flame rods, how do I know they are shot?

[californiadreamin]

Homer!
Congrats for learning to catch your own fish. It is not rocket science.
A flame rod detects the pressence of the flame. It needs, in most cases,
to be at or above 1.25 milliamps DC to operate correctly. They should be
inspected monthly, cleaned, they can be buffed lightly with 400 sandpaper.
Use anti-seize thread compound, and don't over tighten into the burner. Make
sure all wire is in good condition (ground wire included), and all terminal connections
are snug. Do not loose ceramic insert, which help insure, no arcing thru burner wall. All dryers manufactured in the marketplace, should conform to National Safety Codes! Period. All dryers
per code should have a Low Pressure & High Pressure Switch, an Air Flow Switch, And A
High Temp Switch. They also have to have a Double Safety Cut Off Valve. If memory serves
me correct, on a Precision Vortex if it is factory wireing, (check your schematics) Put
a Electrical voltage meter on wire #2(neuteral) and the other on#4 Low Pressure,#5High Pressure,
#6High Temp Switch,#7 Air Flow Switch. Where the 120 volt stops, is where the fault lies on
the safety circuit. Bingo. If you have power thru all above, then it is loss of flame (flamerod).
ALL Dryers should run troublefree, as long as the components are in good condition and have
PROPER MAINTANCE!!! As far as one dryer,out performing, another? Show Me the Data! Not
speculation of what a Salesman, or Manufacture is pitching for the day! The numbers don't lie,
the others? Well.....To each his own!
Alan! You need to post that pic, you sent me, of that "newly changed" flame rod. It was so
pitted, you could use it as a saw.
Winston

[Homer]

B-  Marc and Todd at Interchange couldn't have been more helpful. They could have said piss off, you didn't buy from me but they didn't. Great guys -I do like the guys I have worked with @ M&R too so there is no battle in book.

Winston -  I am printing that out and putting it my note book for the dryer. I pulled out the flame rod and damn thing was over 7" long! I cut it down with the dremel and it's been running like a champ for the past 2 days. It did not have the ceramic insert on it by the way. I need to buy a back up set of rods so maybe they will have the inserts on them?

What does a typical maintenance schedule look like for a gas dryer? I am assuming cleaning the filter, check for wear on the flame rod, clean exhaust hood?

[3Deep]

Homer I know you,ve been ask a 1000 times already, but how do you compare the gas dryer to your old electric, besides maybe the electric bill?  I know alot of ppl say gas is cheaper, but is there any other reason.

Darryl

[Homer]

D -we went  from a 24" x 10' national to a 60" x 30' vortex. The bottle neck at the dryer is gone, discharge in one pass down the tunnel instead of 2. We can run 3 presses at the same time and still keep up. as far as cost vs electric, no clue haven't got my first bill yet!

[alan802]

We are averaging $670 in electrical savings versus our old dryer that was a gas/electric combo.  And the fact that you'll likely not have a bottleneck there makes it a no brainer for those who can go gas.  Hell, get a propane tank installed if you don't have gas hookup in your shop.

[3Deep]

Thats what we need is a larger dryer the one we have now is doing the job, but still it can't keep up with the press at full speed or is it I can't keep up LOL its one of the two.

Darryl