Rheem draft inducer replacement. Lose hi limit?

[Jim Katen]

I've probably seen a hundred or so Rheem/Ruud furnaces from the '90s that have had their draft inducers replaced. This was the first time I've seen one where one of the hi-limit switches had been removed in the process.

The HVAC tech, who says he's a Rheem factory-authorized tech, says that the proper course of action is to remove the high limit and jump the wires.

I'll be calling Rheem in the morning. In the meantime, has anyone else heard this?

- Jim Katen, Oregon

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[hausdok]

Hi Jim,

I think he just cobbled in something off his truck from another brand and figures that you're gullible enough to believe it.

OT - OF!!!

M.

[Jim Katen]

Originally posted by hausdok

Hi Jim,

I think he just cobbled in something off his truck from another brand and figures that you're gullible enough to believe it.

OT - OF!!!

M.

Actually, it's better than that. The first picture is from the original inspection. The second and third pictures are from the reinspection after the homeowner installed the new draft inducer himself. My criticism in the reinspection report led to a visit by the heating tech who wrote the letter, snipped off the hi limit switch and jumpered the wires together. He says that this is the Rheem-approved fix and that Rheem has published a technical note to that effect.

I'm wary of the claim, but I find it plausible. There are three other hi limit switches on this poor furnace. I can't imagine that high temperatures have a chance to cause much mischief around this thing.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Scottpat]

The replacement draft inducer fans I have seen look almost like the old Windjammer inducer fan but they have a metal housing.

[Home Pride]

I'm not sure the homeowners want their Name, Address, & Phone Number displayed on the web for all to see.

Dom.

[Jim Katen]

Originally posted by Home Pride

I'm not sure the homeowners want their Name, Address, & Phone Number displayed on the web for all to see.

Dom.

Mmm. Good point. I've changed that.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Jim Katen]

I talked with two people I trust. One is an old time HVAC tradesman who's installed two systems on my own house. The other is the local distributor for Rheem. Neither of them mentioned problems with "unnecessary tripping under false conditions."

However, they both agreed that the switch was probably unnecessary.

After speaking with each of them at length, I'm satisfied that the furnace is safe without that particular limit switch.

FYI, the cast metal replacement inducers were phased out because they were noisy. The sheet metal ones are current.

- Jim Katen, Oregon