My ten year old furnace has an Aprilaire humidifier (Model 550) on it. It
has quit working. I clean my furnace filters monthly and oil the motor as
required, but I completely forgot to clean the in-line strainer that is on
the humidifier. I tool it apart and cleaned it but the humidifier still
does not pump water through the system I'm guessing that the humidifier
"pump" was water cooled and has burnt out. Before I go buy an replacement
part, could it be something else? Thanks!

I would get a new drip type humifier they are much better and you will not
have anywhere near the maintenance as all you need to do is change the filter.
there is a solenoid to turn the drip of water on and off. No standing water
so no scum or mold isssues are a major plus



ello EvenStephen,

My ten year old furnace has an Aprilaire humidifier (Model 550) on it.
It has quit working. I clean my furnace filters monthly and oil the
motor as required, but I completely forgot to clean the in-line
strainer that is on the humidifier. I tool it apart and cleaned it
but the humidifier still does not pump water through the system I'm
guessing that the humidifier "pump" was water cooled and has burnt
out. Before I go buy an replacement part, could it be something else?
Thanks!

On Feb 19, 7:32 pm, wayne wrote:
I would get a new drip type humifier they are much better and you will not
have anywhere near the maintenance as all you need to do is change the filter.
there is a solenoid to turn the drip of water on and off. No standing water
so no scum or mold isssues are a major plus

ello EvenStephen,

My ten year old furnace has an Aprilaire humidifier (Model 550) on it.
It has quit working. I clean my furnace filters monthly and oil the
motor as required, but I completely forgot to clean the in-line
strainer that is on the humidifier. I tool it apart and cleaned it
but the humidifier still does not pump water through the system I'm
guessing that the humidifier "pump" was water cooled and has burnt
out. Before I go buy an replacement part, could it be something else?
Thanks!

Wayne,

What you are describing sounds EXACTLY like the OP's Aprilaire 550.

It is possible that the solenoid is shot. Listen for it when the
furnace kicks on or "hotwire" it to 24v and listen for it to come on.
Do you get water out of the line if you disconnect it and open the
valve?

JK

wayne wrote:
I would get a new drip type humifier they are much better and you
will not have anywhere near the maintenance as all you need to do is
change the filter. there is a solenoid to turn the drip of water on
and off. No standing water so no scum or mold isssues are a major
plus

That is how the 550 works.




ello EvenStephen,

My ten year old furnace has an Aprilaire humidifier (Model 550) on
it. It has quit working. I clean my furnace filters monthly and oil
the motor as required, but I completely forgot to clean the in-line
strainer that is on the humidifier. I tool it apart and cleaned it
but the humidifier still does not pump water through the system I'm
guessing that the humidifier "pump" was water cooled and has burnt
out. Before I go buy an replacement part, could it be something
else? Thanks!

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit

JK: Yes, this is a drip humidifier. I hear the "click" when I adjust the
humidifier setting in the hallway, and yes, I get water out of the line when
I disconnect the feed line going into the solenoid. I do not here a "click"
at the solenoid.

"Big_Jake" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Feb 19, 7:32 pm, wayne wrote:
I would get a new drip type humifier they are much better and you will
not
have anywhere near the maintenance as all you need to do is change the
filter.
there is a solenoid to turn the drip of water on and off. No standing
water
so no scum or mold isssues are a major plus

ello EvenStephen,

My ten year old furnace has an Aprilaire humidifier (Model 550) on it.
It has quit working. I clean my furnace filters monthly and oil the
motor as required, but I completely forgot to clean the in-line
strainer that is on the humidifier. I tool it apart and cleaned it
but the humidifier still does not pump water through the system I'm
guessing that the humidifier "pump" was water cooled and has burnt
out. Before I go buy an replacement part, could it be something else?
Thanks!

Wayne,

What you are describing sounds EXACTLY like the OP's Aprilaire 550.

It is possible that the solenoid is shot. Listen for it when the
furnace kicks on or "hotwire" it to 24v and listen for it to come on.
Do you get water out of the line if you disconnect it and open the
valve?

JK

On Feb 19, 8:50 pm, "EvenStephen" wrote:
JK: Yes, this is a drip humidifier. I hear the "click" when I adjust the
humidifier setting in the hallway, and yes, I get water out of the line when
I disconnect the feed line going into the solenoid. I do not here a "click"
at the solenoid.

"Big_Jake" wrote in message

oups.com...

