Rheem water heater -pressure switch?

**canpaul** · November 4th, 2011, 03:55 AM

Model Number: PVS 50

Brand: other

Age: 1-5 years

Or power vented Rheem water heater will not light. This has happened very rarely since the unit was about 2 years old, now it is around 5. We would notice no hot water, and the LED on the control valve would be lit soild. Unplugging and plugging it back in would get it started again, sometimes for several months. Now it does not respond to a power cycle, so I looked at it closer last night.

When we power cycle the unit, the vent motor runs for several seconds, then the red LED on the controller goes solid, and it stops.

I checked all the controller wiring for continuity, including the harness that goes to the vent assembly at the top of the tank, all seemed fine.
I found that the pressure switch (pins 4 and 8) on the controller was open, which i guess is normal, but i suspect it never closes. After doing a power cycle, while the vent motor is running, if I short the pins on the controller that go to the switch momentarily, the unit lights and heats the water normally. I have cleaned out the area around the vent wheel, which was not dirty at all, removed the two hoses to make sure they are clear, and blew air through the hose nipples.

Is it a pretty safe bet to just replace the pressure switch at this point?

Thanks,
Paul

**canpaul** · November 9th, 2011, 04:13 AM

Replaced the pressure switch last night. Mounted differently, but the heater is working properly now.

***Jake*** · November 9th, 2011, 11:43 AM

Hi Paul,

Sounds good, sorry no one replied. I know nothing about this model myself.

Jake

**Vvarak** · January 30th, 2012, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by canpaul

Replaced the pressure switch last night. Mounted differently, but the heater is working properly now.

Hi Canpaul,

I am having the same issue and need to order the part.
The switch is connected directly to the power-vent on the top.
And the part number on it is AP12839.
Doing a search on Rheem's catalog, the part number is actually AP12840.
Although, doing searches for these part numbers havn't returned any parts.

What part number and where did you order it from?

Thanks!

**canpaul** · February 7th, 2012, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Vvarak

Hi Canpaul,

I am having the same issue and need to order the part.
The switch is connected directly to the power-vent on the top.
And the part number on it is AP12839.
Doing a search on Rheem's catalog, the part number is actually AP12840.
Although, doing searches for these part numbers havn't returned any parts.

What part number and where did you order it from?

Thanks!

Hi Vvarak.

I hope this is not to late to help you.

The part I ordered is "SP20111 Press Switch Kit W / Jumper, RUUD. I had to order it from a place called Wolseley Mechanical in Orangeville Ontario. They are a supplier of electrical and mechanical parts. I got their contact info when calling Rheem looking for the part. Of course Rheem does not sell parts to consumers. I paid $58.06 for the part.

Paul

**Vvarak** · March 7th, 2012, 05:14 AM

Originally Posted by canpaul

Hi Vvarak.

I hope this is not to late to help you.

The part I ordered is "SP20111 Press Switch Kit W / Jumper, RUUD. I had to order it from a place called Wolseley Mechanical in Orangeville Ontario. They are a supplier of electrical and mechanical parts. I got their contact info when calling Rheem looking for the part. Of course Rheem does not sell parts to consumers. I paid $58.06 for the part.

Paul

Hi Paul,

I ended up playing the with sensor and it worked...until today.
This time I'm getting 3 blinks - "pressure switch closed" which is definitely pointing to the switch.
So thanks for the info!
I guess the catalog I was looking at has old part numbers. I found the part number you referenced in a newer catalog.
I called Wolseley in Oshawa and they gave me a bit of hassel that I'm not a contractor. But they quoted me $115.
I guess that's the "you're not a contractor" price.
I guess I'll call a few of them, as they are many in the GTA.

Thanks,
Henry.

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