Rinnai · Tankless water heater

SE Cascade diagnostic display (error on secondary unit)

Medium severity SENSEISENSEI RX/CX

What the control is telling you

In a cascade of commercial units, the primary heater's display alternates between SE and the set temperature whenever any secondary heater is showing an error code.

Applies to: SENSEI Commercial and SENSEI CX Series (cascade installations)

Likely causes

  • An error code is active on a secondary water heater in the cascade
  • Primary unit relaying a fault from a cascaded secondary unit

Test and repair steps

  1. Note that SE appears only on SENSEI Commercial and SENSEI CX Series units connected in cascade.
  2. When the primary unit flashes SE and the set temperature, check the secondary heaters to find which one is displaying an error code, then troubleshoot that code.

Settings for these units

RSC supply connection sizes · SENSEI

ConnectionSize
Gas3/4 in. NPT
Cold inlet3/4 in. NPT
Hot outlet3/4 in. NPT
Condensate drain1/2 in. NPT
Pressure relief valveM33 thread

The PRV and its adapter come in the box; PRV must be rated 150 psi and at least the heater Btu/h.

Condensate drain line must stay at least 1/2 in. over its whole length.

RSC water quality limits · SENSEI

ContaminantMaximum level
Total hardnessUp to 200 mg/L
AluminumUp to 0.2 mg/L
ChloridesUp to 250 mg/L
CopperUp to 1.0 mg/L
Dissolved CO2Up to 15.0 mg/L
IronUp to 0.3 mg/L
ManganeseUp to 0.05 mg/L
pH6.5 to 8.5
TDSUp to 500 mg/L
ZincUp to 5 mg/L

Damage from water above these limits is not covered by warranty.

Hard water should be treated; use the Service Soon (SS) reminder (parameter 03) for flushing intervals.

Models that show this code

30 models in SENSEI, SENSEI RX/CX

CU160eCU160iCU199eCU199iCX160iCX199iCXP160iCXP199iRSC160eRSC160iRSC199eRSC199iRU130eRU130iRU160eRU160iRU180eRU180iRU199eRU199iRUR160eRUR160iRUR199eRUR199iRX130iRX160iRX180iRX199iRXP160iRXP199i

Other codes on the same units

  • 66 Bypass flow servo fault
  • 70 PC board fault
  • 71 Gas solenoid valve fault (SV0–SV4 on Non-SENSEI)
  • 72 Flame rod fault
  • FF Maintenance performed (history marker)
  • LC Scale build-up in heat exchanger (LC, LC0–LC9, 00)
  • SEt Initial settings not yet confirmed
  • SS Service Soon alert (also listed as 55)

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Source: Rinnai Troubleshooting TWH Diagnostic Codes (100000652), p.65. Summarized in our own words; check the original manual for your model.

Homeowner looking at this code? See what it means for you and when to call a technician.

For licensed technicians. Gas, electrical and refrigerant work must be done by a qualified, licensed person. Shut off power and gas before servicing, never bypass a safety control, and follow the manufacturer’s manual for the exact model; it and local codes always take priority. HVACopedia is not affiliated with any manufacturer; brand and model names only identify the equipment.