York YS Style B Oil Heaters Burning up.

[IndustrialTech]

This is my first post so please bare with me and I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak here.

I have 2 - 200 Ton York YS Style B Chillers and 1 - 200 Ton York YS Style D in one building.

These Chillers have had poor maintenance over their live spam and I've been set on the path to correct them.

This post only pertains to YS Style B

I have read over the PDF files pertaining to this issue that I am having and electrically there is no issue.

The micro switches that turn on and off the heaters are a well style mounted in the bottom of the oil separator with heat transfer paste.

These are 500w well style heaters.

First time I inherited this issue. Year 2015
The oil heaters were installed with heat transfer paste but still burn up due to over heating / poor heat transfer. I was only a HVAC mechanic that this point was only helping replace them.

After first replacement. Year 2016
Replaced heaters with new heat transfer paste made sure the wells were full of heat transfer paste. Was promoted to technician and now train mechanics on our campus

After 2nd replacement. Year 2017
Heat transfer paste was rock hard had to dig out heaters/ welded screw to the end of a Philips screwdriver for extraction. Installed new heaters wrapped with copper tin to fill gaps and filled with 100% copper anti seize.

Lasted 2 months and failed again.

Currently I've pulled both micro switches Installed in 1995 and removed both heaters.

Is there a TSB bulletins or different method that I am missing? Thanks for your help and time.

M# YSBBCAS1 - CGB
S# SMDM - 806180


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[jayguy]

A few things...

1. Are you using the OEM part and not some generic "pretty close" part?
2. What are your voltages and amperages?
3. Does your oil separator liquid level sensor work and is it wired in properly to turn off the oil heater?
4. Stop using heat transfer paste. It isn't needed.
5. Use a copper tube cleaning brush to make sure that the heater well is clean.
6. Do you have the metal spacer insert for the heater and well? It is used to push the heater fully into the well and keep it there when you install the cap on the well.

[Dilp172]

Lookup katz engine block heaters add them up till you match wattage plus some.They have integral stats , kind of hacky but works.The OEM ones don't last.

[jayguy]

Interesting. I haven't had any issues with the heaters.

[Chev5372]

Interesting. I haven't had any issues with the heaters.

Ditto on both his answers


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[IndustrialTech]

1. Are you using the OEM part and not some generic "pretty close" part?

Yes they are OEM from Johnson controls. P# 025-29119-000

2. What are your voltages and amperages?

115 Volts can't test amps yet waiting for new parts.

3. Does your oil separator liquid level sensor work and is it wired in properly to turn off the oil heater?

The sensor is original so I plan on replacing it since it's over 20 years old and they were installed correctly.

4. Stop using heat transfer paste. It isn't needed.

Ok but the heaters feel loose.

5. Use a copper tube cleaning brush to make sure that the heater well is clean.

It was thoroughly clean each time.

6. Do you have the metal spacer insert for the heater and well? It is used to push the heater fully into the well and keep it there when you install the cap on the well.

All of the spacers are present and accounted for.

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[IndustrialTech]

247 views and only a few responses?

I did verify that the micro switches are good.

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[Chev5372]

Pull the well and see if the wet side is not coated with carbon/ burnt oil. The wells may be insulated and the heaters are getting to hot.


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[IndustrialTech]

It won't let me add a picture to this forum. Am I doing something wrong it acts as if it will send but doesn't

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[jayguy]

247 views and only a few responses?...

Some are lurkers. Some are learners. I often read without posting. No need in just adding commentary that may have already been said.

[jman2794]

247 views and only a few responses?

I did verify that the micro switches are good.

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Rest assured with the exception of the one that said add up some heaters ( no offense to him just haven't seen much of his posts) the two posting are some the mot on point guys for the machines you described

[IndustrialTech]

One of the heaters and both micro switches

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[jayguy]

The micro switches (temperature sensors) can be wired up in reverse...make sure yours are wired correctly (I wouldn't think you would have a burned up heater if you did though).

uou said that you were going to replace the oil level switch...sidntou check its operation and wiring before doing that?