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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 leakingwhen 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 is produced
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 burn6r 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 machines
and shower heads.
Excessive condensation
may be noticed
during
the winter
and
early spring months
when incoming
water temperatures
are at
their lowest.
Good venting is essential for a gas fired water heater to operate
properly as well as to carry away products of combustion and
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
offofoil
from metal parts, and will disappear in a short while.
Water sup, p ly systems may, because of such events as high line
pressure, l_luent
cut-offs, the effects of water hammer among
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 system to be dosed. As water is heated, it expands (ther-
mal expansion) and closed systems do not allow for the expan-
sion of heated 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 excesspressure.
The temperatux_pressure
relief valve is not intendedfor
the _onstant
relief of thermal
expansion.
This
is an unacceptable
condition
and must
be
corrected.
It is recommended
that any devices installed which 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
Number
Tank Capacity
In Gallons
2
5
Dimensions in Inches
Diameter
Length
8 inches
12_ inches
11 inches 14_ inches
153.331020
153.331050
Expansion
Tank
Sizing
Chart
Water HeaterCapadty
(Gallons)
Pipe Fitting
On Tank
_" Male
_" Male
Expansion
Tank
Capacity
Needed
Inlet*
Water
Pressure
40psi
50psi
60psi
70psi
80psi
30
_ 40
50
66
82
2
1
2
2
5
5
2
!
2
2
5
5
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
tanks
air pressure
must be adjusted
to match
that
pressure, but must not be higher than 80 psi.
22
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