Barometeric Damper-Defective?

Kungur · Post by **Kungur** » Thu. Jan. 15, 2009 8:25 pm

Can a barmeteric damper go "bad"? How can you tell if they are functioning properly?
Thanks,
Tom

Dann757 · Post by **Dann757** » Thu. Jan. 15, 2009 8:32 pm

As long as it's clean of fly ash buildup, level and plumb, and moves freely without binding; I would think it's good. It does have a moving part (the little nail-like pivots) but I don't think that would wear out for many years.

DOUG · Post by **DOUG** » Thu. Jan. 15, 2009 8:39 pm

Well, you need a manometer or draft gauge. The only time I ever had a barometric draft regulator go bad is when I first started to learn how to fire coal. I didn't screw it tight to the stovepipe, loaded too much coal at one time, and had an explosion of the coal gases that blew it right off the stovepipe, hitting the stone wall on the other side of the room, leaving it all bent to crap. Other than that, I don't know how it can go bad. If there is another way it could go bad, I'd like to know too.

gambler · Post by **gambler** » Thu. Jan. 15, 2009 9:24 pm

The pins can wear into the sheet metal pipe and then you no longer have just a small contact area and it makes it harder for the flap to open.

DOUG · Post by **DOUG** » Thu. Jan. 15, 2009 9:57 pm

Thanks, gambler.

gambler · Post by **gambler** » Thu. Jan. 15, 2009 10:13 pm

In my Leisure Line manual it is recommended to replace the baro every 5 years.

WNY · Post by **WNY** » Fri. Jan. 16, 2009 7:29 am

It could get STUCK in the pivot holes if worn over years of use and build up of fly ash and not function properly and get out of calibration. But they normally don't GO BAD, until there is some external problem.

TimV · Post by **TimV** » Fri. Jan. 16, 2009 8:27 am

You can get a defective one or "bad"one.
I just had to change one because the "flapper" moved side to side and when it moved to extreme right side it would overlap and would not open at at all and the fire would take off like a jet engine.
It was one I purchased at a True Value or Ace Hdw.made in China (of course)
I replaced it with a Field control RC damper for $32 from F W Webb.