Hayward H150 Heater not starting

[The Diesel]

I have a hayward h150 heater that I bought used back in 2014. I dont believe it is that old. It worked flawlessly in 2014, 2015 but at the end of 2016 I noticed it would not ignite when I turned it on everytime I would have to turn off and on once or twice and it would finally fire up. I dont have it set on a timer or anything I just turn the switch on when I want to heat the pool.

Any thoughts on the culprit? I was thinking of replacing the igniter or maybe the switch? Anyone have any recommendations, I am pretty handy, I installed the heater, pump filter etc myself including running all electrical and gas lines.

I live in chicago so not using yet but starting to think about it and want to get parts to fix and get it going before I actually need it.

Here is a link to a picture of the heater:

Trouble Free Pool

 

[ps0303]

Without having the unit hooked up and water pumping, there is no telling what might be wrong. That looks like an old millivolt unit. Does this have a pilot light? Also confirm you have a clean filter which I am sure you should as you close the pool down every winter and the filter should be clean.

 

[The Diesel]

Without having the unit hooked up and water pumping, there is no telling what might be wrong. That looks like an old millivolt unit. Does this have a pilot light? Also confirm you have a clean filter which I am sure you should as you close the pool down every winter and the filter should be clean.

Yes the heater has a pilot light. I vacumm the inside of the heater and clean it out every year so no dirt there. You mentioned it would be hard to tell without water running through. What are some trouble shooting procedures? I am thinking switch, igniter, thermo couple.

 

[ps0303]

Scroll down in this thread about 3/4 of the way and look at what danpik is talking about and his fancy diagram. Thanks danpik! There is also some other useful info in the thread as well.

Time for a new gas valve, or time for a new heater?

 

[The Diesel]

Thank you for the helpful tips. I set my pool up over the weekend and could not get the pilot to stay lit on the Hayward H150. It would light but was an orange long flame. I pulled the pilot assembly and blew out the lines (a bunch of spider webs came out) and cleaned everything up. I also cleaned all the contacts. Put back together and the heater fired right up. Turned on and off a few times and seems to be working fine. At the end of last year it was getting finicky on when it would fire up. I am hoping this fixed all the problems.

With a little research on the serial number I determined my heater was made in Feb 2005.