Remington HH-70T-KFA Service Manual download pdf (Page 121)

—121—

Gas Fired Heaters

The Three Types of Propane Heaters

Forced Air

These heaters use an internal motor and fan to distribute heat. These are the ones commonly called “torpedo” heaters.

Forced air propane heaters are available in sizes ranging from 30,000 BTU’S to 750,000

BTU’S through PHP. The advantages of the forced air heater are as follows. The whole

unit does not have to be in the area to be heated (only the discharge end of the unit has

to be in the area to be heated). This allows clean air exchanges with outside air. In

addition, the forced air heater is also a “directional “ heater. This means heat can be

focused on a certain item or place (but never at a propane cylinder). The forced air

heater usually has multiple safety features. These usually consist of high limit switches,

sail switches, air proving switches, tip switches (usually found on older L.P. units), spark

plugs, igniter electrodes, ignition control boards, valves, and even thermocouples. In

addition, some of the forced air heaters can use a thermostat for temperature control.

Moreover, a few models may even be ducted. As with all heating systems, there are a few disadvantages associated with

forced air units. The first disadvantage is the fact that electricity is required for operation. Another disadvantage is that

forced air is more of a complex unit to troubleshoot and repair. Lastly, forced air units rely on three components to work

properly. Those components are the timed delivery of air, spark, and fuel (in that order).

Radiant

These heaters work on the principle of transferring heat from one object to another without heating

the space in between. For instance, the roof of a black car that has been sitting in the sun on a cool

60 degree day is much warmer than the surrounding air. Therefore, the radiant heat from the sun

heated the roof of the car without heating the space in between. That is the concept of radiant heat.

As with all heating systems, there are advantages as well as disadvantages. The first advantage is that

most radiant heaters require no external electricity. The second advantage of radiant heat is that the

ground level is heated first, this way you do not waste as many BTU’s as in other heating sources. The

third advantage is that the most popular radiant heaters are in the 100,000 BTU range, making them

ideal for using the standard 100 pound propane cylinder. The disadvantages are few. First, very few

models have a thermostatic gas valve (meaning not thermostat capable). Second, there are relatively

few BTU sizes available, mainly 100,000 BTU and 250,000 BTU units.

Convection

These heaters work on the principle of heat stratification. Heat stratification means heating

the topmost areas first, then forcing the heat down in layers until it reaches the comfort zone

(usually from ground level to 6’ off the ground). The main advantage of convection heaters

is that they are the least expensive heaters to purchase (in other words, the most BTU’S for

the buck!). The disadvantages of convection heaters are twofold. First, since convection

heaters work on the theory of heat stratification, most of your fuel dollars quickly rise with

the heat to the ceiling and away from the comfort zone. Second, with very little difference in

price between the 80,000 BTU models and the 200,000 BTU models, people usually buy the

most BTU’s for the buck. What people do not realize is the fact that the 200,000 BTU model

needs two or three 100 pound cylinders manifolded together to attain full fire in most

heating applications. In general, people who buy these heaters plan to use their 20-pound

barbeque cylinders as their fuel source. For an explanation on why the 20 pound cylinder

will not work properly, please see the “BOILING PROCESS”. A good majority of the technical issues related to these heaters

is fuel supply related.

Phone: 800-362-6951 • Fax: 800-255-7985

www.phpdistribution.com

Gas Heater Service Info.

1 2 ... 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 ... 267 268

Remington HH-70T-KFA Service Manual Page 121

Comments to this Manuals