My B-W propane water heater, about 22 years old, has gone through several thermocouples in the last few years. The techs installed a new pilot burner and tc recently and all was well till we came home from vacation Sunday night and found we had no hot water. I tried to relight, but it wouldn't stay lit, so cold shower Monday morning.
Techs came again and replaced the tc (yet again) but still couldn't re-light it, so it must be the valve. Since the heater is way past its life expectancy, I didn't want to spend any repair money on it, but I need a few days to decide what heater to get.
The tech removed a collar around where the tc attaches and pulled out two small wires. I'm not sure if he disconected them or what. Replaced the tc and then was able to re-light in the normal manner, giving me a reprieve.
What do those wires do? He said it's an extra safety feature which is "not important"! What is the likelihood of something bad happening? He wasn't able to explain it to me.
As a precaution while it's in this state, we're keeping the unit on pilot only, turning it on only when we shower. Don't want to turn the pilot off for fear of not being able to re-light. Meantime, I'm researching heaters, and considering replacing heater AND furnace with a combination unit, so I'd like some more time! Is this safe or not?
Techs came again and replaced the tc (yet again) but still couldn't re-light it, so it must be the valve. Since the heater is way past its life expectancy, I didn't want to spend any repair money on it, but I need a few days to decide what heater to get.
The tech removed a collar around where the tc attaches and pulled out two small wires. I'm not sure if he disconected them or what. Replaced the tc and then was able to re-light in the normal manner, giving me a reprieve.
What do those wires do? He said it's an extra safety feature which is "not important"! What is the likelihood of something bad happening? He wasn't able to explain it to me.
As a precaution while it's in this state, we're keeping the unit on pilot only, turning it on only when we shower. Don't want to turn the pilot off for fear of not being able to re-light. Meantime, I'm researching heaters, and considering replacing heater AND furnace with a combination unit, so I'd like some more time! Is this safe or not?