troubleshooting pool heater

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PoolPro

Troubleshooting pool heater

Postby PoolPro » Mon 21 Sep, 2009 15:35

Pool Clown wrote: This is you responding to me first.


When I said, "Before you begin jumping safety switches", I was addressing the original poster. I was not addressing you. I was giving the original poster additional advice. It did not detract from your advice at all.

Pool Clown wrote: Not only do you have heaters wrong


Nothing that I have said is wrong.

Pool Clown wrote:Spoken like a true know it all


When I am sure about something, I do not need to waste time asking anyone else's opinion. If you feel the need to ask, then go right ahead.

Pool Clown wrote: Were you debating? I've been trying to offer advice here.


Obviously, we are debating. Most of your posting has been debating me, not offering advice to the original poster.


PoolPro

troubleshooting pool heater

Postby PoolPro » Mon 21 Sep, 2009 16:04

You still haven't explained how water is going to boil in the heater at 108 degrees F. Or, why water would make a banging sound when it boiled.

Pool Clown wrote: Your confusing me.


Yes, it's obvious that you are quite confused.
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Troubleshooting pool heater

Postby Pool Clown » Mon 21 Sep, 2009 20:48

PoolPro wrote:You still haven't explained how water is going to boil in the heater at 108 degrees F. Or, why water would make a banging sound when it boiled.

It's obvious that you don't want to listen to me, thats why I asked you to ask others. I still would like you to do this. If your'e sure that you are right, then there should not be a problem, or are you worried you will be wrong? Ask someone you trust in the industry. Thats how i found out the water boils, was by talking to tech support and going to countless seminars, Jandy, Raypak, Pentair. Are all these manufacturers wrong, and you are right? (no need to respond)

Pool Clown wrote: Your confusing me.


PoolPro wrote: it's obvious that you are quite confused.

Taken out of context of course... Why don't you quote the Whole post?
Pool Clown wrote: Your confusing me. First you say don't jump the pressure switch, then you say jump all of them??? Jumping the entire safety circuit does not tell you which safety switch is not working.


PoolPro wrote: I said, "Before you begin jumping safety switches", I was addressing the original poster. I was not addressing you.


Eric did not say anything about jumping safety switches, That was me.

PoolPro wrote: I was giving the original poster additional advice.


Advice in addition to who's?, if not mine? My post was the only one before your first post.
Factory warranty service for Pentair, Jandy, Raypak, Polaris, and Paramount pool cleaning systems.
PoolPro

troubleshooting pool heater

Postby PoolPro » Tue 22 Sep, 2009 01:00

Pool Clown wrote: Advice in addition to who's?, if not mine? My post was the only one before your first post.


Yes, it was in addition to yours. What's wrong with that? It did not contradict or detract from your advice.

Pool Pro wrote:"If the heater fires without good water flow, it WILL damage the heater."

Your response:
Pool Clown wrote: "Not really, the high limit(s) will shut the heater off before any damage would occur."


Pentair wrote:NOTICE: Heater operation with incorrect Pressure Switch setting may cause operation with no water flow. Operation of the heater without sufficient water flow may severely damage it.

http://www.pentairpool.com/pdfs/MasterTempOM.pdf"

Hayward wrote:Caution: Never allow the main burner to operate more than five seconds with the filter system shut off. Serious damage to the heater will result. Anytime the heater bangs or knocks, it indicates a water void or lack of water flow. Shut off heater immediately if this occurs.

http://www.haywardnet.com/products/Manu ... ual285.pdf

Notice that it says "water void". That means NO water. If there is NO water, then the banging cannot be caused by boiling water.

Raypak wrote:WATER PRESSURE SWITCH
A water pressure switch is provided in the heater to shut off the burners in the event that water supply is
interrupted. It is very important to verify that the switch electrically opens and shuts off the gas valve when water flow to the heater is interrupted. Otherwise, rapid and severe damage will likely occur to the heater.

http://www.raypak.com/poolframe.htm

Notice that it says "rapid and severe damage will likely occur to the heater." It doesn't say anything about the high limit preventing heater damage, as you claim.
PoolPro

troubleshooting pool heater

Postby PoolPro » Tue 22 Sep, 2009 01:18

Pool Clown wrote:Thats how i found out the water boils, was by talking to tech support and going to countless seminars, Jandy, Raypak, Pentair.