On Feb 19, 7:32 pm, wayne wrote:
I would get a new drip type humifier they are much better and you will
not
have anywhere near the maintenance as all you need to do is change the
filter.
there is a solenoid to turn the drip of water on and off. No standing
water
so no scum or mold isssues are a major plus

ello EvenStephen,

My ten year old furnace has an Aprilaire humidifier (Model 550) on it.
It has quit working. I clean my furnace filters monthly and oil the
motor as required, but I completely forgot to clean the in-line
strainer that is on the humidifier. I tool it apart and cleaned it
but the humidifier still does not pump water through the system I'm
guessing that the humidifier "pump" was water cooled and has burnt
out. Before I go buy an replacement part, could it be something else?
Thanks!

Wayne,

What you are describing sounds EXACTLY like the OP's Aprilaire 550.

It is possible that the solenoid is shot. Listen for it when the
furnace kicks on or "hotwire" it to 24v and listen for it to come on.
Do you get water out of the line if you disconnect it and open the
valve?

JK

Fortunately, these are relatively simple in design. Sounds like the
solenoid, and it shouldn't be pricey. If you have trouble finding it,
email me privately and I can get one for you.

JK

On Tue, 20 Feb 2007 01:32:17 +0000 (UTC), wayne
wrote:

I would get a new drip type humifier they are much better and you will not
have anywhere near the maintenance as all you need to do is change the filter.
there is a solenoid to turn the drip of water on and off. No standing water
so no scum or mold isssues are a major plus


Furnace humidifiers are more trouble than they are worth. I took mine
out because of heavy lime buildup. More important, the water
reservoir dish always had a slimy buildup, probably due to bacteria
and fungi growing in the ideally warm water. They feed on the
constant supply of food from the fresh air duct that connects to the
outside. I think this slime contributed to respiratory problems by
producing spores. What I do have is a lot of house plants. They
respire and contribute moisture to the room air. If they thrive so do
I. I have the correct humidity. The galss on the windows no longer
have condensation problems.

The little thing that looks like a pump is actually a valve.
Might want to do some diagnosis. See if the valve is getting 24
VAC when it needs humidity. Most HVAC repair guys are totally
qualified to fix this.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

"EvenStephen" wrote in message
...
: My ten year old furnace has an Aprilaire humidifier (Model 550)
on it. It
: has quit working. I clean my furnace filters monthly and oil
the motor as
: required, but I completely forgot to clean the in-line strainer
that is on
: the humidifier. I tool it apart and cleaned it but the
humidifier still
: does not pump water through the system I'm guessing that the
humidifier
: "pump" was water cooled and has burnt out. Before I go buy an
replacement
: part, could it be something else? Thanks!
:
:

EvenStephen wrote:
JK: Yes, this is a drip humidifier. I hear the "click" when I adjust the
humidifier setting in the hallway, and yes, I get water out of the line when
I disconnect the feed line going into the solenoid. I do not here a "click"
at the solenoid.

I don't know about the newer Aprilaires,
however, the older one have a
solenoid that can be serviced, to some
extent. The outside brass unscrews
revealing the innards. Also, as the
relay inside makes quite a bit of noise,
you might not hear the solenoid. I
would also check the little plastic orifice
in the line after the solenoid. It
usually sits in the copper line at one
end or
another. The pin hole in the plastic
can be easily clogged with particulate
in the water or lime. Again, my
experience is with the older units, so your
may be a bit different.

"PaPaPeng" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 20 Feb 2007 01:32:17 +0000 (UTC), wayne
wrote:

I would get a new drip type humifier they are much better and you will
not
have anywhere near the maintenance as all you need to do is change the
filter.
there is a solenoid to turn the drip of water on and off. No standing
water
so no scum or mold isssues are a major plus


Furnace humidifiers are more trouble than they are worth. I took mine
out because of heavy lime buildup. More important, the water
reservoir dish always had a slimy buildup, probably due to bacteria
and fungi growing in the ideally warm water. They feed on the
constant supply of food from the fresh air duct that connects to the
outside. I think this slime contributed to respiratory problems by
producing spores. What I do have is a lot of house plants. They
respire and contribute moisture to the room air. If they thrive so do
I. I have the correct humidity. The galss on the windows no longer
have condensation problems.

I quit using my furnace humidifier and now use this one positioning it close
to a return.

H12 001 Series Wholehouse Humidifier
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.essickair-store.com/produ...s&type=keyword
pg. 2

On Feb 19, 7:45 pm, "EvenStephen" wrote:
My ten year old furnace has an Aprilaire humidifier (Model 550) on it. It
has quit working. I clean my furnace filters monthly and oil the motor as
required, but I completely forgot to clean the in-line strainer that is on
the humidifier. I tool it apart and cleaned it but the humidifier still
does not pump water through the system I'm guessing that the humidifier
"pump" was water cooled and has burnt out. Before I go buy an replacement
part, could it be something else? Thanks!

