rdlsz24
New Member
Hey guys, I have a 50 gallon Bradford Defender water heater with a build date of March 2016. We moved into the house in 2017 and haven't had an issue with it until yesterday. Noticed we didn't have any hot water so I went and checked it and the pilot was out. I took the door off and cleaned out inside, burner, vacuumed louvered tray, etc. Then I tried relighting it by following the instructions and the status light wouldn't blink so when I would let go of the button the pilot would go back out. That was when I noticed that the little button on the thermal switch was popped out, so I pushed it back in. Pilot stayed lit and I was back in business. Since then, though, it has happened two more times.
If found the service manual at https://s3.amazonaws.com/bradfordwh...prior_naeca_archived_servicemanual_44943d.pdf, and it suggests cleaning like I did, wrong venting, or wrong gas pressure. I wouldn't think it would be the venting or gas since those haven't changed in years.
Is there anything else I should try before calling somebody? Does using compressed air clean better than a shop vac? I'm assuming I shouldn't try replacing the thermal switch since it is popping for a reason right?
Rob
If found the service manual at https://s3.amazonaws.com/bradfordwh...prior_naeca_archived_servicemanual_44943d.pdf, and it suggests cleaning like I did, wrong venting, or wrong gas pressure. I wouldn't think it would be the venting or gas since those haven't changed in years.
Is there anything else I should try before calling somebody? Does using compressed air clean better than a shop vac? I'm assuming I shouldn't try replacing the thermal switch since it is popping for a reason right?
Rob
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