Help ordering correct hot water heater parts

[LAGrunthaner]

I spent all day trying to order the correct thermopile for my AO Smith 4 yr old hot water heater to no avail. My 4 yr old AO Smith hot water heater is model number GCR 30 400 and this video is perfect but now I'm not sure if it's only the thermopile (thermopile is for the newer units using electronics and requiring more current than a theromocoupler) or additional parts. Worst case senerio I order the entire water heater burner which contains everything but more money. I just want to figure what I need and get the correct part number and I'm frustrated. I fix all my own appliances and on a budget. Sold and repaired all plumbing for years so I have some experience. Tips and trick and of course knowledge appreciated.

I'm not happy that a 4 yr old hot water heater needs anything so yes I'm angry but I suppose we all need to eat.


Link

_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org

[LAGrunthaner]

Fixed it, I just watched this video and at the end he shows the thermocouple switch and if it pops back in like a breaker that will cause the electronic polite from starting. Yes on mine I was able to press back in like a breaker. Then I was able to get the pilot light to stay on and heat the water. Now I want to know why the thermocouple switch popped out as per this YouTube.

Thanks for listening to me whine. I'm good now.


Link

_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org

[cbeck]

Mine has a "filter" that wraps around the bottom to keep out the dust. The thermal would pop out every time my daughter took one of her 30 minute showers. Removed the filter and no more problems. 2 years now.
The thermo coupler is the only part available for mine, short of the entire burner/controler assy.
_________________
My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[raydog]

That resettable switch is a thermo-disc. It trips if the combustion chamber overheats due to lack of air or blocked flue. Check under the water heater for lint plugging up the air intake, blow out with compressed air, make sure you have good draft.

[ToolBox]

[Bulli Klinik]

Why would you need to heat hot water?

Water heater.
_________________
I've never met a Bus I didn't like.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

[Abscate]

Room temperature water is quite hot, at least 459 Kelvin. Ergo , it’s a hot water heater

L - you might have one of the unique left hand thread thermocouples which are NLA on that AO Smith. You used to be able to get a workaround with a collar but. With people going to on demand , that option , too , is NLA

I’ve got a few stashed away from the decrepit rental units I used for widows and orphans. First/last and one summer of yacht fuel due on move in.
_________________
.ssS!

[LAGrunthaner]

You guys are very funny, yes "hot water heater"

Little update. Friday just before running out the door to school I took a shower and for a second I felt the hot water drop in temperature. I didn't think anything of it, I was running short on time.

I got home to no flashing light on the computer, took a peek and saw the pilot light out again. I tested the thermo-cut-off switch for continuity just for fun and pressed it. I started the pilot and got hot water. I finally found the AO Smith phone number and hoped they would answer. I waited on the phone on hold for 1 hr 10 min and then the robot stated I would receive a callback. After another hr I got a great expert to determine what I needed to order. I almost fell off my chair when he said my unit was still under warranty till 2022 with just my serial number. I didn't recall registering so I'm guessing the local shop did it for me as they are a very old local company. He said the thermopile (a pile of thermocouples) is being mailed out immediately with no charge.

BTW he knew these guys in this video and they were the best throughout all my research. I hope the install goes smoothly.


Link

_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org

[Cusser]

[Jennepher]

Did a little clean-up.
_________________
Donate to TheSamba.com

[ToolBox]

[16CVs]

Why would you heat Hot water?

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Cusser]

[Zundfolge1432]

[Abscate]

Enquiring minds still want to know if L got a couple of thermo piles or a pile of thermo couples.

Thanks for cleaning up, J. Did you have enough hot water ?
_________________
.ssS!

[Erik G]

4 years sucks. Just replaced one myself and if I have to do it again in 4 years I'll be pissed. The last one was from 2004

[LAGrunthaner]

Yes Abscate I received a Pilot/Thermopile Assembly under warrantee.

Unfortunately I broke & dislocated my rib slipping on ice and falling down brick stairs over 3 weeks ago. Long slow heal still sleeping on a chair leaving me exhausted and doctors give no method to heal but tell you not to get hurt again as it will puncture my spleen. UGH!

Back to the "hot water tank and the pilot light" I am unable to replace the new Pilot/Thermopile Assembly with my broken rib although I am now able to light the pilot & light grateful for hot water

I may call my installer and have them install but not until I get the vaccine. It's been a long slow heal 2 to 8 more weeks to hopefully heal back to normal.

[AirHead1966]

[Abscate]

[LAGrunthaner]

Saga continues:
Finally got my second vaccine for covid and had the installer/seller of my A.O.Smith tank install the thermopile to cover my warrantee. I went back to work and 3 hrs later the pilot light was out again. When the technician installed the thermopile he said it didn't look bad and thought maybe it was the TCO (thermo cutoff switch) and have A.O.Smith send me a new one also covered under warrantee. Now I have my $133. service invested after the $$ for this new heater in 2017 and yet have no solution.

I called A.O.Smith and the technician had me test (I sent photos and video) ventilation as well as see the vent pipes installed. They said it was venting properly. They also said the gas pressure tested. They also said the switch is not bad because it does trip and reset which means it is doing what it is supposed to. The TCO switch trips to prevent unburned gas from being released into the house.

This video was very helpful to learn more, the next one shows how to test that switch which I will do after school (I'm a teacher) although I've never seen OL (open loop) on my digital multimeter which should be interesting. I'm exhausted. BTW the company I bought it from said "the technician said get the switch. I am frustrated and will relay what the technician at A.O.Smith told me and test the switch. I feel like ripping the heater out with my bare hands and boil my water LOL. More to come.

Great explanation "how they work":

Link


How to test the TCO:

Link

_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org