Smith HSI woes

GW

Hello,

Is there any way to convert the glow plug unit on the GB and GV boilers? We go through these things like hot cakes; some of our customers are beginning to frown. Is there a spark can be retrofitted?

Gary

Unknown

Gary, Try installing

a White Rodgers Silicon Nitride Upgrade Kit to replace the old silicon carbide igniters. Part number # 21D64-1.

I have had some good results on replacing them on some problem jobs.

Tony_8

I could tell you,

what I think and what I've done, but you may not be comfortable trying it. It depends on your level of confidence modifying equipment. Some don't dare and would rather keep going back to the same icy stares.....

Sweet_2

Change out?

Im assuming manufactuer has approved this change out????!!

Empire_2

HSI

In my opinion,.I think HSI ignitors really suck. I know that is not professional, but I am also tired of the Life span of this Inferrior product. New designs have come out that look promissing, but on the Whole, Spark is the way to go.

Tony_8

Not a change-out

Just a slight "adjustment" that works fine and SAFELY.

Of course, you'd want to do a "burner turndown test". Right ?

Sweet_2

Change out v

Im thinking more along the lines of the WR silicon nitride upgrade kit and whether or not the manufacturer has approved this change out. In writing.

Tony_8

Gotcha

Good question. I suppose it would depend on the weather, huh ? Or whose idea it was ?

Nron_9

ignighters

how far away is the cloths dryer and is the venting in good shape , the lint from this appliance will quickly ruin any of the hot surface ignighters

RC

HSI

I agree with Empire. Like the ones on the HE-II. pure garbage! Then with the fancy "shield" that was supposed to help. I try to spec. out spark as much as possible.

GW

HSI

Thanks Tim, is Smith OK with this? I agree with all the other comments. I hope this modification is cool with the powers that be.

Gary

Plumdog

Nron: My gas clothesdryer has HSI. It has gone out once but seems to last just as long as ones in furnaces-not long.

Unknown

Gary, the instructions

for installing the silicon nitride igniter from White Rodgers cover any liability. It protected by the retrofit instructions themselves from White Rodgers. If you want talk to Smith about that. I have not actually done this on a Smith Boiler.

What is the Norton number on the igniter? That will cross reference over.

jim sokolovic

Timmie, does the White Rodgers Ignitor...

still utilize the pratice of lowering the voltage incrementally on each cycle, find the lowest voltage ignition occurs, then boost the voltage slightly - to essentially attempt all future cycles at the lowest voltage that the boiler seems to want to light at?

How can the technician possibly stay around for all of this to confirm proper operation?

Wouldn't changing field conditions (gas pressure, heating value, combustion air temp. etc.) drive the control crazy?

I know we discussed this awhile back, but I was thinking that delayed ignitions would be created by this and maybe the method would be changed?

Thanks if you have any further info!

Unknown

Jim the igniter

voltage is a controlled 80 volts. It is controlled by the power module that comes with the kit. It is installed with leaving the existing module in place and powering the silicon nitirde igniter module off the 120 volts from the design module. The new module steps down and regulates the voltage to the igniter providing approx 80 volts RMS (root mean square) to the igniter. The module and igniter are matched to assure proper operation.

This kit will not replace sealed combustion igniters, Norton 271A or 271Y, Robertshaw 41-401 or 41-406 or White Rodgers 767A-356 igniters.

I have done a couple of burner turndwon tests on recent applications along with pressure reduction and increase to see the affect. There was no visible or detectable problem.

jim sokolovic

Not sure if we are discussing...

the same ignitor system, then. Is this also referred to as the "Intel", that has an adaptive learning routine? If so, then I was under the impression that the voltage was decreased incrementally over some number of cycles - not held at 80 volts steady. I remember you mentioning that at the minimum allowed 80 volts, the surface temperature was maintained above 1800 degrees F, which is borderline for ignition - depending on location, velocity, air/fuel ratio, etc.. Sorry I cannot find the literature that I once had on this product.

Unknown

Jim Solokovic, it is not

the exact Intel Igniter "System" but uses the same igniter with a fixed voltage around 80 volts. Less wear and tear on igniters longer life expectancy of the igniter itself. So far they have proved to be a pretty good factory authorized retrofit.