Hello all
I am having a problem with a Ruud power vent water heater, installed in December. It has turned itself off a couple of times for no apparent reason. There is an electronic control module attached to the gas valve, it has a LED display on it that gives trouble codes by blinking in different ways. It was signalling normal operation. I checked the wire connectors for a loose connection, and in doing so I believe I triggered the flammable vapor sensor. I believe this because that is the trouble code it is showing now. There is NO flammable vapor anywhere near this thing, yet it continues to show this trouble code, and as long as thi8s code is present, the thing won’t run. No hot water equals one unhappy wife in my house. Anyone have any suggestions? Is there a reset feature to this thing?
Thanks
Ray
Replies
ray i am sorry not to be able to help, i am not familiar with this particular model.
i am not understanding your problem, if it turned itself off and showed no trouble codes, and then you tried to figure out why it was turning itself off and you think you caused it to show the trouble code of flammable vapors present?
it can be a very difficult thing when you have an unhappy wife (justifiably so with no hot water) breathing down your neck to troubleshoot a water heater, but this is your task.
try to find the paperwork and carefully go through the sequence of operation step by step and see if you can see what it is doing. it may be something as simple as a dirty sensor, try to remain patient while you play detective.
Thanks for the reply, segundo. You are understanding the problem correctly...while trying to find the cause of the intermittent failure, I caused the flammable vapor sensor to activate somehow. At least that's what the code is indicating. I have talked to Rudd, and have not gotten a clear answer from them, they seem to think its the module, but it could be the sensor. I don't want to just throw parts at the thing, I would rather diagnose it properly.
Ray
Generally you can reset something like this by turning it off and back on. If it doesn't reset it may mean that the sensor is mucked up somehow.
Here's the manual: http://waterheating.rheem.com/Documents/ResourceLibrary/UseAndCare/RheemPowerVent/AP13657.pdf
Thanks Dan, i've tried turning it off an on, but I will try again.
Ray
It is less than 6 months old.Get warantee service..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I was trying to fix the thing before my wife found out she'll be taking a cold shower tonight...I don't think that plan will work.
Ray
I was looking at the spec sheet and at the end with out getting to get parts at it, check the flue exit and make sure no birds or blockage. It is a horizontal exhaust so may be backing up flue gas to get the reading your seeing. Just a thought.
Also, if you go to that Rheem site and the "Library" there are several "service bulletins" that you may want to download.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin