Hercules 'Double Agent'



THE YAUNCO REPORT

is published bi-monthly by Yaun Co. Inc.

These articles appear in our Jan.1998 issue.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Thermostats

Combustion Air

“Double Agent”

White-Rodgers Safety Notice

Sidewall Venting

Vacuum Safety Valve

Blower Motor Cycling

Miller Vent Pipe

Sq D 100 A & 125A Panels

Sq D Surgebreaker

Leviton Sectional Wallplates

Yaun Company is People

• KNOWLEDGEABLE – CUSTOMER

SERVICE -totals 298 years of experience

• CONSISTENT - Our customer service personnel have an average of 17.5 years with Yaun Company.

• RELIABLE - 450 hours were paid to employees for unused sick time in 1997.

• SERVICE ORIENTED – We want to serve you.

We are glad to extend to you our warmest wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Hercules "Double Agent"

Does the Job

By Rick Yaun

My wife Nancy asked me to fix the bathroom drain that had been working slowly. I told her to stop by the counter and talk to Mike Mueller, Liberty Counter Manager, and get some drain opener that we might try before calling a plumber. The next morning I found an orange box with the name “Double Agent” sitting on the bathroom sink and realized that it was my job to open the drain before I left for work. I had seen the box at our counter display but really didn't know anything about the product but knew that it was a product recommended to "Non-Professionals" by our counter staff. My first thought was how effective could it be?? but then I really didn't have much of an alternative. The application was easy. It consisted of two parts. A small packet of dry "thermalum" nuggets was put into the drain. They are stable and don't react to water, which means that they can be applied to the stoppage even if the sink is full of water without having to bail as with other liquid drain cleaners. I made a mess of course by spilling some of the crystals in the sink so I just flushed them to the drain with some water. There was no reaction with the water and soon I was set for the second step. The second step was to pour a liquid activator down the drain to the nuggets. Instructions say you may pour the activator into standing water. Because it is heavier, it will drop into the drain to mix with the pellets that have been put in before. By the time I was out of the shower the drain was open and working much better. The only warnings were against using with garbage disposals and toilets. I assume that because of the heat generated due to the reaction could cause substantial damage if it took place in a fixture. I did notice some discoloration around the PO plug that washed right off. I would assume that there was some expansion of water while the reaction was occurring.

I was very happy with Hercules Double Agent and feel that the Professional Contractor should recommend a couple of boxes with each drain opening call to his customers. You would allow your customers to clear nuisance blockages themselves safely as the instructions are very clear and reduce call backs by allowing your customers to apply an effective product themselves. Carrying a few boxes on the truck for resale might be a good revenue enhancer for the sales-minded contractor.

COMBUSTION AIR

From time to time I have contractors ask about the free air that is necessary for proper water heater combustion in confined or tight construction. The following is a recommendation for Rheem/Ruud water heaters. As always, be sure to check with the local code enforcement officer to see if any modifications of these procedures are required.

A confined space is one having a volume of less than 50 cubic feet per 1000 BTUH of the aggregate input rating of all appliances within that space. The air must be supplied through two permanent openings of equal area, one of which is to be located approximately 12 inches above the floor and the other of which is to be located approximately 12 inches below the ceiling. The minimum net free area of each opening must be not less than one square inch per 1000 BTUH per hour of the total input rating of all the appliances in the enclosure, if each opening communicates with other areas inside the building.

If air is supplied from outdoors, these must be two openings located as specified above and each must have a minimum net free area of not less than one square inch per 4000 BTUH of the total input rating of all the appliances in the enclosure.

If horizontal ducts are used to communicate with the outdoors, however, each opening must have a minimum net free area of not less than one square inch per 2000 BTUH of the total input rating of all the appliances in the enclosure.

NOTE: If the openings are to be covered with a protective screen or grill, the net free area of the covering material must be used in determining the size of the openings, as mentioned above.

