Ignitor trouble

[magnumu]

Hello to everyone! I have been reading the forum for the past few months and there seems to be alot of useful information shared.

My concern is with a Breckwell Big E. It was blowing the circuit breaker anytime the main power cord was pluged in this spring. I found that by disconecting the ignitor, I no longer had this issue. My question is, is this the normal way you can tell an ignitor has failed? or is this a control panel issue? How do I check the ignitor. With the ignitor disconnected everything else work great.

Thank you

 

[heat seeker]

I'd carefully check the wiring to the ignitor for bare spots. The most likely problem is a pinched wire shorting to the stove. Ignitors usually fail to work, but can also short to ground. A good visual inspection is called for.
I'm not familiar with your stove, but look for a wire pinched by the burn pot, etc.

 

[imacman]

If you know how to remove the ignitor, I'd do that first....that will allow you to possibly see any pinched wires, as mentioned above.
Once out, make up a power "test cord" out of an old lamp cord that you can attach to the ignitor leads (properly insulated, of course!) and then plug into 110 v wall outlet. If the ignitor doesn't get hot within a few minutes, or the breaker trips again, you've found your problem.

 

[magnumu]

Thanks for the information. I have traced the wires as far as the ignitor tube without finding any bare spots. My next step was to remove and test. I will have to figure out how to remove it from the unit. Does anyone know how the ignitor is held in the tube?

Thank you

 

[smwilliamson]

The igniter is held in by a set screw on the end of the igniter port. I think it is a 5/32 hex screw, cannot remember off the top. Pulling the convection motor out of the way will give you more room to poke around in there. You have a dead short in your igniter. When you turn on the unit with the proof of fire disc open (less than 140in the exhaust), the igniter gets 120v or line voltage immediately to initiate the start up cycle. unplugging the wires keeps the igniter from getting the power.

Pull it out and replace it. It should be 3/8" x 4" cartridge heater...300w, pretty cheap on ye olde internet but quite a bit more directly from Breckwell.

 

[Defiant]

Give this a look, might be similar

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[magnumu]

Thanks again to everybody. It looks like this will be a great opportunity to take it all apart and do a very thorough cleaning. I bought the unit late last fall as my first one and it seems to work very well.

 

[magnumu]

one more thank you to all. I was able to perform a search and found cartridge heaters at a local "granger" industrial supply house for less than $30. Purchased it this week and installed last night. Great news, it did not short out when plugged in, as was the original problem. Fired up as quick or quicker than it ever has. Thinking of buying a replacement to keep on hand.

Thanks again.