Hot water system issue.

[loanrangie]

Our Aquamax hws system is playing up, thought it was just the pilot light being blown out in the strong wind on the weekend so checked it was lit and watched the burner light up when hot tap turned on. I noticed it was spluttering a bit like it had air in the system but there was only a tiny flicker of orange flame, unit has never had an issue in the 10 years since fitted and i expect it to be a thermocouple or possibly the burner needs to be replaced ? Its an Aquamax 390.

[bee utey]

A blocked main gas jet would make it run weak and lean.

[350RRC]

Had one of these for years, ending up with the same problem plus the pilot going out.

Turned out to be caused by ants getting in. Plumber mate reckons its really common.

When dismantled and blown out it was amazing how much stuff (dead ants) came out.

DL

[loanrangie]

I thought it may be a pilot light issue but after checking again this morning the pilot is on and strong and burner lights up without issue, i suspect we may have had an issue with the supply but seems good now.

[350RRC]

I thought it may be a pilot light issue but after checking again this morning the pilot is on and strong and burner lights up without issue, i suspect we may have had an issue with the supply but seems good now.

Ok, The other thing that can happen is that you end up with an ant's nest in the exhaust vent system that goes up from the main burner around the tank, then back down to the stainless vents on the sides.

From memory you have to remove one or both of these and hit the inside with a leaf blower. Stacks of stuff may come out.

The main burner flame can be weak if this is blocked because air can't be sucked in at the bottom and the flame is suffocating in its own exhaust.

Maybe see if there is plenty of warm air coming out of the side vents when the burner is going. Whole deal sounds horribly familiar.

cheers, DL

[loanrangie]

Ok, The other thing that can happen is that you end up with an ant's nest in the exhaust vent system that goes up from the main burner around the tank, then back down to the stainless vents on the sides.

From memory you have to remove one or both of these and hit the inside with a leaf blower. Stacks of stuff may come out.

The main burner flame can be weak if this is blocked because air can't be sucked in at the bottom and the flame is suffocating in its own exhaust.

Maybe see if there is plenty of warm air coming out of the side vents when the burner is going. Whole deal sounds horribly familiar.

cheers, DL

It all appears to be working well Dave, i checked for crap in there but nothing but a few cob webs to be found. I'm sure that when we first had issues i couldn't see the pilot light although it is down low and was in sunlight.
Parts are quite cheap for this unit so i will just leave it for now unless it plays up again.