Protective screening for the openings MUST NOT be smaller than ½ inch mesh to resist clogging by lint or other debris.

CAUTION!! Large exhaust fans can lower the air pressure inside a building or room and interfere with proper venting and operation. Commercial kitchens or other locations that must maintain a high flow of exhaust air should have the water heater installed in a separate room with combustion and ventilation air supplied directly from outside as described above.

Affordable, Trouble Free

Side Wall Venting Has Arrived!

Venting for heating appliances doesn’t have to go through the roof; neither does the cost. In over one million installations, Tjernlund side wall vent systems have proven superior to other venting alternatives in performance and safety. And they substantially reduce heating installation costs.

The SS2 is a mechanical vent system designed and listed for use with natural draft oil and gas heating equipment. It is factory assembled and wired. The SS2 automatically vents the flue gases from heating equipment to the outdoors. By recirculating indoor air with a cooling fan, surrounding combustible materials remain at safe temperatures. After each burner cycle the SS2 will continue to operate for an adjustable period to purge the heater and vent of residual flue gases. The SS2 features a safety system consisting of a Pan Proving Switch and a High Limit Temperature Control. These devices monitor the SS2 performance and will interrupt the main burner if a vent system malfunction is detected.

Features:

• Eliminates Chimney – save costly installation or repair of chase and chimney by side wall venting. Also eliminating chase increase living space.

• Easy, One Person Installation – there’s no pre-installation assembly required. To minimize weight during installation, the entire mechanical/electrical portion of the SS2 slides out of the housing, then easily slides back to complete installation after housing has been installed. Wiring panel is conveniently located on the back of unit.

• Zero Clearance – the SS2 may be installed in direct contact with combustible surfaces for increased flexibility to terminate above grade. Requires only an 8-1/2” x 10-1/2” opening through the wall.

• Indoor Draft Adjustment – precise draft is achieved by simply turning knob located on back of unit.

• No Annual Maintenance – “self-cleaning” impeller blades and sealed motor bearings make the SS2 virtually maintenance-free. If service is necessary, all parts are accessible from indoors.

• Two-Way Safety Protection – SS2’s controls make side wall venting safer than a chimney.

1. Pressure switch – monitors draft and detects flue outlet blockages.

2. High limit- interrupts burner if the SS2 housing exceeds safe temperatures.

The SS2’s innovative design is the result of an extensive research and development program involving heating contractors and end users. Due to its simplicity and practical built-in features, the SS2 takes side wall venting to a higher level of installation and maintenance convenience, operating and energy-saving efficiency – at a very affordable price.

You can count on Tjernlund venting products with confidence and Yaun Co for supplying them.

New Product: Vacuum Safety Valve

Suntec vacuum safety valves can be used in a wide array of applications to provide protection against line leaks and tank siphoning. The valve is mechanical in design (non-electrical) and is installed in the supply line between the tank and fuel pump.

Because each installation is different, Suntec installation sheets provide general specifications that must be met for proper operation and protection, such as: temperature ratings, maximum flow in gph and inlet pressure limitations to the valve.

OPERATION

The valve is designed to fail closed, meaning that when the system is off or not running, the valve mechanism closes to prevent fuel passage to the burner. The valve opens only when the burner unit comes on providing the system is operating correctly. As the motor coupling begins to spin the shaft on the fuel pump, this creates a vacuum pulling the valve open allowing passage from oil from the tank to the combustion chamber via the fuel pump. The valve will remain in the open position until the burner shuts down. When the burner shuts down, the vacuum created from the pump to pull the valve open collapses and the valve mechanism closes shutting off the fuel supply to the burner.

PROTECTION

In the event the supply line leaks between the oil safety valve and the fuel pump, the vacuum in the line pulling the valve open is disrupted and the valve closes, shutting off the fuel to the burner.

If the tank is located above the burner unit (gravity feed) and the supply line leaks as described above, the valve again closes due to loss of vacuum preventing uncontrolled siphoning from draining the tank.

