Yellow Heat Operation Manual
Copyright 2/21
Page 18
Homestead Inc.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPER BURNER OPERATION:
Got Spark?
Make sure electrodes are clean
.
Electrode operation may
generate spark noise to confirm. Electrode gap is recommended at 3/8” separation. Clean weekly
to remove char and keep ceramic barrel from being conductive. Electrodes should be clean, white
ceramic.
Reasonable Fuel?
We can’t burn water. The bottom of the fuel tank has the
least effective fuel. Keep the fuel tank more than ½ full. Cold or damp fuel requires the Fuel
Enhancement Procedure, below. Start with conventional heating fuel to confirm operation, then
add up to 100% yellow grease.
Fuel Pumping?
Confirm oil pumped to burner. Confirm vacuum tight oil
feed. Bleed pump through clear tubing to observe any bubbles. Using fuel from the lowest section
of the fuel tank may uptake very dirty fuels, requiring the uptake screen be cleaned. Extreme
cases of dirty oils require screen on fuel pump to also be cleaned.
Air OK?
Confirm atomization. Looking into the view port of the
furnace, a light mist should be visible. Caution, this mist is explosive! Turn off system if mist is
present without spark and wait 5 minutes before restarting. If atomization is inadequate this
usually means that the air pressure is too low (10 p.s.i. or less), or the Babington ball needs
attention. See the maintenance guidfance on this.
Good Tune?
Find the sweet spot in the middle. Flame Control too far
forward may produce too low a flame. Too far rearward is possibly too much fuel and the flame
too large for the firebox. Adjust Flame Controls to keep ohm readout on the Controller below
1,000 ohms on average. Adjust the position in small increments and hand-tighten knurled ring to
hold in place. Look for a yellow flame and minimal smoke, if any. Adjust Motor Speed Control to
size flame to the size appropriate for the firebox. Never have flames more than ½ fill any firebox.
When observed, flame should be yellow in color. An orange flame indicates too much fuel is
being fed to the flame, resulting in an inefficient and smoky combustion.
