Polaris heater problems

Philr

we have a 10 year old 100,000 btu polaris water heater that does both domestic and heats about 800 sqft of floor space. We started having problems with it kicking out. We brought in a very knowledgable heat specialist and started trying everything, new igniter, new gas valve, checking air intake and exhaust, new flow switch, checked control board, new regulator until we finally got it running but only with a hard start. It ran for 3 weeks each time letting of a cannon shot when it started up. i brought our expert in again to see if we could reduce this bang. Polaris tech support advised him to turn down the gas mixture screw on the gas valve, since then we cant keep it running. He put in a secondary regulator to get the gas values exact, but still it either stutters trying to start or if the gas mixture is turned up it blows itself out. Hes at a loss, im at a loss and out of pocket about $2000, any ideas out there? much appreciated

Tim McElwain

Has anyone done a

combustion test on the unit? It sounds like it also may need cleaned, when was the last time that was done. Sure has been a lot of parts thrown at it which is usually not a good sign as some one may not be sure what is really wrong.



What is a secondary regulator for?



When you adjust the gas mixture screw you have to have a combustion analyser to know if you have it dialed in correctly.



Do you have the Installation and Operation manual for the unit?

Mark Eatherton

Do you shower in the same water that flows through the heating system?

?



ME

Tim McElwain

Does this unit have

the United Technology Electronic Board number 1018-525?



Did anyone set the gas pressure correctly using a digital manometer, normal setting is negative .20 inches W.C. then put the cap on it may go up to -.30 to -.50. If you are getting a rough start at0.20 adjust to -.10 and -.30 to achieve smooth ignition. This should be done with a combustion analyser connected to the flue.

Philr

polaris heater problems

the first thing he diid was clean it, the parts started happening when one thing wouldnt work it led to the next. The secondary regulator was put on after he noticed that his gas values were jumping up to 23 inches wc when the unit started up, talking to the rep for the reg he thought maybe the distance from reg to gas valve was to short and recomended putting in a second regulator, which brought it down to 7 inches.

No a combustion analyser was not used. It was just doing small turns on the screw to try to find the sweet spot

Philr

polaris heater problems

yes he was using a digital manometer all along, and his values were at -20 inches wc

Steve Whitbeck

Polaris

Had the same problem. Tech support told me the burner was plugged. Remove it and clean it. If you can't get it clean replace it.  When you have to mess with the mixture screw it means the airflow has changed. Your burner is plugged with burnt up dead bugs.

Steve Whitbeck

double post

Mark Eatherton

I guess I asked a bad question eh....

If you want an education, do a site search for Legionella on this web site. I won't harp on you, but if you are dealing with an open space heating system, you are exposing yourself and your family to some pretty serious illnesses.



ME

Steve Whitbeck

Mark

If his system consists of the Polaris and an air handler that was legal here for many years. I still don't like it but it is a small content of water.

Mark Eatherton

I hear you Steve....

And to the best of my knowledge, it is STILL accepted practice under both US codes. It doesn't make it right tho...



Smart AHJ's are outlawing the practice.



Some day, it will change. As for FCU versus RFH, I don't think it matters. THe bacteria, during the Summer months, will still flourish and cause issues. Copper is a natural suppressant to the things that grow in pipes, but it doesn't stop them.



ME