So lately the water seems to be running 24x7 on the furnace humidifier (Honeywell HE 260) and today I finally made the time to take a look at it.
After I go the solenoid off the humidifier and took it apart I didn't find what I expected. I had assumed that after 4 to 5 years of use hard water had built up and clogged the plunger in the open position. Instead what I found was a perfectly clean inside.
What I did notice however is where the rubber plunger seals against the main body (basically the center hole) the thing looked like a moon crater. What ever process they used to cast this thing was either flawed or they didn't hone out the inside well enough to get a flush fit. I scratched at it at first thinking maybe it was just build up but all I found was shiny brass underneath. So my assumption at this point is that while the solenoid was nice and new the spring was able to apply enough pressure to compensate for a bad casting. Not to mention the rubber seal on the end of it probably was still flexible (ie hadn't yet lost it's oils) and also helped.
I took my dremel and did the best job I could considering I didn't have a flat head attachment.
Of course it's not like I had a chance to buy a new one from Honeywell cause when I called them this morning the lady on the phone recommended Amazon as a part source. Still even so looking on google it seems I'd have to spend at least 66 bucks plus shipping. Although at this point I'd be hesitant to invest more money into a system that only cost $140 to begin with just to get another poorly build solenoid.
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