Comments on: Rheem Powervent Gas Water Heater

By: Tom Miller

Tom Miller — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 09:03:00 +0000

Had the repairman out today, Water Heater has been used for 16 months, new house. Tank would kick out and go cold about every other day until we would reset it. Repairman found a large amount of slag chips on the top of the burner plate that would plug the holes and the sensor would prevent the unit from lighting. He showed me a baggy about a third full of slag chips removed from the burner plate.

By: GERRY

GERRY — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:09:41 +0000

I could not get the sensor rod out, there is very little room to work especially when the tank is in a closet.

I opened the small panel below the burner, there was just enough for my hand.

I used some emery cloth to rub the heat sensing tube as much as possible.

I guess what, it worked, the gas heater runs as good as new.

The heat sensing rod near the burner must of had a little dirt on it.

Gerry

By: gerry

gerry — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:29:20 +0000

Thanks Johhny

I’ll check out that sensor rod, if I can find it, & let you know if it was the problem.

Gerry

By: Johnny

Johnny — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:35:08 +0000

In reply to gerry.

Hi Gerry,

I just found your post.
There are a number of things it could be and it would be helpful to know the model number of the unit.

Without that I’m just making guesses across the internet but a very common problem with many of the water heaters is a flame sensor rod needing cleaning off. These rods send a signal that is only a few milliamps telling the motherboard that the unit is lit. it doesn’t take much crud on the sensor to coat the rod and lower the signal or, carbon to short it.

Try taking a piece of scotchbrite and cleaning the flame sensor rod, see if that fixes it. If that doesn’t do it I will need a model number so I can see exactly what you have to get deeper into it. We will also have to figure where in the sequence of operation the water heater is when it goes into failure and any trouble codes that are displayed.

Johhny

By: gerry

gerry — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:07:39 +0000

I guess there are no gas hot water heater experts out there willing to give help for free!!!

By: gerry

gerry — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:22:53 +0000

On my pv gas hwh all I have to do is turn the breaker off & on, the water heater starts right up.

Must be some kind of sensor that resets when powered down.

By: Jack

Jack — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:13:55 +0000

I had the problem of lockout on a model 42vp50f about 3 years old. The flamable vapor sensor went bad. On mine the reset proceedure is to turn off power on the fan and then turn it on. Then turn the red water temperature knob hi and low six times. If the sensor is bad it needs replaced – safety item you know. I think it might be possible to bypass the senor with a resistor in an emergency – but dangerous if it is really detecting vapors.

By: gerry

gerry — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:33:53 +0000

JOE

I haven’t had a response yet except from you.

I plan on seeing a gas installer soon & I Will see if he has an answer.

Gerry

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:37:07 +0000

Gerry
Did you find the problem because I have the same problem going on
Joe

By: gerry

gerry — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:44:14 +0000

My power vented hwh shuts off occasionally, if I unplug it & plug it right back in, it will work for several days & then stop again until I pull the plug again. What could be the cause.