About 8yrs old, hasn't been run for a couple years. Fired up today and looked like a fireplace chimney. It did heat the water, but slowly. From reading through similar posts, sounds like I need to remove the burner tray, check nozzles, then pressure wash heat exchanger. Does this sound about right? Anything else to look for?
Raypak 266a propane: black smoke
- Thread starter 70runner
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,473
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Did your smoke look like in the pics here?
www.troublefreepool.com
Black smoke indicates a combustion problem. You need to open the heater and see what you find in the burner area.
Paypack Pool Heater -Plasticy/Burning smell when operating
Hi need your guys help please. I have been noticing a very potent smell from the pool heater when it is heating, which I originally thought was gas but the more I smell it the more it smells like some burning plastic or something like that... The original symptoms before the smell got bad was...
www.troublefreepool.com
Black smoke indicates a combustion problem. You need to open the heater and see what you find in the burner area.
Very similar to pic. Smoke was exiting vents and top of unit. I had previously wire meshed all the larger openings, to rat proof the unit (we live in the middle of an avocado grove), so don't think I have a critter issue. I'll start disassembling tomorrow.
Pulled the burner tray, cleaned the burner tubes, moderate soot. Nozzles looked OK. Pressure washed the heat exchanger from above and below. Lotsa soot. Put it back together, now the heater cycles. Flame looks good. Checked pressure switch, seems to be operating normally. Suggestions?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,473
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
minor smoking, which surprised me given that I pressure washed until water leaving the exchanger area was clean
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,473
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
If you are getting sooting then you have an air/gas mixture problem in the burners or exhaust. Post pics and lets let other heater guys have a look.
@RDspaguy @swamprat69 @Pool_Medic
@RDspaguy @swamprat69 @Pool_Medic
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,473
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
You should have a blue flame not an orange yellow flame.
www.inyopools.com
I think your propane gas pressure is too high or the orifice needs to be adjusted or you have insufficient airflow to the heater. You need less gas to give a cleaner more complete burn. The excess gas is creating the smoke and soot.
Post a pic of the heater and it's surrounding environment and how the exhaust is vented.
I think you need to call a qualified gas contractor.
Do I Need a High Elevation Heater? - INYOPools.com - DIY Resources
Do you know the answer to: the question: Do I Need a High Elevation Heater? If not, read our new blog explaining the tips on buying the correct pool heater.
www.inyopools.com
I think your propane gas pressure is too high or the orifice needs to be adjusted or you have insufficient airflow to the heater. You need less gas to give a cleaner more complete burn. The excess gas is creating the smoke and soot.
Post a pic of the heater and it's surrounding environment and how the exhaust is vented.
I think you need to call a qualified gas contractor.
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This is probably why it is cycling, but if you powerwashed the heat exchanger without pulling it you could have all kinds of stuff wet and dirty. I always pull it and take it somewhere it won't stain concrete.
How long did you wait to turn it back on?
Try using a blow dryer on low heat and high air to dry all components. See if that clears it up. Plan to be there a while. Do not overheat board, but pay close attention to wire harness connections.
Keep us posted.
This is probably why it is cycling, but if you powerwashed the heat exchanger without pulling it you could have all kinds of stuff wet and dirty. I always pull it and take it somewhere it won't stain concrete.
How long did you wait to turn it back on?
Try using a blow dryer on low heat and high air to dry all components. See if that clears it up. Plan to be there a while. Do not overheat board, but pay close attention to wire harness connections.
Keep us posted.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,473
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I think this is a good link...
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Buy Raypak Flame Sensor 006535F: Parts & Accessories - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
I tried it within an hour or so of pressure washing and didn't pull it. Would that explain the yellow flame?
Is there a way to troubleshoot the flame sensor?
Is there a way to troubleshoot the flame sensor?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,473
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
No, you probably have two different problems:
1 - incorrect air/gas mixture indicated by yellow flame creating smoke and soot
2 - cycling of the heater. If the too hot yellow flame was tripping an over heat safety it should display an error message.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,473
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Your manual is here --> http://cdn.globalimageserver.com/FetchDocument.aspx?ID=c404f1c5-ac50-4209-9457-56246d010b20
See page 39 - 10.4 -
Make visual check of the burner and pilot flames.
Yellow flame means restriction of the air openings
On testing the flame sensor you can try...
and there are YouTube videos on testing flame sensors.
See page 39 - 10.4 -
Make visual check of the burner and pilot flames.
Yellow flame means restriction of the air openings
On testing the flame sensor you can try...
and there are YouTube videos on testing flame sensors.
Appreciate you guys giving me a hand with this.
On pg 36 it says yellow flame indicates restricted airflow or incorrect orifice. Airflow is not restricted. Where is this orifice? Is it something supposed to be in the propane supply line?
Also, I've checked the whole manual, can't find anything about a flame sensor. It does address a flame roll-out switch.
No error messages.
On pg 36 it says yellow flame indicates restricted airflow or incorrect orifice. Airflow is not restricted. Where is this orifice? Is it something supposed to be in the propane supply line?
Also, I've checked the whole manual, can't find anything about a flame sensor. It does address a flame roll-out switch.
No error messages.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,473
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
What altitude are you at?
This discussion says the Raypak Standard Digital is good to 2,000 feet. Atmospheric heaters: Rated inputs are suitable for up to 2,000 feet elevation. For elevations above 2000 feet, reduce input 4% for each 1,000 feet above sea level, as high elevation reduces combustion performance.
www.troublefreepool.com
@JamesW thoughts?
This discussion says the Raypak Standard Digital is good to 2,000 feet. Atmospheric heaters: Rated inputs are suitable for up to 2,000 feet elevation. For elevations above 2000 feet, reduce input 4% for each 1,000 feet above sea level, as high elevation reduces combustion performance.
Gas Pool Heater and Elevation/Altitude
I'm getting ready to replace my leaky old gas heater with a new Raypak digital 406 model. I've been searching the internet to find the best deal. In one website, I notice that there was a difference in the 406 model based on elevation: 0-2000 ft and 2000 - 5000 ft, and there is about a $150...
www.troublefreepool.com
@JamesW thoughts?
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The yellow flame looks really bad.
Yellow flame is the result of incomplete combustion.
Yellow flame is much cooler than blue flame due to insufficient oxygen to allow full combustion.
Yellow flame creates carbon monoxide instead of carbon dioxide (only one oxygen vs two).
The flame should be above the burners, not below.
Possibly a restricted air flow issue.
What is the exact heater model number and age?
Yellow flame is the result of incomplete combustion.
Yellow flame is much cooler than blue flame due to insufficient oxygen to allow full combustion.
Yellow flame creates carbon monoxide instead of carbon dioxide (only one oxygen vs two).
The flame should be above the burners, not below.
Possibly a restricted air flow issue.
What is the exact heater model number and age?
I'm at about 700ft so should be good unless I got the wrong set of orifices. There are 5 part numbers, I assume I have #57? Are they marked? If the orifices are correct and there is unrestricted airflow, then perhaps my propane regulator needs checked/adjusted?
Rheem/Raypak P-266a-EP-C, installed Dec2012. Good physical condition, no rusting evident.
The burner tubes should be installed with the holes up or down?
No airflow restriction.