High Altitude Deration - Suburban SW6D Installation And Operation Manual

MAKING WATER CONNECTIONS
A. W ater connections are m ade at the rear of the water heater. R efer to Figure
4 for all m odels except SW 6D M and SW 6D E M . For SW 6D M and SW 6D E M , refer
to Figure 5 or 6. C onnect the hot and cold water lines to the 1/2" fem ale pipe fitting
provided on rear of tank . T hese fittings are m ark ed "H O T " and "C O LD ". N O T E :
Inside each fitting is a plastic fill tube. Its purpose is to enhance water circulation.
D O N O T R E M O V E P LAS TIC FILL TU B E .
IM P O R T A N T : U se a pipe thread c om pound suitable for potable water or pipe
th read ta pe o n all co nn ectio ns to a ssu re th ey w ill no t le ak .
B . For ease of rem oval, it is suggested that a pipe union be installed in each water
line.
C . Fill tank with water. O pen both hot and cold water faucets to expel air from
tank. W hen tank is filled and water flows from faucets, close both faucets and
check all connections for leak s.
C AU TIO N : If you use air pressure to check for leaks, the pressure m ust not
exceed 30 P S I (in accordance w ith 4-9.1.1 of AN S I A119.2).
N O TE : A fte r le ak testin g, dra in wate r fro m ta nk .
MAKING GAS CONNECTIONS
A. C onnect a 3/8" gas supply line to the 3/8 flare fitting at gas valve located in the
c o ntrol housing. W hen m ak ing the gas connection, hold the gas fitting o n th e
valve with a wrench when tightening the flare nut. Failure to hold fitting secure
could result in a gas leak due to fitting being dam aged. N O T E : It will be necessary
to rem ove the grom m et from the control housing, m ake the gas connection at the
valve, then reinstall grom m et.
W AR N IN G ! It is im perative that grom m et and gas line th ro ugh grom m et
be caulked air tight. If not tightly sealed, m oisture and potential harm ful
flue prod ucts co u ld vent through opening and into living area of trailer.
(S ee Figure 7.)
B . T urn on gas and check all fittings and connections for leaks, using a soap and
water solution. C orrect even the slightest leak im m ediately.
W AR N IN G ! D o not use an open flam e to check for leaks!

HIGH ALTITUDE DERATION

S uburban w ater heaters are certified by nationally recognized testing laboratories
for operation without m odifications at altitudes up to 4,500 feet. O peration above
this elevation m ay require derating by 4 percent for every 1 ,00 0 feet above sea
level. For exam ple, at 8,000 feet, the water heater should be derated
approxim ately 32 percent.
If the unit is not properly derated, lack of sufficient oxygen for com bustion m ay
produce im proper burner operation. Pilot outage caused by burner lift-off or
sooting from a yellow burner m ay occur ind icating the possibility of carbon
m onoxide. You m ay also notice a lack of efficiency in heating the water because
of incom plete com bustion of the burner at these higher altitudes.
C onsult with the local gas com pany, your dealer, an R V service agency or
S uburban M anufacturing C om pany for proper derating of the unit. C hange-out of
the orifice (derating) should be done by the dealer or a qualified service agency.
N O T E : It is im portant that once the unit has returned to lower elevation (below
4,500 feet), this high altitude deration and pilot adjustm ents (if equipped) be
reversed for proper operation of the unit.
Figure 4
M odel S W 6D E M
Figure 7
4
M odel S W 6D M
Figure 5
Figure 6