Gordon piatt r-8 burner pilot issues

[bobby m]

I'm having problems with a burner i'cant resolve and i'm wondering if anyone out there has heard of upgrading the ignition transformer to a higher output voltage than the factory spec. (6000 volt) just looking for opinions before i talk to our rep. lockouts are pilot flame failures.
Thanks

[doliver]

Yes, sometime back I was also having trouble with burner. GP was in business then. Tech support solution was to upgrade to 10k output. Solved problem.

[bobby m]

Thanks for the reply,keep e'm coming.

[amickracing]

I've heard of it too, never done it myself though.

What's the problem you're having?

[flange]

its not uncommon to do that. a while back, the local rep would automatically sell you a 10k if you needed one. there is a reason behind that, e, they knew something right? perhaps if you elaborated on the issue you might get some help. did you pull the pilot assembly and inspect the end, clean and make sure the little square is in the right position?

[bobby m]

lockouts are pilot flame failures

[amickracing]

Does it happen every time it tries to fire, or just randomly like it has a mind of it's own?

[bobby m]

random,mind of its own

[tim fox]

Make sure ignitor is in securely and centered in tube, Make sure mounting hardware in proper order and tight enough to be secure, but not so tight as to tweek something. Second, are you sure ignition is problem and not rectification. Check flame detector for clenliness and proper aim. Also check voltage signal when/if flame is detected. Not to forget, pilot gas pressure. Also check integrity of burner head. If edges are crispy, flame impingement could be an issue. You might have checked these things and sorry for boring you with basics if you did. Good Luck, Tim

[bobby m]

I did check them but i appreciate your help,i'm changing out the transformer soon.

[-frozen-ocean-]

does the 10k transformer compared to the 6k just give the spark ignitor more juice to spark? which i guess is a yes. would you have to replace the cable going to and from the spark ignitor. i think those cables are only good for 6k volts.

[amickracing]

Yup, lil more push behind the spark. I don't think you would have to change out the spark wire, but it certainly wouldn't hurt either.

One interesting fact, I ran across a Fulton Pulse (yeah I know, but it gets worse!), when it would try to fire you could see a real faint blue glow around the cable. The same kind of glow you'd see on a vehicle with plug wires that were shot.

I can't recall off the top of my head what the cable was rated to handle, but it wasn't near what the transformer could put out. I ended up going to an auto parts store and getting a bulk length of plug wire (the racing kind). Worked great, and it was a purdy yellow color!

One other thing, make sure the ign transformer has a very good ground, and also make sure the pilot assembly is cleaned up not only where it sparks, but where it bolts onto the burner. A poor ground can be a haunting problem that hates to show up unless you're busy and it's the middle of the night.

[NOBULL3]

I am having the same pilot flame failures. Changed Xformer to 10K, changed wire,changed pilot assy.and electrode, all pressures are good, connections tight, grounded well, actually ran a dedicated ground wire from pilot assy. to ground, all clean....all bases covered? Have witnessed on two occasions a five or so second delay in the spark. Had voltage to Xformer.....no spark. Very randomly,sometimes once a week, this thing just is not sparking right away?? The rest of the time it is running perfectly. Need suggestion, must be missing something very stupid.

[prorefco]

The only Gordon Piates I have ever worked on were oil fired about 30 GPH but theory has it that if you're getting input voltage to the XFMR but no spark, then you either have a bad XFMR or you're moving too much air through the spark gap (or of course the gap is too wide)....

[NOBULL3]

First thought after changing Xformer that I got a bad one, exchanged it, had same problem. Spark gap is fine, ignitor centered. Tried adjusting airflow to pilot assy with no affect. Head scratcher.

[RC20]

I have run across similar problems, once in a great while it turns out to be the flame safety (Honeywell in my experience).

I once traced it down to a relay inside that was sticky. they can be extremely intermittent as most of the time it makes decent contact then misaligns or sticks. All the same signature as a ignition issue.

I don’t assume it’s the flame safety, check out all the other parts first (and usually find it there) when its like that an no answer I replace (upgrade to the new model, they have conversion kits and charts if you have the old non indicator light models)


The newer flame safeties are better (forget models, but they have the LEDs and the com link for the LCD display). Old ones I think they keep making, but cheap, get one, a year or two and it fails (more typically just quits) .

[Dilp172]

Push customer to buy new burner,those are now obsolete and parts procurement is sketchy and expensive,sell them a modern burner.