Troubleshooting; Service And Repair - A.O. Smith FPSE-75 Owner's Manual

DRAINING
Periodically open the drain valve and allow the water to run until
it flows clean. This will help prevent sediment build-up in the
tank.
It is normal for lime and scale deposits to form within the tank
and on the heat exchanger surfaces. Such deposits will not be
removed by periodic draining. It is necessary to chemically
delime the affected parts in water areas where such deposits
are encountered. Contact your dealer or plumber for deliming
information.
If the heater is to be shut off and exposed to freezing
temperatures, it must be drained. Water, if left in the tank and
allowed to freeze, will damage the heater.
• Turn off the gas and cold water inlet valve to the heater..
• Open a nearby hot water faucet and the heater drain valve.
• BE CAREFUL TO GRASP THE DRAIN VALVE HANDLE SO
THAT THE HAND IS NOT EXPOSED TO HOT WATER. IF
DESIRED, A HOSE MAY BE CONNECTED TO THE DRAIN
VALVE TO CARRY THE WATER AWAY.
WARNING: The water CAN BE HOT.
The drain valve must be left open during the shutdown period.
• To restart heater, refer to the instructions under OPERATION.
CONDENSATION
Water vapor can condense on the cooler surfaces of the tank
forming droplets, these drip into the fire or run out on the floor.
This is common at the time of startup after installation, during
periods of time when incoming water is very cold, or the heater
may be undersized for the requirements.
Droplets from the bottom of the flue may be due to corrosive
combustion products or improper vent. Check with your dealer
for more information.
CATHODIC PROTECTION-ANODE
The anode rod within the tank is designed to be slowly
consumed cathodically, minimizing corrosion in the glass lined
tank. A hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg) odor may result if water
contains high sulfate and/or minerals. Chlorinating the water
supply should minimize the problem. (See EXTENDED NON-
USE PERIODS).
NOTE: Anode must remain installed (except for inspection) to
avoid shortening tank life. See LIMITED WARRANTY. Replace
as necessary.

SERVICE AND REPAIR

The A.O. Smith water heater requires no special care other than
the normal maintanence as noted above. If you are having a
problem with your water heater, before calling for service please
refer to the following TROUBLESHOOTING sections. If service
becomes necessary, contact your dealer, installer or an
authorized service agent. Do not attempt to repair the water
heater yourself. Any work performed by authorized personnel
may void the warranty.
If you are having a problem with your A.O. Smith water heater
and are not pleased with the service you received:
• First, please contact your dealer or the A.O. Smith authorized
service agent in your area and explain to them why you are
not satisfied. This will usually correct the problem.
• If after working with your dealer or service agent the problem
has not been resolved to your satisfaction, please let us know
by either writing to us at,
A.O. Smith Water Products Company
Service Department
600 East John Carpenter Freeway
Rochelle Park, Suite 200
Irving, TX 75038
or, going to our website at: www.hotwater.com
Please click on: "Mail",
then click on: "Service"
and leave us a message.
Please be sure to provide the following information when writing
or e-mailing:
• Model Number
• Serial Number
• Date of Original Purchase
• Date Problem Originated
• Explanation of Problem
Also, please be sure to include a daytime telephone number.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
Water heates may exhibit problems that are unrelated to a
malfunction of the water heater itself. The following information
and tables may serve to answer your question about a problem
that you are having without having to call a service agent.
For your safety, water heater service should be performed only
by a qualified service technician. Read the GENERAL SAFETY
INFORMATION section first.
WATER HEATING CYCLE
(GAS AND ELECTRIC POWER ARE ON,"OFF/ON" SWITCH IS ON)
®
1) SMARTVALVE (1) CALLS FOR HEAT (SEE FIGURES 1 & 7)
A) THERMOSTAT SENSES NEED FOR HEATING WATER
B) CONTACTS CLOSE IN THERMOSTAT, POWER (115 VAC)
FLOWS TO BLOWER MOTOR (2)
2) BLOWER MOTOR ROTATES BLOWER WHEEL
A) BLOWER WHEEL SPEED INCREASES
B) WHEEL SPEED INCREASES, AIR PRESSURE SWITCH
CONTACTS CLOSE
3) 120 VAC FLOWS TO HOT SURFACE IGNITER
NOTE: THE CONTROL MODULE ON THIS UNIT WILL TRY A MAXIMUM OF
THREE TIMES TO LIGHT THE UNIT. CYCLE CAN BE RESTARTED AT ANY
TIME BY TURNING OFF SWITCH AND THEN TURNING BACK ON. IF UNIT
HAS GONE THROUGH THREE CYCLES AND DID NOT LIGHT, THEN
REPAIRMAN SHOULD BE CALLED TO CHECK OPERATION OF HEATER.
4) MAIN BURNER IGNITES
A) GAS FLOWS TO MAIN BURNER PORTS AND IS IGNITED
5) GAS VALVE SENSES BURNER FLAME
6) BURNER HEATS WATER
A) BURNER HEATS WATER TO THERMOSTAT SETTING
B) CONTACTS IN THERMOSTAT OPEN,
C) CYCLE IS COMPLETED
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