Radiant Tube Heaters - Theory Of Operation (Startup)

[@17madracki17]

Ive got a 60 ft in my 60x40 shop its new but there is an old one hanging beside it and i thought u gotta take that down and sell it. Now i know how to check it and sell working. Thanks for your time to share with all of us.

[@welderman5844]

I feel like I’m an expert in radiant tube heaters now . Great stuff . Now I’m going to attempt to diagnose my shop heater with this info

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Good luck, god speed

[@yay4meluigi]

Great video. I’ll have to decide if I feel comfortable messing with mine.

[@kentdixon5716]

Best trouble shooting video out there!! I bypassed that diaphram air switch and bang, works like a charm, thanks for saving the money of a tech to come out and maybe fix it honestly , and maybe not? i never trust these people, thanks again for taking the time to post the video, you explained the theory of how they operate very well, cheers from Calgary Canada.🙂

[@TheDurbinCompound]

You should be able to find a pressure switch fairly easily and you’ve already done half the work to swap it out

[@aniawilliams8447]

Thank you for the awesome explanation and guiding us through the parts diagram. I am in facility management and this helps me very much in understanding my HVAC techs language and explanations. Thank you !!!

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Awesome!

[@qkitselectronics5415]

7:00 Just thought I would mention, a transformer can only output AC, you mentioned DC, however unless that transformer has a bridge rectifier (4 diodes) it will output AC. The voltage is only present when the input is swinging from -55 to +55 volts on each side (total swing of 110). If you apply DC to the input of the transformer it will not output anything. The output voltage is only present when the magnetic field around the iron core is collapsing, thats why it has to alternate. When a coil gets saturated (in other words the field is not expand or collapsing) it just starts getting hot and will eventually melt or burn up. There are other factors, but that's it in a nut shell. Thank you for taking the time to make this video , edit it and post it. Have a great day. Hopefully it is AC as in my heater and I have not lead anyone astray. My fault turned out to be cold or broken solder joints on 2 of the relay contacts, on the printed circuit board. Any device that vibrates is likely to develop these types of faults. Also the relay contact is a mechanical device and also vibrates when switched which adds to the issue. If the board is double sided its not as likely to develop these as a single sided board would, the holes are plated through on a double sided board and as such the joint is much stronger.

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Right! I had misspoke about the output. It is AC.

[@orvillemorrison3236]

Great information thanks a lot you are very good explaining the stuff easy to follow

[@tannerpetrie]

thanks for your help! I'm not runnin yet, but now I know how to diagnose!

[@ryanrosehorsemanship]

This was very helpful. Thanks

[@rickytruong5994]

I got a lot of good information from this video thanks for the gold!

[@tommounts9889]

Great Vid, very helpful for the operation of the unit. Just a small edit is needed...... Transformers put out AC voltage, Not DC voltage..... But great operation principles...

[@mark.r8900]

Great video. My unit works ok. But the fan is always running. It never stops. Do you have any ideas? Thanks

[@anjatrdin8499]

Hi, thank you for the video :) do you maybe have an idea what could be wrong if the pressure switch works and the gas valve opens the orange light lights on but then it goes into blockade. This is only happening in the morning (when we get the heater to run it works without any problem for the rest of the day)?

[@orange_ash6902]

How does it know when flame is on, is there a flame sensor located somewhere or did I miss this?

[@krystopherfischer2919]

My heater fires up for a couple seconds then shuts off, it is getting gas. Do you think it can be the ignitor switch? I can see through the glass that it is heating up then fires then shuts down. thanks.

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Flame sensor is dirty. If the fire is on for a couple seconds, then shuts off, the computer is not seeing the flame. Thus shutting it down for safety

[@redsand848evo]

I have a pair of vantage 2s, the longer one goes through all the steps to the point of clicking the gas on. Well I should say it's random, sometimes it'll click on and run for a minute or so then shut down other times it'll come on and run until it hits the set temp then when it calls for heat again the gas won't click on. Any thoughts?

[@mattjividen1610]

What happens if the tube itself may be partially plugged up or too high of pressure. Is thete another air switch to measure this?

[@briangagen8436]

Informative and Direct. Thank you sir

[@benmccallum8974]

Great explanation. Appreciate you making this video my man!

[@TheDurbinCompound]

I appreciate your comment even more! Fuels the fire to keep trucking! Hope to see you around the channel

[@72racecar]

will these type of heaters be good for a garage with a 9 foot ceiling ?

[@TheDurbinCompound]

These heaters usually have a minimum clearance under them at around 36-44”. So consider everything at 6ft high under the heater to be too close. That’s combustible minimum distance. So imagine how hot it would be at the 6ft Mark. I’d recommend against it

[@coopermuccio4409]

Is there a flame sensor on these

[@danschindler7080]

Nice video covering the basics. That burner is an older Roberts-Gordon VANTAGE® II heater.

