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confused in Rhode Island . . . low sensor signal but pilot stays lit on Bradford White Defender

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archibald tuttle
archibald tuttle Member Posts: 1,185
in Domestic Hot Water

its a two flash then pause fault code on an MI5036FBN and the manual details sensor testing procedures which are fairly standard. my confusion is why does the pilot light stay on if the sensor is low? is there some gray area where it will leave the pilot on but not light the main burner on these? this is new territory for yours truly.

thanks. brian

Comments

  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,481
    edited January 4

    You need The Great Timmie Mc Elwain. He's right in Warwick. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,421

    Cheap electronic thermostats .. Keeps us working I guess :)

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,481

    I sent Timmie a kite via email about this thread. Hopefully he jumps in shortly. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,481

    Brian DM me. I have some info via Timmy. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 3,724
    edited January 4

    The gas valve assembly is powered by a powerpile or thermopile (the pilot). If it shut off the pilot the gas valve would go dead and you would have no diagnostic codes, I would think that would be worse with this high tech junk.

    Personally I liked the older thermocouple gas valve types better, they seemed more reliable and easier to repair. Seems like the industry is going backwards for no good reason other than maybe to keep engineers employed.

    image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
    Big Ed_4
  • Tim McElwain
    Tim McElwain Member Posts: 4,659

    I am not located in Warwick, however I am in Rhode Island. Give me a call 401-437-0557 and I will connect you up with a tech here in RI.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,117

    takes a lot more power to open the main valve than it does to power the microcontroller and display. typically the current just holds the safety valve on so that takes a lot less power than opening the main valve too.

  • archibald tuttle
    archibald tuttle Member Posts: 1,185
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1882104#Comment_1882104

    i realized this after posting the thread. i'm just so used to the inadequate thermocouple response/no pilot symptom that I didn't stop to think about the idea that lesser current could still keep the microcontroller going. dawn broke over marble head. homeowner decided on new heater anyway because it was a 2014 install. thanks all and @Tim McElwain

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