Operating Your Water Heater - A.O. Smith GAS WATER HEATER Installation Instructions And Use & Care Manual

Lighting Instructions
Read and understand these directions thoroughly before
attempting to light or re-light the pilot. Make sure the view
port is not missing or damaged. (See Figure 23.) Make
sure the tank is completely filled with water before lighting
the pilot. Check the rating plate near the gas control valve/
thermostat for the correct type of gas. Do not use this
water heater with any gas other than the one listed on the
rating plate. If you have any questions or doubts, consult
your gas supplier or gas utility company.
Lighting the Pilot:
1. Read and follow the lighting instructions on the water
heater's label.
2. Turn the Control Knob to Pilot. Press the Knob in fully
and hold it in. (The knob will travel in about 1/4-inch if
it is set to Pilot correctly.)
3. Click the Igniter button continuously for up to 90
seconds or until the Status Light begins to blink.
If the Status Light does not begin to blink after 90
seconds, STOP. Wait 10 minutes before attempting
to relight the Pilot. Repeat these steps 2-3 times, if
necessary.
The circuitry in this gas valve requires that you wait 10
minutes between lighting attempts.
If the Status Light blinks, release the Control
Knob and turn it to the desired setting. ("Hot" is
approximately 120°F).
If the Status Light Does Not Blink:
1. Wait 10 minutes before another lighting attempt.
2. If the Status Light did not blink, repeat the lighting
procedure by following the lighting instructions on
the water heater's label. Remove the outer door.
The Control Knob must be set to Pilot and held in
continuously while clicking the igniter button (about
once per second for up to 90 seconds). To observe the
Pilot, remove the outer door and look through the view
port (sight glass). See Figure 23.
3. Continue clicking the Igniter button (for up to 90
seconds) until Pilot lights.
4. Once the Pilot is lit, continue to hold the Control Knob
in until the Status Light begins to blink.
5. Release Control Knob and set Knob to desired
temperature setting. ("Hot" is approximately 120°F.)
6. Replace the outer door.
If the Pilot Does Not Light:
1. Wait 10 minutes before another lighting attempt.
If the pilot does not light, the Igniter may not be
sparking or the unit may not be getting gas (or for a
new installation, there may still be air in the gas line).
Each time you click the igniter button, you should be
able to see the spark by looking through the view port.
See Figure 23. (You may have to darken the room
lights to see the spark.) You do not have to push the

OPERATING YOUR WATER HEATER

20
Replace view port if glass is missing
or damaged.
Failure to do so can result in death,
explosion or fire.
Control Knob in to check the Igniter button. Simply
look through the sight glass while clicking the Igniter
button and look for a spark. If you can't see a spark
when the Igniter button is clicked, check the wiring
connections from the Igniter button and make sure that
they are tight.
2. If you see the Igniter spark, try relighting the pilot by
following the instructions on the water heater's label.
Ensure that the gas supply is tuned on. There may
be air in the gas line, and several lighting attempts
may be needed to completely fill the line with gas and
successfully light the pilot.
If the Pilot Lights but the Status Light Does Not Blink:
1. If the pilot lights, continue to hold the Control Knob
in until the Status Light blinks. If the pilot is lit and
remains lit for 90 seconds and the Status Light still
does not blink, the thermopile connections may be
loose, the thermal switch may need to be reset, or the
thermopile may be defective.
2. Remove the outer door.
3. Press the reset button on the thermal switch (Figure 23).
4. If switch clicks, it may have tripped. Do not light the
Pilot if flammable vapors are present. Check flame
arrestor for signs of discoloration (which could be
caused by flammable vapors). If the flame arrestor is
discolored, do not attempt to relight the Pilot. Have
the water heater inspected by a qualified service
technician.
5. Check the wiring connections from the thermopile and
the thermal switch to the gas control valve/thermostat.
Ensure that all wiring connections are tight. See
Figure 23.
6. Replace the outer door.
7. Wait 10 minutes and try to light the Pilot according to
the instructions on the water heater's label.
8. While clicking the Igniter button continuously,
the Control Knob must be set to Pilot and held
in until the Status Light blinks. Once the Status
Light blinks, release the Control Knob and set the
Knob to the desired temperature setting. ("Hot" is
approximately 120°F.)
WARNING
Explosion Hazard