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Help! Boiler keeps shutting off

Pete123
Pete123 Member Posts: 22
in Strictly Steam
I have a Burnham boiler that keeps shutting off. There is a small button at the back of the radiator near the exhaust vent that apparently trips the boiler to turn off and must be pushed to have the boiler turn back on. What causes the boiler to turn off and how can I fix? Desperate!

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,525
    Manual resets

    are always there for a very good reason -- to tell the operator (you, in this case) that there is something amiss which needs looking into, often rather urgently.



    However, without knowing which of several possible small buttons it is that you are pressing, it is a bit difficult to tell what the problem might be -- only that it is serious enough that a safety device backing up the normal operation of the boiler is operating and telling you that something is very wrong.



    Can you describe it more exactly?  Or better yet, post a photograph of it?
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Pete123
    Pete123 Member Posts: 22
    More clarity

    It is a tiny reset button on the outside of the boiler, attached to the vent. It is wired to the front of the boiler. Does that help?
  • Pete123
    Pete123 Member Posts: 22
    More clarity

    It is a tiny reset button on the outside of the boiler, attached to the vent. It is wired to the front of the boiler. Does that help?
  • Pete123
    Pete123 Member Posts: 22
    More clarity

    It is a tiny reset button on the outside of the boiler, attached to the vent. It is wired to the front of the boiler. Does that help?
  • Pete123
    Pete123 Member Posts: 22
    More clarity

    It is a tiny reset button on the outside of the boiler, attached to the vent. It is wired to the front of the boiler. Does that help?
  • Pete123
    Pete123 Member Posts: 22
    More clarity

    It is a tiny reset button on the outside of the boiler, attached to the vent. It is wired to the front of the boiler. Does that help?
  • Pete123
    Pete123 Member Posts: 22
    More clarity

    It is a tiny reset button on the outside of the boiler, attached to the vent. It is wired to the front of the boiler. Does that help?
  • Pete123
    Pete123 Member Posts: 22
    More clarity

    It is a tiny reset button on the outside of the boiler, attached to the vent. It is wired to the front of the boiler. Does that help?
  • Pete123
    Pete123 Member Posts: 22
    More clarity

    It is a tiny reset button on the outside of the boiler, attached to the vent. It is wired to the front of the boiler. Does that help?
  • Pete123
    Pete123 Member Posts: 22
    More clarity

    It is a tiny reset button on the outside of the boiler, attached to the vent. It is wired to the front of the boiler. Does that help?
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Boiler

    DO NOT KEEP RESETTING THAT BUTTON. SERIOUSLY!!!



    Call a pro. You have a serious safety hazard that needs to be fixed.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,525
    not really...

    can you describe the "vent" a little more?



    That it's wired to the front of the boiler isn't a surprise -- it's part of the control circuit for the burner.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • GCK
    GCK Member Posts: 1
    Blocked chimney switch

    Sounds like blocked chimney switch. Can be very serious. Call a professional in.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,525
    Brain fade -- good catch guys

    Not being familiar with spill switches...



    You are right guys, and for the original poster -- turn off the power to that boiler and get a professional in before you even think about turning it back on.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,314
    That little button is a safety control

    which is doing its job. You have a real problem there which needs professional attention. These guys are right on- call a pro NOW!
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • HeatJockey
    HeatJockey Member Posts: 37
    reset button

    Without seeing the actual button, this is an educated guess:   It sounds like the spill switch on the flue pipe.  This trips by heat, usually because of a back draft on the chimney.  Sometimes caused by a blockage.  This should be inspected by a professional.
This discussion has been closed.

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