Hayward Pool Heater Shuts Down When Reducing Flow

[taylormade]

Hi all,

Noticed my Hayward H300 ED2 Milivolt Heater wouldn't turn on so I cleaned the heat sensor and checked all orifices for spider webs, all clear. I touched the connection on the back of the keypad that runs the wire to the heat sensor and the heater started, so I removed the connection and cleaned with sandpaper (wire looks good). I thought all was good as the heater was working as normal but then I closed the skimmer line to give the vac line a little more pressure for vacuuming and the heater shut down, I have done this many times for years with the same water flow rate and never had this issue. If I open the skimmer line the heater will kick back on, but every time I close it the heater now kicks off. Any ideas what needs replacing now?

Thanks

 

[Richard320]

Maybe the filter is due for a cleaning. If you restrict the flow coming in and it's already restricted leaving, it might be too much.

 

[taylormade]

Cleaning as in backwash, did that, didn't change anything. I should mention that I bought a new keypad a few weeks ago as the up down arrows stopped working so the connection to the heat sensor should be good.What about any pressure valves? I have had the heater for 8 years now and never had to replace anything there, it seems like I am getting the same water pressure as always. I should also mention that when I said I turned the skimmer valve to off in order to vacuum but this is the automatic vacuum and I run the water pressure just enough to have it vacuum, that's why I close the skimmer, but this is what I have done for years. It's funny that I just touched the connection from the keypad to the heat sensor and the heater kicked on also. Maybe I should try closing the skimmer to have the heater kick off and then try touching the keypad connection to the heat sensor again.

 

[ps0303]

"Heat sensor" Do you mean temp sensor? What keypad did you buy to replace the bad one?

 

[taylormade]

"Heat sensor" Do you mean temp sensor? What keypad did you buy to replace the bad one?

Sorry it was the prongs on the ignitor assembly

that I cleaned and the connection on the back of the keypad ( Hayward HAXCPA1932 Control Bezel) to the ignitor assembly that I touched and it started.

Hayward HAXCPA1932 Control Bezel Assembly Replacement for Hayward Pool Heater: Amazon.ca: Patio, Lawn Garden

 

[taylormade]

I have the Hayward EcoStar Variable Speed pump so I just turned my minimum speed up just a bit and I am now able to close the skimmer line, leaving the vacuum line open and the heater no longer shuts off. Feels like a band aid solution though, there was also a pressure switch visible that I turned clockwise 1/4, this maxed it out but may be part of the issue?

 

[ps0303]

That is the flame sensor portion of the ignitor. However, this ignitor is not part of a millivolt unit. A millivolt unit would have a pilot generator of which stays lit all the time. What you have pictured is for a regular ED2 Direct Spark unit. Also, if the point wehre this plugs into on the control board is lose, then you might need to resolder it. I see these come lose and needing resoldering.

Anyway, You really should never have to mess with the pressure switch on the heater. The factory setting is usually sufficient for all setups unless the body of water sits above where the heater is. Then you would adjust the pressure switch so that the downward pressure of the water would not cause the heater to remain lit when the pump is off.

Does your pool have a drain in the bottom of it? If so, I would advise closing off the pool drain to cause the pool vacuum to run better. It's best to just leave the skimmer open as much as possible. Now obviously if you have an above ground pool, then you don't have a pool drain so my suggestion wouldn't work.

 

[taylormade]

Ah so I have a direct spark, learning more every day thanks, It is an inground 18'X36' and the body of water does not sit above where the heater is. With the keypad being new you would think maybe touching it and making the heater turn on was a fluke, not saying that it doesn't need to be re soldered, there is still the point that the heater shuts off when I close the skimmer line. I do not have a drain, Richard320 suggested cleaning the filter, I have not taken the top off the filter in 4 years, even though I backwash is it possible there is a bunch of debris in there that can only be removed by taking the top off?

 

[ps0303]

"I have not taken the top off the filter in 4 years," What type of filter is it, DE or sand?

 

[taylormade]

It's a sand filter, replaced the sand 4 years ago.