[@jeenu1313]

Thank you so much for the information. I have gasmac tube heater it turns on for 4-5 seconds and then turns back off. Any idea what could be the problem?

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Flame sensor. It sounds like it is not recognizing that the flame is lit and shuts down for safety.

[@jeenu1313]

@@TheDurbinCompound Thank-you so much for replying me back. I did clean the flame sensor really good but it still does the same thing. Do you think I should just change it to new one ??

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Possibly. It might be the circuit board if it is not keeping it on and the sensor is clean. You could get a new one and if it still does it, could be the board.

[@jeenu1313]

@@TheDurbinCompound Thank-you so much. I really appreciate your help.

[@scottwaite501]

Great of overview.. thanks

[@pzito1]

Should the tube turn red or no. I have a tube heater doesn’t turn red. Why and ty

[@TheDurbinCompound]

The tube should not turn red. If it does, it’s not getting good airflow.

[@howardharaway2259]

Just worked on my very first tube heater at a "Shoprite " Wilmington Delaware. Inducer seized. Gas valve is a "smart valve" ?

[@careyblanchette8351]

Thanks man. Gotta follow ur other videos.

[@TheDurbinCompound]

That would be awesome! Click that subscribe button and I’ll see you around the channel!

[@josephflemington4478]

Very informative video. Thank you.

[@thermus]

Nice explanation, thanks. Do you know how the controller knows that there is no gas in the line after turning the igniter on? In foundry furnaces the gas safety sensor is located near the igniter (via ionization spark-plug or photocell). I dont see either of those in the video. Also, do you know the BTUs of the heater in your video?

[@nathaniellarson8]

Awesome video, thanks!

[@TheDurbinCompound]

It’s getting to be that time of the year again!

[@nathaniellarson8]

@@TheDurbinCompound My wife and I bought a place this summer with a heated shed and I tried to turn the heaters on a couple of weeks ago but they did absolutely nothing. Watched this video and figured out there had to be a breaker off somewhere, there was. One heater works, the other one... well I'm gonna have to watch this video at least one more time 😂😂😂

[@adame5238]

Thanks- great video!

[@generaluser4145]

It may sense th3 flame through flame rectification on the ignitor

[@toddmuddywaters]

What about flame sensing on a unit like this?

[@johnfalcones9463]

bro can I leave the burner running without the pressure switch, bypassing the two cables, only until the spare part arrives?

[@roadrunnerorange]

Great vid! I have a big overhead infrared heater, turns on with thermostat, kicks on, but stays very low with no lights on (low and high). Its a re verbaray hl2-20-75n. Any suggestions?

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Sounds like a control board issue. So it’s firing and getting hot, just not getting as hot as it should?

[@roadrunnerorange]

@@TheDurbinCompound yes, with no low or high lights as was normal. Thanx for the fast reply!

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Sounds like it’s a control board issue. Could also be the gas valve. The valve would be what is turned up and down with the control board for either high or low. The control board could be telling the valve that it should be on high and it just won’t open enough. OR the control board is not telling the gas valve to open or close. It’s a crap shoot without looking directly at it and testing voltage at the board with it running.

[@dungareekogi2442]

I have these in my poultry houses for 10 seasons now and they have been working great. But over the last two seasons I've noticed a dramatic drop in efficiency. It takes a long time to warm up the house as opposed to before when it was blistering hot within minutes. I try to to maintain it by keeping it dust free around the tube and the canopy before each use. Is there anything else I need to do to maintain?

[@MrBillbuster]

Your tubes might be full of carbon,they will need to be cleaned every year or at the least inspection of them is needed and clean your intake and exhaust vents.

[@hugostiglitz6823]

Any idea why my reznor tube unit got so hot it was glowing red and partially melted the heater box?

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Yikes! Sounds like an air flow issue. Exhaust at end clogged?

[@hugostiglitz6823]

@@TheDurbinCompound no its not but there are those baffel things in a section of the tube. No one works on these things as I live in a small rural town so I'm kinda fucked. It still runs its Just warped and shit. 🤷‍♂️

[@nicolasskrzypczak6164]

Thanks a lot. I learned how that thing works. Son and I will trouble shoot tonight... I am betting it is the ignition.

[@nicolasskrzypczak6164]

Would you recommend that we take the unit down and troubleshooting on the bench like you did or troubleshoot in place? It seems easy enough to remove the unit.

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Whichever you’d like to do. If your ladder is stable, it should be easy enough.

[@jimfash2881]

We have a new automotive repair shop with these already installed...is there a specific clearance to a vehicle on a lift in close proximity to heaters??

