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Troubleshooting
Guide
Start Up Conditions
CONDENSATION
THERMAL
EXPANSION
Whenever
the water heater is filled with cold water, a certain
amount
of condensation
will form while the burner is on. A
water heater may appear to be leaklngwhen
in fact the water is
condensation.
This usually happens when:
• When a new water heater is filled with cold water for the
first time.
• When gas burns and water vapor isproduced
in water
heaters, particularly high efficiency models where flue tem-
peratures
are lower.
• When you use large amounts of hot water in a short time
and the refill water 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.
Excessive
condensation
can cause pilot outage due to water run-
ning
down
the flue tube onto the main burner
and putting
out
the pilot.
Because of the suddenness and amount of water, condensation
water may be diagnosed as a "tank leak". After the water in the
tank warms
up (about
1-2 hours),
the condition
should
disappear.
Do not assume the water heater is leaking until there has been
enough time for the water in the tank to warm up.
An undersized water heater will cause more condensation.
The
water heater
must
be sized properly
to meet the family's
demands for hot water including dishwashers, washing machir_es
and shower heads.
Excessive condensation
may be noticed during the winter and
early spring months when incoming water temperatures
are at
their lowest.
Good vendng is essential for a gas fired water heater to operate
properly as well as to carry away products of combustiohand
water vapor.
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.
Water suppl,_, systems may, because of high line pressure, fre-
quent cut-orrs, the effects of water hammer and others, have
installed devices such as pressure reducing valves, check valves,
back flow preventers,
etc. to control these types of problems.
When these devices are not equipped with an internal by-pass,
and no other measures are taken, the devices cause the water sys-
tem to be dosed. As water is heated, it expands (thermal expan-
sion) and closed systems do not allow for the expansion of fieat-
ed water.
The water within the water heater tank expands as it is heated
and increases the pressure of the water system. If the relieving
point of the water heater's temperature-pressure
relief valve is
reached, the valve will relieve the excess pressure. The tempera-
ture-pressure
relief valve is not intended
for the constant
relief of thermal
e_tpansion. This is an unacceptable condition
and must be corrected.
It is recommended that any devices installedwhich could create
a closed system have a by-pass and/or the system have an expan-
sion tank to relieve the pressure built by thermal expansion in
the water system. Expansion tanks are available for ordering
through the Sears Service Center. Contact the local plumbing
inspector, water supplier, and/or the Sears Service Center for
assistance in controlling these situations.
Thermal
Expansion
Tank Specifications
Model
Tank Capacity
Dimensions in Inches
Pipe Fitting
Number
In Gallons
Diameter
Length
On Tank
153.331020
2
8 inches
12_ inches
_" Male
153.331050
5
11 inches
14_inches
_" Male
Expansion
Tank Sizing
Chart
Water Heater Capacity (Gallons)
Inlet*
Water
Pressure
40psi
50psi
60psi
70psi
80psi
Expansion
30
40
50
66
82
Tank
2
2
2
5
5
Capacity
2
2
2
5
5
Needed
2
2
5
5
5
2
2
5
5
5
2
5
5
5
5
*Highest recorded inlet water pressure in a 24 hour period or
regulated water pressure.
NOTE:
Expansion
tanks are pre-charged
with a 40 psi air
charge. If the inlet water pressure is higher than 40 psi, the
expansion
tank's air pressure must be ac_justed to match that
pressure, but must not be higher than 80 psi.
22
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