sunflower heater howls at start up?

[mrpike1973]

hello all well i had a different post on here about my troubles with my sunflower heater so i bought another one a 11 lbs pancake tank and new mr heater sunflower heater starts great and doesnt cause a fire however for the first 2-3 minutes it has a very unnerving howl like noise then it goes away any one have this problem?

[2thepointsetters]

Both of my newer ones do it. My older unit never has.

[dairyman]

where did you get the pancake tank and how much---mine howls when I first crank it up too--------after it heats up it quits

[chad austin]

Both of mine do it as well, one is an older tank top and the other is a new heater/cooker

[hoggs222]

It's normal. It's just singing to you. The heater/cooker and the double sunflower do the same thing.

My old sunflower also does the same thing.

[fishersofmen]

Yep, nothing to worry about.

[bigbad401]

It is not a problem, all that I have known do that.

[Mr. Wizard]

Love the howl (i.e. fish call)! I always try to have a line in the water before I start the sunflower so when the fish come to that sound there's a baited hook ready. I think the sound comes from the sympathetic resonance of the metal as the rapid heating excites the molecules of the metal and creates waves/vibrations within the metal reflector.

[3littlemonsters]

yep...my new cooker also does it although it seems to be less time than when first new..probably 30-45 sec until its totally lit...my old sunflower never did this..but then it was used...probably already seasoned....its not so bad now that i know its a fish call...

[gulllakeguy]

just put your finger over one of the air holes where it gets air and this will stop it you may have to do this a few times

[no bait nate]

thats my favorite sound on a day like today because it means your heat is working

[tearin' lips]

I have yet to meet a newer Mr. Heater that doesn't do that. Nothing to worry about. I agree with no-nate, my favorite sound of the day because it means I will be warms as heck soon! lol

[mrpike1973]

thank you much it really worried me i got the tank for $37 at a gas station in litchfield

[zepman]

What if that sound never or rarely goes away?

[Ed Carlson]

The air and gas flow traveling into the air/gas mix chamber makes the sound much like a flute or a horn.

Occasionally it may be an issue of the chrome air/gas adjustment ring at the bottom of the assembly that secures the flow tube to the regulator. It may be it is loose, or maladjusted. This can be corrected by tightening it or adjusting the ring up or down. Be careful not to strip it!

I had one Heater Cooker that would not shut up and howled all the time, I adjusted the air flow and it shut up and I had a cleaner burn when I was done. Be cautious when adjusting the flow chamber as to not damage the thermocouple.

If you need to make a significant adjustment detach the thermocouple first from the regulator and reconnect it before you try to start it up again.

I also found after long time use, and especially on an older sunflower heater, it helps to remove the protective grid on the outside covering the heater, and take a wire brush and clean the catalytic surface mesh and blow it clean with a high pressure air line...it will burn better and cleaner...simple maintenance that will help it's performance.

[DuckBlind]

Mine has been doing that since I bought it 5 years ago, nothing to worry about. Next time you light it and a buddy is with you start screaming "it is gonna blow!!!" and tell him to get out...it is usually pretty good for a laugh.

[troutman72]

lol duckblind i have done that very funny. and yea be very carfull not to strip the treads out i have a sunflower that is striped and had to put a hose clamp on the set nut to get it to work properly. BE CARFULL.

[slab master]

I have one that used to howl all the time until I replaced the thermocoupler now it is quiet again. the thermocoupler controls the gas flow. usually when it warms up the howl will go away if it don't I would replace that.

[hamms-scooter]

I have found the same to be true ,when it warms up even just a little it quits. It's very important for the fish bite to have it adjusted perfectly so that it howls for a good 2-3 min or so. Got to call them in...jk

[mtheis]

That's Hilarious!!! I think I am going to use that someday!

[Fredd]

Howling at start up = heat. Maybe an air concern if it continues like others have said. It would take a lot of howling to be out there this AM for me.