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Yes! There is usually a chart on every single model. I just looked at one yesterday. It was a 190,000btu (huge 70ft model). The clearance within 20’ of the burner was 94”. After that the clearance is 44”. So you definitely need to check the manual so you don’t burn up some paint!

[@jimfash2881]

@@TheDurbinCompound thank you we have no manuals tho as this was an existing shop which was vacant

[@TheDurbinCompound]

A brand and BTU rating off the sticker will get you a long ways on the internet

[@jimfash2881]

@@TheDurbinCompound I gotcha Bro thats why i started here..thanks bunches

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Good luck! These radiant tubes provide the best heat in my opinion. Can’t be beat

[@jordancarbone9170]

Thanks homie

[@lewiscassady8704]

What if it runs for a couple min. and shuts down?? Thanks

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Most likely the flame sensor

[@justinbowles4671]

Can I use regular B vent for water heaters to vent this style of heater out to the. Atmosphere?

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Yes you can. Same theory as a water heater. Except for the tube isn’t surrounded by water

[@justinbowles4671]

Awesome! I appreciate it!

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Common sense applies. Make sure you don’t pipe up against anything flammable! 🔥

[@justinbowles4671]

What about a thermostat? Can I just use one that I was use for a house? Sorry for all of the questions!

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Yeah for sure. Same theory. Two wires, red and white.

[@libertybarker7401]

what if i come into my shop and turn on the lights and the shop explodes? because the fire went out and gas kept going. the igniter must stay on at all times or even a hiccup(momentary lose of flame) in ignition can cause a gas acumulation in the shop.

[@happyindian3282]

a photocell can be incorporated, with the help of a programmer, to prevent the flow when there is no light (flame).

[@dalejrfan820002000]

I have a question my tube heater fan is plugged into a outlet. But the thermastat is wiring through what looks like a outlet. Witch looks what powers the blower. My question is I thought the thermastat is wired to the main furnace?

[@Cody-mu5sj]

robert nealey thermostat wire is sending low voltage, (24v) outlet is sending line voltage

[@dalejrfan820002000]

@@Cody-mu5sj Thanks I just never seen such a thing.

[@MichaelJeffers75]

Do you know if anybody sells the entire unit without any of the tube and reflectors? I want to build a DIY asphalt heater that would need to be controlled like that and have a mild stream of air.

[@RickReck-ci7lh]

Hey mine kicks on but then it shuts off

[@howardharaway2259]

My question is,after it runs for awhile on roughly a 25' tube,should the tube look orange HOT ? I kind of think not. Commercial Property maintenance told me he "kind of" remembers this heater glowing Hot. I can't see that would be the case seeing how small the gas valve was and length of heat exchanger tube.

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Well the first tube from the burner is supposed to be titanium to keep from turning orange. You should be ok but the heat cycles on a standard steel tube will weaken it in time

[@luissalinas2538]

Why a blower keep running all time

[@connorbaker8372]

Mine starts up and then turns off and on off and on what do you think this is

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Flame sensor. It is a probe that tells the unit that the flame is on. Take probe out, clean with sandpaper. Reinstall.

[@HomesteadJay]

Whats up man! Never really heard about these little buggers! Cool breakdown, Its neat to see the mechanics! Now go split some wood man :)

[@TheDurbinCompound]

I sure do need to cut some wood!

[@richardcoldin3831]

great explanation

[@servoflex5943]

I never heard about a transformer able to give 20V DC... Is it possible to be 20V AC that is rectified to DC by a diode bridge or something? Just a question... The theory says that only AC current may be transformed...

[@MasterBuilderofTruth]

Optimus prime is the only transformer that can produce dc from ac

[@libertybarker7401]

because gas will go down to floor and gather like a pool there waiting for a spark down on the floor.

[@jessetrxguy]

What is it when the fans running , heater ignitor stays lit up and it clicks but no heat .

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Gas valve

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Ensure you are given 28VAC at the gas valve. If the gas valve is actually clicking, you could be A. Out of gas (or a valve is off) OR B. You’re gas valve is not working.

[@jessetrxguy]

@@TheDurbinCompound gas valve has been confirmed . Could it be transformer ?

[@TheDurbinCompound]

Are you getting the 28VAC at the gas valve? If you are not, it could be the control board or the transformer

[@jessetrxguy]

@@TheDurbinCompound thanks for the fast reply. We will check the transformer

[@libertybarker7401]

there must be something that tells the gas to shut off if it fails to ignite or go s off while running. YOU DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THAT and that is very important because that could EXPLODE & burn down your house

[@TheDurbinCompound]

You’re correct. The flame sensor is a part of the system that ensures there is flame when the valve is open. The gas valve will shutoff if the flame is not sensed at the flame sensor.

[@robbyclark6915]

This is troubleshooting not “theory of operation” 🤷🏻‍♂️