Installation - Piping; Boiler Water Inlet And Outlet Piping; Water Quality; System Piping Methods - Watts Aerco AM Series Operation & Maintenance Manual

AM Series Pool Heater User Manual
SECTION 5: INSTALLATION – PIPING
SECTION 5: INSTALLATION – PIPING

5.1 Boiler Water Inlet and Outlet Piping

When connecting the hot water outlet and cold water inlet to building piping, first make sure the
threads are thoroughly clean. AERCO recommends using Loctite ® 7649 to prime the threads
and then Loctite 567 as pipe dope. Do NOT use Teflon tape.

5.2 Water Quality

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Before connecting the boiler to the heating system, the heating system must be thoroughly
flushed to remove sediment, flux, filings and other foreign matter. The heat exchanger can be
damaged by build-up of corrosion due to sediment.
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An approved inhibitor should be added to the heating system water to prevent limestone and
magnetite deposits from forming and to protect the boiler from galvanic corrosion.
•
The manufacturer cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by incorrect use of
additives in the heating system.
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Continual fresh make-up water will reduce boiler life. Mineral buildup in the heat exchanger
reduces heat transfer, overheats the stainless steel heat exchanger, and causes failure.
Addition of oxygen carried in by makeup water can cause internal corrosion in system
components. Leaks in boiler or piping must be repaired at once to prevent makeup water
entering the boiler.
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Do not use the boiler to directly heat swimming pools or spa water.
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Hardness –Hardness substantially contributes to the formation of scaling, which is highly
undesirable. The total hardness must be less than 200 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS).
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Artificial Softness – Do NOT use artificially softened water. Artificial softening agents
generally use salt, which creates a chloride water chemistry, a major contributor to the
corrosion of the types of metals used in hydronic systems. Elevated salt levels also contribute
to higher conductivity levels, another undesirable characteristic in hydronic systems.
•
Chloride – Chlorides are salts resulting from the combination of the gas chlorine with a metal
and are instrumental in accelerating corrosion in the types of metals used in hydronic systems.
Chlorides may be naturally occurring in the water. Concentrations of chlorides in system water
should be less than 150 ppm.
•
Conductivity – Dissolved metals and minerals increase the conductivity of water and indicate
not only the presence of undesired corrosive agents, but also contribute to the transfer and
migration of ions and charged particles in the water that contribute to fouling of sensors,
valves, and other devices used in th e system. Additionally, high conductivity contributes to
galvanic corrosion, in which one metal will preferentially corrode when in when both are in
contact with an electrolyte. Conductivity should be less than 3000 μS.
•
pH – The pH must always be between 7.5 and 9.5.

5.3 System Piping Methods

This boiler is designed to function in a closed loop pressurized system not less than 15 psi (1
bar). A pressure gauge is included to monitor system pressure. The factory configuration of the
pool heater features an air vent, which removes air from the system. Install the system so the gas
ignition system components are protected from water (dripping, spraying, etc.), during appliance
operation for basic service of circulator replacement, valves, and others.
OMM-0111_B: • GF-146-P • 10/29/2019 Technical Support • (800) 526-0288 • Mon-Fri, 8 am - 5 pm EST Page 24 of 47