American Water Heater 318281-000 Element Replacement, Anode, Water Heater Sounds

Models: 318281-000

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ELEMENT

Make sure the electrical supply to the solar water heater is turned OFF. Failure to heed this will result in the possibility of DEATH, SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

2.Open a nearby hot water faucet until the water is no longer hot, then turn off the cold water supply and open the drain valve, leaving the hot water faucet open.

3.The drain valve must be left open during the shut-down period. Once the solar water heater is drained close the hot water faucet.

ELEMENT

In some water areas, scale or mineral deposits will build up on heating elements. This build up may cause a rumbling noise. Follow the element replacement directions to remove the elements from the tank. Soaking in vinegar and scraping will remove the mineral deposit. Be careful not to bend the element.

ELEMENT REPLACEMENT

Replacement elements must (1) be the same voltage and

(2)no greater wattage than listed on the model and rating plate affixed to the solar water heater.

1.Turn OFF the electrical supply to the solar water heater. Make sure the electrical supply to the solar water heater is turned OFF. Failure to heed this will result in the possibility of DEATH, SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

2.Drain the solar water heater. Follow the directions for draining.

3.Take off the access panel and take off the access panel and remove the insulation.Disconnect the wires from the heating element terminals.

4.Use and element wrench to remove the element and gasket. You should always use a new gasket when you replace the element.

5.Install new element.

6.Reconnect the wires as they were.

7.Fill the tank , following the filling directions on page 9. Fill the tank completely with water, BEFORE you turn on the electric supply.

ANODE

Each water heater contains at least one anode rod, which will slowly deplete (due to electrolysis) prolonging the life of the water heater by protecting the glass-lined tank from corrosion. Adverse water quality, hotter water temperatures, high hot water usage, hydronic heating devices, and water softening methods can increase the rate of anode rod depletion. Once the anode rod is depleted, the tank will start to corrode, eventually developing a leak.

Certain water conditions will cause a reaction between the anode rod and the water. The most common complaint associated with the anode rod is a “rotten egg smell” produced from the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in the water. IMPORTANT: Do not remove this rod permanently as it may void any warranties. A special anode rod may be available if water odor or discoloration occurs. NOTE: This rod may reduce but not eliminate water odor problems. The water supply system may require special filtration equipment from a water conditioning company to successfully eliminate all water odor problems.

Artificially softened water is exceedingly corrosive because the process substitutes sodium ions for magnesium and

calcium ions. The use of a water softener may decrease the life of the water heater tank.

The anode rod should be removed from the water heater tank every 3 years for inspection. NOTE: artificially softened water requires the anode rod to be inspected annually.

The following are typical (but not all) signs of a depleted anode rod:

The majority of the rod’s diameter is less than 3/8”.

Significant sections of the support wire (approx. 1/3 or more of the anode rod’s length) are visible.

If the anode rod shows signs of either or both it should be

replaced. NOTE: Whether re-installing

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or replacing the anode rod, check for

 

any leaks and immediately correct if

 

found.

 

In replacing the anode:

1. Turn off power supply to the water heater.

2. Shut off the water supply and open a nearby hot water faucet to depressurize the water tank.

3. Drain approximately 5 gallons of water from tank. (Refer to “Draining and Flushing” for proper procedures). Close drain valve.

4. Remove old anode rod.

5.Use Teflon® tape or approved pipe

sealant on threads and install new anode rod.

6.Turn on water supply and open a nearby hot water faucet to purge air from water system. Check for any leaks and immediately correct any if found.

7.Restart the water heater as directed in this manual. See the Storage Tank Repair Parts section for anode rod location.

TEFLON ® is a registered trademark of E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company.

Hydrogen gas can be produced in a hot water system that has not been used for a long period of time (generally two weeks or more). Hydrogen gas is extremely flammable and explosive. To prevent the possibility of bodily injury under these conditions, open the hot water faucet for several minutes at the kitchen sink before any electrical appliances which are connected to the hot water system are used (such as a dishwasher or washing machine). If hydrogen gas is present, there will probably be an unusual sound similar to air escaping through the pipe as the hot water faucet is opened. There must be no smoking or open flame near the faucet at the time it is opened.

WATER HEATER SOUNDS

1.The solar water heater is equipped with an immersion heating element for fastest recovery. If the solar water heater occasionally makes noises this is not a defect or a safety hazard.

2.Lime or scale has accumulated on the heating element causing a hissing sound. Element scale removal can be accomplished by using vinegar or by scraping.

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American Water Heater 318281-000 instruction manual Element Replacement, Anode, Water Heater Sounds