I never said that the water doesn't boil. I said that the banging sound wasn't caused by boiling water. Provide a reference that says that the knocking or banging is caused by water boiling. I have already provided a reference that says "Water void"; that means "NO" water. I said that the banking or knocking was caused by the heat exchanger overheating and overexpanding, and being damaged. I also talk to tech support and take seminars and I have been doing pool service longer than you have.

I was pointing out your inconsistency. You are the one who implied that water would not boil. You are the one who said that the hi-limit would turn the heater off at 108 F. If the heater turns off at 108 F, then how is the water going to boil?

Pool Clown wrote:Are all these manufacturers wrong, and you are right?


Provide references where any manufacturer's statement supports your claims, or is inconsistent with mine. I have provided three references that contradict what you claim.
PoolPro

troubleshooting pool heater

Postby PoolPro » Tue 22 Sep, 2009 03:25

There is one situation where boiling water could contribute to the expansion of the heat exchanger. If the heater was isolated by valves and the water began to boil, then the pressure caused by the boiling water would contribute to the expansion of the heat exchanger. However, that still does not change the fact that the banging or knocking is being caused by the heat exchanger overheating and overexpanding, and not by the boiling water itself.
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Pool Clown
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Troubleshooting pool heater

Postby Pool Clown » Tue 06 Oct, 2009 21:44

PoolPro wrote:
I never said that the water doesn't boil. I said that the banging sound wasn't caused by boiling water. Provide a reference that says that the knocking or banging is caused by water boiling.

Have you asked anyone yet "What the banging is"?

I have already provided a reference that says "Water void"; that means "NO" water. I said that the banking or knocking was caused by the heat exchanger overheating and overexpanding, and being damaged.

I've never tried to fire a heater that has no water in it. Why would i or anyone do that? I'll admit, I don't know what a completely dry heater sounds like if you try to fire it.

I also talk to tech support and take seminars

Great, then you can ask the guy "What the banging is"

and I have been doing pool service longer than you have.

Please provide facts that support this.

I was pointing out your inconsistency. You are the one who implied that water would not boil. You are the one who said that the hi-limit would turn the heater off at 108 F. If the heater turns off at 108 F, then how is the water going to boil?

I was wondering if you would ever pick up on this, I intentionally said Hi limit shut off is at 108 to see if you knew what the real temp shut off on most high limits are.

Pool Clown wrote:Are all these manufacturers wrong, and you are right?


Provide references where any manufacturer's statement supports your claims, or is inconsistent with mine. I have provided three references that contradict what you claim.


Provide documentation that says, "the banging is due to the metal flexing too fast, and not the water boiling." since you had been pouring over the Pentair, Hayward, and Raypak pdf's to prove me wrong, which you could not do by the way, It should be easy to find, I'll wait...

By the way, How long do you think momentary means? if not less than 5 seconds? I Don't know where you got the idea that i jump switches for a longer period of time, Other than not stating the obvious "don't leave the jumper on"
Factory warranty service for Pentair, Jandy, Raypak, Polaris, and Paramount pool cleaning systems.
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Pool Clown
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Joined: Thu 10 Sep, 2009 00:15
My Pool: Uses a Chlorine generator, not a Salt Water Generator (SWG).
Location: Silicon Valley, CA

Troubleshooting pool heater

Postby Pool Clown » Tue 06 Oct, 2009 21:46

EricVH wrote:I have a Hayward pool heater with millivolt control. The pilot light is lit, the thermostat is set high, and the pump is on with good water flow -- but the heater won't come on when I turn it on.

The control is Model 36D35U, Type 401, PN 1500984901F

I measured the following voltages on the gas control terminals, with the heater switch in the OFF and ON positions (voltages are referenced to the control valve body):

               OFF | ON
------------------------------
TH         0.0 V | 0.072 V
TH+PG   0.5 V | 0.38 V       <---- these TH+PG values fluctuated about +/- 0.04 V
PG         0.0 V | 0.0 V

(I think those letters are correct. "TH+PG" was obscured some by wiring, but I think that's what it said.)

