How is a working tankless water heater supposed to ignite?


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Old 04-20-19, 01:19 AM
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How is a working tankless water heater supposed to ignite?

I have a Bosch Aquastar (250SX, natural gas) tankless water heater with which I'm currently experiencing problems.
It never crossed my mind to open it up and observe it when it was operating correctly so, now, I don’t know exactly what that is nor have I, thus far, been able to locate that information.

When operating properly..
..does the igniter spark to light the main gas burner directly or
..does the igniter spark to light a "pilot light" which, in turn, lights the main gas burner?

Thank you
 
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Old 04-20-19, 09:29 AM
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The burner is lit directly from the spark.

Manual (pdf)
 
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Old 04-20-19, 01:47 PM
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Hmmm... not sure if that's good news or bad but thanks just the same.

Are you an owner, a Bosch Tech or other?

Thank you
 
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Old 04-20-19, 03:47 PM
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I'm a servicing tech. I would not own a tankless heater.
 
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Old 04-21-19, 03:07 PM
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Pete,

Ha! I’m not sure whether or not you were intending to be humourous but it kinda is, like
“No, I just own this restaurant. I’d never consider eating here!”
 
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Old 04-21-19, 03:40 PM
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I am pretty sure he was not trying to be funny. Just because he services them does not mean he recommends them just as a auto mechanic might work on a Yugo if you bring it to them but they wouldn't recommend it as a good, reliable automobile. Tankless heaters are energy efficient but they have some maintenance requirements and issues.
 
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Old 04-21-19, 10:13 PM
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No.... there was no humor there.

I have seen entirely too many problems with tankless heaters. They are too dependent on water quality for proper and carefree operation. They require more routine servicing then they should.
 
 

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