The ease of installation and safety comfort these valves provide are well worth their cost. Also, be sure to check with local fire codes which may require a safety valve of this type or alternate safety measures.

Yaun Company is now stocking these valves, code SUNPRV38.

Blower Motor Cycling Due To Cold Return Air Temperature

Nordyne now has a fan switch for M-Series furnaces that prevent main blower cycling due to cold return air temperatures. The part for this kit is #902994. Nordyne does not consider this to be a warranty issue as many things outside our control contribute to short cycling of the blower:

1. Very cold outside temperatures being drawn in through the Ventilaire system.

2. Setting back the thermostat set point at night to a very low temperature.

3. Leaving the system off for extended periods of time.

If you have any questions or require further assistance please contact Yaun Company.

Follow Warning Labels

One of our customers would like to share an experience he had opening a pail of glue. The glue he had been using was not a brand which Yaun Company sells. The pail had warning labels to wear eye protection when opening. The one time he opened the can without eye protection, the glue splattered out hitting him in the face and eyes. He spent a few days in the hospital, fortunately everything turned out OK. Please remind your employees to follow these warnings, no one can tell what gases or pressures build up in cans of any chemical after it is exposed to heat or direct sunlight. Follow the instructions for products you use in your trade; some of the plumbing drain and coil cleaners, to name a few, can be very dangerous.

Milwaukee Tool Special Extended

Yaun Company has extended the Milwaukee Tool Special through March. Please ask for a copy of the new tool catalogue and the special sale flyer.

MILLER VENT PIPE

For years when the model MOC furnace was changed out, only the furnace and possibly the vent pipe were changed. Now the roof jack may be required to be changed also. The new 4” vent pipe is slightly larger and in some cases will not slide into the roof jack. The reason for this is the old roof jack is probably not in the best of condition and should be changed for safety reasons.

Another reminder that no elbows or 45 degree angles should be used because the seams can leak flue gases back into the house. Yaun Company stocks the welded seam offset flue pipe for use when replacing the old MMG furnace.

Important Safety Notice

Regarding the Weil-McLain GV Boilers equipped with White-Rodgers Model 36C98-303 gas controls, date codes 9621 through 9723, and all installations above 7000 feet in elevation.

It has been determined that some Weil-McLain GV boilers manufactured with White-Rodgers gas controls could produce carbon monoxide at levels above the ANSI Z21.12 boiler certification standard.

High carbon monoxide production in the flue gases, in combination with a failure in the vent system, can allow hazardous levels of carbon monoxide to enter the living space, potentially resulting in illness or death.

It was determined that certain model #36C98-303 gas controls may have an outlet gas pressure setting too high. The potentially affected gas controls were manufactured from May 1996 to June 1997 (date codes 9621 through 9723). The outlet pressure of all White-Rodgers 36C gas controls on GV boilers shipped from June 3, 1996 through August 19, 1997 and all installation above 7000 feet in elevation on boiler shipped prior to January 5, 1998 should be checked and reset as necessary.

Weil-McLain began using White-Rodgers 36E gas controls on boiler in August 1997. Boilers with 36E gas controls, installed below 7000 feet, do not need to be checked.

After a verification procedure is successfully completed by the contractor, compensation to the contractor will be only provided for gas controls with date codes within the specified range, or for installations above 7000 feet in elevation. Contractors may call the toll-free number (800-625-5249) for further information.

SQUARE D OFFERS LARGER 100A and 125 A PANELS

Has any of our electrical customers ever wished there was more circuit space in 100 amp and 125 amp panels? Square D had addressed this question with new, larger load centers. Now available are 32 circuit panels in both 100 amp and 125 amp (main breaker) sizes.

The residential market shows a growing need for increased circuit space in electrical distribution panels. Today, homeowners want more individual circuits for the ever-growing members of electronic appliances (computers, etc.) now so common in most households. As more and more families add computers, stereo equipment, and other now essential appliances. They are concerned with protecting their expensive investments.

