A few areas to clean & check for blockage include: Maybe your pump turns on just fine but doesnt heat the way it used to. Rio Bravo, Inc. -Is the ejected air from the unit 8-10 cooler than incoming air? Unblanketed pools can lose up to 10 degrees per night compared to 4 degrees or fewer when a blanket is used. When you know whats causing a problem with your pool heater, then fixing it is way simpler. Often the culprit is not in the heater itself. If this lamp is OFF, but you can feel normal flow at the pool returns, check the water valves or settings. When one of these fail, the heater may shut down permanently until it is fixed. Consult manufacturer literature for adjustment procedures. During initial pool heating in cold weather, it may require a week to elevate the water temperature to a comfortable level. Use a pool chemistry test kit to confirm there is no chlorine in the condensation. Heres a four-step procedure: 1. That doesnt mean you cant learn to do the repair. To do so, remove the wire running between the gas valve and the thermostat. By reporting on the telephone which lamps are ON and OFF, the service rep may be able to solve the problem without the expense of a service call. Youre not sure of the cause, but you know that you want to get your pool heater working again. -Is the Water Flow lamp ON? Verify that the temperature has been properly set on the thermostat, and that it is higher than the current water temperature. If so, the unit is extracting heat from the aIs water condensing on the evaporator and internal copper pipes? Figure 1: Sidestep the gas valve by clipping a jump wire across the valves terminals.
There might be a few cases when you cant even get ANYTHING to show up on display board. If all of the previous checks have been performed properly, then jumping this switch (or set of switches) should result in the heater firing. Is it clean and free of obstructions that would prevent proper operation? Attach a voltmeter lead to one of the terminals for the systems 24-volt transformer, then probe the other terminal with the second lead. Evaluate these things first:Check the circulation system. 1 reason a heater will not fire is inadequate water flowing into it. You want to be sure these connections are tight. Also, make sure the igniter electrode has a proper spark gap; this not unlike checking for the same in an automobile spark plug. Try moving the knob back and forth several times to clean the contacts. 
Sometimes when a heater is shut down for winter, the gas to the heater will be turned off at the gas valve. Here are a few common Raypak troubleshooting codes and what they mean. Then move to the fusible link, the high-limit switch and the pressure switch (see Figure 2). Perform the same test on the temperature control, making sure that the control is in the ON position and that it is set to a temperature high enough to call for heat. 
Start the pump and check the pressure gauge; if the reading is higher than normal, backwash or clean the filter. Without a blanket, the total heat gained during the day can be lost overnight. And thats why these Raypak poolheater troubleshooting tips are perfect for you. Fortunately, this doesnt always mean that your pool heater is toast. So what do you do when the heater wont heat? If the water stops dripping, the heat pump is not leaking. Or. Copyright 2022 Zonda Media, a Delaware corporation. Raise the thermostat setting. The last of the checks, make sure gas can go into the heater. A heater that just wont shut off can be particularly alarming. Every now and then, your Raypak pool heat pump might display a code. If you replace the high-limit switch and still have a problem, check for proper water flow through the heat exchanger. If the burner lights, you know that the gas valve and pilot generator are good and the problem lies somewhere along the string of control devices. The first thing to check is that the toggle switch is in the ON position. This enables you to bypass the chain of control devices wired along the same circuit as the valve and to check the performance of the gas valve and pilot generator. If not, then the thermostat setting is not higher than the temperature of the water. Check the circuitry. After the unit has been running and then shut OFF for any reason, there is a delay before operation can begin again. Check for a spark. Figure 2: Pressure switch test in an IID system. Although all pool heat pumps need maintenance to maintain performance, a bit of troubleshooting can save you a lot of time. Each day, a bunch of air passes through the coil. At this point, heater manufacturers recommend that you bring in a specialist to troubleshoot the system because of the seriousness of the problem. 2012 - -Is the control panel Power lamp ON? Heating up the water starts taking longer, and sometimes the pump shuts off at random. Should You Consider Switching to Cost-Plus Pricing? If everything looks normal, but your heat pump is unresponsive, contact a pool heat pump technician for advanced troubleshooting steps. Before calling for heat pump service, gather these tools: If one day you wake up and your pool heat pump stops running, the first thing to check is your water flow. coils, or any other obstruction to airflow will reduce performance. Troubleshooting heaters has been simplified with diagnostic lights, which some manufacturers include in their latest designs. -How many hours per day is the unit operating? No ON lights, no water flow indicators. Set your voltmeter for the proper voltage that is, above 24 volts. 3. 2. -Is water flow through the unit adequate? Check the temperature control. Then make a visual inspection of the unit and test for a spark at the pilot-burner electrode. Combustion Analyzer needed for all commercial units. As with the millivolt system, once external checks have been made, you can be fairly certain the heaters failure to fire stems from a faulty component in the control circuit. If your pool heater keeps turning off and on, check to see if the water flow light on the display is lit up. (This does not happen in newer models.). Having the right tools from the start helps you troubleshoot your pool heater faster. Check the pilot. While pool heat pumps are built to provide countless hours of heat, theystill need maintenance to stay at peak performance. If the burners fire, then you have a bad thermostat and it needs to be replaced.
