Re: What is this thing?

[The Daring Dufas <the-daring-dufas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

nick markowitz wrote:
> On Jan 30, 6:11 am, The Daring Dufas <the-daring-du...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>> G. Morgan wrote:
>>> [x-posted to a.h.r]
>>> Anyone know what this part is?
>>> On Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:24:24 -0800 (PST), Nicko
>>> <nervous.n...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>> But I know someone here will know how to answer this:
>>>> What is this whirlygig thingie in my furnace?  It spins around and
>>>> makes a whistling sound while the furnace is firing up, then shuts
>>>> itself off and sits idle until the next cycle.
>>>> Apparently someone else in my building seemed to think it was useless,
>>>> and tore it off of their furnace because of the whistling sound,
>>>> because I saw an identical part that had been broken off a furnace and
>>>> tossed into the alley behind our building.
>>>> http://www.kriho.com/arandomk/whirlygiggie-heater-thingie.jpg
>>>> Apparently this is part of an "inducer motor" and I fear for the
>>>> health of whomever tore this piece off of their furnace and threw it
>>>> away.
>>>> .
>>>> What is it inducing?  The air current through the exhaust, or the air
>>>> current through the venturi?
>>>> Also, is there any sort of schedule that is recommended or mandated
>>>> for inspection of flues?  (I live in a rented apartment in Cicero,
>>>> IL).
>>>> If someone could direct me to the correct NG I would be grateful.
>> The plastic wheel is the cooling fan for the draft inducer motor.
>> Removing it won't let any CO into the home, it will only shorten
>> the life of the draft inducer motor. If the motor dies, the furnace
>> will cease to function.
>>
>> TDD
>
> it allows proper air gas mixture so pilot lights evenly upon ignition
> removal can result in flash back C0 build up etc.
> and furnace safety will kick out . you could end up very dead if this
> part is fooled with.

I doubt that very seriously. If the draft inducer fails to run, the
gas valve will not turn on. That is only one type of draft inducer
motor. Others have a centrifugal switch in the end cap which acts as
an additional safety. The type furnace in the picture uses an air
prove switch which detects the existence or lack of air flow through
the draft and burner assembly. No air flow, no gas.

TDD