Home
Search waterheatertimer.org / all results
Search waterheatertimer.org / all results
Search using 
Troubleshoot hot surface igniter
|
Home
Search waterheatertimer.org / all results Search using
|
Ignition
of fuel supply Troubleshoot hot surface igniter |
| Back
to 14 things for troubleshooting gas water heater 11) Ignition of fuel supply by pilot light or hot surface igniter |
||
 Pilot light:
typical for atmospheric and direct vent heaters/ ignites gas with flame does not use igniterImage from burner assembly, or manifold assembly salvaged off old water heater shows the fixed-positioned bracket that holds pilot, thermopile and igniter.  The
piezo igniter creates spark that ignites pilot light. The pilot flame
burns clear blue when water heater is receiving adequate air supply and
gas pressure. The pilot light performs three jobs: 1) Heat the
thermocouple or thermopile that creates small electric current that
powers operation of gas control that also
2) signals gas
control valve that pilot is lit, and 3) ignites the gas when it is
released down the manifold tube and comes out of burner.A thermopile is basically several thermocouples put together. The thermopile produces more current than thermocouple. Thermopile produces enough current to power circuit board inside the electronic gas valves so it can compile status of heater operation, issue error codes via LED status light, and control operation of heater. A thermocouple produces a small current for a mechanical gas valve, but not enough current for the circuit board on electronic gas control. |
||
| Hot surface igniter | ||
 -Hot surface igniter is typical
for power vented heaters-Look thru viewport
at the flame rod or hot surface igniter, should be glowing hot when
burner is on.
-Igniter wears out over time. Measure ohms If multimeter shows 18.8 ohm or greater resistance at room temperature, then replace ignitor. -If igniter or ceramic is cracked or damaged, replace igniter -If igniter resistance is than less than 15.5, replace igniter -If resistance is within range, and igniter is not damaged, then gently clean with very fine steel wool or very fine sandpaper (like 400) to polish it a bit. -Do not touch igniter. Oil from fingers can cause damage when igniter is hot. -Misaligned igniter. -Just as pilot light
keep burner going, the igniter must remain hot throughout the heating
cycle to ensure gas flame burns continually.
-If igniter is not sitting in the flow of gas, the heater can 'misfire' and start short cycling. -Igniter must sit directly in front of a gas port on the burner and be correct distance away. |
||
| Flame sensor | ||
| -When
gas is ignited ... if the flame sensor is correctly
positioned, and
not dirty (If the flame sensor's metal is off color
then change it out, or lightly clean with an abrasive cloth), then
flame sensor
confirms that flame is present and signals the gas valve
to continue releasing gas. Flame sensor for Honeywell power vent  |
 Location of flame sensor and igniter vary by model and brand of water heater. Sand carbon deposits off igniter. Avoid touching igniter Larger image Hot surface igniter troubleshoot Hot surface ignition basics Troubleshoot hot surface ignition Hot surface igniter troubleshoot Power vent hot surface ignition |
 Tip of flame sensor must be directly in front of burner port. Use a nickel to set 7/64 gap. Natural gas flame sensor will be bent, while propane will be straight. Larger image Intellivent troubleshoot Manual Power vent surface ignition |
Flame sensor for Intellivent
power vent The lower lip or edge of low NOx burner extends out further than standard burner. Flame sensor gap and elevation are measured from lower lip on low NOx burners .... and from top lip on standard burners. Specifications here are for standard recovery residential power vent and power direct vent 40 and 50 gallon models. |
 |
|
 Larger image Burner flame is yellow |
 Flame should burn clear blue/yellow flame indicates: Low gas pressure. Dirty combustion parts. Poor incoming air supply. Inadequate venting. Bad gas control valve. Loose connection between manifold tube and burner Resource: How to test gas pressure on water heater |
|
| 14 things needed for gas water heater & .pdf resources | |
 |
What you need for
operation of gas water heater. General troubleshoot 1) Basic parts and operation 2) Adequate incoming air supply ... issues: closed doors, tightly insulated house, very hot attic. 3) Adequate air supply getting to burner... issues: dirty vent screen, dirty environment, maintenance. 4) Thermal cutoff ... TCO ... issues: failed part, maintenance, vent. 5) Flammable vapor lockout .... issues: exposure to vapors, bad FV sensor, failed FV system, 6) Fuel supply to gas valve thermostat ... natural gas and propane are different ... issues: wrong gas, low pressure, moisture in pipe, undersized gas meter, supply line too small for BTU rating. 7) Gas valve thermostat regulates fuel supply ... issues: not enough gas, failed thermostat, failed gas control valve. 8) Fuel supply from thermostat to burner ... issues: maintenance, thermocouple-thermopile, gas control valve. 9) Clean and replace burner ... issue: periodic maintenance requires burner inspection, cleaning, and possible replacement 10) Functioning thermopile-thermocouple-pilot light ... issues: misalignment, failure of part. 11) Ignition of fuel supply by pilot light or hot surface igniter ... issues: pilot light, piezo igniter, electrode. 12) Power vent water heater troubleshoot ... issues: pressure switch, blower, blower sequence from gas control, outlet polarity 13) Venting combustion byproduct .... issues: vent in disrepair, other vents in house drawing air 14) Misc troubleshoot manuals 15) How to install gas water heater 16) How to maintain water heater |
 |
Buy Industrial electric Industrial supplies Tools and home improvement Home and garden Hayward pool Southwire electric |
 |
Buy: Barn door track Curtain rods Garage door parts Shop cart Metal table Tork timers Transfer switch Zwave Smoke detector Water detector Carbon monoxide detector Pool pump AO Smith motor |
 |
Resource: Compare box timers DPDT timers Intermatic Control water heater w/ Z-wave |
 |
Resource: Intermatic control centers: and parts Digital control centers and parts Tork control centers and parts Subpanels All control centers and parts |
 |
Resource: Programmable timers Countdown timers Off delay timers On delay timers Timer modules Din rail Twin & one-shot Woods Intermatic Tork |
 |
Recirculation systems |
 | Buy
from my affiliate links every time/ thanks: Amazon As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases Enter Amazon from any link on my site, fill cart with any item ... purchases pay small commission E-mail: geno03245w@gmail.com My response might end up in spam folder, check email folders Waterheatertimer on Twitter Message thru facebook |
