Burner Trasnformer Melting

Steven Button

Administrator
Hey Guys,

On our 120v wayne burner we have had the motor 'reset' button pop twice this week. The burner transformer is a Wayne 120v side hinge, and I noticed last night that there was a black rubbery substance that appeared to have melted out of the inside of the transformer... some of this had go onto the electrodes.

After cleaning it off the burner came back on and ran for around 3 hours straight.

Obviously this is not a good thing... what could be causing this? Is it normal? Is it time to get a new transformer? Is this what they do when they are done?

Thanks for any advice!
 
Steven, the reset on a 120 volt burner motor is actuated by heat. Is the burner head (the domed of flat part that the burner is bolted to) showing signs of excessive heat (paint burning off or discoloration of the stainless)? That's one source of heat that will also melt the tar that the transformer is potted in. If it looks ok, is the generator belt tight? Is the engine spinning at the proper speed?

A fuel pump binding up can also trip the reset. If water has gotten in the fuel, it can form rust in the fuel pump. You can check this by opening the transformer (with the switch off of course), and spinning the squirrel cage fan by hand. It should spin freely.

Either way, the days are indeed numbered for the transformer. Probably be best to get one just in case. They are also available as solid state ignitors, similar to the 12 volt units, but I'd stick with the old fashioned ignition transformer.
 
ditto what Russ said.
plus..
having a large gap will cause an HV transf. to overheqat, but that burner overload reset popping out, is a bigger problem than the electrodes..
the motor overheated too.. check that burner-head insulation.
About the fuel pump possibilities..
If the burner-head insulation isn't the problem, look at the fuel filter INSIDE the fuel pump.
Great answers Russ !

Tony, on the other hand, is a class A "goofball".
:{p
 
ditto what Russ said.
plus..
having a large gap will cause an HV transf. to overheqat, but that burner overload reset popping out, is a bigger problem than the electrodes..
the motor overheated too.. check that burner-head insulation.
About the fuel pump possibilities..
If the burner-head insulation isn't the problem, look at the fuel filter INSIDE the fuel pump.
Great answers Russ !

Tony, on the other hand, is a class A "goofball".
:{p

Trust me, the a nozzle that has vibrated to a 45 or 90 degree angle with a bad plate can cause an inferno. Gas happened to us twice. Had to reweld a new plate.

But I an a goofball. I admit it!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
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