Rheem Gas Water Heater Code 7 Flammable Vapor Sensor

[LLigetfa]

The Honeywell gas valve locked out on me with the error sequence of 7 flashes. That might have been Tuesday that this happened, based on the water being lukewarm all day Wednesday. On Tuesday, the wife had sprayed her boots with waterproofing. She did it outside since it stinks to high Heaven and warns of flammable vapors but then she immediately brought the boots in and set them down near the water heater.

On Wednesday when I got home from work, I Googled for the error 7 code and the results say it is a Flammable Vapor Sensor detection or fault. I reset the valve by turning the temp dial up and down quickly. I assumed the boots might have tripped the sensor. She has since taken the boots away, but on Friday when I got home from work, it was again tripped and I reset it a second time. That was yesterday and so far today it is fine.

Does the sensor fully recover from the event or does it permanently affect it?

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

good question.... It might be wise to just buy another one..
they cost about 20 bucks and are very easy to change out...
probably available at the nearest rheem plumbing supply house

 

[Sponsor]

 

[LLigetfa]

The HWT is under contract so if it trips again I will just call the tech.

I searched before posting and found the following where the replacements were short lived. I would never consider bypassing such an important safety feature but do wonder why they kept failing.
https://terrylove.com/forums/index....r-sensor-repeated-lockouts.60403/#post-613926

 

[LLigetfa]

It has not tripped since the second reset. I had a leak detector that uses a 9 volt battery sitting an inch away from the sensor and wonder if the battery off-gassing might have set it off. I moved it. Guess I should check to see if the battery is leaking acid.

I have a CO detector near the water heater that went off one day when I brought a frozen car battery into the mudroom and put it on charge. Big difference between a 9 volt battery and a car battery but also different sensors and different gasses.