New Munchkin Startup problem

Rick Kelly_3

This T80M unit is one of our first installs. The manual was read carefully from cover to cover and installation was performed to company specs. Gas pressure is set at 13" W.C. and the unit is not Vision I enabled. The unit load is a 30gal. Ultra indirect, a small fin-tube BB zone (24"), and a 1000 ft.sq. in-slab radiant zone with mix temperature modulated by way of a Taco 3-way I valve.

Upon initial start-up, the unit has had a rumbling fluttering sound coming from the combustion chamber. Ignition struggles for about 10-15 secs. with a very detectable smell of incomplete combustion. Once through this period, the ignition smooths out and the unit runs as it should. I have observed the system go through satisfying each zone. Eventually the unit quits, the display goes blank, and the only sign of life is a continuous clicking sound coming from within the control board assembly. I have instructed my client to switch off system power when this occurs. Upon a repowering hours later of the system, the above start-up sequence repeats itself eventually ending up in system shutdown.

I have checked and rechecked all that is within my view. Since the display blanks out, getting an error code as a clue is not an option.

Right now I'm looking pretty bad. I've left at least three phone messages to an overworked tech help dept. and haven't yet received a response. As you know, winter is on it's way. This location is in the Catskill Mountains and the temps drop below freezing every night. If I can't solve this real soon, I'm going to be obligated to remove this unit and retrofit something else in it's place. I won't have much choice. My clients are within a week of occupying their new home and I'm running out of excuses. Since this install we have commissioned two more T80M units without a hitch. They run beautiful and go through their paces exactly as they should.

If this problem rings a bell with any Munchkin masters out there your shared expertise would be greatly appreciated.

Jim Eastman_2

Munchie rumbling

> This T80M unit is one of our first installs. The

> manual was read carefully from cover to cover and

> installation was performed to company specs. Gas

> pressure is set at 13" W.C. and the unit is not

> Vision I enabled. The unit load is a 30gal. Ultra

> indirect, a small fin-tube BB zone (24"), and a

> 1000 ft.sq. in-slab radiant zone with mix

> temperature modulated by way of a Taco 3-way I

> valve.

>

> Upon initial start-up, the unit has had

> a rumbling fluttering sound coming from the

> combustion chamber. Ignition struggles for about

> 10-15 secs. with a very detectable smell of

> incomplete combustion. Once through this period,

> the ignition smooths out and the unit runs as it

> should. I have observed the system go through

> satisfying each zone. Eventually the unit quits,

> the display goes blank, and the only sign of life

> is a continuous clicking sound coming from within

> the control board assembly. I have instructed my

> client to switch off system power when this

> occurs. Upon a repowering hours later of the

> system, the above start-up sequence repeats

> itself eventually ending up in system

> shutdown.

>

> I have checked and rechecked all

> that is within my view. Since the display blanks

> out, getting an error code as a clue is not an

> option.

>

> Right now I'm looking pretty bad.

> I've left at least three phone messages to an

> overworked tech help dept. and haven't yet

> received a response. As you know, winter is on

> it's way. This location is in the Catskill

> Mountains and the temps drop below freezing every

> night. If I can't solve this real soon, I'm going

> to be obligated to remove this unit and retrofit

> something else in it's place. I won't have much

> choice. My clients are within a week of occupying

> their new home and I'm running out of excuses.

> Since this install we have commissioned two more

> T80M units without a hitch. They run beautiful

> and go through their paces exactly as they

> should.

>

> If this problem rings a bell with

> any Munchkin masters out there your shared

> expertise would be greatly appreciated.



The gas mixture is incorrect. You will need to utilize a combustion analyzer and get the CO readings to specs. I have had this happen on two of my Munchkin installs. It is real noisy and scary, especially since the gas smell comes out! Get the gas valve tuned, correctly, and I predict that your customer will be real pleased and impressed!

Jim Eastman_2

Munchie rumbling

The rumbling sound and gas smell indicates that the gas valve is not adjusted correctly. You will need a combustion analyzer to adjust the valve. I have had two of my Munchie installations do this on start up before I got the valve adusted. Do this and your customer will believe you are a hero!

Jeffrey Campbell

Combustion analyizer

Definately use an analyzer! The parameters are in the manual and its very easy to do but it is often looked over. I just dialed in a 399 unit for another contractor. Same thing was happening and alittle tune and the unit runs great! I would use an analyzer with a printer to document your readings along with date and time. That way everything is document. You have to be careful when you start adjusting the gas valve and without documentation the finger can easily be pointed at you.
Good Luck Jeffrey

Guy_5

call

Hi Rick,
We have no record of any calls from you. Please give me a call at 800-323-9651 and hit 157 when the operator comes on. The call will come DIRECTLY to me. Even if it hits my voice mail I alone will be responsible.

Guy