POOL HEATER / SPA HEATER TROUBLE
SHOOTING GUIDE
IMPORTANT
NOTICE:
These
instructions are primarily intended for use by qualified
personnel specifically trained and experienced in the
installation and repair of heating equipment and related
system components. Installation and service personnel may be
required by some states to be licensed. Persons not
qualified should not attempt to install this equipment nor
attempt repairs according to these instructions. This
information is presented for informational purposes only,
and Discount Pool and Spa Supplies will assume no liability
whatsoever for any consequences relating to providing this
information.
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PROBLEM
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CAUSE
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SOLUTION
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Heater
cycling on and off continuously.
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Dirty
filter
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Backwash
filter.
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Low
water level in pool
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Raise
water level.
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External
bypass setting out of adjustment
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Adjust
bypass
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Pressure
switch out of adjustment*
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Adjust
pressure switch
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Defective
High Limit Switch
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Replace
High Limit Switch
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Pilot
outage
Millivolt systems only
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Weak
pilot generator
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Replace
pilot generator or assembly.
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Restricted
pilot
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Clean
pilot.
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Low
gas pressure
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Adjust
gas pressure.
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Takes
long time to
heat pool or spa.
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Calculate
temperature in degrees/hr
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Heat
rise (degrees/hr.) = Heater output Refer to heater sizing
chart or refer to heater sizing chart. This does not
take into account heat loss due to weather.
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Dirty
filter
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Clean
filter.
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Filter
not running long enough
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Reset
time clock.
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Gas
line or meter undersized
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Refer
to installation instructions.
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Lazy
yellow flame
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Low
gas pressure
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Adjust
gas pressure.
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Insects
or debris clogging burner intake ports
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Clean
burners.
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Outer
jacket very hot
(paint blistered)
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Broken
refractory caused by shipping damage or improper
combustion*
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Replace
refractory panels
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Excessive
sooting of heat exchanger
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Determine
cause of sooting & correct.
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Liming
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Bypassing
too much water
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Inspect
bypass for movement. If no movement,
replace.
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U.
G. not functioning
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Replace
if no movement when heated.
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Leaking
at well
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Overacid
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Replace
well and maintain proper water chemistry
especially pH, and do not overlook total
alkalinity!
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Leaking
at heat exchanger
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Overacid
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Replace
heat exchanger and maintain proper water chemistry
especially pH, and do not overlook total
alkalinity!
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Gasket
brittle and leaking
(overheated)
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Heater
running after pump shuts off
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Pressure
switch needs adjustment or replacement.
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Refractory
damage
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Replace
refractory.
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Sooted
heater
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Determine
cause of sooting and correct.
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Harmonics,
or whining noise
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U.G.
inoperative
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Check
movement by putting in hot water (110-F or higher). If no
movement, replace.
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Debris
or restriction in system*
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Locate
the restriction and remove. Flush system and
clean.
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Debris
in gas line*
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Remove
debris or blow out gas line.
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Low
flow
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Scale
forming in heat exchanger-clean
heat
exchanger. Check pool pH and total
alkalinity.
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Liming
or scale forms
on heat exchanger
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Water
out of balance
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Recommended
pH should be between 7.4 and 7.8 total alkalinity 100-150
PPM maximum. Hardness 150-400 PPM maximum.
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Sooting
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High
flow rates
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Reduce
by adding manual bypass valve. Adjust by putting
thermometer in header (1/4" NPT) drain opening. Set bypass
so thermometer reads between 105-110 degrees
Fahrenheit.
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U.G.
Inoperative
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Check
movement by putting in hot water (110 degrees F or higher).
If no movement, replace.
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Air
starvation*
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Refer
to installation instructions.
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Improper
venting*
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Follow
recommended installation instructions.
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Insects
or debris clogging burner intake ports
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Clean
burners.
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(*Usually
occurs on initial start-up)
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