Gas water heater problem

RapidRobert

I have a 48 gal. Bradford White gas water heater that is @ 10 yrs old. The inducer motor comes on, the burner lights and the motor continues to run momentarily after the burner goes out. About every other cycle, the 15A breaker trips during the middle of the cycle. Any ideas? Thanks for any help.

DangerMouse

It trips when the motor is NOT running?

DM

__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Click
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
to see some of my original magic tricks and trick boxes!

RapidRobert

No, it trips once the motor starts. The motor and the burner are both running.

DangerMouse

I'd check the wiring. Look for loose connection.

DM

__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Click
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
to see some of my original magic tricks and trick boxes!

RapidRobert

I checked the motor and the wiring inside the panel and everything looks good and tight. Even replaced the breaker at the fuse box. Anyone know how to test the motor, and control unit?

Work4living

Is the induction motor getting hot......If so you are losing it, and your next move is a new heater.....replacement motor is quite pricey.

DangerMouse

True, they want an arm and a leg for those things.
A +10 YO heater might just be telling you it's time for a new one. Po)

DM

__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Click
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
to see some of my original magic tricks and trick boxes!

RapidRobert

Just checke the motor--it doesn't feel hot at all. Did find a blue wire (runs from the control unit to the ignitor/sensor) that looks like it may have arced against the panel cover.

DangerMouse

Hmm, that's probably not a good thing.... huh?

Wrap some black tape on it and see if it stops?

DM

__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Click
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
to see some of my original magic tricks and trick boxes!

RapidRobert

Checked with Bradford White tech support. They tell me that the only components capable of tripping the breaker are the inducer motor and the 120/24v transformer. Got the transformer and and motor pressure switch ordered. Guess I'll be changing them out on Wed. Motor assy itself is not too badly priced (under $200), but I'll save that as a final option since the transformer and switch are under $40 together.