Frequently asked questions

Q. How do I know which filter kit to order?

A. Refer to our comparison sheet- compare by matching.

Q. Can I repair my heater without setting the pump pressure?

A. Instructions are on this site and the procedure is easy. On the old style spark plug heater a person might be able to tune a heater without the aid of a pressure gauge. But, the newer computerized HSI (glowbar) heaters absolutely require precise pressure setting. There is no such thing as "almost". If you feel that one day your lottery ticket may be pulled, then you might be lucky enough to hit the pressure on-the-money.

Q. Why is air pump pressure so critical?

A. Fuel delivery is directly related to the air pump pressure. Just like the doctor checks your blood pressure (blood flow) you need to check the heater's air pressure (fuel flow). Air travels from the pump to the nozzle. At the nozzle adapter, fuel is sucked from the tank. Too little pressure means reduced fuel flow. Too much pressure means too much fuel. On HSI heaters the photocell is looking for correct flame color. If the fuel delivery is not absolutely correct, the color will be off and the the photocell shuts down the whole operation. It's a safety thing as well as a clean-air thing.

Q. My heater with HSI technology (glowbar) runs for 5 seconds, then shuts down. What's wrong?

A. Always start by checking the pump pressure, first. Compare the air pump pressure to specs written on the side of the heater. So much time can be gained in troubleshooting by using pump pressure as a starting point. Pressure loss can lead you to find rotor failure, air leaks, broken parts,  leaky hoses, or, through good intentions, if someone has someone attempted to adjust the pressure and actually done more harm than good. As little as 1/2 psi reduction in pressure can give the symptoms described.  Once the pressure is correct and the problem persists, move on to diagnosing the nozzle, fuel, and fuel delivery, etc. Request troubleshooting tips for HSI type heaters by email.

Q. My heater with SPARK PLUG technology runs for 30 seconds, then shuts down. What's wrong?

A. Always start by checking the pump pressure, first. Compare the air pump pressure to specs written on the heater. So much time can be gained in troubleshooting by using pump pressure as a starting point. Pressure loss can lead you to rotor failure, air leaks, broken parts,  leaky hoses, or, through good intentions, if someone has attempted to adjust the pressure and actually done more harm than good. As little as 1/2 psi reduction in pressure can give the symptoms described. Once the pressure is correct and the problem persists, move on to diagnosing the nozzle, fuel, and fuel delivery.

Request troubleshooting tips for Spark Plug type heaters by email.

Q. Are you stressing pump pressure to sell more gauges?

A. It's your choice. You can buy (or borrow) a gauge and and repair your own heater or you can take the heater to a repair shop and pay high labor rates. Around hear the normal hourly rate is $75-80. An experienced heater technician will always begin troubleshooting any fuel problem first by shining a flashlight into the tank to see what you have been pouring into the tank along with the fuel, then he will reach for the pressure gauge. And, that's a fact.

Q. My heater will not reach the recommended pump pressure. What now?

A. Using soapy water, sparingly,  check for air leaks. An air leak any between the air pump and the nozzle will cause a reduction in pressure. Just a slight leak will affect proper operation. Common leaks...cracked plastic end cover....leak around cork...leaky air hose....cracked nozzle adapter.

DISCLAIMER: for safety reasons do not wet electrical components (electrical hazard) and be sure to remove the fan blade (knuckle hazard).

Q. Can I get the correct parts for my heater if I only know the BTU rating?

A. Maybe, but probably not. Example: A 50,000 btu Reddy Heater has at least 8 different models. Some require different parts. Ordering by BTU rating is guesswork. A LOT of time will be saved if you find the Model number FIRST!

Q. How do I find the Model of my heater?

A. On the side of the heater is a decal or impression that states model, tank size, pressure setting, voltage, etc. See our  Nomenclature page for more explanation.

Q. I don't have an owner's manual for my heater. Can you supply me with one?

A. Reddy Parts does not have the resources nor the archives for the many models that have been produced. If the manual is still available you may research the following page at DESATECH Manuals   http://www.desatech.com/manuals.cgi?products=Construction%20Heaters

Q. Do you have parts for propane heaters?

A. Yes. Propane heater parts catalog.

Q. I have bought and replaced parts and my heater is showing the same symptoms. What now?

A. Did you check the pump pressure? The fuel delivery system and flame configuration is very sensitive to pump pressure. Attempting to tune-up a heater without accurately setting the pump pressure is only guessing.

Q. Can I return parts if the symptoms of my heater don't change after installation?

A. No........ Please read our return policy. *****Troubleshoot your heater before ordering parts.*****