Operational Problems

Operational Problems

Read and understand this instruction manual and the safety messages herein before installing, operating or servicing this water heater.

Failure to follow these instructions and safety messages could result in death or serious injury.

This manual must remain with the water heater.

This section of the manual is intended to be an aid in correcting common operational problems, it is not all inclusive. The installer may be able to observe and correct certain problems which might arise when the water heater is first put into operation or when it is re-fired after a prolonged shutdown. However, only qualified service agents should perform any service procedures on the water heater.

Note: Call the technical support phone number listed on the back cover of this manual for further technical assistance or to locate a qualified service agent in your area.

Rough Starting, Rough Operation

Fire and Explosion Hazard

Rough Starting, Rough Operation Do not use water heater with any gas other than the gas shown on the rating plate.

Momentary Ignition Excessive gas pressure to gas valve can cause serious injury or death.

Burn Hazard Turn off gas lines during installation.

Not Enough Or No Hot Water Contact a qualified installer or service agency for installation and service.

Undersized supply gas line (low volume of supply gas).

Low Gas Pressure.

Excessive supply gas pressure.

Excessive manifold (offset) gas pressure.

Incorrect Fuel Type

Vent (exhaust) gas recirculation at the vent and intake air pipe terminations on Direct Vent installations.

Excessive equivalent lengths of intake air and/or vent (exhaust) piping installed.

Clogged/blocked wire screen(s).

Clogged/blocked Main Burner.

Momentary Ignition

Water Is Too Hot CAUTION

Burn Hazard

The combustion chamber and burner sleeve and housing become very hot during operation.

Do not reach into the burner housing or combustion chamber if the water heater

is still hot.

Allow the water heater to cool and always use gloves when handling the main burner.

If the Main Burner ignites momentarily but does not sustain ignition allow the water heater to try to ignite up to two more times until control system locks out and the Ignition Failure Fault message is displayed on the control system's LCD. If the water heater is experiencing rough starts - see Rough Starting, Rough Operation on this page. For momentary ignition problems without rough starting check the following:

Incorrect manifold (offset) gas pressure.

Undersized supply gas line (low volume of supply gas).

Low Gas Pressure

See the list of possible causes and things to check and repair for the Ignition Failure Fault message.

Clogged/blocked wire screen(s).

Clogged/blocked Main Burner.

Not Enough Or No Hot Water

No power to the water heater, check breaker, fuses and the water heater on/off switch.

Hot water supply valve(s) to fixtures closed.

Operating Set Point is set too low, Differential setting is set too high.

Temperature Probe Offset setting are causing the heating cycles to terminate prematurely.

The heating capacity of the water heater has been exceeded, the water heater is unable to meet demand.

Colder incoming water temperature lengthening the time required to heat water to desired temperature.

Hot water piping leaks, open faucets, water heater drain valve leaking or open.

Sediment or lime scale accumulation may be affecting water heater operation.

Water Is Too Hot

Operating Set Point is set too high.

Temperature Probe Offset settings improperly set.

Noisy Operation

Normal operating noise of electrical components; Combustion Blower, transformer hum, relay contact closure.

Replacement Parts

Replacement parts may be ordered from the manufacturer, authorized service agencies or distributors. When ordering parts be sure to have the complete water heater Model Number, Serial Number and Series Number available. This information can be found on the rating plate affixed to the water heater.

Refer to the parts list for more information or call the parts department or technical support phone number listed on the back cover of this manual for further assistance.

Fault and Alert Conditions

Fault Conditions

When the control system declares a Fault condition it will display a Fault message on the control system's LCD with an exclamation "!" mark. The control system will lock out and disable heating operation until the condition is corrected. The water heater must be serviced by a qualified service agent before operation can be restored.

Alert Conditions

When the control system declares an Alert condition it will display an Alert message on the control system's LCD with a question "?"

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American Water Heater VG6250T100 Burn Hazard, Operational Problems, Fault and Alert Conditions, Fire and Explosion Hazard