Beckett Oil Furnace Manual

The Beckett Oil Furnace is a high-efficiency heating system designed for residential and light commercial applications. This manual covers the AFG, AF, and AFII series oil burners with flame retention heads, featuring air adjustment, nozzle selection, ignition transformer, cad cell primary control, pump with strainer, and combustion chamber requirements. Below are key sections for safety, installation, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation Requirements 3. Initial Setup & Startup 4. Technical Specifications 5. Controls and Adjustments 6. Fuel System Components 7. Combustion Adjustment 8. Maintenance Procedures 9. Safety Features 10. Regulatory Compliance 11. Troubleshooting Guide

Features at a Glance

Key components: Beckett oil burner assembly, cad cell flame detector, ignition transformer, oil pump with filter, nozzle assembly, air adjustment band, and mounting flange.

FeatureDescription
Flame retention headEnsures stable combustion and high efficiency
Cad cell primary controlMonitors flame presence for safety shutdown
Ignition transformerProvides high voltage for electrode spark
Oil pump assemblyIncludes strainer and pressure adjustment
Air adjustment bandControls combustion air for proper fuel/air mix
Mounting flangeStandard 4" or 5" diameter for boiler/furnace installation
Nozzle assemblyVarious sizes and spray patterns available
Coupler assemblyConnects motor to pump with flexible coupling
Electrode settingsAdjustable for optimal spark gap and position
Transformer bracketSecure mounting for ignition components

Installation Requirements

Proper installation is critical for safe and efficient operation. Follow all local codes and manufacturer specifications.

  1. Combustion chamber: Must be properly sized and in good condition with refractory intact.
  2. Venting: Ensure adequate draft and proper chimney condition; install barometric damper if required.
  3. Fuel supply: Use #2 heating oil; install two-pipe system if tank is below burner level.
  4. Electrical: 120V AC power with proper grounding; install disconnect switch within sight.
  5. Clearances: Maintain minimum clearances to combustible materials as specified.

WARNING! Installation must be performed by qualified technician. Improper installation can cause fire, explosion, or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Initial Setup & Startup

Follow proper startup procedure to ensure safe operation and optimal performance.

  1. Pre-startup inspection: Check all electrical connections, fuel lines, and combustion chamber.
  2. Nozzle selection: Choose appropriate nozzle size and spray pattern for application.
  3. Electrode setting: Set gap to 1/8" and position 1/8" forward of burner air tube.
  4. Pump pressure: Set to 100 PSI for standard applications (adjust as needed).
  5. Combustion test: Use combustion analyzer to set CO2 between 9-12% and smoke below #1.
  6. Safety check: Verify cad cell operation and primary control safety timing.

CAUTION! Always use combustion analyzer for final adjustments. Never operate without proper venting.

Technical Specifications

Controls and Adjustments

Primary control provides operating and safety functions. Cad cell monitors flame presence.

Control Sequence: Thermostat calls for heat → Primary control starts motor and ignition → 15-30 second trial for ignition → If flame detected, continues operation → If no flame, safety lockout after 90 seconds.

Adjustments: Air band for combustion air, electrode position for spark gap, pump pressure for flow rate, nozzle selection for firing rate. Cad cell sensitivity: 800-1500 ohms when sensing flame, >200,000 ohms when no flame.

Fuel System Components

Oil pump, nozzle, filter, and supply lines must be properly maintained for reliable operation.

  1. Oil pump: Provides constant pressure; includes pressure adjustment and bypass.
  2. Nozzle: Creates fine spray pattern; various sizes from 0.50 to 3.00 GPH.
  3. Filter: Protects pump and nozzle; replace annually or when clogged.
  4. Supply line: Copper tubing recommended; avoid sharp bends and kinks.
  5. Check valve: Prevents oil drainback in two-pipe systems.

Tip: Always use clean, filtered fuel and replace nozzle during annual maintenance.

Combustion Adjustment

Proper combustion ensures efficiency and prevents soot formation.

  1. Start burner and allow 5 minutes warm-up period.
  2. Measure CO2: Adjust air band to achieve 9-12% CO2.
  3. Smoke test: Use smoke spot tester; adjust for 0-1 smoke spot number.
  4. Stack temperature: Should be 300-500°F above room temperature.
  5. Draft measurement: -0.02 to -0.04 inches water column over fire.
  6. Final verification: Observe flame pattern - should be orange-yellow with defined shape.

WARNING! Always use proper combustion testing equipment. Never adjust by visual inspection alone.

Maintenance Procedures

Annual maintenance by qualified technician is required for safe, efficient operation.

  1. Replace nozzle and oil filter
  2. Clean pump strainer and check pump pressure
  3. Inspect and clean electrodes; reset gap and position
  4. Clean combustion chamber and heat exchanger surfaces
  5. Test cad cell and primary control operation
  6. Check all electrical connections and motor operation
  7. Verify fuel line integrity and check for leaks
  8. Perform combustion analysis and readjust as needed

Safety Features

Multiple safety systems protect against hazardous conditions.

Primary Safety Control: Monitors flame via cad cell; locks out if flame not detected within safety timing. High Limit Control: Shuts off burner if temperature exceeds safe limits. Stack Switch: Monitors draft; prevents operation if inadequate venting. Pressure Relief Valve: Protects against overpressure in oil pump. Motor Overload Protection: Prevents motor damage from overcurrent.

Regulatory Compliance

UL listed for USA and Canada. Complies with ANSI/UL 296 standards for oil burners. EPA compliance for combustion efficiency. All installations must meet local building codes and NFPA 31 standards for oil burning equipment. For technical support, contact Beckett Technical Services at 1-800-645-2876 or visit www.beckettcorp.com.

Troubleshooting Guide

SymptomPossible CauseCorrective Action
Burner won't startPower supply, thermostat, safety switchCheck disconnect switch, thermostat call, reset primary control
No ignitionTransformer, electrodes, cad cellTest transformer output, check electrode gap, clean cad cell eye
Smoke at startupNozzle, air setting, pump pressureReplace nozzle, increase air, verify pump pressure
Pulsating flameAir leaks, fuel supply, nozzleCheck gaskets, verify fuel flow, replace nozzle
Lockout after trialFuel delivery, ignition, cad cellCheck for oil at nozzle, verify spark, test cad cell resistance
Low CO2 readingAir setting, draft, combustion chamberReduce air intake, check draft, inspect chamber condition

Reset Procedure: Press reset button on primary control once. If lockout recurs, identify and correct underlying cause.

Technical Support: 1-800-645-2876; www.beckettcorp.com

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