Are these voltages correct, or in the valid range? I'm guessing that if these values are correct, then the problem is with the control valve; and if they're out of range, then the problem is with the thermocouple.

I don't run the heater, but I leave the pilot lit and test it once in a while. Several times when I've tested it before, I've had to try flipping the on/off switch several times before it kicked on. So I know that it's all hooked up right, and the fact that I get different values for the ON and OFF positions tells me that all of the switches and t-stat are right.

I also checked the voltage drop across the on/off switch. I didn't record the values, but it dropped to 0 (or close to it) when I turned it on, so I think the switch is fine.

Any suggestions on how to further diagnose the heater would be appreciated!


Eric, Sorry your thread got high jacked Buddy.
Factory warranty service for Pentair, Jandy, Raypak, Polaris, and Paramount pool cleaning systems.
Jayss

troubleshooting pool heater

Postby Jayss » Thu 08 Oct, 2009 19:38

First you need to check the thermopile at the gas valve and make sure you at least 500 millivolt.
PoolPro

Troubleshooting pool heater

Postby PoolPro » Thu 08 Oct, 2009 23:41

Pool Clown wrote:I intentionally said Hi limit shut off is at 108 to see if you knew what the real temp shut off on most high limits are.


Yeah, right. You give bad information because you don't know what you're talking about. I suppose all of the other things that you were wrong about were also done on purpose. Don't make me laugh.
PoolPro

troubleshooting pool heater

Postby PoolPro » Fri 09 Oct, 2009 01:03

Pool Clown wrote:Hey, Dr. Johnson, I know I blew up your heater, floated your pool and electrocuted your dog, but I meant to do those things. I was just testing you. I wanted to see if you would notice.


LOL.

At least you apologized to the O.P for hijacking the thread.
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Pool Clown
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Posts: 88
Joined: Thu 10 Sep, 2009 00:15
My Pool: Uses a Chlorine generator, not a Salt Water Generator (SWG).
Location: Silicon Valley, CA

Troubleshooting pool heater

Postby Pool Clown » Fri 09 Oct, 2009 02:02

Ask anyone what the banging is yet?
Factory warranty service for Pentair, Jandy, Raypak, Polaris, and Paramount pool cleaning systems.
PoolPro

troubleshooting pool heater

Postby PoolPro » Fri 09 Oct, 2009 02:20

Explain how boiling water causes the banging or knocking. I have some water boiling right now. Guess what? No banging or knocking. A slight bubbling sound, that's all.

Have you asked anyone yet?
User avatar
Pool Clown
Swimming Pool Wizard
Swimming Pool Wizard
Posts: 88
Joined: Thu 10 Sep, 2009 00:15
My Pool: Uses a Chlorine generator, not a Salt Water Generator (SWG).
Location: Silicon Valley, CA

Troubleshooting pool heater

Postby Pool Clown » Fri 09 Oct, 2009 02:34

PoolPro wrote:Explain how boiling water causes the banging or knocking. I have some water boiling right now. Guess what? No banging or knocking. A slight bubbling sound, that's all.
You cant compare that to a pool heater, You know that.
I'll give you a hint, What would you think would happen to the steam if you kept it from escaping to the atmosphere? Just let it build pressure.


Have you asked anyone yet?

Yep, years ago, at a seminar. I think it was Raypak. Actually i think i was told, I didn't ask. So i guess that would be a no.

How about you? Where did you learn of "Rapid expanding of the metal" in a heater?
Factory warranty service for Pentair, Jandy, Raypak, Polaris, and Paramount pool cleaning systems.
PoolPro

troubleshooting pool heater

Postby PoolPro » Fri 09 Oct, 2009 07:53

PoolPro wrote:There is one situation where boiling water could contribute to the expansion of the heat exchanger. If the heater was isolated by valves and the water began to boil, then the pressure caused by the boiling water would contribute to the expansion of the heat exchanger. However, that still does not change the fact that the banging or knocking is being caused by the heat exchanger overheating and overexpanding, and not by the boiling water itself.


The pressure does not build up unless the heater is isolated by closed valves, as I have already noted. And, if the pressure did build up, it would cause the heat exchanger to expand.

You're wrong; you know you're wrong; just admit it.

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