Readyheater starting problem

Take the top cover off of the unit. Plug it in and look at the ignitor for a bright glow or spark, depending on your ignition source. This should happen before the fan starts. Once the fan starts you should be able to see fuel spraying out of the spray nozzle. If there is no fuel, check the fuel screen, air output from the pump, air filters on the pump, and the correct air pressure from the pump. The nozzle can also be dirty. Check for air leaks on the pump by spraying soapy water on the pump while the blower fan is running.

I am sure you have confirmed that the fuel is fresh and good, no water in it, etc.--
It is kerosene, not #2 Diesel fuel, right?

And the shutting down is good, if the flame does NOT ignite--- :-)
So we have to figure out why the fuel is not getting hot enough to ignite?


Question-- is the oil spray passing close enough to the ignitor?
And this unit does NOT use SPARK to ignite?, correct? --
for most of these heaters have spark ignition.. I am learning all the time, too!

How about checking the fuel pressure. and the air -- is it correct?
Check with your manual how to check and adjust.

After testing these tings, let us know what you learned

Mack B

Does the blower motor start when you plug it in/turn it on? It may take around 5 seconds if your heater has a HSI(hot surface igniter). If it does you need to check the igniter and the fuel flow. Either way, remove the top of the heater. You will be able to see the fan, igniter, and fuel nozzle. Turn the fan by hand to see if it turns freely. If it does, watch out for the fan and turn the heater on. Look for the igniter to start sparking (spark plug type) or glowing (HSI type). Next, use a flashlight to look for fuel spraying from the nozzle. If fuel isn't spraying, try cleaning the fuel nozzle and check the fuel filter. Watch out for the HSI, if you have one, they are very brittle and easily broken. If you still don't have fuel flow after cleaning the nozzle and the fuel filter, you may have an air pressure problem. Let me know and I will tell you how to check it. Don't forget to rate the answer if it works.

Well it is getting fuel but is it atomized in very small droplet form? If so is your igniter close enough to ignite the fuel? You see these spray a very fine conical mist under high pressure, if the mist is not defined or conical it sprays past the igniter. If it is fine and cone shaped it could be the positioning of your igniter. Please check both by removing the top section of the heater and watch what is going on in there. My thoughts are a bad nozzle and if you replace it pay attention to spray angle and GPH rating printed on the side of the nozzle.

That heat tube is the ignitor it gets real hot for a minuet then the kerosene starts pumping in and it flames up from the hot tube. I would expect that kerosene is not going in to the burn pot. the kerosene valve control will make a ticking pumping sound about 1 minuet after the vent fans start. within seconds a flame should appear. If you remove the screen and open your line or tank valve kerosene should flow out of it. hopefully you installed a line valve just before the going in to the heater. I loved my laser 73 about 10 years old. but kerosene at 3.50 a gallon for the clear stuff made me install a ground source system. I keep it as a back up running it once a month for 1/2 hour. dave

If it runs for awhile and then smokes and then shuts off, the problem is usually in the fuel system. If you have never serviced your unit, it may be time to do it. Most fuel tanks start sweating during the hotter times of the year. This moisture builds up and settles on the bottom of your tank. Your suction fuel line is real close to the bottom and the water in the fuel ends up spraying on the ignition plug or glow plug causing it to put out the flame and the units circuit board shuts down the unit because of a flame was not sensed. Check the fuel if it is not fresh, change it. Usually there is a drain in the bottom of the tank. Good luck.

The photo eye needs cleaning,the eye is not reading,I would send you a pdf manual but I can not on here there is no place to send it to you sorry

The deisel fuel hogged it up. Clean everything out and replace the wick. Deisel fuel is filthy to burn and it needs a lot of airflow.

What did you set the air pump pressure at? This is critical on heaters with Hot Surface Technology. Setting the pump pressure is always the FIRST place to start troubleshooting on these heaters.

Here are some things that can prevent ignition even though there is fuel & glow:

1. wrong air pump pressure
2. the nozzle is restricted & distorted not allowing fuel to contact the glowing ignitor
3. the nozzle is worn. It should produce a cone of fog, not a spray.
4. there is water in the tank below the fuel.

reset switch my heater did the same thing after 5 sec of running