Operating Your Water Heater. American Water Heater 319407-002, Residential Gas Water Heater with the Flame Guard Safety System

OPERATING YOUR WATER HEATER

Lighting Instructions

WARNING

Read and understand these directions thoroughly before attempting to start or re-start the water heater. Make sure the viewport is not missing or damaged. (See Figure 28)

Make sure the tank is completely filled with water before turning the power switch on. Check the data plate near the gas control valve/thermostat for the correct gas. Do not use this water heater with any gas other than the one listed on the data plate. If you have any questions or doubts, consult your gas supplier or gas utility company.

Explosion Hazard

Replace viewport if glass is missing or damaged.

Failure to do so can result in death, explosion or fire.

FOR YOUR SAFETY READ BEFORE LIGHTING

WARNING:

If you do not follow these instructions exactly, a fire or explosion may result causing property damage, personal injury or loss of life.

A. This appliance is equipped with an ignition device which automatically lights the pilot. Do not try to light the pilot by hand

B. BEFORE LIGHTING smell all around the appliance area for gas. Be sure to smell next to the floor because some gas is heavier than air and will settle on the floor.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS:

•

•

•

Do not try to light any appliance.

Do not touch any electrical switch; do not use any phone in your building.

Immediately call your gas supplier from a neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas supplier’s instructions.

• If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call the fire

department.

C. Use only your hand to turn the gas control temperature knob. Never use tools. If the knob will not move by hand, don’t try to repair it, call a qualified service technician.

Force or attempted repair may result in a fire or explosion.

D. Do not use this appliance if any part has been under water. Immediately call a qualified service technician to inspect the appliance. Water heaters subjected to flood conditions or anytime the gas controls, main burner or pilot have been submerged in water require replacement of the entire water heater.

E. DO NOT USE THIS APPLIANCE IF THERE HAS BEEN AN

IGNITION OF VAPORS. Immediately call a qualified service technician to inspect the appliance. Water heaters subjected to a flammable vapors ignition will show a discoloration on the air intake grid (bottom of combustion chamber) and require replacement of the entire water heater.

LIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS

1. STOP! It is imperative that you read all the safety warnings above on this label.

8. This appliance is equipped with a device that automatically lights the pilot.

DO NOT TRY TO LIGHT THE PILOT BY HAND.

2. Remove the outer door.

3. Move the ON / OFF switch on the Gas Control Valve/

Thermostat to the OFF position.

On / Off Switch

HOT

ON

STATUS

OFF

B

C

A

VE

RY

HOT

LOW

Status Light

120°F

Position

HOT

A

B

C

VAC

•

Gas Control/Temperature Knob

LOW

•

VAC

4. To clear any gas that may have accumulated, wait ten (10) minutes.

If you then smell gas, STOP! Follow “ B” in the safety warning above. If you do not smell gas go to the next

step.

Y

9.

When the pilot is lit, the status light should blink a heartbeat (bright, dim, bright, dim, etc). If the status light does not start blinking, repeat steps 3 - 7.

The pilot can be located by looking through the glass view port. If the pilot is lit, you will see the pilot flame through the glass view port.

IMPORTANT:If the appliance (pilot) fails to light after several tries, follow the instructions “To Turn Off Gas to Appliance” and call a qualified service technician or gas supplier. Record any status light flash codes.

Pilot

Igniter

Electrode

5.

Turn on all electric power to the appliance. (Connect to a grounded 110/120 volt power outlet.)

6.

Move the ON / OFF switch on the Gas Control Valve/

Thermostat to the ON position.

7.

Turn the gas control/temperature knob to the

“LOW” temperature setting. As shown above.

10. Set the gas control/temperature knob to the desired setting.

11. Replace the outer door.

TO TURN OFF GAS TO APPLIANCE

1. Turn off the gas to the water heater at the manual shut-off valve.

2. Move the ON / OFF switch on the Gas Control Valve/

Thermostat to the OFF position.

3. Turn off all electric power to the appliance. (Disconnect from a grounded 110/120 volt power outlet.)

17

L.P.G. (Bottled Propane) Models

Liquefi ed petroleum gas is over 50% heavier than air and in the occurrence of a leak in the system, the gas will settle at fl oor level. Basements, crawl spaces, skirted areas under mobile homes (even when ventilated), closets and areas below ground level will serve as pockets for the accumulation of gas. Before lighting an L.P. gas water heater, smell all around the appliance at fl oor level. If you smell gas, follow the instructions as given in the warning on the front page.

When your L.P. tank runs out of fuel, turn off the gas at all gas appliances including pilot lights. After the tank is refi lled, all appliances must be re-lit according to their manufacturer’s instructions.

Checking the Draft

WARNING

Burn Hazard

Do not touch vent.

Doing so can result in burns.

After successfully lighting the water heater, allow the unit to operate for 15 minutes and check the drafthood relief opening for proper draft. Make sure all other appliances in the area are operating and all doors are closed when performing the draft test. Pass a match flame around the relief opening of

Figure 20

Relief

Opening

Draft Hood

Match the drafthood. A steady flame drawn into the opening indicates proper draft. If the flame flutters or is blown out, combustion products are escaping from the relief opening. If this occurs, do not operate the water heater until proper adjustments or repairs are made to the vent pipe system and/or air supply requirements.

