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Utica PEG-C boiler does not consistently fire up

don2347
don2347 Member Posts: 3
in Strictly Steam
I have a Utica PEG-C gas fired steam boiler that sometimes needs some help to fire up. When the boiler does not fire up on its own, I find that I can pull and press on the wires connected to the Honeywell S8600M intermittent pilot control. This will cause the pilot to light and the boiler to work properly. The problem is intermittent. So far this season, it has failed to start on its own two or three times. Pushing the wires into the pilot control is usually enough to get the boiler started, although last winter it sometimes took a little more tugging and pushing. I am wondering if the there is a safety feature causing the boiler to not start that points to something more serious than a bad wiring harness or pilot control.

Comments

  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,206
    edited November 2020
    You may just have to replace the Honeywell S8600M, but before you do, check to make sure you have a good ground. The internal relays get tired and often go bad.
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,312
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes said:

    You may just have to replace the Honeywell S8600M, but before you do, check to make sure you have a good ground. The internal relays get tired and often go bad.

    This.

    Sounds like there is a bad soldered joint on the PC board in the control. Honeywell makes a universal replacement for this, that any competent heating contractor should have in stock.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Portgas
    Portgas Member Posts: 8
    I have had similar problems in past and solved it by replacing the Thermopyle. Over time the thermopyle continued to get “weaker”.



  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,312
    Portgas said:

    I have had similar problems in past and solved it by replacing the Thermopyle. Over time the thermopyle continued to get “weaker”.

    This system uses electric ignition- there is no thermopile.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • don2347
    don2347 Member Posts: 3
    Thanks for the comments.  I followed the ground wire connection and it looks good.  I see that Honeywell S8600M has been replaced with universal part S8610U.
  • CKNJ
    CKNJ Member Posts: 65
    don2347: i have the same boiler and replaced my control panel with the universal one last year for a different issue. Works great.
  • don2347
    don2347 Member Posts: 3
    I ordered the universal Honeywell part on Amazon and it arrived in a day.  I had to switch one thermostat connection (24V to TH-W) based on installation notes, but otherwise installation was easy and straightforward.  So far I am not having any issues.
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

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