Don't buy that actuator just yet! The 2-Wire Boiler Killer That Cost Almost $700

RayWohlfarth · January 30

I have been working on boilers for 40 some years and seldom surprised but was recently. I was called to a new boiler that stopped working. When I arrived, the gas valve actuator would not move during pre purge. I checkeed and found 120 volts to the actuator. The actuator felt warm to the touch. I diagnosed it as a defective actuator and ordered a replacement, wouldnt you? Well I was wrong and learned something new.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0I6yMbx810

jesmed1 · January 30

Nice catch, Ray. That reminds me of another bad wire connection that made a container ship hit a bridge in 2024.

https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20251118.aspx

RayWohlfarth · January 30

@jesmed1 Mine just caused a cooler building. OMG thats incredible Never knew the cause. Thanks for sharing

Mad Dog_2 · January 31

Excellent catch...Mad Dog

RayWohlfarth · January 31

Thank you @Mad Dog_2

JUGHNE · January 31

I had this experience with 30 amp 250 volt cartridge fuses.

A 3 phase motor would not start even though the load side of the fuses showed 240 phase to phase……until the motor tried to start . Then testing top to bottom of the fuses one of them showed 240 across the fuse.

Apparently the fuse opened but not completely burned clean thru. So it showed the voltage but would not pass the current needed. New fuses put things back in business.

RayWohlfarth · February 3

@JUGHNE Dont you love this industry? LOL

Don't buy that actuator just yet! The 2-Wire Boiler Killer That Cost Almost $700

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