Another reason for the demand for more circuit space is the 1996 National Electric Code. The NEC requires all bathroom circuits to be separate now, where, in the past, they were all wired on a single circuit.

Utility requirements may also restrict amperage of service equipment based on a home’s square footage and use of heat (gas).

The new Square D panels (Q0132M100 and Q0132M125) are ideal for service upgrades or remodels as well as for new construction. They carry the standard Square D ten year limited warranty.

The next time you contractors are stuck for circuit space remember the new 32 circuit load centers from Square D.

Square D SURGEBREAKER™ Surge Arrestor Available

With today’s growing use of sophisticated appliances and home electronics, no home should be without surge protection to protect their investments.

The exclusive Square D SURGEBREAKER™ Secondary Surge Arrestor can provide protection up to 20,000 volts and can be easily and quickly installed in a Square D panel. It plugs onto the bussbar panel. Point-of-use surge suppressors can normally only handle surges of up to 6,000 volts and protect only the products plugged directly into them.

The SURGEBREAKER™ diverts energy to ground, reducing voltage surges to a level that can be handled by the homeowner’s electrical system and supplementary surge strips located at individual wall receptacles.

The SURGEBREAKER™ is available in two models, one for QO panels (Q02175SB) and one for Homeline panels (H0M2175SB). Both are UL listed and meet NEC (National Electric Code) Article 280.

Why take chances and hope your house won’t be hit by surges that may damage your expensive appliances and home electronics? Call Yaun Company for more information. It’s better to be safe than sorry (and poorer).

Leviton Sectional Wallplates Can Solve Installation Problems

“Oddball” multi-gang plate configurations are major nuisances when it comes to finishing electrical installations. Did this situation ever occur to you - you need one plate to complete the job but the configuration is so “uncommon” that no distributor stocks the exact plate and it becomes a one-to-two week wait if special ordered?

Leviton’s sectional wallplates make even the toughest multi-gang installations easy to complete. Their line of thermoplastic, mix and match, sectional pieces can be hand assembled on the job site, snapped into place and mounted as needed. The panels snap together and are locked firmly into place utilizing the exclusive Leviton molded-in locking tab design. The finished wallplate is ready to mount as a single unit which saves the time of screwing each panel in the wallbox separately.

The sectional panels are made of durable thermoplastic construction that resists abuse and breakage. The end and center panels are available in single and duplex receptacles; toggle, blank (strap mount) and Decora configurations. Available in both white and ivory, matching wallplate screws are provided. The outer dimension of wallplates created from two or more sectional panels is the same as standard multi-gang wallplates.

Remember Leviton and Yaun Company the next time you need a different configuration wallplate. We can save you time and unnecessary aggravation when it comes to these needs.

THERMOSTATS

In an ongoing effort to keep our customers informed by providing useful information, we have included in this issue multiple wiring diagrams for Robertshaw Hot Water Thermostats and also Thermo-O-Disc. All the standard 240-volt double element water heaters we stock are Ruud and are non-simultaneous operation. If you feel this is important enough, go ahead and stick it to the refrigerator.

Problem Solver for

High Temp Plastics Vents

With the great concern about the failure of the high temp plastic vent piping which was installed over the last few years under the brand name of plex vent, selvent, ultra vent and any others, Tjernlund Products has developed the GPAKJT and the GPAK1T vent kits. We will stock these kits with a 4” draft control. The kit will allow you to go in and remove the plastic pipe and replace it with B vent and install the GPAK power venter and the wall hood. This creates a negative pressure in the vent pipe so that there is less chance of flue gases getting into the house. Ruud/Rheem and other equipment manufacturers have approved this product for use with their 80 plus furnaces. We expect to have an 800 number for the homeowner to call to get funding towards the replacement of the plastic pipe. Please call the Sheet Metal office for more information.

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