Burner Flames

Inspect the burner flames through the viewport and compare them to the drawings in Figure 21. A properly operating burner should produce a soft blue flame. Blue tips with yellow inner cones are satisfactory. The tips of the flame may have a slight yellow tint. The flame should not be all yellow or have a sharp blue-orange color. Contaminated air may cause an orange colored flame. Contact a qualified person if the flame is not satisfactory.

Figure 21

Flame Characteristics

Water Temperature Stacking

Stacking occurs when a series of short draws of hot water

(3 gallons or less) are taken from the water heater tank.

This causes increased cycling of the burner and can result in increased water temperatures at the hot water outlet.

This water heater’s temperature control has been designed to accurately regulate the water temperature. However, under certain operating conditions, the water temperature may temporarily exceed the dial setting. Consequently, in addition to setting the temperature no higher than 120°F, we recommend the installation of a mixing valve or an anti-scald device in the hot water supply line or at the point of use to further reduce the risk of scald injury. These devices can be obtained from a plumbing service agency or your retail supplier.

Emergency Shut Down

IMPORTANT: Should overheating occur or the gas supply fails to shut off, turn off the water heater’s manual gas control valve and call a qualified person.

18

Water Temperature Regulation

WARNING

IMPORTANT: Adjusting the thermostat past the 120°F bar on the temperature dial will increase the risk of scald injury.

Hot water can produce first degree burns within:

Table 5:

Water

Temperature °F

Time for 1st

Degree Burn

(Less Severe Burns)

Time for

Permanent Burns

2nd & 3rd Degree

(Most Severe Burns)

110

116

116

122

131

140

149

154

(normal shower temp.)

(pain threshold)

35 minutes

1 minute

5 seconds

2 seconds

1 second instantaneous

45 minutes

5 minutes

25 seconds

5 seconds

2 seconds

1 second

(U.S. Government Memorandum, C.P.S.C., Peter L. Armstrong, Sept. 15,1978)

Water temperature over 125°F can cause severe burns instantly or death from scalds.

Children, disabled and elderly are at highest risk of being scalded.

Feel water before bathing or showering.

Temperature limiting valves are available.

The thermostat is adjusted to the pilot position when it is shipped from the factory. Water temperature can be regulated by moving the temperature dial to the preferred setting. The preferred starting point is 120°F at the “HOT” setting. Align the knob with the desired water temperature as shown in Figure 22. There is a hot water scald potential if the thermostat is set too high.

NOTE: Temperatures shown on the gas control valve/ thermostat are approximates. The actual temperature of the heated water may vary.

Figure 22

Gas Control Valve/Thermostat

Settings

Igniter

HOT

ON

STATUS

OFF

A

B C

VE

RY

HOT

LOW

VAC

On / Off Switch

Status

Light

120°F

Mark

A

HOT

‡

LOW

B C

‡

Y

VAC

NOTE: During low demand periods when hot water is not being used, a lower thermostat setting will reduce energy losses and may satisfy your normal hot water needs.

If hot water use is expected to be more than normal, a higher thermostat setting may be required to meet the increased demand. When leaving your home for extended periods (vacations, etc.), turn the temperature dial to the vacation (VAC) setting. This will maintain the water at low temperatures with minimum energy losses and prevent the tank from freezing during cold weather.

19

Electrical Connections

Before plugging in the water heater, always make sure:

• The Voltage and frequency correspond to that specified on the water heater.

• The electrical outlet has the proper overload fuse or breaker protection.

• Water heater to be located within 6 feet of 120VAC outlet.

• Unit is to connect to a 120VAC electrical supply outlet

(extension cord is not allowed).

• The water heater and the outlet are properly grounded.

• Installed in accordance with prevailing provisions of local codes, or in the absence of such, National Electric Code,

ANSI/NFPS 70 current edition.

Completely fill the tank with water and check all connections for leaks. Open the nearest hot water faucet and let it run for three (3) minutes to purge the water lines of air and sediment and to ensure complete filling of the tank. The Electrical power may then be turned on. Verify proper operation after servicing.

WARNING

Electric Shock Hazard

Disconnect power before servicing.

Replace all parts and panels before operating.

Failure to do so can result in death or electrical shock.

Figure 23:

Wiring Diagram

WARNING

TRANSFORMER

BN - 24VAC

V - 24VAC

FLUE DAMPER

BK - 24VAC (HOT)

WH - 24VAC (NEUTRAL)

1 2 3

YL

END SWITCH

4 5 6

BL

RD

20

DAMPER

GR

YL YL

TEMPERATURE

CUT-OFF SWITCH

FV SENSOR

TEMPERATURE CUT-OFF

SWITCH 6 5 4

GAS CONTROL VALVE/

THERMOSTAT

3 2 1

4 3 2 1

BL

RD

GAS CONTROL VALVE\THERMOSTAT

IGNITER/FLAME

SENSOR

FV SENSOR

ON/OFF SWITCH

FLAME SENSOR\IGNITER

You must provide all wiring of the proper size outside of the water heater. You must obey local codes and electric utility requirements when you install this wiring. This appliance must be electrically grounded in accordance with local codes or, in the absence of local codes, with the National Electrical Code ANSI/NFPA No 70 (current edition) and/or THE CSA C22.1 ELECTRICAL CODE.(CURRENT EDITION)

Note: If any of the original wire as supplied with the appliance must be replaced, it must be replaced with 105 ° C wire or its equivalent.

Caution: Label all wires prior to disconnection when servicing controls. Wiring errors can cause improper and dangerous operation.