Garage heater problems!!

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4spdragtop

4spdragtop

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Ok some of you may know I have finally installed my Big Maxx furnace/heater in the garage. Its propane fed. I got everything hooked up propane and elec. wise. Now when i turn it on, the LED if slow flashing, which in the manual means no call for heat. Let me tell ya Im screaming for heat. I didnt buy or install a thermostat as it is optional and I dont plan on running the furnace when I am not in the garage. Any one got any ideas as to why there is no call for heat??
 
I thought you had to have a signal from the t-stat to make it work??? That's the way my electric heater is atleast
 
I have no idea whether it needs a thermostat or not, it doesnt say anywhere that one "must" be used. It list one under optional equipment, as well as how to wire it in. Go figure not a chance of getting a thermostat now!!
 
Yea man, I'm no heater guru, but I think they all need some sorta temp control on them.. I have a lp heater and a electric in my shop and a t-stat on both. I think Lowes is open till 6 pm. Maybe you can hit them up real quick
 
You could always build a fire! lol


Is there any bypass on the thermo connections? Does it have a pilot light or lights with electricity?
 
Im guessing the no call for heat means the thermostat isnt on and since you dont have one maybe some wires need to be "hot wired" ?
 
Im thinkin I could "jump" or hotwire, but this is a brand new unit and dont wanna cobble it up. Man!! Now I gotta wait 2 more days!! If the damn thing needs a thermostat, why not throw a cheapie in the darn box!!
 
Also, if you hotwire it, it will always be running until you shut it off. In my shop I've just used the cheapest ones you can find. Sucks having to wait though.
 
My receptacle is switched, so shutting off is easy. It's waited this long to get hooked up, so another 2 days isnt gonna kill me, but it still sucks!
 
The thermostat is just a switch. If you jump across the two contact screws, you won't hurt a thing. I did this with mine for a whole winter, just used my breaker as a switch.

Stay warm Steve.
 
4spdragtop said:
Thanks Bill, I may just go give it a try!! Either stay warm or stay drunk!!
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BOTH!!Good luck with the furnace Steve.You know once you get it going,the GF will have a hard time getting you in the house.LOL.Merry Christmas!Oh,will be mailing back the UFC 124 disc.,PM me your addy.Thanks.
 
hey Scott, wished you a Merry Christmas in yer thread, I was going to start one, but figured enough people had started one already!! Yeah Lori got home today from running around and said that she wouldnt see me once there is heat. Looks like Im hooking the satellite up out there too!! Merry Christmas too you buddy!! Hope you and Haeley have a great one!! Nemo and others chimed in so I think I will run a jumper for a couple days and see how it works. I will email you my address, but I am not in a hurry for it!!
 
Hey everyone....I GOT HEAT!!! Stinks sumpin bad but thats cuz she is new, boy oh boy Christmas in the garage!! Gotta love it!! THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP!!!
 
All new units stink for awhile when new. Best thing to do is run it for 1/2 hour or so with the door part way open to get the oil burned off the heat exchanger.

PLEASE consider SERIOUSLY getting a stat. They aren't expensive, and may save you a lot of grief. Besides, a typical home shop will be "over rated" with a unit like that, and you may spend all your working time running to and from the wall switch.

BE SURE and I mean BE sure to bubble test all pipe connections, and keep a wary "nose" out for the next few days for propane leaks.

I'd advise you to find a local HVAC guy to look it over for you. Your life--and your insurance policy--may depend on it.
 
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:cheers:
 
When the t'stat shuts the heater off it first shuts off the burners and lets the fan run for a minute or two to cool down the heat exchanger. if you just kill the power the burners and fan shut off at the same time and could over heat the exchanger and limit switches. I'm sure it will be fine for a couple of days, but you will want to get one soon so it will operate properly. nothin like a heated garage for a gearhead! Merry Christmas.
 
67Dart273 said:
All new units stink for awhile when new.

Yep run it for 1/2 hour and its all good

PLEASE consider SERIOUSLY getting a stat.

Come boxing day, I will put one in.

BE SURE and I mean BE sure to bubble test all pipe connections, and keep a wary "nose" out for the next few days for propane leaks.

I did the bubble test, its all good, but will chk again fairly regularly.

I'd advise you to find a local HVAC guy to look it over for you. Your life--and your insurance policy--may depend on it.
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Yeah furnace guy is gonna give it a chk and we may replace the hose with copper pipe. Im a stubborn bugger, so when furnace guy called and said he cant make it, I installed a brand new hose that they use for salamanders

Thanks!!
 
dla4567 said:
When the t'stat shuts the heater off it first shuts off the burners and lets the fan run for a minute or two to cool down the heat exchanger. if you just kill the power the burners and fan shut off at the same time and could over heat the exchanger and limit switches. I'm sure it will be fine for a couple of days, but you will want to get one soon so it will operate properly. nothin like a heated garage for a gearhead! Merry Christmas.
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Good point about the exchangers cooling off 1st before the fan shuts down!!
 
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