Walk over to your pool heaters breaker and reset it. Your Raypak pool heater keeps your pool comfortable throughout the seasons. But its also a quick way to determine the source of heat loss. Electrically, the ignition control is tested in the same fashion as the safety devices. At this time all three lamps should illuminate and the fan should start to run. Which results in the heater running in unusual ways.
This lamp will turn OFF if not enough water is flowing through the unit. Just a blank screen. Here, the pilot is sparked electrically only when it is needed to fire the burners. Any debris caught in the vents can impact air floor. If youve gone through all the previous steps for troubleshooting heat loss, the cause of the problem might be a dirty evaporator coil. With the thermostat set high enough to call for heat, you should have a spark at the pilot-burner electrode if all the controls are good. NOTE: If the pool pump and heat pump shut OFF before the water temperature is raised to the desired level, you must lengthen the running time of both. Next, jump across the pressure-switch terminals, thus electrically bypassing the pressure switch. Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. -Are the thermostat setting and the Pool/Spa setting correct? Normally, it takes about 4 days.
Finding the bad bulb is a matter of progressing through the system and testing suspect parts in sequence until you locate the problem. -Are rapid heat losses occurring in some other way, such as high wind, spillage, rainfall, flow through solar panels at nights, or a high water table? (Some will fire at 10 gpm, but they wind up overheating or cycling.) Association of Pool & Spa Professionals Launches Operator Certification, Cubic Electrical Appliance Introduces Line of Heat Pumps, Industry Seeks to Standardize Storm Response. Although most of the troubleshooting tips in this post dont require opening up the heater, having the tools for the job comes in handy later. If all of the above items check out, you should begin to examine the heater itself. Always observe these lamps before calling a service representative. -How long has the unit been operating? If, however, the main burner doesnt light, you have either a problem with the pilot generator, a wiring problem in connections for the pilot generator or a bad gas valve. If the heater is equipped with an electronic temperature control, the controls sensor or probe should be checked following procedures recommended by the manufacturer. Concrete or Vermiculite for Vinyl-Liner Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples Receives 2022 AI Dream Designs Honor, Check Out This Year's Dream Design Waterparks, These Family Aquatics Centers Take Dream Designs Recognition, See These Other Categories That Took Dream Designs Honors, The Cove at The Piazza Pool Awarded 2022 AI Dream Designs. If the pressure gauge reads normal, proceed. With the lead from the voltmeter still in contact with the ground or common terminal on the transformer, check for voltage along the circuitry, starting with the safety fuse; use the other lead as a probe. Again, a preliminary wiring check will help you avoid unnecessary effort in troubleshooting these components. In all cases covered in this article, theres a logical progression of checks and tests that will lead to a proper diagnosis and cue you to quick action to bring the heater back up to speed. Check the on/off switch. 2022 Poolheatpumps.com. Most heaters need a minimum of 40 gpm passing through before they will fire. The No. Instead, what youre dealing with is likely an electrical issue. Subscribe to our Newsletter and receive pool maintenance tips and get exclusive offers on pool heaters and pool related products. For some reason, it seems as if its only heating half as well, and taking twice as long. It may be turned down too low. That said since your evaporator coil sits behind a layer of metal vents, the blockage could also be there. By applying a solar cover, you can figure out whether its your pool or pool heater thats creating the heat loss. Circuits in heaters are not difficult to troubleshoot once you understand that the components are wired in series, like a string of