But I also question the accuracy of the guage on the heater. It ran fine for probably 20 minuets until I unplugged it.

 

[wore out]

(quoted from post at 23:45:23 10/27/20) I pulled the back cover off the heater to the vane pump and the veins look good to me, Is there something that means they are bad besides being obviously wore out? I took them out and turned them around, figured id give it a new wear surface against the outside of the pump body, probably don't make much difference. The output filter was caked with dust from the vanes I blew that out for now until I get one and the pressure increased to 6psi on High with the adjustment screwed all the way in but I had 5 on Low I don't know why they wouldn't be balanced. But I also question the accuracy of the guage on the heater. It ran fine for probably 20 minuets until I unplugged it.

"the veins look good to me, Is there something that means they are bad besides being obviously wore out?"

Don't forget the vanes need to seal at the "sides" of the rotor chamber, as well is in the slots AND where they contact the outer "scroll".

I'll bet they are well worn in all those dimensions and a new set of vanes would make quite a difference. Some space heater hair pump repair kits contain a new rotor, as well.

 

[Mule Meat]

Replace the vane pump. It is worn out if it will only build 5 psi. A new vane air pump rotor kit can be bought for less than $30 for most heaters.

A 180,000 btu heater needs more like 6 - 7+ psi to operate correctly. Should have a tag on the heater somewhere that gives the PSI setting.

 

[Awilson]

I found a pump kit on Amazon for $15 with the vanes and rotor. Ill put that in as well as a new output filter.

 

[Mule Meat]

I would highly suggest also getting a good 15 PSI Torpedo Heater Gauge.

A good liquid filled one can be gotten for around $20. With a gauge you can adjust the air pressure dead on to where it should be.

Tag on the heater should look something like this.

Good gauge. Note the extension fitting for clearing the pump making it easier to read.

 

[IndianaSteve]

Mine wouldn't adjust either and I tried everything you have mentioned. finally took the regulator screw out and found it full of debri. Cleaned that out and adjusted properly. Burns well now.

 

[Awilson]

Indiana Steve, thanks for the input ill defiantly check that, I don't like throwing parts at stuff because I'm not sure what the problem is.

 

[K Effective]

Dad worked for a company that manufactured air compressors/motors/vacuum pumps, etc. The carbon vane pumps are susceptible to oils in the vanes- like when burning oil fuels. It make the vane stick in and not pump air, not a great way to clean them, so if a kit to replace is available, it's likely a great fix.