browncow
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We have a 25 month old A.O. Smith PowerShot. Works nicely. Most of the time.
Sometimes, the LEDs on the front indicate "System in Lockout" (according to the manual). After a few resets, and/or a few hours, the problem fixes itself.
The manual gives four possible reasons for the specific LED error code (error code 6): 1) Gas supply is too low, 2) hot surface ignitor not positioned correctly, 3) Low voltage to the water heater, and 4) electric polarity to unit is incorrect.
We can power cycle the unit to clear the lockout state, and sometimes it fixes itself, but usually fails to stay on after three tries, then goes back into lockout. Each time it tries, I see the ignitor glow... I see the blue flame appear, but kind of a wavering flame (it's a low NOx burner, I think), and then the gas supply shuts off. When it gets into this state, it takes a few hours for it to recover. Eventually, things will work again.
I checked the manual for the A.O. Powershot and the Intellivent Control Information document. The flowchart for Intellivent operation suggests that a failure at this point means it is not detecting flame. I see there are exact measurements for the position of the flame sensor, but I do not happen to have a caliper on me.
I could understand that there might be a problem with the flame sensor, but why would it be sporadic? Why does it appear to get better after a few hours?
Could the "waviness" of the flame indicate a dislodged flue adapter, as suggested in the IV troublshooting guide (the guide suggests this would suck the flame away from the flame sensor, leading to my problem)?
BTW: we have a "Gas log" in our fireplace that works just fine, so I tend to trust the municipal supply
Also, I tried tweaking the gas manifold pressure tap on the IV (the one on the bottom, nearest the flame... there was one on top but it would not budge, or else I am just a weak sissy). Loosening or tightening this screw did not change anything.
Sometimes, the LEDs on the front indicate "System in Lockout" (according to the manual). After a few resets, and/or a few hours, the problem fixes itself.
The manual gives four possible reasons for the specific LED error code (error code 6): 1) Gas supply is too low, 2) hot surface ignitor not positioned correctly, 3) Low voltage to the water heater, and 4) electric polarity to unit is incorrect.
We can power cycle the unit to clear the lockout state, and sometimes it fixes itself, but usually fails to stay on after three tries, then goes back into lockout. Each time it tries, I see the ignitor glow... I see the blue flame appear, but kind of a wavering flame (it's a low NOx burner, I think), and then the gas supply shuts off. When it gets into this state, it takes a few hours for it to recover. Eventually, things will work again.
I checked the manual for the A.O. Powershot and the Intellivent Control Information document. The flowchart for Intellivent operation suggests that a failure at this point means it is not detecting flame. I see there are exact measurements for the position of the flame sensor, but I do not happen to have a caliper on me.
I could understand that there might be a problem with the flame sensor, but why would it be sporadic? Why does it appear to get better after a few hours?
Could the "waviness" of the flame indicate a dislodged flue adapter, as suggested in the IV troublshooting guide (the guide suggests this would suck the flame away from the flame sensor, leading to my problem)?
BTW: we have a "Gas log" in our fireplace that works just fine, so I tend to trust the municipal supply
Also, I tried tweaking the gas manifold pressure tap on the IV (the one on the bottom, nearest the flame... there was one on top but it would not budge, or else I am just a weak sissy). Loosening or tightening this screw did not change anything.