The last time I had to service a furnace-attached humidifier, the
water flow problem was caused by deposits in the valve at the cold
water line.

It's good that you cleaned the strainer but my experience indicates
that you must trace and clean the water supply all the way back to the
water pipe.

". . .Pump. . ." ??? Are you sure there is one? When I looked up
your humidifier I thought it worked the same way as the one I had to
fix.

-Jason

Hello Big_Jake,

On Feb 19, 7:32 pm, wayne wrote:

I would get a new drip type humifier they are much better and you
will not have anywhere near the maintenance as all you need to do is
change the filter. there is a solenoid to turn the drip of water on
and off. No standing water so no scum or mold isssues are a major
plus

ello EvenStephen,

My ten year old furnace has an Aprilaire humidifier (Model 550) on
it. It has quit working. I clean my furnace filters monthly and oil
the motor as required, but I completely forgot to clean the in-line
strainer that is on the humidifier. I tool it apart and cleaned it
but the humidifier still does not pump water through the system I'm
guessing that the humidifier "pump" was water cooled and has burnt
out. Before I go buy an replacement part, could it be something
else? Thanks!

Wayne,

What you are describing sounds EXACTLY like the OP's Aprilaire 550.

It is possible that the solenoid is shot. Listen for it when the
furnace kicks on or "hotwire" it to 24v and listen for it to come on.
Do you get water out of the line if you disconnect it and open the
valve?

JK


he said PUMP so I thought it was a pad type since what he has just drips
water and has been said it only has 1 moving part in the solenoid. Given
the age i would probably just get a new one and call it good

"PaPaPeng" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 20 Feb 2007 01:32:17 +0000 (UTC), wayne
wrote:

I would get a new drip type humifier they are much better and you will
not
have anywhere near the maintenance as all you need to do is change the
filter.
there is a solenoid to turn the drip of water on and off. No standing
water
so no scum or mold isssues are a major plus


Furnace humidifiers are more trouble than they are worth. I took mine
out because of heavy lime buildup. More important, the water
reservoir dish always had a slimy buildup, probably due to bacteria
and fungi growing in the ideally warm water. They feed on the
constant supply of food from the fresh air duct that connects to the
outside. I think this slime contributed to respiratory problems by
producing spores. What I do have is a lot of house plants. They
respire and contribute moisture to the room air. If they thrive so do
I. I have the correct humidity. The galss on the windows no longer
have condensation problems.

I quit using my furnace humidifier and now use this one positioning it close
to a return.

H12 001 Series Wholehouse Humidifier
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.essickair-store.com/produ...s&type=keyword
pg. 2

Furnace humidifiers are more trouble
than they are worth. I took mine
out because of heavy lime buildup. More important, the water
reservoir dish always had a slimy buildup, probably due to bacteria
and fungi growing in the ideally warm water. They feed on the
constant supply of food from the fresh air duct that connects to the
outside. I think this slime contributed to respiratory problems by
producing spores. What I do have is a lot of house plants. They
respire and contribute moisture to the room air. If they thrive so do
I. I have the correct humidity. The galss on the windows no longer
have condensation problems.
No they're not. I've had an Aprilaire
for 35 years and have had very
minimal problems. I used to change the
element out every other year.
That was when we had bad water and
required a lot of humidity because
of poor windows, etc. Now, with better
water (Lake Michigan) and
good low E windows, I hardly even think
about it. You'd be surprised
how much good windows reduced the need
to add humidity.

OK all, I think it is the solenoid. The feed line has great flow, the line
going out of the solenoid was clogged at the pin hole aperture but I opened
it and got air to flow through that line to the panel area. I think that
just leaves the solenoid. Thanks all!

wrote in message
oups.com...
On Feb 19, 7:45 pm, "EvenStephen" wrote:
My ten year old furnace has an Aprilaire humidifier (Model 550) on it.
It
has quit working. I clean my furnace filters monthly and oil the motor
as
required, but I completely forgot to clean the in-line strainer that is
on
the humidifier. I tool it apart and cleaned it but the humidifier still
does not pump water through the system I'm guessing that the humidifier
"pump" was water cooled and has burnt out. Before I go buy an
replacement
part, could it be something else? Thanks!

The last time I had to service a furnace-attached humidifier, the
water flow problem was caused by deposits in the valve at the cold
water line.

It's good that you cleaned the strainer but my experience indicates
that you must trace and clean the water supply all the way back to the
water pipe.

". . .Pump. . ." ??? Are you sure there is one? When I looked up
your humidifier I thought it worked the same way as the one I had to
fix.

-Jason