Northstar Hotbox issue?

[outatime]

Hi Guys

The Northstar Hotbox I picked up is having issues, soon as the water is turned on (no pressure or power plugged in) water shoots out of the hose on the outlet side of the unit, there is a T on the coil outlet and its just coming straight out of there. Wonder if an O Ring or something has gone, anyone had this issue before?

Thanks

Stu

 

[outatime]

Reading more, wonder if its a Rupture Disk that's gone bad?

 

[outatime]

Just started her up for the first time, set the temp lowish and it got to temp and turned off, set it on full and the plastic coating started to smoke a little on the lid....sound right? Thermostat issue maybe. Anyone ever take there one in for service or a check over, it was so hot it worried me, I am not used to this sort of fueled equipment so I am a little nervous, don't want to do myself a serious injury to save some money. I paid $400 when said and done as its been mounted on a truck in the florida weather so its seen better days. Appreciate any help. Thank you.

 

[outatime]

So it was the rupture disk that had gone, ordered a new one. Spoke with Northern Tool about it and they said either too much idling, flow switch isn't working and its always on, freeze causing the disk to pop.

I read about replacing a flow switch, I took it apart and the small magnet inside it has a few cracks on the coating but all good otherwise.

Sorry for all the posts , hope someone can advise.

Stu

 

[SRD]

Careful running that with a stuck flow switch they can make live steam quick if they dont shut off.

 

[SRD]

Dultmier has all kinds of flow switches, i found pressure switches to be more reliable they dont get stuck like flow switches do.

 

[outatime]

Thank you SRD, pressure switch sounds good, would it work for lower for like 200psi for upholstery too?

 

[Anderson]

I have 2 northern tool heaters....red ones.....

Took them both to pressure washer places to replace the fuel flow swiches to,work on lower psi.. Flow rate....

Havent had any problems int 12 years....

 

[outatime]

Thank you Anderson. I thought it was the water flow switch that needs changing for lower pressure use, why does the fuel flow need to change too?

 

[SRD]

Thank you SRD, pressure switch sounds good, would it work for lower for like 200psi for upholstery too?

Yup

 

[Anderson]

Thank you Anderson. I thought it was the water flow switch that needs changing for lower pressure use, why does the fuel flow need to change too?

I am not like major mechanic on these units.....
I do know that they are set for pressure washing...
between 2-4gpm....
gotta change the fuel flow rate....

simple fix but I got pressure washer place to do it!!!!

 

[JD5150]

I haven't changed any of my fuel flow rates on my diesel heaters. I've been using diesel heaters for eight years. I have had problems with them but none of it has been fuel flow related. I have been problem free four to five years now. I was a newbie in the beginning and I'm glad I had all the problems because it taught me a load of info I needed. I did lose money from break downs on some jobs but no customers.

I do have a Northstar with low hours sitting in the corner of my shop. Nothing wrong with it and I will use it as backup if needed. There is no hot spots on the outside of it. I have it setup for 12 volt but can quickly switch it over to 120 volt if needed. I pulled it to go with a more compact diesel heater.

 

[Anderson]

i would take it back to northern tools

Thank you Anderson. I thought it was the water flow switch that needs changing for lower pressure use, why does the fuel flow need to change too?

i would take it back to northern tools and let them diagnose it......
always been good to me.........

 

[outatime]

Hi Guys

Just wanted to say thank you for the advice with my Northstar, I bought it for $400 and it was in pretty rough shape, the guy who sold it wasn't quite honest with it's working order and think he ran it with a bad pressure switch which caused the rupture disk to blow.

So I replaced the disk, and thanks to a thread here ordered new parts to replace the flow switch so it ran at 1gpm to work with my tile spinner and for carpet use. Included a check valve and some quick connects to clean out the switch if need be .

After confirming the heater worked correct ly I degreased with purple power, then started removing paint that bubbled up with rust under it.

After it was cleaned up I repainted the frame and main body with ultra high temp paint and it looks like new again.

Thanks again

Stu

 

[EWashin408]

Hi Guys

Just wanted to say thank you for the advice with my Northstar, I bought it for $400 and it was in pretty rough shape, the guy who sold it wasn't quite honest with it's working order and think he ran it with a bad pressure switch which caused the rupture disk to blow.

So I replaced the disk, and thanks to a thread here ordered new parts to replace the flow switch so it ran at 1gpm to work with my tile spinner and for carpet use. Included a check valve and some quick connects to clean out the switch if need be .

After confirming the heater worked correct ly I degreased with purple power, then started removing paint that bubbled up with rust under it.

After it was cleaned up I repainted the frame and main body with ultra high temp paint and it looks like new again.

Thanks again

Stu


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Hi. I need help. Why relief value don't release when in uses with this set up?

 

[Anderson]

take it to northern tools or presssure washer place.....
those burners are real sipmple machines....for someone who has worked on them.....
but I would definetly get soemone to change out the fuel flow sensor swich.....

 

[outatime]

Isn't the pressure release only if you go over the 4000psi limit otherwise it won't pop, like a safety valve to protect the coil?

 

[Anderson]

i believe the pressure release is for ttoo much pressure or too much heat?????
call the n9rthern tool s mechanic dude who works on those.....

 

[Bob Savage]

If you ever need a flow switch that will work even with faucet pressure, get this one.