Gas Conversion; Gas Supply - Kenmore 153.336930 Use & Care Manual

WARNING
For your safety, the following procedures should be
performed by a qualified technician as it involves
disconnection of gas piping and leak testing.
Do not connect a natural gas water heater to an L.P.

gas supply.

Do not connect an L.P. gas water heater to a natural
gas supply.
A. Remove the Manifold/Burner Assembly
1. Turn off the gas supply to the water heater at the manual
gas shut-off valve. This valve is typically located beside the
water heater. Note the position of the shut-off valve in the
open/on position, then proceed to turn it off.
2. On the lower front of the water heater, locate the gas control
valve/thermostat.
3. Turn the gas control/temperature knob to the "OFF" position.
With the unit shut-off, allow sufficient time for the water
heater to cool before performing any maintenance.
4. Remove the outer door.
5. Remove the two screws securing the installed manifold
door assembly to the combustion chamber (Figure 11).
6. Disconnect the following from the gas control valve/thermostat:
pilot tube, igniter wire, and manifold tube. See Figure 11.
7. Using needle nose pliers, disconnect the white and red
thermopile wires from the gas control valve/thermostat
(Figure 11).
8. Grasp the manifold tube and push down slightly to free the
manifold tube and pilot tube.
9. Carefully remove the manifold/burner assembly from the burner
compartment. NOTE: Be sure not to damage internal parts.
B. Convert the Gas Control Valve/Thermostat
1. Remove the cap (shown in Figure 12).
2. Remove the conversion fitting by turning it counter-clockwise
with a flathead screwdriver.
3. Thread the opposite end of the conversion fitting into the opening
by turning it clockwise, then tighten it with a flathead screwdriver.
a. LP GAS: If you are converting the unit to use LP gas
(propane), verify that "LP" is marked on the exposed end
of the fitting. "LP" must face outward (toward you.) See
GAS CONTROL VALVE/THERMOSTAT CONNECTIONS
IGNITER
BUTTON
IGNITER
LEAD
WIRE
IGNITER
WIRE
GAS CONTROL/
TEMPERATURE KNOB
PIEZO IGNITER BUTTON
PILOT TUBE
VIEWPORT
OUTER DOOR
NOT SHOWN
MANIFOLD SCREW (2)
FIGURE 11.

GAS CONVERSION

WHITE
WIRE
(RIGHT
SIDE)
RED WIRE
(LEFT SIDE)
PILOT
T
UBE MANIFOLD TUBE
THERMOPILE
WIRE
CONNECTIONS
VAC
MANIFOLD TUBE
THERMAL
SWITCH
MANIFOLD
DOOR
MANIFOLD COMPONENT BLOCK
Figure 12. If "NAT" faces outward, repeat step 2.
b. NATURAL GAS: If you are converting the unit to use
natural gas, verify that "NAT" is marked on the exposed
end of the fitting. "NAT" must face outward (toward you.)
See Figure 12. If "LP" faces outward, repeat step 2.
4. Replace the cap.
C. Install the Conversion Manifold/Burner
Assembly
1. Check the door gasket for damage or imbedded debris prior
to installation.
2. Inspect the view port for damage and replace as required.
3. Insert the conversion manifold/burner assembly into the
burner compartment, making sure that the tip of the manifold
tube engages in the slot of the bracket inside the combustion
chamber. NOTE: For 30 gallon models, the LP manifold/
burner assembly is identified by a yellow square (label) on
the packaging. For 40 gallon models, the LP manifold/burner
assembly is identified by a green square on the packaging.
4. Inspect the door gasket and make sure there is no fiberglass
insulation between the gasket and the combustion chamber.
5. Replace the two screws that secure the manifold/burner
assembly door to the combustion chamber, then tighten
them securely. There should be no space between the
gasket part of the manifold door and the combustion
chamber. IMPORTANT: Do not operate the water heater
if the door gasket does not create a seal between the
manifold door and the combustion chamber.
6. Reconnect the manifold tube and pilot tube to the gas
control valve/thermostat (Figure 11). Do not cross-thread
or apply any thread sealant to the fittings. IMPORTANT: If
you were supplied with a new ferrule nut in a parts kit, follow
these steps to connect the pilot tube:
A.) Install the ferrule nut into the gas valve at the pilot tube
location, hand tight only. B.) Insert the pilot tube into the
ferrule nut until the tube bottoms out, then tighten the nut with
a 7/16" wrench until the crimp connection seals to the pilot tube.
C.) Continue to tighten until the nut is tight in the gas valve.
7. Connect the white and red thermopile wires to the gas
control valve/thermostat. See Figure 11.
8. Reconnect the igniter wire.
9. Turn the gas supply on and follow the Lighting Instructions.
10. With the main burner lit, check for leaks at the manifold and
pilot connections by brushing on an approved non-corrosive
leak detection solution. If such a solution is not available,
use a mixture of hand dish washing soap and water (one
part soap to 15 parts water). Bubbles forming indicate a
leak. Correct any leak found.
11. Verify proper operation; replace outer door.
GAS CONTROL VALVE/THERMOSTAT
16
CONVERSION FITTING
CAP
NATURAL GAS:
"NAT" FACES OUTWARD
(TOWARD YOU).*
LP GAS:
"LP" FACES OUTWARD
(TOWARD YOU).*
*
ORIENTATION MAY VARY. FITTING TO BE TIGHT.
FIGURE 12.