Hayward Universal HC Series Model HDF400 Pool Heater - A2 and A1 Error Codes

[sonnaps]

I just had a new pool heater installed about a week ago by a Leslie's Pool tech since I purchased the heater from them. The tech did the install and ran the heater only for a few minutes to check for ignition and stuff. He had done some other plumbing work so he didn't want to run in too long, or the pool pump either, so that the PVC glue really had some time to cure.

The heater is a 400,000 BTU Hayward Universal HC Series Model HDF400 Pool Heater.

Anyway, we ran our new heater for the first time this morning. It was going good. I set the temp to 85, we were starting to climb in temp, about 1 degree every half hour. After about an hour I heard the heater shut off. I went and saw there was an error code of A2. I looked it up in the manual and it states:

A2 -Air switch open after ignitor warm-up: Differential Pressure Switch open when expected closed. This code indicates
the switch opened during the heating cycle.

I followed the instructions to cycle back to standby and then back to pool mode and immediately got an A1 error message now.

A1 - Air switch circuit open before ignitor warm-up: Differential Pressure Switch open when expected closed. This code indicates
the switch circuit never closed when the blower turned on or reopened within 10 seconds of the blower starting.

I went back to the manual and it said to try cutting off the power to the heater for some time to do a true reset, so I flipped the power switch for it near the other electrical stuff, waited 30 secs and flipped it back on. I set the heater to pool mode and it fired right up. Temp was climbing again slowly and again after about one hour, I got the A2 error code again. I just shut it all off and didn't want to mess with it anymore for now.

So I put in a call to Leslie's for a service call which would be in a week and a half. Hayward is closed on weekends for any tech support. I can't find any info on these specific errors online. The most I can surmise is that it's a faulty air pressure switch. Idk. Could it be anything else? I already know Leslie's would show up in a week and a half only to tell me they have to order a part that will take a month to get in.

Is there any troubleshooting I can do in the meantime? I don't think it's an air flow problem, but really I don't know much on this stuff. I was about to pull the panel off and poke around, just check connections to the air pressure switch and see if anything looks odd or out of place. I mean it runs fine for at least an hour before it errors out.

 

[Poolbreh]

It sounds like a faulty afs. Maybe pick up the part from Leslie’s to have it on you for the tech when he arrives.

 

[sonnaps]

So just in case anyone comes across this thread researching the same issues, it seems it's fixed right now. I opened up the top of the unit to take a look at the vacuum hoses and three of them seemed to not be seated completely. Also an electrical connection on the vacuum pressure switch itself was not completely snapped down either.

So far the heater has been running fine after I did those few things. It ran for about 3hrs getting the temp up to 90 degrees and so far so good.

 

[Dev850]

So I have an interesting story regarding this exact heater. I work for leslies and sold this heater to a customer (one of a few dozen this year, all without issue except this one). Customer calls me and says its getting the A1 error code. After checking several other thing per Haywards recommendation, we decide its a bad differential pressure switch. I eventually get my hands on a new pressure switch and same problem. I end up swapping the whole heater out for a completely different one of the exact same model. It fires up after install and then i get another call from the customer stating that he is now getting an A2 error on the new heater when it reaches temp. I'm at my wits end with this. I'm tempted to just swap it out with a H400FD and be done with it. I will check the hoses as per your recommendation and photos though.

 

[sonnaps]

So I have an interesting story regarding this exact heater. I work for leslies and sold this heater to a customer (one of a few dozen this year, all without issue except this one). Customer calls me and says its getting the A1 error code. After checking several other thing per Haywards recommendation, we decide its a bad differential pressure switch. I eventually get my hands on a new pressure switch and same problem. I end up swapping the whole heater out for a completely different one of the exact same model. It fires up after install and then i get another call from the customer stating that he is now getting an A2 error on the new heater when it reaches temp. I'm at my wits end with this. I'm tempted to just swap it out with a H400FD and be done with it. I will check the hoses as per your recommendation and photos though.

Let me know how it works out. I'm very curious about it. So far we have ran the heater several times, about 4-6hrs or so each time and so far no issue. I really hope that's all it was with the hoses. Don't forget to make sure those blade style electrical connections on the pressure switch are seated well and pushed all the way in too. One of mine was like half-way pushed on.

My heater would error out within an hour, so I was guessing it was an issue of heat building up just enough to move either one of those hoses or that electrical connection by a fraction to cause that error.

P.S., is that you Dev? It's Constantine, lol.

 

[Topshelf131]

Following up on this. I am immediately getting error code A1 on this on a new install. PB is telling me it could be up to 3 weeks to get somebody out to look at it which is completely ridiculous as they've installed a non-working component. I'm thinking of taking a look myself just to see if the tubes are all seated and the plugs are plugged in properly. Do I risk voiding any warranties trying to tackle this myself?

 

[venexiano]

Hi did you guys end up fixing this? If yes how? I am getting 1 installed next month and I was curious. @sonnaps, how many gallons in your pool? 1 deg every half an hour is pretty good. Where do you live?

 

[sonnaps]

Mine is still going strong after my fix noted above last season. We have used it multiple times this season even bringing the pool up to 90 degrees because my wife is nuts and thinks 83 degrees is "chilly". My pool is 21,000 gallons and I'm in NJ. Also yes, still about a couple degrees per hour... it's quick for my smaller pool size.

 

[SDKruegz]

Mine is still going strong after my fix noted above last season. We have used it multiple times this season even bringing the pool up to 90 degrees because my wife is nuts and thinks 83 degrees is "chilly". My pool is 21,000 gallons and I'm in NJ. Also yes, still about a couple degrees per hour... it's quick for my smaller pool size.

I’m glad yours is fixed. Ours has no resolution till now. we called in for warranty so we’ll see how it goes. Ours was installed in January.