Christmas lights. When the air is cool with low humidity, condensation may not be evident. Theres nothing worse than a lukewarm spa or a cold pool. If the burners do not fire when the pressure switch is jumped, move on to the thermostat. If you see any leaves or twigs lodged in the vents, remove them. Manufacturers offer specific diagnostic recommendations for testing electrical current between these devices using a voltmeter. If you liked this post, you might also like: Get access to exclusive swimming pool tips, special offers, and members-only news, Medallion Energy 3055 Tech Park Way Deland, FL 32724 407-786-0000, Hours Mon-Fri: 8am 7pm Saturday: 9am 5pm Sunday: By Appointment, Service Areas Anywhere in the United States and throughout Florida.Orlando, Longwood, Miami, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, St Cloud, Tallahassee, Daytona Beach, Davenport, Windermere, Clearwater, and the rest of North, South, and Central Florida, How Well Do Solar Pool Heaters Work? Check the gas valve. Although poor heating ability can be a sign of a dirty evaporator coil (more on this later), there are a few things to consider when heat loss is an issue. 24Manometer (for fan assisted units, more than one manometer will be needed). This is also evidence of heat removal from the air. Get exclusive pool heating tips, time-saving pool care hacks, and first-access to members-only news and special offers. The last diagnostic step with millivolt systems is a check of the high-limit switch or switches. If not, the circuit breaker may be shut OFF or tripped. Thus, the first step to troubleshooting is not actually looking in the heater, but outside it. In an older heater that has not been used for several months, the contacts in the thermostat may be dirty. When you make contact with both terminals, you should get a reading of 20-30 volts. Improperly positioned valves or a dirty filter could decrease the flow of water required for efficient operation. If your heat pump does not operate, or simply does not heat your pool water, the indicator lamps on the front control panel (see Section IV) can provide valuable clues as to what is wrong, and may even indicate precisely what the problem is. It may take some sleuthing to discover the cause of a heater malfunction. If the burners fire, then you know that the pressure switch is not sensing proper water flow. Note: After troubleshooting any component, always remember to remove the jump wire! Then the suspect parts are the pressure switch, high-limit switch, thermostat, gas valve and pilot generator. The control components youre bypassing (the pressure switch, the thermostat and the high-limit switch) are designed to prevent the gas valve from delivering gas to the main burner when an unsafe or improper condition exists. A pool heater is composed of switches, components and other devices that turn the heater on and off, and keep the water at the desired temperature. Once you find out which part is keeping the heater off, it can be repaired or replaced. If they dont, you need to move on. An annual heat pump service takes care of this, cleaning the coil and any other related parts. Depending on the unit, the thermostat may need to be removed from a mounting to access its terminals. These codes help you understand what problems your heater is having. If there is no arc across the space, the ignition control should be replaced. If the pressure-gauge reading is too low, check and clean out the pump pot and skimmer basket or even the eye of the pump impeller. Without an adequate source of water, a pool heat pump automatically shuts down to prevent overheating. -Have you waited approximately 5 minutes for the time delay? First, verify that its receiving 20- to 30 volts. Consult manufacturer literature for a proper spark-gap spacing. -Is the Heat Demand lamp ON? To jump the gas valve, first turn off the main gas valve so the burner doesnt come on. But dont panic over the fact that its more complicated to work on than a pool filter or pump. Since the heat pump capacity and efficiency are both greater at higher ambient air temperatures, run time should be set to take advantage of all daylight hours, when the air is generally warmer.