Service; Electrical Servicing; For Your Information; Start Up Conditions - American Water Heater BCG3 Instruction Manual

The installer may be able to observe and correct certain problems
which may arise when the unit is put into operation. HoWeVeR,
it is recommended that only qualified service agents, using
appropriate test equipment, be allowed to service the heater.
As preliminary step, check wiring against diagram, check for
grounded, broken or loose wires. Check all wire ends to be sure
that they are making good contact.

start up conditions

smoke/odor
it is not uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and
odor during the initial start-up. This is due to burning off of oil
from metal parts, and will disappear in a short while.
strange sounds
Possible noises due to expansion and contraction of some metal
parts during periods of heat-up and cool-down do not necessarily
represent harmful or dangerous conditions.
Condensation causes sizzling and popping within the burner area
during heating and cooling periods and should be considered
normal. See "Condensation" section in this manual.
condensation
Whenever the water heater is filled with cold water, some
condensate will form while the burner is on. A water heater may
appear to be leaking when in fact the water is condensation. This
usually happens when:
a. A new water heater is filled with cold water for the first time.
b. Burning gas produces water vapor in water heaters, particularly
high efficiency models where flue temperatures are lower.
c. Large amounts of hot water are used in a short time and the
refill water in the tank is very cold.
moisture from the products of combustion condense on the cooler
tank surfaces and form drops of water which may fall onto the burner
or other hot surfaces to produce a "sizzling" or "frying" noise.

operational conditions

smelly water
in each water heater there is installed at least one anode rod for
corrosion protection of the tank. Certain water conditions will
cause a reaction between this rod and the water. The most
common complaint associated with the anode rod is one of a
"rotten egg smell" in the hot water. The smell is a result of four
factors which must all be present for the odor to develop:
a. A concentration of sulfate in the supply water.
b. Little or no dissolved oxygen in the water.

serVice

electrical serVicing

LABeL ALL WiReS PRioR To DiSCoNNeCTioN WHeN SeRViCiNG
CoNTRoLS. WiRiNG eRRoRS CAN CAuSe imPRoPeR AND
DANGeRouS oPeRATioN.
VeRifY PRoPeR oPeRATioN AfTeR SeRViCiNG.

for your information

c.
d.
Smelly water may be eliminated or reduced in some water heater
models by replacing the anode(s) with one of less active material,
and then chlorinating the water heater tank and all water lines.
Contact the local water heater supplier or service agency for
further information concerning an Anode Replacement Kit and
this chlorination treatment.
if smelly water persists after anode replacement and chlorination
treatment, we can only suggest that chlorination or aeration of the
water supply be considered to eliminate the water problem.
Do not remove the anode leaving the tank unprotected. By doing
so, all warranty on the water heater tank is voided.
"air" in hot water faucets
HYDRoGeN GAS: Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot water
system that has not been used for a long period of time (generally
two weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is extremely flammable and
explosive. To prevent the possibility of injury under these conditions,
we recommend the hot water faucet, located farthest away, be
opened for several minutes before any electrical appliances
which are connected to the hot water system are used (such as
a dishwasher or washing machine). if hydrogen gas is present,
there will probably be an unusual sound similar to air escaping
through the pipe as the hot water faucet is opened. There must be
no smoking or open flame near the faucet at the time it is open.

high water temperature shut off system

This water heater is equipped with an automatic reset type high limit
(energy Cutoff) sensor. The high limit switch interrupts the main
burner gas flow should water temperature reach 195°f (91°C).
The high limit will automatically reset when the water temperature
drops below 140°f (60°C). After cooling the tank temperature,
turn off the electric power to the water heater for at least 10
seconds by using the switch on the front of the control box. Turn
on the water heater. if this fails to correct the problem, contact
your plumber or service representative.
32
A sulfate reducing bacteria which has accumulated
within the water heater (this harmless bacteria is
nontoxic to humans).
An excess of active hydrogen in the tank. This is caused
by the corrosion protective action of the anode.