Troubleshooting Guide; Start Up Conditions; Condensation; Smoke/Odor - Kenmore 153.330401 Owner's Manual

Troubleshooting Guide
Start Up Conditions
CONDENSATION SMOKEIODOR
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 burner or other hot surfaces to produce a %izaling_ 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 "tankleak_. 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.
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.
THERMAL EXPANSION
Water supply systems may, because of high line pressure, fre-
quent cut-offs, 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 measuresare taken, the devices cause the water sys-
tem to be closed. As water is heated, it expands (thermal expan-
sion) and dosed systems do not allow for the expansion of heat-
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-pzessure relief valve is
reached, the valve will relieve the excess pressure. The tcmpeea-
ture-pressure rdief valve is not intended for the constant
relief'of thermal expansion. This is an unacceptable condition
and must be corrected.
It is recommended that any devices installed which could create
a dosed system have a by-pass and/or the system have an expan-
sion tank to rdieve 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 8inches 12_inche2 _"Male
153.331050 5 11 inches 14_inche* _" Male
AWARNING
HOTTER WATER CAN SCALD:. Water heaters are intended to
produce hot water.Water heated to a temperetu.re which will
satisfyclothes washmg, dishwashing,and other sanitizing needs
can scald and permanonfly injure yon upon contact. Some pon-
Ce are more likely to be permanently injured by hot water than
other_ These includethe elderl_ childron, the ingrm, or ph_ic_
ly/mentally handicapped.If anyone usinghot water in your home
fits into one of these greupsor if there is a lucal€ode or state law
requiring a retrain temperaU_ water at the hot water tap, then
_)u must take specialprecauttor-_In addition to usingthe Ioweat
a)ssible tempemtore setting that satisfiesyour hot water needs,
a means suchas a mi_ng valve, shouldbe usedat the hot water
taps used by thesu people or at the water heaten. M_ng valves
are availableat plumbing supplyor hardware store_ Followman-
ufacturers instructions for installation of the valves. Before
changing the factory setting on the thermostat, read the
'fl'emperature Regulation" sectionin this manual.
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 tanks air pressure must be adjusted to match that
pressure, but must not be higher than 80 psi.
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