Munchkin F09 failure: where can HO buy spare flame sensor?

Jim Cheung_2

Our Munchkin suffered a F09 failure a few days ago. Apparently this was due to insulating deposits on the flame sensor...light sanding by the repair tech fixed the problem. He said the sensors are frequently the problem (the Munchkin manual has a long list of what to do about the F09 problem, but it NEVER mentions the flame sensor!)

We didn't discover the failure until we got home from work and couldn't get anyone the same night, so the house was without heat for 24 hrs. I don't mind paying for a home visit, but I would hate to be without heat for so long again if there is something simple I can try that gets the boiler going again.

So, I'd like to have a spare sensor handy for when the existing one can no longer be fixed by sanding. (I'm told sanding the sensor isn't really a good idea anyway.) Where can I buy one? It's got to be some place where they sell to homeowners. I had no luck with google.

J.C.A._3

Jim,

Instead of trying to find a flame rod, why not get someone in there to figure out WHY it got dirty in the first place. There have been some other problems found, that cause a "flame sensor failure" and the #1 cause is an improperly setup unit.

HTP has gone to great lenths to teach their certified installers how to adjust the burners, and it isn't "run of the mill" setup. A real Munchkin Tech will have a combustion test kit with them and do it properly and as directed. Good luck and please get it tested! Chris

hr

The wire connection

to that flame rod has been a problem on one of my installs. Make sure you have a tight, corrosion free connection at that point. It generally shows up on the flame rectification numbers.

My HTP rep found and solved it by connecting his lap top and looking at the history. I've been chasing an intermitten F09 on that unit for almost a year.

hot rod

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JohnWood1

Use 3M abrasive pad!!

Not sandpaper. We want to polsih the rod not scratch it up. And as HR said, get someone who can check combustion for ya. Will go a long way toward eliminating the -09 failures. Even when "fixed" the flame rod is a maintainance item as far as needing cleaned at the annual maint. If you dont break the porcelain while cleaning it, you should not need to replace it........... ever! It is just a stick of metal used as an electric conductor of very small current flows with no magic qualities at all. Dust and byproducts of combustion are insulators and there be the problem.